Isaiah 16:2-3

16:2 At the fords of the Arnon ¹ 

the Moabite women are like a bird

that flies about when forced from its nest. ² 

16:3 “Bring a plan, make a decision! ³ 

Provide some shade in the middle of the day! ⁴ 

Hide the fugitives! Do not betray ⁵  the one who tries to escape!

[16:2]  ¹ tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

[16:2]  ² tn Heb “like a bird fleeing, thrust away [from] a nest, the daughters of Moab are [at] the fords of Arnon.”

[16:3]  ³ sn It is unclear who is being addressed in this verse. Perhaps the prophet, playing the role of a panic stricken Moabite refugee, requests the leaders of Judah (the imperatives are plural) to take pity on the fugitives.

[16:3]  ⁴ tn Heb “Make your shade like night in the midst of noonday.” “Shade” here symbolizes shelter, while the heat of noonday represents the intense suffering of the Moabites. By comparing the desired shade to night, the speaker visualizes a huge dark shadow cast by a large tree that would provide relief from the sun’s heat.

[16:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “disclose, uncover.”