Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him: This is the second part of the message given to Jerusalem to proclaim. Like the first part, it begins with the attention-getting word Behold (see the comments on the previous verse). The Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him means Yahweh is coming to rule in Jerusalem with power. For the Lord GOD, see the comments on 3.15. His arm is an image for God’s power. With might and his arm recall the Exodus imagery in which God led his people out of Egypt “by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deut 4.34; Psa 136.12). In languages where the arm is not usually associated with the idea of power, translators may need to replace the image and speak directly about God’s power; for example, Good News Translation combines these two lines, saying “The Sovereign LORD is coming to rule with power.”

Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him: This is the third and final part of the message given to Jerusalem to proclaim. It also begins with behold. The Hebrew noun rendered reward can refer to a victor’s booty won in battle. In this context his reward is probably an image for the people Yahweh is bringing back from exile like a prize of war. With him means they accompany him.

His recompense before him is parallel and synonymous with the previous line. The Hebrew word rendered recompense can refer to payment for work done. Like the word reward, it is used here in a figurative way to refer to the people who return from the Babylonian Exile. Before him probably means the returning exiles are walking ahead of God. Good News Translation makes the figurative meaning of these two lines explicit by combining them and saying “bringing with him the people he has rescued.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar with “The war booty, his people whom he has freed, is advancing ahead of him.” Bible en français courant is less explicit, staying closer to the wording of the source text: “He brings back what he has gained, he carries the fruit of his labors back with him.” But it adds this footnote: “A probable allusion to the exiled Jews in Babylonia.” Both approaches are valid.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• See, the Lord Yahweh comes with might,
he comes to rule with power.
See, his booty accompanies him,
those he liberates [or, sets free] go before him.

• See, my Master Yahweh comes in might,
his arm rules powerfully.
See, he brings people with him as a reward,
rescued/liberated ones go ahead of him.

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 .