23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see them; 2
from the hills I watch them. 3
Indeed, a nation that lives alone,
and it will not be reckoned 4 among the nations.
23:6 Under his rule 5 Judah will enjoy safety 6
and Israel will live in security. 7
This is the name he will go by:
‘The Lord has provided us with justice.’ 8
34:25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and will rid the land of wild beasts, so that they can live securely 12 in the wilderness and even sleep in the woods. 13
22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access 19 to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates. 22:15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers 20 and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood! 21
1 sn See W. Brueggemann, “The Crisis and Promise of Presence in Israel,” HBT 1 (1979): 47-86; and N. M. Waldman, “God’s Ways – A Comparative Note,” JQR 70 (1979): 67-70.
2 tn Heb “him,” but here it refers to the Israelites (Israel).
3 sn Balaam reports his observation of the nation of Israel spread out below him in the valley. Based on that vision, and the
4 tn The verb could also be taken as a reflexive – Israel does not consider itself as among the nations, meaning, they consider themselves to be unique.
5 tn Heb “In his days [= during the time he rules].”
6 tn Parallelism and context (cf. v. 4) suggest this nuance for the word often translated “be saved.” For this nuance elsewhere see Ps 119:117; Prov 28:18 for the verb (יָשַׁע [yasha’] in the Niphal); and Ps 12:6; Job 5:4, 11 for the related noun (יֶשַׁע, yesha’).
7 sn It should be noted that this brief oracle of deliverance implies the reunification of Israel and Judah under the future Davidic ruler. Jeremiah has already spoken about this reunification earlier in 3:18 and will have more to say about it in 30:3; 31:27, 31. This same ideal was espoused in the prophecies of Hosea (1:10-11 [2:1-2 HT]), Isaiah (11:1-4, 10-12), and Ezekiel (37:15-28) all of which have messianic and eschatological significance.
8 tn Heb “his name will be called ‘The
9 tn For the translation of this term in this context see the parallel context in 23:6 and consult the translator’s note there.
10 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
11 tn Heb “And this is what will be called to it: ‘The
12 tn The phrase “live securely” occurs in Ezek 28:26; 38:8, 11, 14; 39:26 as an expression of freedom from fear. It is a promised blessing resulting from obedience (see Lev 26:5-6).
13 sn The woods were typically considered to be places of danger (Ps 104:20-21; Jer 5:6).
14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
15 tn Here BDAG 552 s.v. κοινός 2 states, “pert. to being of little value because of being common, common, ordinary, profane…b. specifically, of that which is ceremonially impure: Rv 21:27.”
16 tn Or “what is abhorrent”; Grk “who practices abominations.”
17 tn Grk “practicing abomination or falsehood.” Because of the way βδέλυγμα (bdelugma) has been translated (“does what is detestable”) it was necessary to repeat the idea from the participle ποιῶν (poiwn, “practices”) before the term “falsehood.” On this term, BDAG 1097 s.v. ψεῦδος states, “ποιεῖν ψεῦδος practice (the things that go with) falsehood Rv 21:27; 22:15.” Cf. Rev 3:9.
18 tn Grk “those who are written”; the word “names” is implied.
19 tn Grk “so that there will be to them authority over the tree of life.”
20 tn On the term φάρμακοι (farmakoi) see L&N 53.101.
21 tn Or “lying,” “deceit.”