And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day: The inhabitants of the coastland refers to the Philistines living along the Mediterranean seacoast. It probably also includes those living in the nearby foothills of Judah. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is explicit with “the Philistines and the people of Judah,” without mentioning coastland. Bible en français courant brings out the meaning of this with “the people inhabiting the coast where we live.” Bible en français courant also has a footnote explaining that these people are “the Philistines, but without any doubt also the Judeans.” In that day is not a vague reference here to some time in the future, but refers back to the time of the exile of Egypt and Cush mentioned in verse 4. Good News Translation says “When that time comes.”

‘Behold…’: This is a quote inside the quote of the LORD, which began in verse 3. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation use single quote marks to open and close this quote. Behold invites the audience to consider seriously what has happened and what the implications are for them. It may be rendered “Look!”

This is what has happened to those in whom we had hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria!: This refers back to the downfall of Egypt and Cush. These words also indicate that the Philistines and the people of Judah had requested Egyptian and Cushite help to counter the Assyrian offensive. They hoped that by depending on their help the Assyrians would not dare to attack them. If Assyria were to attack anyway, then they were expecting to be rescued by Egypt and Cush. Had hoped renders the same Hebrew word translated “hope” in the previous verse. To whom we fled for help (see 10.3) should not be taken literally since the people did not rush away from their country to seek help in Egypt and Cush, but it means that they made an earnest request for help. We may say “to whom we turned for help.” Good News Translation combines this clause with the previous one, saying “to the people we relied on.” It loses the emphasis here by doing this. Delivered from may be rendered “rescued from.” Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version have “protect us from.”

And we, how shall we escape?: This rhetorical question shows despair. The people of Philistia and Judah see no hope for escape from Assyria since their source of help has been defeated. This rhetorical question can be expressed as a strong negative statement if that is required; for example, “There is no hope of escape for us!” Contemporary English Version has “But now, there is no escape for us.”

Consider the following translation examples for this verse:

• And the Philistines and the people of Judah who live along the seacoast will say then, ‘Look! This is what has happened to the ones we were hoping in, to whom we turned for help to save us from the king of Assyria’s attack. Now, how are we going to escape?’”

• And those living along the coast will say at that time, ‘Look at what has happened to those we placed our hope in, those whom we expected would help us and rescue us from the Assyrian army’s attack. Really, there is no hope of escape for us!’”

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 .