31:9 They will surrender their stronghold 1 because of fear; 2
their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” 3
This is what the Lord says –
the one whose fire is in Zion,
whose firepot is in Jerusalem. 4
1 tn Heb “rocky cliff” (cf. ASV, NASB “rock”), viewed metaphorically as a place of defense and security.
2 tn Heb “His rocky cliff, because of fear, will pass away [i.e., “perish”].”
3 tn Heb “and they will be afraid of the flag, his officers.”
4 sn The “fire” and “firepot” here symbolize divine judgment, which is heating up like a fire in Jerusalem, waiting to be used against the Assyrians when they attack the city.