Therefore (Good News Translation “So now”) is an important discourse marker. It is a turning point in this prophecy. It shows that what follows is based on the situation described in the previous verses. Its sense is “Because of this situation.”
The Lord says, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: The use of solemn titles to refer to God is typical of Isaiah’s style (see verses 4, 9). The threefold title here is a way of emphasizing what Yahweh is about to say. The title Lord renders the general Hebrew word meaning “master.” For the LORD of hosts, see the comments on ISA 1.9. Translators will need to decide whether to distinguish Lord from LORD. We recommend they make a distinction if possible. The Mighty One of Israel is a title found only here in the Old Testament, but there are several references to “the Mighty One of Jacob” (Gen 49.24; Psa 132.2, 5; Isa 49.26; 60.16; “Jacob” and Israel are synonymous). As the title suggests, it focuses on the strength and power of Yahweh. Models for translation are “Israel’s powerful God” (Good News Translation), “the strong God of Israel” (Bible en français courant), and “the mighty ruler of Israel” (Contemporary English Version).
Says does not translate the general Hebrew word for “say/speak.” Here it renders a noun meaning “oracle” or “declaration.” It refers uniquely to solemn, divine utterances. The Lord says is literally “oracle of the Lord.” The usual expression is literally “oracle of the LORD,” which is found mostly at the end of a divine speech, but sometimes at the beginning (see Psa 110.1). Translators should try to avoid simply saying “The Lord says.” Revised English Bible has attempted to capture the solemnity of the speech with “This … is the word of the Lord.” Bible en français courant has “the supreme Master … makes this declaration.”
For the Hebrew particle rendered Ah, see the comments on ISA 1.4. The tone of the expression here is one of deep dismay and lament. It introduces a set of six verbs in the first person in which Yahweh tells of his plans for judgment (verses 24b-26). It would be best to keep Yahweh’s quote here unless the language requires indirect speech. If so, translators will need to rephrase the passage in the third person without quotation marks; for example, the beginning of this verse may be rendered “This is the oracle … Ah, he will vent his wrath….”
I will vent my wrath on my enemies: The sense of this clause is that Yahweh will pour out his grief and anger against his enemies. It may be translated “I will be very angry with my enemies” But who are the LORD’s enemies? Normally we would expect my enemies to refer to Israel’s enemies. However, in this present context the people of Judah are in focus, especially the members of the leading class. This may need to be made clear in the translation. We can say “you, my enemies,” as Good News Translation has done.
And avenge myself on my foes is parallel to the previous clause and synonymous in meaning. Here Yahweh declares his intention to seek vengeance against his enemies, the people of Judah. If the receptor language does not have a verb with the meaning “take revenge on,” or if such a verb has a sinful connotation, the verb “punish” may be used.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• For that reason the Lord, Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty Warrior of Israel declares:
“Oh, how I will show my anger against you, my enemies,
I will seek vengeance against you, my foes.
• Therefore, the Lord, Yahweh of hosts, Mighty One of Israel declares
that he will pour out his anger against you, his enemies,
that he will take vengeance against you, his foes.
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 .