In contrast to what Yahweh plans, Assyria is focused only on its own policy of destruction. The two-sided nature of the Assyrian expansion is emphasized in this verse—serving Yahweh’s plans as well as the designs of the Assyrian king. Assyria is acting freely, but nevertheless within Yahweh’s overall design.

In verses 7-11 the Assyrian Empire is personified. (Some might argue that the personification starts as early as verse 5, or at least verse 6.) The empire thinks and acts like a person, and in verses 8-11 a direct speech by it is even quoted. Only in verse 12 is the king of Assyria explicitly identified. In Good News Translation this identification takes place much earlier. From verse 7 onward Good News Translation refers to “the Assyrian emperor,” removing the poetic device of personification. Both approaches are valid. Translators should consider whether their readers would correctly interpret the text if the country of Assyria is personified. If there is doubt, Good News Translation may provide a useful model. Instead of “emperor” (a title given to a king with much power, who rules over a vast territory consisting of many countries), the word “king” may be used.

But he does not so intend, and his mind does not so think is literally “But he not thus intends, and his heart not thus thinks.” The structure of these two parallel lines is significant in Hebrew. They begin with an explicit third person pronoun to focus attention on Assyria in contrast to Yahweh. The pronouns he and his refer to Assyria. The repetition of the phrase not so stresses the fact that Assyria’s plans differ from those of Yahweh. The initial conjunction But expresses the contrast well. The parallel verbs, intend and think, indicate that Assyria has its own plans and knows nothing of Yahweh’s intentions.

But it is in his mind to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few: These two parallel lines express the plan of the Assyrians. They want to completely destroy other nations. The connector but renders the Hebrew particle ki. A better rendering for it here is “for” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “because” (Contemporary English Version). Repetition of the phrase his mind (literally “his heart”) connects the two halves of this verse. In the Hebrew culture the heart is where intentions reside. In other languages the thinking process may be placed somewhere else than in the heart. If so, an adjustment may be needed; for example, it is in his mind may be rendered “they plan” or “they intend.”

Nations not a few is the object for both to destroy and to cut off. This refers clearly to a large number of neighboring nations. Revised English Bible says “nation after nation,” while New Jerusalem Bible suggests “nations without number.” Another good equivalent is “many nations.” The meaning could also be “all nations” (see the comments on “many peoples” at 2.3), which Bible en français courant hints at with “as many nations as possible.”

Consider the following translation examples for this verse:

• However, the Assyrians have their own plans, they do not think as I do. For they think only of annihilating and destroying nation after nation.

• But the Assyrians think differently, they have plans of their own; they plan to annihilate and destroy many nations.

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 .