They will pass through the land is literally “And he/one passes through it/her.” New Jerusalem Bible has “he will wander the country,” retaining the singular subject but identifying the undefined object as “the country.” Good News Translation is similar. The pronoun subject could refer to the people of Judah and Israel (see the introductory comments on this section [8.21–9.1a]). The plural pronoun They in Revised Standard Version allows for a link with verse 20, which talked about those lacking trust in the LORD. This may help the reader, even if such a link is not certain from an exegetical point of view. It is possible that the pronoun “it/her” refers to the land. Revised English Bible interprets this clause quite differently by making the next clause the subject of it, saying “So despondency and fear will come over them.” By doing this Revised English Bible is apparently following the Septuagint. It is obvious from these differing interpretations that the meaning of the Hebrew text here has been a long-standing problem. Possible models for this vague clause are “People will wander about the land” and “They will pass through the land.” A footnote may be added to indicate that the meaning of the Hebrew text is not clear.

Greatly distressed and hungry: Greatly distressed renders a passive participle in Hebrew. It describes someone who is treated very badly. Hungry refers to a person suffering hunger. The combination of these terms pictures people who are suffering oppression and starvation, no doubt caused by the invading enemy.

And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will curse their king and their God: The people will hold both the king and God responsible for their suffering. Their rage results in them cursing both, rather than admitting that they have brought the crisis upon themselves. In Hebrew curse their king and their God may be read “curse by [the name of] their king and their God” (see the RSV footnote). If the Hebrew is understood in this way, it is not clear whom they will curse. It is best to understand the preposition “by” here as introducing the object of the cursing. Instead of curse, Revised English Bible has “rebel against” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew verb for curse basically means “to belittle someone or something,” so a better rendering here is “scorn” or “despise.” God is rendered “divine beings” in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, while Revised English Bible has “gods.” This is a legitimate interpretation, especially in view of verse 19, where the same Hebrew term for God may be rendered “gods” or “God” (see the comments there).

And turn their faces upward: It is probably best to combine this clause with the following one in verse 22, saying “they may look up and down in the land.” This means they look everywhere. Alternatively, turn their faces upward could mean they look up to heaven or the sky (Good News Translation).

Translation examples for this verse and the beginning of the next one are:

• 21 They will wander about the land in deep distress and starving. Because they are starving, they will become angry and scorn the king and their gods. Whether they look up 22 or down in the land….

• 21 People will roam about the place, deeply distressed and hungry. When they are starving, they will become so enraged they will despise both the king and their gods. They will look up 22 and down in the land….

• 21 People will be deeply distressed and hungry as they wander around in the land. Because they are starving, they will become so angry that they will curse both the king and their gods. No matter where they look, to heaven 22 or to earth….

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .