After the mention of the “everlasting covenant” in 55.3, the text went on to broaden the picture to include the foreign nations. That is true here also.

Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples: These two synonymous parallel lines do not simply mean that other nations will know of Judah’s existence, but that the people of Judah and their descendants will be famous. Their descendants is literally “their seed” (see the comments on 43.5, where the Hebrew word for descendants is rendered “offspring”). Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible render shall be known as “will be famous,” and Revised English Bible has “will be renowned.” This verb is implied in the second line. The Hebrew word for nations usually refers to non-Israelites, as it does here (see the comments on 2.2). For the Hebrew expression rendered their offspring, which is literally “that which comes out [from] them,” see the comments on 44.3. In the midst of the peoples means among the other nations. The noun peoples renders a Hebrew term that can include Israelites as well as foreigners, but only foreigners are in view here (compare 11.10).

All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed: This is the specific kind of fame that the people of Judah will enjoy. Other nations will recognize that Yahweh has blessed them. Formerly they were oppressed and in exile; now they will become a new nation with an enlarged territory and an abundant population, enjoying the world’s wealth. All the other nations will witness this and admit that Yahweh has blessed them. The Hebrew noun rendered people is literally “seed,” which was translated descendants in the first line.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Their descendants will be famous throughout the nations,
their offspring famous among the [foreign] peoples;
Anyone who sees them will know
that they are a nation whom Yahweh has blessed.

• Judah’s descendants will become famous around the world,
her offspring renowned among the peoples.
Everyone who sees them will admit
that Yahweh has blessed this nation.

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 .