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 6 in the wilderness and even sleep in the woods. 7
1 tn Most modern translations take the statement as a comparison (“how is vine wood better than any forest wood?”) based on the preposition מִן (min). But a comparison should have a word as an adjective or stative verb designating a quality, i.e., a word for “good/better” is lacking. The preposition is translated above in its partitive sense.
2 tn Heb “set your face toward.” This expression occurs as well in Ezek 6:2; 13:17.
3 tn Or “the way toward the south,” or “the way toward Teman.” Teman is in the south and may be a location or the direction.
4 tn Or “toward Darom.” Darom may mean the south or a region just north of southern city of Beer Sheba. See M. Greenberg, Ezekiel (AB), 2:417-18.
5 tn The Hebrew term can also mean “forest,” but a meaning of uncultivated wasteland fits the Negev region far better. See M. Greenberg, Ezekiel (AB), 2:418.
3 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).
4 sn The woods were typically considered to be places of danger (Ps 104:20-21; Jer 5:6).