For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain: The Hebrew particle ki rendered For can be understood as introducing the reason for the previous celebration. However, it is more likely an emphatic marker here, so a better translation is “Indeed” or “Truly.” This opening clause is a summary of the previous actions of Yahweh. The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain is a figurative expression meaning that Yahweh will continually protect his dwelling place (Mount Zion) and those who live there. Hand is an image for power here. This word is used both figuratively and literally as a key term in this short section. The phrase on this mountain connects this section with the previous one (see verse 6). Contemporary English Version keeps some of the imagery of this clause by saying “The powerful arm of the LORD will protect this mountain.” Good News Translation renders it nonfiguratively with “The LORD will protect Mount Zion.”
And Moab shall be trodden down in his place: Since this clause contrasts Yahweh’s destruction of Moab with his protection of his people, the connector and is better rendered “but” (Good News Translation). It is difficult to determine why Moab should suddenly be mentioned here. The last reference to this country was in the oracle about it in chapters 15–16. There the prophet expressed feelings of sympathy for Moab. Here, however, he only refers to its destruction. It is possible that Moab is used here to symbolize all Yahweh’s enemies. Moab shall be trodden down in his place implies that the Moabites will suffer punishment and oppression. Good News Translation renders this highly graphic language as “the people of Moab will be trampled down.” In his place is literally “under him/it.” Commentators are generally agreed that “where he lives” is the sense of this phrase. This view depends on regarding the pronoun “him/it” as referring to Moab. It could just as well refer to Mount Zion or Yahweh. New International Version expresses the latter sense by rendering this clause as “Moab will be trampled under him.” However, it is best to take it as a reference to Moab itself. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch provides a helpful model with “Moab will be trampled in its own land.” For languages that cannot use a passive verb here, translators may say “Yahweh will trample the Moabites in their own land.”
As straw is trodden down in a dung-pit: The graphic language continues here. This simile refers to some local custom of treating human waste. Because of the unusual vocabulary in Hebrew, the process cannot be defined exactly. The Hebrew noun translated straw is found only here in the Old Testament, but its root suggests that “a pile of straw” is probably a correct rendering. For straw see 11.7. The Hebrew noun for dung-pit is also a word occurring only here. In a dung-pit is literally “in the waters of a dung-pit.” Revised English Bible expresses this with “in the slush of a midden” (a “midden” is a dunghill). Contemporary English Version renders this whole simile as “like straw in a pit of manure.” But in cultures were dunghills or dung pits do not exist, or where straw is not used to make compost, translators may need to state the simile differently. They may say “as rubbish/dirt/waste/garbage is treated [or, dealt with].” By comparing Moab’s treatment to that of a heap of manure, the illustration carries a sense of great humiliation. Translators should aim to convey this same sense.
Translation examples for this verse are:
• Yahweh’s protecting hand will be on this mountain,
but the Moabites will be trodden down in their country,
in the same way straw is trodden down in a dung-pit.
• Yahweh’s protecting hand will remain here on this mountain.
However, he will trample down the Moabites,
just as one tramples down straw in a dung-pit.
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 .