29:17 In just a very short time 1
Lebanon will turn into an orchard,
and the orchard will be considered a forest. 2
29:18 At that time 3 the deaf will be able to hear words read from a scroll,
and the eyes of the blind will be able to see through deep darkness. 4
29:19 The downtrodden will again rejoice in the Lord;
the poor among humankind will take delight 5 in the Holy One of Israel. 6
29:20 For tyrants will disappear,
those who taunt will vanish,
and all those who love to do wrong will be eliminated 7 –
29:21 those who bear false testimony against a person, 8
who entrap the one who arbitrates at the city gate 9
and deprive the innocent of justice by making false charges. 10
1 tn The Hebrew text phrases this as a rhetorical question, “Is it not yet a little, a short [time]?”
2 sn The meaning of this verse is debated, but it seems to depict a reversal in fortunes. The mighty forest of Lebanon (symbolic of the proud and powerful, see 2:13; 10:34) will be changed into a common orchard, while the common orchard (symbolic of the oppressed and lowly) will grow into a great forest. See J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 1:538.
3 tn Or “In that day” (KJV).
4 tn Heb “and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.”
5 tn Or “will rejoice” (NIV, NCV, NLT).
6 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
7 tn Heb “and all the watchers of wrong will be cut off.”
8 tn Heb “the ones who make a man a sinner with a word.” The Hiphil of חָטָא (khata’) here has a delocutive sense: “declare a man sinful/guilty.”
9 sn Legal disputes were resolved at the city gate, where the town elders met. See Amos 5:10.
10 tn Heb “and deprive by emptiness the innocent.”