ישעיהו, פרק ס״ג, פסוק ו׳

A vivid image of a lone warrior returning from battle in blood-soaked garments captures the climax of divine justice. This scene illustrates the full force of God taking vengeance upon the enemies who caused thousands of years of exile and suffering for Israel [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In His fierce anger, God tramples the nations underfoot, crushing them completely [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. While earlier judgments focused specifically on Edom, this widespread destruction is directed at other nations as well [אבן עזרא].

The imagery compares the defeated enemies to grapes being crushed in a winepress. Flowing naturally from this metaphor of treading grapes, the scene shifts to the intoxicating effects of the resulting wine [שד״ל]. God forces the nations to drink from the cup of His wrath. His fury acts as a strong drink that completely confuses their minds and leaves them helpless [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

As the nations are struck down, their ultimate fall to the earth is understood in two distinct ways. One perspective suggests that this describes the physical spilling of the enemies' blood upon the ground [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, it represents the shattering of their might and power. These nations, who had been strong and victorious until this point, are finally brought low [רש״י, רד״ק, צאינה וראינה]. Supporting this second view, the specific action of bringing something down to the earth perfectly suits the idea of humbling a powerful force and causing its defeat, whereas the physical spilling of blood would typically be described with a completely different action [שד״ל].