The phrase A remnant will return is identical to the name of Isaiah’s son given in 7.3. The repetition of the term remnant is for emphasis and expresses certainty. When translating this verse it would be possible to match the emphasis and certainty by saying, “A remnant, the remnant of Jacob, will [certainly] return.” As for Good News Translation, the distinction in English between “A few will come back” (a positive message) and “Few will come back” (a negative message), may not exist in other languages. The message in verse 21 is positive, so care should be taken if Good News Translation is taken as a model.

The remnant will return … to the mighty God. Their return will not only be to the land but to their former relationship with God. This phrase in the context of verse 20 probably means they will return to rely upon God. It may be rendered “will return to rely on … God” or “will put their trust in … God again.” Translators should ensure that the idea of a “return” (to a previous position) is included.

The Hebrew phrase rendered mighty God uses a general term for the divine being (ʾel), followed by an adjective. The phrase was used in 9.6 as one of the titles of the royal child. Here Revised English Bible suggests “God their strength,” while in 9.6|prj:REB.Isa 9.6 it has “Mighty Hero” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Others, like Good News Translation and Bible en français courant, use the same expression in both places.

In this verse we see the prophet creatively reapplying names in a way similar to the way “Immanuel” (7.14) was referred to again in 8.8. It was also reused as part of a sentence in 8.10. Whether there is any special significance in this, other than evidence of the prophet’s creative literary mind, is difficult to tell. If translators are preparing a study edition of the Bible with extensive notes, it would be helpful to their readers to draw their attention to this aspect of Isaiah’s writing.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• A remnant, a remnant of Jacob, will return to reliance on the mighty God.

• That remnant of Jacob will certainly return to their Mighty God.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .