According to this verse, Israel will be like a plant that provides the whole world with fruit. This will happen because Yahweh protects and waters it (verse 3). Although Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch do not consider this verse to be part of the new song of the vineyard, we see it as its conclusion. As in the song in 5.1-7, the last verse reveals it is about Israel.

In days to come is literally “The coming ones,” so Revised Standard Version adds the preposition In and the noun days to clarify its sense in this context (similarly Good News Translation). The four following clauses refer to a plant taking root, growing, and providing fruit. Each clause is slightly longer than the previous one. The plant is a metaphor for the people of Israel. If this metaphor poses a problem, translators can use a simile by beginning this verse with “In the future the people of Israel will be like a plant.”

Jacob shall take root: This clause compares the Israelites to a plant establishing its roots in soil. In this context the parallel names Jacob and Israel refer to the undivided nation of Israel as a whole (see the comments at 9.8).

Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots: These two clauses refer to the growth of the plant. A few English translations reverse the order of the verbs here, since a plant produces buds or sprouts new growth before it blossoms; for example, New International Version and Revised English Bible say “Israel will bud and blossom.” This may be a helpful model for other languages.

And fill the whole world with fruit: This is the climax of the verse. Universal blessing will come through Israel (compare 2.2-3; 25.6). Fruit is a symbol of prosperity. New Jerusalem Bible says “harvest” since the Hebrew term here is not the usual word for “fruit” (as in 4.2), but can refer to any kind of grain or produce. The Hebrew word for world is the same one used in 26.9, 18.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• In time to come Jacob will take root;
Israel will sprout and blossom,
filling the world with fruit.

• In the future Jacob will take root;
Israel will send out new growth and blossom,
and fill [or, cover] the world with its produce.

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 .