Yesaya 16:2

16:2 At the fords of the Arnon ¹ 

the Moabite women are like a bird

that flies about when forced from its nest. ² 

Yesaya 21:12

21:12 The watchman replies,

“Morning is coming, but then night. ³ 

If you want to ask, ask;

come back again.” ⁴ 

Yesaya 22:15

22:15 This is what the sovereign master, the Lord who commands armies, says:

“Go visit this administrator, Shebna, who supervises the palace, ⁵  and tell him: ⁶ 

[16:2]  ¹ tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

[16:2]  ² tn Heb “like a bird fleeing, thrust away [from] a nest, the daughters of Moab are [at] the fords of Arnon.”

[21:12]  ³ sn Dumah will experience some relief, but it will be short-lived as night returns.

[21:12]  ⁴ sn The point of the watchman’s final instructions (“if you want to ask, ask; come again”) is unclear. Perhaps they are included to add realism to the dramatic portrayal. The watchman sends the questioner away with the words, “Feel free to come back and ask again.”

[22:15]  ⁵ tn Heb “who is over the house” (so ASV); NASB “who is in charge of the royal household.”

[22:15]  ⁶ tn The words “and tell him” are supplied in the translation for clarification.