Isaiah 28:9

28:9 Who is the Lord ¹  trying to teach?

To whom is he explaining a message? ² 

Those just weaned from milk!

Those just taken from their mother’s breast! ³ 

Isaiah 34:7

34:7 Wild oxen will be slaughtered ⁴  along with them,

as well as strong bulls. ⁵ 

Their land is drenched with blood,

their soil is covered with fat.

[28:9]  ¹ tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[28:9]  ² tn Heb “Who is he teaching knowledge? For whom is he explaining a message?” The translation assumes that the Lord is the subject of the verbs “teaching” and “explaining,” and that the prophet is asking the questions. See v. 12. According to some vv. 9-10 record the people’s sarcastic response to the Lord’s message through Isaiah.

[28:9]  ³ tn Heb “from the breasts.” The words “their mother’s” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The translation assumes that this is the prophet’s answer to the questions asked in the first half of the verse. The Lord is trying to instruct people who are “infants” morally and ethically.

[34:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “will go down”; NAB “shall be struck down.”

[34:7]  ⁵ tn Heb “and bulls along with strong ones.” Perhaps this refers to the leaders.