Isaías 34

Isaías 34

Garland - Although it is possible that this description is hyperbole, one must ask why then does Scripture mention this precise distance? Besides implicating the areas that might be involved (above), it would seem to indicate the magnitude of the final slaughter of all the ungodly. Attempts to understand the exact magnitude of the judgment are nearly impossible, but can provide some insight into the immensity of the slaughter: Monty Mills - Let us consider the biblical portrayal of the size of this disaster: this river of blood is 184 miles long, and its depth is the height of a horse’s bit. Now, if a horse’s bit is four feet high, we can calculate the volume required to fill a blood stream of varying widths, and as we know that the typical quantity of blood in a person is six quarts, we can then calculate how many people it would take to supply the blood. The blood from one billion human beings would make a stream not even twenty yards wide over this length of 184 miles (a trough 4’ deep with radiused sides would average 53 feet in width to hold the blood from one billion humans). If these figures are taken literally—and surely, when we recognize the literality of fulfilled prophecy in Daniel, they must be—then it is clear that God portrays the slaying of all unregenerate mankind. Notably, as the width is not given, we cannot determine the population of the earth at this time.72 Joseph A Seiss writes in light of this indescribable slaughter - Child of Adam, hear, and be admonished now while salvation is so freely offered. Be not deceived, for God is not mocked. Those impieties of thine, those guilty sports and gaieties, will yet have to be confronted before the judgment seat. Those gatherings in the gaming-halls and drink-shops of Satan, those sneers and witty jests at sacred things, those fiery lusts burning on the altars of carnal pleasure, are all written down in the account-books of eternity to be brought forth in the great day. . . . Think, O man, O woman, how would you fare were He this night to strike! (Rev 20:11-15+) If not in the city, in reconciliation with the King, outside is only death and damnation, and nothing can make it different.73 Bozrah to Har Magedon is about 200 miles (cf Rev 14:20+) Slaughter (02874)(tebach) is a noun which means slaughter. Baker writes that "Originally, the term referred to the actual slaughtering of animals for food (Gen. 43:16; Prov. 9:2); however, this term has also been used metaphorically. It describes the condition of a man seduced by an adulteress (Prov. 7:22), as well as the slaughter of the Suffering Servant (Isa. 53:7). Furthermore, it characterizes the destinies of Edom (Isa. 34:6); Moab (Jer. 48:15); Babylon (Jer. 50:27); and all those who forsake God (Isa. 34:2; 65:12). A parallel term is zeb̠aḥ, meaning slaughtering for a sacrifice." (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament - excellent resource for Hebrew words) The Lxx translates tebach in this verse with sphage which is the same noun used in Lxx of Isaiah 53:7 "Like a lamb that is led to slaughter (Heb = tebach; Lxx = sphage). Tebach - 12v - animal(1), food(1), slaughter(10). Gen. 43:16; Prov. 7:22; 9:2; Isa. 34:2,6; 53:7; 65:12; Jer. 48:15; 50:27; Ezek. 21:10,15,28 Zechariah gives a vivid description of the utter destruction of the armies of the nations of the world in this final great global conflict writing... Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem (DESCRIBED IN Zech 14:2-note); their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongue will rot in their mouth (click for a short video that might depict this horrific scene!). 13 It will come about in that day that a great panic from the LORD will fall on them (WHO WOULD NOT BE PANICKED BY SEEING EYES ROT IN THEIR SOCKETS?!); and they will seize one another’s hand, and the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another. 14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem (NOT FIGHT AGAINST BUT WITH THEIR JEWISH BRETHREN); and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance (SPOILS AFTER THE OVERWHELMING VICTORY). 15 So also like this plague will be the plague on the horse, the mule, the camel, the donkey and all the cattle that will be in those camps. (Zechariah 14:12-15-commentary) John