For the LORD has a day of vengeance: This is the fourth time the Hebrew particle ki rendered For is a logical connector in this section (see the introductory comments [34.1-17]). The day of vengeance refers to some future time (not a day of 24 hours) when Yahweh will judge people according to their evil ways. Vengeance should not be mistaken for revenge, an emotional response seeking to “get even” with people for what they have done. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh suggests “retribution,” a term that may be more appropriate, since it brings justice to a situation. However, for many translators it will be difficult to make such a distinction, and, as in Hebrew, only one term will be available.

A year of recompense for the cause of Zion is parallel to the previous line, so year is also a general term for some future time rather than a specific 12-month period. For Zion see 1.8. There are two possible interpretations for this line, which is literally “a year of recompense for the contending of Zion”:

(1) It could refer to a time when Yahweh will uphold the cause of the people of Judah. The Hebrew word rendered recompense normally has a positive meaning, so here it could mean “reward.” This contrasts with the punishment for Edom and the nations. Revised Standard Version expresses this sense, and so does Good News Translation with “This is the time when the LORD will rescue Zion.” The word for recompense in this context could also mean compensating people for wrong done against them. This makes it more parallel with vengeance. Versions that express it this way are New International Version “a year of retribution to uphold Zion’s cause” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) and New Jerusalem Bible “the year of retribution in Zion’s lawsuit.”
(2) It could refer to a time when Yahweh as Zion’s defender will punish the nations. This interpretation makes the whole line parallel in meaning with the previous one, which is literally “a day of vengeance for Yahweh.” Versions that follow this meaning are Revised English Bible “the champion of Zion has a time of retribution” and Bible en français courant “for the defender of Zion, it is the year when accounts will be settled” (similarly New American Bible).

Both interpretations are possible, so translators may choose either one. The second option is unusual since this would be the only occurrence of “the defender/champion of Zion” as a divine title. However, this book contains many unique phrases.

Other possible translation models for this verse are:

• For Yahweh has set a day for vengeance,
a year for rewarding Zion’s cause.

• For Yahweh has a time to bring retribution,
a year of vindication for the sake of Zion.

• For Yahweh has a day of retribution,
Zion’s champion/defender has a year of vindication.

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 .