And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

ISAIAH 63:6KJV
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Isaiah 63:6 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 63:6 mean?

Isaiah 63:6 presents God as the speaker who defeats peoples in anger and brings their power to the ground. The verse portrays a forceful judgment: those facing God’s fury are left unable to stand against him.

After the image of a winepress in verse 3, “make them drunk” pictures people overwhelmed and unsteady. “Bring down their strength to the earth” describes their power as crushed and brought low.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 63:6

  • “drunk” — שָׁכַר (shakhar): This word means to become drunk or to make someone drunk. Here the image suggests a loss of control under the weight of God’s fury.
  • “strength” — נֵצַח (netsach): This word can refer to strength or vigor. In the KJV, what is brought to the earth is the defeated peoples’ power.

Why Isaiah 63:6 matters

  • The speaker’s anger is directed against peoples, not merely against an unnamed force. The verse says, “I will tread down the people,” giving the picture a human focus.
  • The winepress image makes the scene vivid and severe. In verse 3, the speaker describes treading as one would tread grapes; verse 6 continues that picture with people as the ones being trampled.
  • The repeated “I will” puts the action in the speaker’s hands. The defeat is described as something God himself carries out, a point that fits the earlier statement, “I have trodden the winepress alone” in verse 3.

Where else these words appear

“strength” Hebrew H5332 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

“down” Hebrew H947 · used in 12 verses

  • Psalms 44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
  • Proverbs 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
  • Jeremiah 12:10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

“drunk” Hebrew H7937 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
  • Jeremiah 51:39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.

“fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.