For behold …: This verse continues the thought of the previous one, giving more reasons for the people of Jerusalem to “shine.” The Hebrew particle ki rendered For is a logical connector, as in the previous verse. The word behold gives emphasis to the statement that follows.

Darkness shall cover the earth contrasts with the light that shines on God’s people. Just as light represents the light of God’s presence, so darkness represents his absence. It is also a metaphor for divine judgment (compare Exo 10.23). The verb cover may be rendered “envelop.” This verb is in the imperfect form in Hebrew. Most versions render it in the future, but it is better to use a past continuous tense, such as “has covered.” This contrasts with the new future outlined in verses 2b-3. In this context the earth refers to the world outside the borders of Judah. The image of a sunlit Jerusalem standing alone within a darkened world is highly poetic; it represents the prophet’s vision of a restored Jerusalem.

And thick darkness the peoples is parallel to the previous line. The verb cover is implied here. Thick darkness is another metaphor for God’s absence and judgment (compare Jer 13.16; Joel 2.2). The Hebrew noun rendered peoples usually refers to people other than Israelites (see the comments on 34.1). Good News Translation combines this line with the previous one, saying “Other nations will be covered by darkness.”

But the LORD will arise upon you: The common Hebrew conjunction rendered but (literally “and”) introduces a contrast here. God’s people will enjoy the light of his glory while the rest of the world is in darkness. The Hebrew verb rendered will arise is the same one translated “has arisen” in the previous verse (see the comments there). Like the sun, Yahweh will shine on his people, lighting their way.

And his glory will be seen upon you is parallel to the previous line. For his glory, see the comments on the previous verse. Good News Translation renders it here as “The brightness of his presence,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is similar with “His Presence.” The passive verb will be seen may require an active verb in some languages. If so, New Revised Standard Version provides this model: “and his glory will appear over you” (similarly New International Version). Another possibility is “and people will see that his glory is shining on you.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• For, see, darkness has covered the whole world,
deep darkness has covered its peoples.
But Yahweh will shine down on you,
and people will see his glorious power on you.

• For, look, darkness has covered the earth,
dark night has enveloped its peoples/nations.
But Yahweh will shine on you,
his presence/glory will appear over you.

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 .