14:6a
His shoots will sprout: This clause continues the agricultural metaphors of 5b (“lily”) and 5c (“cedar”). The pronoun His refers to the nation of Israel. There are three main ways to interpret the reference of this clause:
(1) The clause refers backward to the cedar in 14:5c. Most versions do not repeat the word “cedar” in this clause, but that would be the most natural referent. For example:
(6c …like the Lebanon cedar,) and put forth his shoots (New American Bible)
-or-
(6c…like the forests of Lebanon.) His shoots shall spread out (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) The clause refers in general to shoots or new branches of any kind of tree. For example:
They will be alive with new growth (Good News Translation)
-or-
They will be like growing branches. (God’s Word)
(3) The clause refers forward to shoots of olive trees in 14:6b. For example:
Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees (New Living Translation (2004))
You may follow either of the first two interpretations. Most versions that are listed under interpretation (2) could also refer to cedar branches because of the preceding context. The Display will follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions.
shoots: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to the new growth of branches. The Hebrew word for “sprout” means to “grow out” or “spread.”
Here are some implications of this metaphor:
(a) Israel will have many young shoots.
(b) Israel’s young shoots will spread widely.
(c) Israel’s young shoots will have good growth and health.
Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:
• Use a metaphor. Make the similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:
Israel will grow branches ⌊that are numerous and strong ⌋.
• Use a simile. Make the similarity or topic explicit if it will be helpful. For example:
Israel ⌊is like a tree that ⌋ sends out ⌊many ⌋ shoots.
-or-
They will be like spreading branches. (New Century Version)
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
The people of Israel will increase in number and become strong.
14:6b
his splendor will be like the olive tree: This clause is a simile that compares Israel’s splendor to that of an olive tree.
Olive trees grow to an old age and produce valuable oil. The Hebrew word for splendor can also mean “majesty,” “vigor” or “glory.”
This comparison implies several things:
(a) Israel will be beautiful like an olive tree.
(b) Israel will have value like an olive tree.
(c) Israel will be fruitful like an olive tree.
Many versions translate this word as “beauty/beautiful.” For example:
he will have the beauty of the olive tree (New Jerusalem Bible)
14:6c
his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon: This clause is a simile that compares the fragrance of Israel to that of the cedars of Lebanon. (See the note on paragraph 14:4–7 for the ellipsis in this verse.)
cedars of Lebanon: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cedars of Lebanon is more literally “like the Lebanon.” As in 14:5c, there are at least two acceptable ways to translate this expression. They are listed here in order of more specific to less specific:
• Make explicit that this expression probably refers to “cedar” trees that were famous in Lebanon at that time. Cedar trees have a very pleasant aroma. For example:
and the sweet-smelling cedars in Lebanon (New Century Version)
• Make explicit that this expression may refer to the forests of Lebanon. For example:
and with the aroma of Lebanon Forest (Contemporary English Version)
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