Isaiah 28:4
Context28:4 The withering flower, its beautiful splendor,
situated at the head of a rich valley,
will be like an early fig before harvest –
as soon as someone notices it,
he grabs it and swallows it. 1
Isaiah 30:17
Context30:17 One thousand will scurry at the battle cry of one enemy soldier; 2
at the battle cry of five enemy soldiers you will all run away, 3
until the remaining few are as isolated 4
as a flagpole on a mountaintop
or a signal flag on a hill.”
Isaiah 58:5
Context58:5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want? 5
Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, 6
bowing their heads like a reed
and stretching out 7 on sackcloth and ashes?
Is this really what you call a fast,
a day that is pleasing to the Lord?


[28:4] 1 tn Heb “which the one seeing sees, while still it is in his hand he swallows it.”
[30:17] 2 tn Heb “One thousand from before [or “because of”] one battle cry.” גְּעָרָה (gÿ’arah) is often defined as “threat,” but in war contexts it likely refers to a shout or battle cry. See Ps 76:6.
[30:17] 3 tn Heb “from before [or “because of”] the battle cry of five you will flee.
[30:17] 4 tn Heb “until you are left” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV).
[58:5] 3 tn Heb “choose” (so NASB, NRSV); NAB “wish.”
[58:5] 4 tn Heb “a day when man humbles himself.” The words “Do I want” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.