Isaiah 11:10-12
Context11:10 At that time 1 a root from Jesse 2 will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, 3 and his residence will be majestic. 11:11 At that time 4 the sovereign master 5 will again lift his hand 6 to reclaim 7 the remnant of his people 8 from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, 9 Cush, 10 Elam, Shinar, 11 Hamath, and the seacoasts. 12
11:12 He will lift a signal flag for the nations;
he will gather Israel’s dispersed people 13
and assemble Judah’s scattered people
from the four corners of the earth.
[11:10] 1 tn Or “in that day” (KJV). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.
[11:10] 2 sn See the note at v. 1.
[11:10] 3 tn Heb “ a root from Jesse, which stands for a signal flag of the nations, of him nations will inquire” [or “seek”].
[11:11] 4 tn Or “in that day” (KJV). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.
[11:11] 5 tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonai).
[11:11] 6 tc The Hebrew text reads, “the sovereign master will again, a second time, his hand.” The auxiliary verb יוֹסִיף (yosif), which literally means “add,” needs a main verb to complete it. Consequently many emend שֵׁנִית (shenit, “a second time”) to an infinitive. Some propose the form שַׁנֹּת (shannot, a Piel infinitive construct from שָׁנָה, shanah) and relate it semantically to an Arabic cognate meaning “to be high.” If the Hebrew text is retained a verb must be supplied. “Second time” would allude back to the events of the Exodus (see vv. 15-16).
[11:11] 7 tn Or “acquire”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “recover.”
[11:11] 8 tn Heb “the remnant of his people who remain.”
[11:11] 9 sn Perhaps a reference to Upper (i.e., southern) Egypt (so NIV, NLT; NCV “South Egypt”).
[11:11] 10 tn Or “Ethiopia” (NAB, NRSV, NLT).
[11:11] 11 tn Or “Babylonia” (NIV, NCV, TEV, NLT).
[11:11] 12 tn Or perhaps, “the islands of the sea.”
[11:12] 13 tn Or “the banished of Israel,” i.e., the exiles.