In the introduction to this section (verses 11-16), we noted the important role this verse plays as the closing half of an inclusio that brackets the section.

There will be a highway from Assyria: Since Yahweh is the actor in the previous verse, it is implied here that he will provide the road from Assyria. The noun highway renders a Hebrew term that is obviously metaphorical for the route the remnant will follow, so it should not be translated as though it were a modern freeway (see also 19.23 and 40.3). This “road” will extend from Assyria back to Israel. Translators may say “good [or, wide] road.”

For the remnant which is left of his people: See the comments on verse 11. When translating this verse, translators should try to use the same wording that was used in verse 11 for the expressions that are common to both verses. In this way they can reflect the inclusio that is an important part of the structure of this section.

As there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt: This is a clear reference to the first Exodus.

The dependent clause as there was … directly relates to the main clause There will be a highway…. For this reason it may be best in some languages to rearrange the verse in order to connect the two clauses more directly. This may be done in various ways. Good News Translation provides one model. Contemporary English Version is also helpful with “Then for his people who survive there will be a good road from Assyria, just as there was a good road for their ancestors when they left Egypt.” An alternative is to break the verse into two sentences and say “There will be a highway from Assyria just as there was from Egypt when the Israelites came from there. The highway from Assyria will be for the remnant of God’s people that are left there.” Other translation examples for this verse are:

• God will prepare a way to return for those of his people left in Assyria. It will be just like the way he provided for the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.

• There will be a highway from Assyria for those of God’s people who are left there. It will be just like the highway for the Israelites when they came from Egypt.

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 .