“Who is this who comes.” Although the speaker is not specifically identified, it is likely the watchmen from Isaiah 62:6.

“from Edom” Edom is the country southeast of Israel, and Bozrah was a major city in Edom. Edom was a perennial enemy of Israel, and in fact “Edom” often has overtones of representing all of Israel’s enemies in the same way that “Ephraim” often stands for all of Israel. The name “Edom” is spelled in Hebrew very similarly to “adam,” mankind, and thus there is an overtone here of Jesus conquering “mankind,” inasmuch as so many of them turned away from God. Furthermore, “Edom” means “red,” and so there is a play on the concept of red as Christ come from Edom (red) with his garments stained a red color. It is appropriate that the conquering Messiah who comes to conquer the enemy and deliver God’s people comes from the southeast. When Israel conquered the Promised Land under Joshua, they came as God’s army from the southeast (Deut. 33:2; Judg. 5:4; Hab. 3:3). Now, as part of what we know as the Battle of Armageddon, God’s Messiah comes from the southeast.

“Bozrah.” A major city in Edom.

“This one who is glorious in his apparel.” The fact that this coming conquerer has on glorious apparel, which some scholars think refers to battle armor, shows that he is more than just a regular Israelite. Indeed, he turns out to be the Messiah himself.

“striding confidently.” The Hebrew text is debated by scholars, but what is not debated is that the one who comes, the Messiah, is walking confidently and is one to be reckoned with. No wonder the watchmen, upon seeing this figure walking confidently toward him stained in blood asked, “Who is this who comes?”

“speaking in righteousness.” In this context, “righteousness” is doing what is right to God and others, and so speaking in righteousness is saying things that are right and just.

[For more on “righteousness” referring to doing what is right to God and others, see commentary on Matt. 5:6.]

“mighty to save.” Isaiah 62:11 said salvation was coming, and here we see it coming from the Deliverer, Jesus Christ.