Isaiah 42:21

42:21 The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice

by magnifying his law and displaying it. ¹ 

Isaiah 54:12

54:12 I will make your pinnacles out of gems, ² 

your gates out of beryl, ³ 

and your outer wall ⁴  out of beautiful ⁵  stones.

Isaiah 53:10

53:10 Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill,

once restitution is made, ⁶ 

he will see descendants and enjoy long life, ⁷ 

and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him.

Isaiah 58:3

58:3 They lament, ⁸  ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast?

Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’

Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, ⁹ 

you oppress your workers. ¹⁰ 

Isaiah 62:4

62:4 You will no longer be called, “Abandoned,”

and your land will no longer be called “Desolate.”

Indeed, ¹¹  you will be called “My Delight is in Her,” ¹² 

and your land “Married.” ¹³ 

For the Lord will take delight in you,

and your land will be married to him. ¹⁴ 

[42:21]  ¹ tn Heb “The Lord was pleased for the sake of his righteousness [or “justice”], he was magnifying [the] law and was making [it] glorious.” The Lord contrasts his good intentions for the people with their present crisis (v. 22). To demonstrate his just character and attract the nations, the Lord wanted to showcase his law among and through Israel (Deut 4:5-8). But Israel disobeyed (v. 24) and failed to carry out their commission.

[54:12]  ² tn Perhaps, “rubies” (so ASV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[54:12]  ³ tn On the meaning of אֶקְדָּח (’eqdakh), which occurs only here, see HALOT 82 s.v.

[54:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “border” (so ASV); NASB “your entire wall.”

[54:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “delightful”; KJV “pleasant.”

[53:10]  ³ tn The meaning of this line is uncertain. It reads literally, “if you/she makes, a reparation offering, his life.” The verb תָּשִׂים (tasim) could be second masculine singular,in which case it would have to be addressed to the servant or to God. However, the servant is only addressed once in this servant song (see 52:14a), and God either speaks or is spoken about in this servant song; he is never addressed. Furthermore, the idea of God himself making a reparation offering is odd. If the verb is taken as third feminine singular, then the feminine noun נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) at the end of the line is the likely subject. In this case one can take the suffixed form of the noun as equivalent to a pronoun and translate, “if he [literally, “his life”] makes a reparation offering.”

[53:10]  ⁴ sn The idiomatic and stereotypical language emphasizes the servant’s restoration to divine favor. Having numerous descendants and living a long life are standard signs of divine blessing. See Job 42:13-16.

[58:3]  ⁴ tn The words “they lament” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[58:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “you find pleasure”; NASB “you find your desire.”

[58:3]  ⁶ tn Or perhaps, “debtors.” See HALOT 865 s.v. * עָצֵב.

[62:4]  ⁵ tn Or “for”; KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV “but.”

[62:4]  ⁶ tn Hebrew חֶפְצִי־בָהּ (kheftsi-vah), traditionally transliterated “Hephzibah” (so KJV, ASV, NIV).

[62:4]  ⁷ tn Hebrew בְּעוּלָה (bÿ’ulah), traditionally transliterated “Beulah” (so KJV, ASV, NIV).

[62:4]  ⁸ tn That is, the land will be restored to the Lord’s favor and once again enjoy his blessing and protection. To indicate the land’s relationship to the Lord, the words “to him” have been supplied at the end of the clause.