The connector therefore introduces the consequences of the people’s rebellion against Yahweh. They will become like a cracked wall that collapses suddenly (verse 13) and a pot that is smashed completely (verse 14).

This iniquity shall be to you like a break in a high wall: This iniquity refers to the disobedience of the people mentioned in the previous verse. For iniquity see the comments at 1.4. A break in a high wall refers to a high wall that is cracked. It is either the iniquity that is like the cracked wall (and the smashed pot in the next verse), or the people who are evil. Bible en français courant expresses the first view by saying “Well, this sin will have for you the same effect as a crack appearing in a high wall…” (see also the first example). Good News Translation expresses the second view clearly by dividing this verse into two sentences, saying “You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack…” (see also the second example). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar with “This guilt will not remain without consequences: You resemble a high wall that has a crack….”

Bulging out, and about to collapse renders two Hebrew participles. The participle form is often used in Hebrew to show something about to happen. Here it is used to emphasize the wall’s imminent collapse. Bulging out means that part of the wall is leaning out.

Whose crash comes suddenly, in an instant: The Hebrew noun for crash comes from a root meaning “to break/fracture,” so the collapse of the wall is in view here. The use of suddenly and in an instant together emphasizes that the wall will collapse very quickly.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Therefore your sin will be like a crack in a high wall;
it makes the wall bulge and about to collapse.
The wall will collapse suddenly and without warning.

• … you sinners can be compared to a cracked high wall,
bulging out and in danger of collapsing.
Its collapse will happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

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 .