Isaiah 48:4

48:4 I did this ¹  because I know how stubborn you are.

Your neck muscles are like iron

and your forehead like bronze. ² 

Isaiah 19:4

19:4 I will hand Egypt over to a harsh master;

a powerful king will rule over them,”

says the sovereign master, ³  the Lord who commands armies.

Isaiah 21:2

21:2 I have received a distressing message: ⁴ 

“The deceiver deceives,

the destroyer destroys.

Attack, you Elamites!

Lay siege, you Medes!

I will put an end to all the groaning!” ⁵ 

[48:4]  ¹ tn The words “I did this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text v. 4 is subordinated to v. 3.

[48:4]  ² sn The image is that of a person who has tensed the muscles of the face and neck as a sign of resolute refusal.

[19:4]  ³ tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

[21:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “a severe revelation has been related to me.”

[21:2]  ⁶ sn This is often interpreted to mean “all the groaning” that Babylon has caused others.