10:10a
I will chasten them when I please: There is a textual issue regarding the Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as when I please :
(1) The Masoretic text has “according to my desire.” This phrase indicates that the LORD will discipline or punish them at a time and in a manner that he determines. For example:
Now whenever it fits my plan, I will attack you, too. (New Living Translation (2004))
(2) The LXX has “I have come.” This phrase indicates that the LORD has come or will come in order to punish them. For example:
I am coming to punish them (New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of versions. Here is another way to translate this verse part:
I will punish them when I’m ready. (God’s Word)
I will chasten them: This clause is literally, “and I will discipline them.” The Hebrew word “discipline” means to correct someone in order to educate them.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I will discipline them (NET Bible)
-or-
I will chastise them (New American Standard Bible)
10:10b
nations will be gathered against them: This is a passive clause. It is implied that the LORD will cause nations to gather. In some languages, it may be more natural to use an active verb here. For example:
I will gather nations together to attack them (NET Bible)
nations: The Hebrew word often means “peoples” or nations. The word can also mean “armies” or “troops.” In this context of war, the word specifically refers to armies or troops that are gathered and ready to attack Israel.
Here the word is plural. The plural form may indicate that this word refers to the Assyrian army, which consists of fighting men from various nations. It may also indicate that the LORD will use people from ungodly nations to discipline his own people.
Most English versions translate the word as nations here. It is implied that the reference is to the gathered armies of the nations. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate this word as “armies” or “troops” or a similar word instead of a generic word such as nations or “people.” For example:
Armies will gather to attack them. (God’s Word)
to put them in bondage: There is a textual issue regarding this phrase:
(1) The Masoretic text has “to bind.” The word means “to tie, bind, harness or imprison.” For example:
to bind them in chains (NET Bible)
(2) The LXX has “to chastise.” The word is the same as “chasten” in 10:10a. For example:
they will be punished for their many sins. (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow option (1). It makes sense, fits the context, and does not require any changes to the Hebrew text.
for their double transgression: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “for their two iniquities.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
for their two sins (NET Bible)
-or-
for their two crimes (New Jerusalem Bible)
for: This word introduces the reason that the people of Israel will be bound. It is because of their sin. Use a word in your language that introduces a reason.
their double transgression: It is possible to understand this phrase literally or figuratively. If a literal meaning was intended, it is possible that the people knew implicitly which two sins these were. If the intended meaning was figurative, this phrase may be an idiom that meant their sins were serious and/or numerous.
Here are two translation options for this phrase:
• Translate literally. For example:
their two sins (NET Bible)
-or-
their double sins (New Century Version)
• Translate figuratively. For example:
their many sins. (God’s Word)
-or-
your multiplied sins. (New Living Translation (2004))
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