Isaiah 24:4

Context

24:4 The earth¹ dries up² and withers,

the world shrivels up and withers;

the prominent people of the earth³ fade away.

Isaiah 24:7

Context

24:7 The new wine dries up,

the vines shrivel up,

all those who like to celebrate⁴ groan.

Isaiah 33:9

Context

33:9 The land⁵ dries up⁶ and withers away;

the forest of Lebanon shrivels up⁷ and decays.

Sharon⁸ is like the desert;⁹

Bashan and Carmel¹⁰ are parched.¹¹

[24:4] ¹tn Some prefer to read “land” here, but the word pair אֶרֶץ/תֵּבֵל (erets/tevel [see the corresponding term in the parallel line]) elsewhere clearly designates the earth/world (see 1 Sam 2:8; 1 Chr 16:30; Job 37;12; Pss 19:4; 24:1; 33:8; 89:11; 90:2; 96:13; 98:9; Prov 8:26, 31; Isa 14:16-17; 34:1; Jer 10:12; 51:15; Lam 4:12). According to L. Stadelmann, תבל designates “the habitable part of the world” (The Hebrew Conception of the World [AnBib], 130).

[24:4] ²tn Or “mourns” (BDB 5 s.v. אָבַל). HALOT 6-7 lists the homonyms I אבל (“mourn”) and II אבל (“dry up”). They propose the second here on the basis of parallelism.

[24:4] ³tn Heb “the height of the people of the earth.” The translation assumes an emendation of the singular form מְרוֹם (mÿrom, “height of”) to the plural construct מְרֹמֵי (mÿrome, “high ones of”; note the plural verb at the beginning of the line), and understands the latter as referring to the prominent people of human society.

[24:7] ⁴tn The Hebrew text reads literally, “all the joyful in heart,” but the context specifies the context as parties and drinking bouts.

[33:9] ⁵tn Or “earth” (KJV); NAB “the country.”

[33:9] ⁶tn Or “mourns” (BDB 5 s.v. I אָבַל). HALOT 6-7 lists homonyms I אבל (“mourn”) and II אבל (“dry up”). They propose the second here on the basis of parallelism. See 24:4.

[33:9] ⁷tn Heb “Lebanon is ashamed.” The Hiphil is exhibitive, expressing the idea, “exhibits shame.” In this context the statement alludes to the withering of vegetation.

[33:9] ⁸sn Sharon was a fertile plain along the Mediterranean coast. See 35:2.

[33:9] ⁹tn Or “the Arabah” (NIV). See 35:1.

[33:9] ¹⁰sn Both of these areas were known for their trees and vegetation. See 2:13; 35:2.

[33:9] ¹¹tn Heb “shake off [their leaves]” (so ASV, NRSV); NAB “are stripped bare.”