Who is speaking, where does the speech begin, and to whom is it addressed? Many translations, including Revised Standard Version, indicate through the use of quotation marks that verses 2b-3 constitute the words of the LORD, speaking through his prophet. The implication is that verse 2a gives the words of Isaiah; he addresses the heavens and the earth, with the people of Judah listening in. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version, however, make the appeal to the heavens and the earth part of the direct quotation of the LORD’s words. Both approaches are possible.

The imperative verbs Hear and give ear are synonymous. The prophet calls heaven and earth to listen to what the LORD has to say. Note how Good News Translation combines them and says “Earth and sky, listen to what I am saying!” But by translating the Hebrew text literally, Revised Standard Version may capture more of the solemn nature of the opening words of Isaiah’s “vision.” A speech that begins with an individual call to heaven and earth can sound very impressive. Restructuring it may weaken the forceful opening, even if the translation is clearer and more direct.

Heavens and earth can be understood as a summary for the whole of creation. It is a reminder of the expression found in Revised Standard Version and is a common couplet in the Old Testament (Revised Standard Version; Isa 45.12, Job 20.27). That the universe can “hear” and serve as a witness is found in passages such as Deut 4.26; 30.19; 31.28 (compare Micah 6.1-5). The sense in the first line of this verse is that all creation can act as a witness to God’s charge against his people. It is a highly poetic idea.

For the LORD has spoken gives the reason why creation should listen. In Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version these words simply serve to introduce the speech: “The LORD [has] said.” LORD renders the Hebrew name for God, which is traditionally given as “Yahweh.” The word “Lord” is a title rather than a name and so is not the most accurate term to use. The rendering depends on an old Jewish tradition in which the personal name of God was not uttered out of respect and perhaps fear when the text was read. Instead, the Hebrew word used when the Jewish reader saw the divine name (YHWH in Hebrew) was ʾadonai meaning “my master” or “my lord,” which is a title also often used for God. In many English versions the personal name is written “LORD” in small capitals to distinguish it from “Lord.” Translators will need to determine what word to use here, either the name used in most modern academic works, namely, “Yahweh,” or an equivalent to the title “Lord.” In the first case the spelling would be according to the writing system of the receptor language just like any other name (for example, Yaoué, Iave, Yahvé, Yööwë). If this name is unknown, however, it might be difficult to introduce it. It would be meaningless to the receptor-language speakers. In such a case it would be best to adopt the second solution, using a general word meaning “Master,” “Owner,” “Chief,” “Lord.” Another option might be to use a respected, traditional term for the supreme deity, found in the religious tradition of the people. Of course, if an old Bible translation already exists, it may be difficult to go against it and suggest something new. Translators should try to avoid the use of “Jehovah,” however, because it does not represent a Hebrew word—it is basically made up of the consonants of YHWH and the vowels of ʾadonai.

The verb phrase has spoken (Good News Translation “said”) appears to describe an action that is past, although the words themselves have not been voiced yet—God is about to speak. Hebrew verbs generally indicate the nature of an action, whether continuous, completed (as here), or something else. So the way they function is different from the way verbs operate in languages that focus on time (past, present, future). Even though has spoken has the form of a verb in the past tense, it can be rendered as a timeless verb; for example, “says,” “speaks,” or “is speaking.”

In Hebrew the subject LORD comes before the verb has spoken. This order indicates that the focus or emphasis is on the speaker rather than on the action of speaking. We can give the sense by saying “for it is Yahweh who speaks.”

Sons have I reared and brought up begins the accusation against the people; it is the content of what God wants his creation to hear. Although the Hebrew word for sons is masculine, it can be regarded as a general term for “children,” which most modern versions use here (so Good News Translation). Again, the noun comes before the verb here in Hebrew, so the emphasis is placed on the fact that the children God has raised are his. This makes their failure all the more serious. The use of the term sons shows that God is a father figure.

Reared and brought up are synonymous verbs describing the raising or rearing of children, helping them grow and develop. If the receptor language lacks poetic synonyms for these verbs, just one term can be used without loss of meaning, as in Good News Translation.

But they have rebelled against me: But marks a contrast between what could have been expected of the children so raised, and what actually happened. Instead of obeying God their father, they rebelled. In Hebrew the pronoun they is emphatic, so there is a heavy focus on the subject, as in the first part of the charge. The children rebelled or turned deliberately against God. To render rebelled, translators should look for a verb that expresses greater insubordination than simply “be disobedient.”

Possible models for this verse are:

• Hear, you heaven[s]; listen, you earth;
for it is Yahweh who speaks:
[He says] “I have raised children,
but they have rebelled against me.

• Heavens, listen; earth, take note, for it is Yahweh who is speaking: “I have reared and raised children, but they have been very defiant toward me [or, they have turned completely against me].

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 .