51:53 Even if Babylon climbs high into the sky 1
and fortifies her elevated stronghold, 2
I will send destroyers against her,” 3
says the Lord. 4
51:58 This is what the Lord who rules over all 5 says,
“Babylon’s thick wall 6 will be completely demolished. 7
Her high gates will be set on fire.
The peoples strive for what does not satisfy. 8
The nations grow weary trying to get what will be destroyed.” 9
1 tn Or “ascends [into] heaven.” Note the use of the phrase in Deut 30:12; 2 Kgs 2:11; and Amos 9:2.
2 tn Heb “and even if she fortifies her strong elevated place.”
3 tn Heb “from me destroyers will go against her.”
4 tn Heb “Oracle of the
5 sn See the note at Jer 2:19.
6 tn The text has the plural “walls,” but many Hebrew
7 tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the following finite verb. Another option is to translate, “will certainly be demolished.”
8 tn Heb “for what is empty.”
9 tn Heb “and the nations for fire, and they grow weary.”