Yesaya 24:18

24:18 The one who runs away from the sound of the terror

will fall into the pit; ¹ 

the one who climbs out of the pit,

will be trapped by the snare.

For the floodgates of the heavens ²  are opened up ³ 

and the foundations of the earth shake.

Yesaya 41:7

41:7 The craftsman encourages the metalsmith,

the one who wields the hammer encourages ⁴  the one who pounds on the anvil.

He approves the quality of the welding, ⁵ 

and nails it down so it won’t fall over.”

Yesaya 49:2

49:2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword,

he hid me in the hollow of his hand;

he made me like a sharpened ⁶  arrow,

he hid me in his quiver. ⁷ 

Yesaya 50:10

50:10 Who among you fears the Lord?

Who obeys ⁸  his servant?

Whoever walks in deep darkness, ⁹ 

without light,

should trust in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

[24:18]  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.

[24:18]  ² tn Heb “from the height”; KJV “from on high.”

[24:18]  ³ sn The language reflects the account of the Noahic Flood (see Gen 7:11).

[41:7]  ⁴ tn The verb “encourages” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[41:7]  ⁵ tn Heb “saying of the welding, ‘It is good.’”

[49:2]  ⁶ tn Or perhaps, “polished” (so KJV, ASV, NAB, NIV, NRSV); NASB “a select arrow.”

[49:2]  ⁷ sn The figurative language emphasizes the servant’s importance as the Lord’s effective instrument. The servant’s mouth, which stands metonymically for his words, is compared to a sharp sword because he will be an effective spokesman on God’s behalf (see 50:4). The Lord holds his hand on the servant, ready to draw and use him at the appropriate time. The servant is like a sharpened arrow reserved in a quiver for just the right moment.

[50:10]  ⁸ tn Heb “[who] listens to the voice of his servant?” The interrogative is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[50:10]  ⁹ tn The plural indicates degree. Darkness may refer to exile and/or moral evil.