Isaiah 34:11-13

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Isaiah 34:11 tn קָאַת (qaʾat) refers to some type of bird (cf. Lev 11:18; Deut 14:17) that was typically found near ruins (see Zeph 2:14). קִפּוֹד (qippod) may also refer to a type of bird (NAB “hoot owl”; NIV “screech owl”; TEV “ravens”), but some have suggested a rodent may be in view (cf. NCV “small animals”; ASV “porcupine”; NASB, NRSV “hedgehog”).
2. Isaiah 34:11 tn Heb “will possess it” (so NIV).
3. Isaiah 34:11 tn The Hebrew text has יַנְשׁוֹף וְעֹרֵב (yanshof v^eʿorev). Both the יַנְשׁוֹף (“owl”; see Lev 11:17; Deut 14:16) and עֹרֵב (“raven”; Lev 11:15; Deut 14:14) were types of wild birds.
4. Isaiah 34:11 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Lord) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5. Isaiah 34:11 tn Heb “stones,” i.e., the stones used in a plumb bob.
6. Isaiah 34:11 sn The metaphor in v. 11b emphasizes that God has carefully planned Edom’s demise.
7. Isaiah 34:12 tn Heb “will be nothing”; NCV, TEV, NLT “will all be gone.”
8. Isaiah 34:13 tn The words “will grow” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
9. Isaiah 34:13 tc Heb “and she will be a settlement for wild dogs, a dwelling place for ostriches.” The translation assumes an emendation of חָצִיר (khatsir, “grass”) to חָצֵר (khatser, “settlement”). One of the Qumran scrolls of Isaiah (1QIsa^a) supports this emendation (cf. HALOT 344 s.v. II חָצִיר)