Isaiah 30:20-21

30:20 The sovereign master ¹  will give you distress to eat

and suffering to drink; ² 

but your teachers will no longer be hidden;

your eyes will see them. ³ 

30:21 You ⁴  will hear a word spoken behind you, saying,

“This is the correct ⁵  way, walk in it,”

whether you are heading to the right or the left.

[30:20]  ¹ tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonai).

[30:20]  ² tn Heb “and the Master will give to you bread – distress, and water – oppression.”

[30:20]  ³ tn Heb “but your teachers will no longer be hidden, your eyes will be seeing your teachers.” The translation assumes that the form מוֹרֶיךָ (morekha) is a plural participle, referring to spiritual leaders such as prophets and priests. Another possibility is that the form is actually singular (see GKC 273-74 §93.ss) or a plural of respect, referring to God as the master teacher. See HALOT 560-61 s.v. III מוֹרֶה. For discussion of the views, see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (NICOT), 1:560.

[30:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “your ears” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).

[30:21]  ⁵ tn The word “correct’ is supplied in the translation for clarification.