Whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying: Many versions understand the relative pronoun whom as referring to the three nations (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), even though, strictly speaking, it points back to the earth just mentioned at the end of the previous verse (so New American Bible, Bible en français courant). Whom may be rendered “which” or “that” to refer to the earth. Instead of has blessed, most versions use the future tense, saying “will bless” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Bible en français courant). Bible en français courant provides a helpful model for this clause: “The Lord of the universe will bless the world in these terms.”
Blessed be Egypt my people: According to the book of Isaiah, even though Israel has a special covenant relationship with Yahweh, it does not mean that other nations are excluded from his care and concern. This is especially true in this verse in which the Egyptians are described as my people. This phrase is often used to refer to Israel within its covenant relationship with Yahweh (see 1.3; 3.15; 10.24; Exo 3.10; 6.7). The use of the phrase here means that Yahweh reserves for Egypt the same kind of care he has for Israel.
And Assyria the work of my hands means Assyria is one of God’s creations. Like my people, the figurative expression the work of my hands normally describes Israel (see 29.23; 60.21). New Jerusalem Bible has “Assyria my creation.” New International Version keeps the Hebrew imagery by saying “Assyria my handiwork” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Bible en français courant also retains it with “Assyria, which I created with my hands.”
And Israel my heritage means Israel is God’s own chosen possession. My heritage is another phrase used in the Old Testament to describe God’s covenant people (see 47.6; Deut 32.9; Jer 12.8-9; 50.11; Joel 3.2). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh suggests “my very own,” which emphasizes ownership. Revised English Bible is similar with “my possession,” and so is Bible en français courant with “the part which is truly mine.” Good News Translation highlights God’s selection of Israel, saying “my chosen people.” All of these are valid models, especially for languages where the word heritage normally describes what a person leaves behind after death.
The phrase my heritage is not applied to other nations in the Old Testament, so some scholars suggest that my heritage is the most important title here and Israel my heritage is the climax. However, verses 24-25 do not list Israel as more important than Egypt and Assyria. Yahweh blesses each of them to make them a source of blessing to others.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• … [the earth] which Yahweh of hosts has blessed with the words,
“Blessed is Egypt, my people,
Assyria, my handiwork,
and Israel, my chosen people.”
• Yahweh of hosts has blessed it. He has said,
“I bless Egypt my people,
Assyria my creation,
and Israel my very own possession.”
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 .