Isaiah 56:9

The Lord Denounces Israel’s Paganism

56:9 All you wild animals in the fields, come and devour,

all you wild animals in the forest!

Isaiah 21:12

21:12 The watchman replies,

“Morning is coming, but then night. ¹ 

If you want to ask, ask;

come back again.” ² 

Isaiah 56:12

56:12 Each one says, ³ 

‘Come on, I’ll get some wine!

Let’s guzzle some beer!

Tomorrow will be just like today!

We’ll have everything we want!’ ⁴ 

[21:12]  ¹ sn Dumah will experience some relief, but it will be short-lived as night returns.

[21:12]  ² sn The point of the watchman’s final instructions (“if you want to ask, ask; come again”) is unclear. Perhaps they are included to add realism to the dramatic portrayal. The watchman sends the questioner away with the words, “Feel free to come back and ask again.”

[56:12]  ¹ tn The words “each one says” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[56:12]  ² tn Heb “great, [in] abundance, very much,” i.e., “very great indeed.” See HALOT 452 s.v. יֶתֶר.