The Hebrew particle ki rendered for is probably an emphatic marker here, so it is better rendered “Indeed” or “Truly.” It emphasizes the certainty that there will be a surviving remnant.

Out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors: According to one commentator, these two parallel clauses suggest that the surviving people in Jerusalem will leave the city and go to their fields. However, for most commentators survival rather than traveling somewhere is in view here (so Good News Translation). Bible en français courant expresses this meaning with “in Jerusalem a people of survivors will arise, on mount Zion those who escaped will stand up.” The verb go forth in the first clause also serves the second one (compare 2.3). Mount Zion is parallel with Jerusalem (see the comments on 1.8). The parallel words remnant and survivors are repeated from the previous verse.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this: In the Hebrew text this clause is identical to the last line of 9.7 (see the comments there). Here the prophet says that Yahweh’s love and commitment to his people will ensure that some of them survive and prosper. The demonstrative pronoun this refers to the promises made in verses 30-32. For this whole clause Good News Translation says “because the LORD Almighty is determined to make this happen,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “Yahweh Sabaoth’s jealous love will make this happen.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Indeed, in Jerusalem there will be a remnant, on Mount Zion there will be survivors. The All-Powerful Yahweh in his passion will do this!

• Truly, a remnant will arise in Jerusalem, survivors will stand up on Mount Zion. Yahweh of hosts is determined that this will happen.

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 .