Isaiah 33:23

33:23 Though at this time your ropes are slack, ¹ 

the mast is not secured, ² 

and the sail ³  is not unfurled,

at that time you will divide up a great quantity of loot; ⁴ 

even the lame will drag off plunder. ⁵ 

Isaiah 30:17

30:17 One thousand will scurry at the battle cry of one enemy soldier; ⁶ 

at the battle cry of five enemy soldiers you will all run away, ⁷ 

until the remaining few are as isolated ⁸ 

as a flagpole on a mountaintop

or a signal flag on a hill.”

[33:23]  ¹ tn The words “though at this time” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The first half of the verse is addressed to Judah and contrasts the nation’s present weakness with its future prosperity. Judah is compared to a ship that is incapable of sailing.

[33:23]  ² tn Heb “they do not fasten the base of their mast.” On כֵּן (ken, “base”) see BDB 487 s.v. III כֵּן and HALOT 483 s.v. III כֵּן.

[33:23]  ³ tn Or perhaps, “flag.”

[33:23]  ⁴ tn Heb “then there will be divided up loot of plunder [in] abundance.”

[33:23]  ⁵ sn Judah’s victory over its enemies will be so thorough there will be more than enough plunder for everyone, even slow-moving lame men who would normally get left out in the rush to gather the loot.

[30:17]  ⁶ 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]  ⁷ tn Heb “from before [or “because of”] the battle cry of five you will flee.

[30:17]  ⁸ tn Heb “until you are left” (so NAB, NASB, NRSV).