In this verse Yahweh says he will cause Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, to be killed. The Hebrew focusing particle rendered Behold emphasizes this threat. Though many translations do not render this word, possible renderings for it are “Look” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “Now.”

I will put a spirit in him probably means that God will influence the thinking of Sennacherib. The Hebrew grammar here implies that this will happen soon. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “I will delude him,” which conveys the meaning very clearly. The Hebrew preposition rendered in often has the sense of “against,” so this clause may mean that God’s spirit/power will work against the interests of Sennacherib.

So that he shall hear a rumor is literally “and he will hear a hearing.” The conjunction “and” introduces a result here, so Revised Standard Version renders it well with so that. The Septuagint renders “hearing” as “message,” but most other translations say rumor. The only rumor mentioned in the text comes in verse 9: Sennacherib heard of a possible attack against him by King Tirhakah of Ethiopia (or Egypt). However, it is impossible to say whether this was the cause of Sennacherib’s return to Assyria. Verses 36-37 say he went home because an angel of the LORD killed many of his troops.

And return to his own land: Sennacherib will return to his homeland of Assyria because of the rumor.

And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land: Yahweh will cause Sennacherib to fall by the sword, which means that he will either die in battle or be murdered (see the comments on 13.15). Sennacherib is murdered by his sons in a palace revolt (see verse 38). Fall by the sword is a typical Hebrew expression and may be rendered simply “be killed.” The instrument of death is not the focus of attention here, but it is probably true that most victims in war were killed by swords. The Hebrew verb rendered make … fall is causative. The LORD himself will not kill Sennacherib, but cause him to be killed (see Good News Translation).

For the translation of this verse we suggest the following examples:

• I will surely influence his thinking, and he will hear certain news and return to his own land. Then I will cause him to die by the sword in his own country.’”

• I am about to set my spirit/power against him. He will hear a rumor and return to his own country. Then I will have him killed in his own land.’”

• I will cause him to hear a rumor and return home [to Assyria]. There I will cause him to be 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 .