43:7 everyone who belongs to me, 1
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed – yes, whom I made!
63:19 We existed from ancient times, 2
but you did not rule over them,
they were not your subjects. 3
65:1 “I made myself available to those who did not ask for me; 4
I appeared to those who did not look for me. 5
I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’
to a nation that did not invoke 6 my name.
14:9 Why should you be like someone who is helpless, 7
like a champion 8 who cannot save anyone?
You are indeed with us, 9
and we belong to you. 10
Do not abandon us!”
15:16 As your words came to me I drank them in, 11
and they filled my heart with joy and happiness
because I belong to you. 12
1 tn Heb “everyone who is called by my name” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).
2 tn Heb “we were from antiquity” (see v. 16). The collocation עוֹלָם + מִן + הָיָה (hayah + min + ’olam) occurs only here.
3 tn Heb “you did not rule them, your name was not called over them.” The expression “the name is called over” indicates ownership; see the note at 4:1. As these two lines stand they are very difficult to interpret. They appear to be stating that the adversaries just mentioned in v. 18 have not been subject to the Lord’s rule in the past, perhaps explaining why they could commit the atrocity described in v. 18b.
4 tn Heb “I allowed myself to be sought by those who did not ask.”
5 tn Heb “I allowed myself to be found by those who did not seek.”
6 tn Heb “call out in”; NASB, NIV, NRSV “call on.”
7 tn This is the only time this word occurs in the Hebrew Bible. The lexicons generally take it to mean “confused” or “surprised” (cf., e.g., BDB 187 s.v. דָּהַם). However, the word has been found in a letter from the seventh century in a passage where it must mean something like “be helpless”; see W. L. Holladay, Jeremiah (Hermeneia), 1:433, for discussion and bibliography of an article where this letter is dealt with.
8 tn Heb “mighty man, warrior.” For this nuance see 1 Sam 17:51 where it parallels a technical term used of Goliath used earlier in 17:4, 23.
9 tn Heb “in our midst.”
10 tn Heb “Your name is called upon us.” See Jer 7:10, 11, 14, 30 for this idiom with respect to the temple and see the notes on Jer 7:10.
11 sn Heb “Your words were found and I ate them.” This along with Ezek 2:8–3:3 is a poetic picture of inspiration. The prophet accepted them, assimilated them, and made them such a part of himself that he spoke with complete assurance what he knew were God’s words.
12 tn Heb “Your name is called upon me.”
13 tn Heb “turn your ear.”
14 tn Heb “desolations.” The term refers here to the ruined condition of Judah’s towns.
15 tn Heb “over which your name is called.” Cf. v. 19. This expression implies that God is the owner of his city, Jerusalem. Note the use of the idiom in 2 Sam 12:28; Isa 4:1; Amos 9:12.
16 tn Heb “praying our supplications before you.”
17 tn Heb “for your name is called over your city and your people.” See the note on this expression in v 18.