6:13a–b
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
13a Therefore I am striking you severely,
13b
to ruin you because of your sins.
In these parallel lines, the LORD gave his response to the people’s sin. He would punish them.
6:13a
Therefore: In Hebrew, the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore is literally “and I on my part.” It introduces and gives emphasis to the LORD’s response to the sins described in 6:10–12.
Here are some other ways to translate it:
I, in turn (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
As for me (New Century Version)
I am striking you severely: There is a textual issue with this clause:
(1) The LXX has “I will begin to strike you.” For example:
I will begin to strike you (New American Bible)
(2) The Masoretic Text has “I have made sick by striking you.” For example:
So also I will make you sick, striking you down (New American Standard Bible)
(King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. This clause is probably an idiom that meant “I will strike you severely.”
In Hebrew, this clause can be understood either as past or future. Either time frame makes sense in this context.
you: The referent is probably the people of Jerusalem and Judah.
6:13b
to ruin you: This phrase means “make deserted” or “appalled.” It refers to physical destruction of a place. This phrase is connected to the verb “strike you” in 6:13a. It describes how Jerusalem and Judah would be struck down. It would happen by making them desolate.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
destroy you (NET Bible)
-or-
bringing you to ruin (Revised English Bible)
because of your sins: This phrase indicates the reason for the punishment. It was because of the people’s sins as described in 6:10–12.
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