55:11 In the same way, the promise that I make
does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. 6
No, it is realized as I desire
and is fulfilled as I intend.” 7
55:2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? 8
Why spend 9 your hard-earned money 10 on something that will not satisfy?
Listen carefully 11 to me and eat what is nourishing! 12
Enjoy fine food! 13
3:1 Look, the sovereign Lord who commands armies 14
is about to remove from Jerusalem 15 and Judah
every source of security, including 16
all the food and water, 17
1 tn Grk “kept on spreading”; the verb has been translated as a progressive imperfect.
2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
3 tn Grk “a great multitude.”
4 sn A metonymy for the number of adherents to God’s word.
5 tn Or “spreading.”
6 tn Heb “so is the word which goes out from my mouth, it does not return to empty.” “Word” refers here to divine promises, like the ones made just prior to and after this (see vv. 7b, 12-13).
7 tn Heb “but it accomplishes what I desire, and succeeds [on the mission] which I send it.”
8 tn Heb “for what is not food.”
9 tn The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
10 tn Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.
11 tn The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.
12 tn Heb “good” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).
13 tn Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.”
14 tn Heb “the master, the Lord who commands armies [traditionally, the Lord of hosts].” On the title “the Lord who commands armies,” see the note at 1:9.
15 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
16 tn Heb “support and support.” The masculine and feminine forms of the noun are placed side-by-side to emphasize completeness. See GKC 394 §122.v.
17 tn Heb “all the support of food, and all the support of water.”