20:29 Such is the lot God allots the wicked,
and the heritage of his appointment 1 from God.”
33:14 Sinners are afraid in Zion;
panic 2 grips the godless. 3
They say, 4 ‘Who among us can coexist with destructive fire?
Who among us can coexist with unquenchable 5 fire?’
1 tn For the word אִמְרוֹ (’imro) some propose reading “his appointment,” and the others, “his word.” Driver shows that “the heritage of his appointment” means “his appointed heritage” (see GKC 440 §135.n).
2 tn Or “trembling” (ASV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “shake with fear.”
3 tn Or “the defiled”; TEV “The sinful people of Zion”; NLT “The sinners in Jerusalem.”
4 tn The words “they say” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
5 tn Or “perpetual”; or “everlasting” (KJV, ASV, NAB, NIV, NRSV).
6 tn The verb διχοτομέω (dicotomew) means to cut an object into two parts (L&N 19.19). This is an extremely severe punishment compared to the other two later punishments. To translate it simply as “punish” is too mild. If taken literally this servant is dismembered, although it is possible to view the stated punishment as hyperbole (L&N 38.12).
7 tn Or “unbelieving.” Here the translation employs the slightly more ambiguous “unfaithful,” which creates a link with the point of the parable – faithfulness versus unfaithfulness in servants. The example of this verse must be taken together with the examples of vv. 47-48 as part of a scale of reactions with the most disobedient response coming here. The fact that this servant is placed in a distinct group, unlike the one in vv. 47-48, also suggests ultimate exclusion. This is the hypocrite of Matt 24:51.