Verse 7 is the closing half of an inclusio for this section since much of this verse repeats the description of the people in verse 2. There messengers were sent to them, here these people send gifts to the LORD. If verses 3-6 are the message brought by the “swift messengers” of verse 2 to the nation “tall and smooth,” then verse 7 is probably the outcome of that mission: the sending of gifts. Translators should ensure that the relationship between verses 2 and 7 is made clear by using consistent vocabulary.
In Revised Standard Version this verse is in prose form, except for the four lines in the middle that repeat verse 2b (also New International Version). Most versions use prose for the whole verse. Many translations begin a new paragraph here and insert a blank line to indicate that verse 7 forms a unit on its own (so Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Bible en français courant).
At that time does not render the same Hebrew phrase translated “in that day” in 17.4, 7 and elsewhere. It should refer back to the time noted in verse 5, the time before the harvest when the branches will be cut off. However, there is no obvious logical link between the punishment hinted at in verses 5-6 and the bringing of gifts in this verse, so Good News Translation uses the general phrase “A time is coming.”
Gifts will be brought to the LORD of hosts: Some languages will need to express this passive expression in an active form; for example, “people will bring presents to Yahweh of hosts.” The next four lines identify these people. For the LORD of hosts, see the comments on 1.9
From a people tall and smooth … whose land the rivers divide: For these four lines see the comments on Isa 18.2. The description of these people in verse 2 differs slightly in one place. Instead of a people tall and smooth, verse 2 has “a nation….” It is acceptable to render this line the same way in both places. In Hebrew the preposition from does not occur at the beginning of this description, but it does begin the second line. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends adding it to the first line. This helps to identify these people as the source of the presents.
To Mount Zion, the place of the name of the LORD of hosts: This adverbial phrase links back to the verb will be brought at the beginning of the verse. For Mount Zion, see the comments on 4.5 and 8.18. The place of the name of the LORD of hosts could mean the place where Yahweh’s reputation is established, the place where the name Yahweh as Israel’s special name for God is known and invoked, the place that Yahweh has named as his own, or simply the place where Yahweh dwells (see the comments on name at 12.4; compare Deut 12.5, 11, 21; 2 Sam 6.2). Since this phrase may include all of these nuances, it is a challenge to render it meaningfully. One possibility is “the place the LORD of hosts makes his name known.”
The translation of the central part of this verse should follow the wording used in verse 2. The rest of it may be rendered as follows:
• Then people will bring gifts to Yahweh of hosts. These gifts will come from a people … to Mount Zion, where Yahweh of hosts has put his name.
• At that time people will give gifts to Yahweh of hosts. Those people are tall … They will bring their gifts to Mount Zion, the place that Yahweh has named as his own.
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 .