Isaiah 36:9

36:9 Certainly you will not refuse one of my master’s minor officials and trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen. ¹ 

Isaiah 46:6

46:6 Those who empty out gold from a purse

and weigh out silver on the scale ² 

hire a metalsmith, who makes it into a god.

They then bow down and worship it.

Isaiah 50:8

50:8 The one who vindicates me is close by.

Who dares to argue with me? Let us confront each other! ³ 

Who is my accuser? ⁴  Let him challenge me! ⁵ 

Isaiah 57:4

57:4 At whom are you laughing?

At whom are you opening your mouth

and sticking out your tongue?

You are the children of rebels,

the offspring of liars, ⁶ 

[36:9]  ¹ tn Heb “How can you turn back the face of an official [from among] the least of my master’s servants and trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen?” In vv. 8-9 the chief adviser develops further the argument begun in v. 6. His reasoning seems to be as follows: “In your weakened condition you obviously need military strength. Agree to the king’s terms and I will personally give you more horses than you are capable of outfitting. If I, a mere minor official, am capable of giving you such military might, just think what power the king has. There is no way the Egyptians can match our strength. It makes much better sense to deal with us.”

[46:6]  ² tn Heb “the reed,” probably referring to the beam of a scales. See BDB 889 s.v. קָנֶה 4.c.

[50:8]  ³ tn Heb “Let us stand together!”

[50:8]  ⁴ tn Heb “Who is the master of my judgment?”

[50:8]  ⁵ tn Heb “let him approach me”; NAB, NIV “Let him confront me.”

[57:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “Are you not children of rebellion, offspring of a lie?” The rhetorical question anticipates the answer, “Of course you are!”