Isaiah 31:9

31:9 They will surrender their stronghold ¹  because of fear; ² 

their officers will be afraid of the Lord’s battle flag.” ³ 

This is what the Lord says –

the one whose fire is in Zion,

whose firepot is in Jerusalem. ⁴ 

[31:9]  ¹ tn Heb “rocky cliff” (cf. ASV, NASB “rock”), viewed metaphorically as a place of defense and security.

[31:9]  ² tn Heb “His rocky cliff, because of fear, will pass away [i.e., “perish”].”

[31:9]  ³ tn Heb “and they will be afraid of the flag, his officers.”

[31:9]  ⁴ sn The “fire” and “firepot” here symbolize divine judgment, which is heating up like a fire in Jerusalem, waiting to be used against the Assyrians when they attack the city.