5:16 The Lord who commands armies will be exalted 1 when he punishes, 2
the sovereign God’s authority will be recognized when he judges. 3
1 tn Or “elevated”; TEV “the Lord Almighty shows his greatness.”
2 tn Heb “by judgment/justice.” When God justly punishes the evildoers denounced in the preceding verses, he will be recognized as a mighty warrior.
3 tn Heb “The holy God will be set apart by fairness.” In this context God’s holiness is his sovereign royal authority, which implies a commitment to justice (see the note on the phrase “the sovereign king of Israel” in 1:4). When God judges evildoers as they deserve, his sovereignty will be acknowledged.