Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 62:3

"Thou shalt also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." — Isaiah 62:3 (ASV)

Thou shalt also be a crown of glory—On the application of the word ‘crown’ to a place, see the notes at Isaiah 28:1, where it is applied to Samaria.

Some difficulty has been felt by commentators in explaining this. This difficulty arises from the fact that a crown or diadem was typically worn on the head, not held in the hand.

Consequently, some have supposed that the word ‘crown’ here is equivalent to any ornament that might be either borne in the hand or worn on the head. Others have supposed that the reference is to the custom of carrying a chaplet or garland in the hand on festival occasions.

But probably the sense is this: ‘You shall be so beautiful and prosperous as to be appropriately regarded as a splendid crown or diadem. God shall keep you as a beautiful diadem—the crown of beauty among the cities of the earth, and as that which is most comely and valuable in His sight.’ This is the sense expressed by Gataker and Rosenmuller.

And a royal diadem—Hebrew, ‘A diadem of a kingdom.’ The diadem is the wreath or chaplet, usually set with diamonds, which is “encircled” (צניף tsânı̂yph from צנף tsânaph) around the head. It here means such as was usually worn by monarchs; and the sense is, that Jerusalem would become exceedingly beautiful in the sight of God.

I have trodden the wine-press alone - I, Yahweh, have indeed trod the wine-press of my wrath, and I have done it alone (Compare to the notes at Isaiah 34:5-6). The idea here is that he had completely destroyed his foes in Idumea, and had done it by a great slaughter.

For I will tread - Or rather, I trod them. It refers to what he had done, or what was then past.

And their blood shall be sprinkled - Or rather, their blood was sprinkled. The word used here (נצח nētsach) does not commonly mean blood, but splendor, glory, purity, truth, perpetuity, eternity. Gesenius derives the word, as used here, from an Arabic word meaning to sprinkle, to scatter; and hence, the juice or liquor of the grape as it is sprinkled or spurted from grapes when trodden. There is no doubt here that it refers to blood - though with the idea of its being spurted out by treading down a foe.

And I will stain all my raiment - I have stained all my raiment - referring to the fact that the slaughter was extensive and entire. On the extent of the slaughter, see the notes at Isaiah 34:6-7, Isaiah 34:9–10.