On that day opens the next subparagraph. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation both begin a new paragraph at this point, Good News Translation with the words “At that time.” If this is done, then to be consistent there should be new paragraphs at verses 4 and 8 also, though Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation do not have them.
I will make the clans of Judah: As in verse 5, translators are advised to follow versions that keep the vowels of the traditional Hebrew text and translate as “the leaders of Judah” (New International Version) or “the rulers of Judah” (New Jerusalem Bible).
Like a blazing pot in the midst of wood: This is the first of two similes that compare the destructive power of Judah to that of fire. The wording of Revised Standard Version is rather misleading, as it brings to mind a picture of a pot in which something is being cooked. The picture is rather that of a firepan, used to carry glowing coals or embers from a fire to start another fire somewhere else (compare Lev 10.1-2 and Num 16.6-7, where Revised Standard Version has “censer”), or of a “brazier” (New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible/ Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Living Translation; compare Jer 36.22). If such a firepan is placed near “a pile of wood” (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version), “in woodland” (New English Bible/ Revised English Bible), or “among sticks” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), it may cause a huge and dangerous blaze. So translators may say “like a firepan placed near a woodpile.” In cultures where braziers or firepans are unknown, translators may say something such as “like a spark of fire in a woodpile” or even “like a fire in a forest” (Good News Translation).
Like a flaming torch among sheaves: A torch here means a bundle of straw, sticks or rags, which are held in the hand and set on fire. Sheaves are bundles of ripe grain which have been cut. They are dry and catch fire easily (compare Jdg 15.4-5; 2 Sam 14.30). In a hot and dry country like Judah, fire could easily get out of control and cause a lot of damage, especially in the hottest time of the year when grain was harvested.
The different editions of Good News Translation have some variations in the wording for sheaves. Where the American editions have “a field of ripe grain,” the British edition has “a field of ripe corn,” and the Australian edition “a paddock of ripe grain.” These are dialect variants, and no difference of meaning is intended.
They shall devour to the right and to the left all the peoples round about: The use of the word devour to describe the destructive power of fire is a common Hebrew idiom. Many translators will be able to keep it, but for those who cannot, Good News Translation offers a translation model in nonfigurative language with “destroy.” Translators should avoid any rendering which may be misunderstood to suggest that the people of Judah should indulge in cannibalism! To the right and to the left is another Hebrew idiom, meaning “in all directions.” The Hebrew expression puts right before left, but translators should put in first position whichever term sounds more natural in their language. This is a situation where the meaning lies in the total expression rather than in its parts, so the order of the parts is of minor importance. It is better not to omit this expression completely as Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version do. Another way to express this whole clause is “and like a fire they will destroy to the right and left [or, in all directions] all the surrounding nations.” Some languages may have an ideophone to express or strengthen the completeness of the destruction.
All the peoples round about are the nations besieging Jerusalem, as in verses 2 and 3. See the comments on those verses.
While Jerusalem shall still be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem: This clause is somewhat awkwardly tacked on to the end of an already long sentence in Revised Standard Version. In many languages it is better translated as a separate sentence, as in Good News Translation, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, and Biblen: Det Gamle og Det Nye Testamente. The clause makes a sharp contrast between the enemy attackers, who will be destroyed, and Jerusalem, which “will remain safe” (Good News Translation). The two final phrases in its place, in Jerusalem are stylistically clumsy. Some scholars propose deleting in Jerusalem. There is only very slight textual evidence in support of this (compare Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project), but it may be advisable in some languages to avoid the repetition of Jerusalem on translational grounds. In a matter of this kind, it is important that the translation should not sound unnatural. Some translators may prefer to restructure and say, “The inhabitants of Jerusalem will continue to live safely in their own city.”
Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .