44:18 They do not comprehend or understand,
for their eyes are blind and cannot see;
their minds do not discern. 1
44:19 No one thinks to himself,
nor do they comprehend or understand and say to themselves:
‘I burned half of it in the fire –
yes, I baked bread over the coals;
I roasted meat and ate it.
With the rest of it should I make a disgusting idol?
Should I bow down to dry wood?’ 2
5:13 Therefore my 3 people will be deported 4
because of their lack of understanding.
Their 5 leaders will have nothing to eat, 6
their 7 masses will have nothing to drink. 8
1 tn Heb “for their eyes are smeared over so they cannot see, so their heart cannot be wise.”
2 tn There is no formal interrogative sign here, but the context seems to indicate these are rhetorical questions. See GKC 473 §150.a.
3 sn It is not certain if the prophet or the Lord is speaking at this point.
4 tn The suffixed (perfect) form of the verb is used; in this way the coming event is described for rhetorical effect as occurring or as already completed.
5 tn The third masculine singular suffix refers back to “my people.”
6 tn Heb “Their glory will be men of hunger.” כָּבוֹד (kavod, “glory”) is in opposition to הָמוֹן (hamon, “masses”) and refers here to the rich and prominent members of the nation. Some prefer to repoint מְתֵי (mÿtey, “men of”) as מִתֵי (mitey, “dead ones of”).
7 tn The third masculine singular suffix refers back to “my people.”
8 tn Heb “and their masses will be parched [by] thirst.”