It is unclear whether this verse belongs to this section since there is little to connect it with the preceding message to the Philistines. Perhaps it is a conclusion to all of chapter 14 since throughout this chapter there have been several references to “nations” (verses 6, 9, 12, 18, 26). If so, this verse shows that the purpose of the oracles against the traditional enemies of Israel is to bring comfort to Yahweh’s people in Judah. However, Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch explicitly connect this verse to its immediate context. Bible en français courant has “What should be the answer to the messengers of the Philistines? — It is this: the Lord himself has founded Zion; it is there that the poor among his people will find a safe refuge.” Translators may add a stanza or paragraph break here since the topic shifts slightly (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

What will one answer the messengers of the nation?: The prophet himself asks his listeners in Judah this question. It is not clear which nation is in view, nor why it sent messengers. Good News Translation believes the messengers are envoys from Philistia, who have come to Judah to enquire about something. Contemporary English Version does not specify the nation, saying “If a messenger comes from a distant nation, you must say….”

The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people find refuge: This is the prophet’s answer to the question. He speaks of Yahweh’s concern for his suffering people. Yahweh founded Jerusalem for them, so that they would have a safe haven. In Hebrew the LORD comes before the verb has founded, so it is given special emphasis. This emphasis may be expressed by saying “It is Yahweh who has established Zion….” For Zion see the comments on 1.8.

In her the afflicted of his people find refuge describes Zion/Jerusalem as a safe haven for Yahweh’s suffering people. The Hebrew word rendered the afflicted is literally “the poor.” (For the versions that understood the poor in verse 30 as belonging to Israel, this verse provides confirmation.) The Hebrew verb rendered find refuge comes from the same root as the noun translated “refuge” in 4.6; see the comments there.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• What can one say to the envoys from the nation of Philistia? Say this: “Yahweh has established Zion where those of his people who have suffered will be safe and secure.”

• How can we respond to the messengers from Philistia? We tell them, “Yahweh has set up Zion. There his suffering people find refuge.”

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 .