For behold is an emphatic expression that introduces why the people of Judah are to stay indoors. It calls on them to take special notice. Several translations omit it, but New International Version has “See” and New Jerusalem Bible says “For see.”

The LORD is coming forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: Yahweh will punish the world. Is coming forth renders a Hebrew participle, which is used to indicate something about to happen. This fits well with the call to remain inside for a short time. Out of his place may imply that Yahweh is in heaven (so Good News Translation), but he is more likely in Zion. The Septuagint says “from the sanctuary,” referring to the Temple. It is better to say “from his dwelling place” or “from where he lives/is,” without trying to be specific.

Yahweh is coming to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The prophet does not say what the punishment will be. The inhabitants of the earth includes all people (see 24.6), but the people of Judah will escape this final judgment if they remain indoors until it is over. The Hebrew word translated iniquity is rendered “sins” in Good News Translation, New International Version, and Revised English Bible (see the comments on 1.4).

And the earth will disclose the blood shed upon her: Lev 17.13 states that when someone killed an animal during hunting, he had to pour its blood on the ground and cover it with dirt. This verse pictures the ground disclosing the blood of humans who have been killed (compare Gen 4.10). Blood represents their life. The earth will make known the acts of bloodshed committed by people, whether they were done innocently or deliberately. Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch limit the bloodshed to “murders.” Good News Translation also specifies that they have been done in secret because of the verb disclose. However, any type of bloodshed is in view here, so translators should not follow Good News Translation for this line. The earth is personified here. In languages where such a figure of speech is difficult, translators may render this line as “People will be able to see the blood that has been shed/poured out on the earth.”

And will no more cover her slain: Cover may be rendered “conceal” (see Gen 37.26). Her slain refers to those who have been killed and buried underground. For this line New International Version has “she will conceal her slain no longer,” and Revised English Bible says “and hide the slain no more.” In languages where the earth cannot be personified, it may be rendered “and dirt will not cover up anymore those that have been slain/killed.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Indeed, Yahweh will come from his dwelling place
to punish the sins of those who live on the earth.
The land will reveal the acts of bloodshed committed upon it,
and no longer conceal those who have been killed.

• Look! Yahweh will come out of his dwelling place
in order to punish the earth’s people.
The earth will make known the blood that has been shed upon it,
no longer covering up those who have been killed.

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 .