In the Hebrew text of this verse there are references to three different parts of the face: nose, lips, and tongue. They are figures of speech here, so their underlying meaning may be expressed if they are misunderstood (see the first example below). Revised Standard Version removes the reference to the “nose” (see the comments below), but keeps the lips and the tongue.
The word Behold draws attention to what the prophet is about to say. New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and Revised English Bible render it “See,” but Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version omit it. Translators should express it in some way at the beginning of this section.
The name of the LORD comes from afar: The name of the LORD refers to Yahweh himself (see 12.4). Revised English Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh say “the LORD himself.” Good News Translation suggests “The LORD’s power and glory,” but this provides too much interpretation. The Hebrew phrase rendered comes from afar is vague. It does not specify the actual place from which Yahweh is coming, whether heaven or some other faraway place. Good News Translation changes the perspective by saying “can be seen in the distance.” The LORD is not seen far away, but he approaches from afar.
Burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke: These two phrases describe Yahweh’s appearance when he comes in judgment. Burning with his anger is literally “his nose is burning,” which is a common Hebrew expression for showing anger (see, Num 11.1, for example). However, the meaning of the Hebrew phrase rendered in thick rising smoke is less certain. There have been two basic interpretations for the word translated rising smoke, which is literally “rising.” The first view understands this word as referring here to a column of smoke that rises, as in Jdg 20.38, where Revised Standard Version renders it “great cloud [of smoke].” The association of smoke with anger is traditional. RSV/NRSV, New International Version, and Good News Translation follow this interpretation, and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project endorses it rather strongly. The second view believes this word means “burden” here, as in 2 Kgs 8.9, where Revised Standard Version renders it “loads.” This second interpretation is found in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh (“burden”), Revised English Bible (“doom”), and New Jerusalem Bible (“threat”). We recommend the first interpretation since the image of smoke is often associated with anger in the Old Testament (see, for example, Deut 29.20). The adjective thick is literally “heavy.” Here it may be rendered “thick” or “dense” in connection with smoke.
His lips are full of indignation: His lips refers figuratively to what Yahweh says. Indignation may be translated “anger” (see 10.25; 13.5). If translators want to avoid the figure of the lips, this line may be rendered “his words are full of indignation/anger.”
And his tongue is like a devouring fire is parallel to the previous line. His tongue also refers figuratively to Yahweh’s words. His words of judgment will destroy his enemies just as fire destroys things. Devouring fire is a key phrase in this section since it also occurs in verse 30 (see also 29.6; 33.14). If translators wish to avoid the figure of the tongue, this line may be rendered “his speech consumes like a fire.”
Translation examples for this verse are:
• See, Yahweh himself is coming from afar;
his anger burns and thick smoke rises.
His words are full of anger,
his speech consumes like a fire.
• Look, Yahweh himself approaches from a distance,
with his nostrils ablaze and a column of thick smoke.
His lips are full of anger,
his tongue is like a consuming fire.
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 .