In verses 33-34 the scene draws to a close. Yahweh acts to punish the Assyrians, ending their attack. The common figure used in both verses is that of cutting down trees or cutting off their branches as a symbol of the end of the Assyrian assault. Revised Standard Version leaves a blank line between verse 32 and verse 33 to show that a new unit of thought begins here. Good News Translation begins a new paragraph.

Behold calls for the attention of the audience. A similar attention-getting device should be used in translation. It serves an important discourse function here, because the prophet now wants to speak about Yahweh’s judgment on the Assyrians after describing their advance. New Jerusalem Bible begins with “See how” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). New International Version has “See” and New Revised Standard Version says “Look.”

For the Lord, the LORD of hosts, see the comments on 1.24 and 10.16.

Will lop the boughs with terrifying power: This figure of speech pictures someone cutting a branch off a tree. It describes the punishment of Assyria by Yahweh. He will, as it were, cut off Assyria’s limbs so that it cannot do any more harm. Lop is a word used in English almost exclusively for cutting branches from trees. A bough is another term for a branch. Yahweh will act with terrifying power. This speaks of swift and effective action that causes fear, and puts an end to the threat from Assyria. Good News Translation and Revised English Bible render this idea with the help of the verb “crash.” For this line Revised English Bible has “will shatter the trees with a crash.” Translators may also say “will cut off the branches [from the tree] with fearsome power.” Good News Translation makes it explicit that this action is taken against Assyria: “will bring them crashing down like branches cut off a tree.” This is a valid option.

The great in height will be hewn down, and the lofty will be brought low: These two parallel clauses continue the figure of trees being cut down. They assert that even the most majestic trees will be felled, which means that those who are proud will be humbled. Yahweh will bring low the Assyrians who think they are great and powerful. In some languages it may be necessary to render the passive verbs will be hewn down and will be brought low as active verbs. If so, translators may mention Yahweh as the person acting.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Look! The Master, Yahweh of hosts will use his enormous power
to cut off their branches;
the tallest trees will be cut down,
and the proudest will be brought low.

• Watch the Lord, Yahweh of hosts! He will remove their branches by his great power. The tallest and proudest of them he will cut down.

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 .