Madness, blindness, and confusion of mind: all three of these terms are found also in Zech 12.4, where they are the consequences of war. Here they may refer more to mental and psychological disorders. Madness means “to become insane,” “lose your mind,” or “have a twisted mind.” Most languages will have suitable terms for this condition.

Blindness is loss of sight.

Confusion of mind is literally “numbness of heart” (it occurs only here and in Zech 12.4). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh translates “dismay,” while Good News Translation has “confusion” (similarly Contemporary English Version). In many languages an expression similar to the Hebrew will be appropriate; for example, “make your minds [or, hearts] numb [or without feeling].”

Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje may prove useful as a model: “The LORD will punish you, causing you to become insane, blind, and confused.”

An alternative translation model for this verse may be:

• Yahweh will cause you to lose your minds. He will make you become blind and cause your hearts to be numb [or, confused].

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .