Run to and fro, together with all the other commands of this verse, is understood by many translators to be spoken by the LORD (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “The Lord says…”) to the people of Jerusalem (Good News Translation “People of Jerusalem…”). However, other commentators see the audience as a company of heavenly beings to which the prophet has been admitted. It is also possible that the LORD’s words are simply a rhetorical device, in that they are being addressed to whoever is there to listen, or to no one in particular. If either of these interpretations is followed, then translators should use a simple imperative, as in “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem” (Revised English Bible, New International Version) without saying who is being told to do this. Of course, if the language requires a subject, “you” would have to be used.
The prophet (or whoever is addressed) is commanded to go to the streets and squares of the city because that is where he is likely to find the most people. The noun translated squares, although of uncertain meaning, probably refers to the open squares of the city where groups of people could gather. Good News Translation translates it as “marketplaces.” In languages where streets are not common, translators can have “villages” or “towns.”
Look and take note reverses the order of the verbs rendered “Know and see” in 2.19. In Hebrew the use of two verbs with essentially the same meaning serves to strengthen the command. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates the first three lines as “Go through the streets of Jerusalem and open your eyes; search through all its squares!”
A man does not refer in this context only to an adult male, and can be translated as “anyone” or “someone.”
The LORD’s mercy is shown by his willingness to forgive the people of Jerusalem if there is only one person who does justice and seeks truth (compare Gen 18.22-33). Justice (see “judgments” in 1.16) translates a Hebrew word that covers a wide area of meaning; the context suggests the meaning of social justice (see verses 26-28), not legal justice. Who does justice is translated “who deals honestly” by New International Version, “who does what is right” by Good News Translation, and “who acts justly” by Revised English Bible.
Truth (see also 5.3; 7.28; 9.3) may mean either “faithfulness” (of a person’s relation towards God) or “reliability” (of a person’s relation toward others) or “integrity” (of a person’s relation toward him or herself). Thus seeks truth is translated “tries to be faithful to God” by Good News Translation, “a person who can be relied on” by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and “true integrity” by Moffatt. Most other translations are fairly literal, though New American Bible has “seeks to be faithful,” apparently referring to human relationships. Notice from these examples that seeks does not mean looking for truth or faithfulness in others; here it means trying to be a certain kind of person yourself.
That I may pardon her: That introduces a result; that is, if any person can be found who acts justly and tries to be faithful, then the LORD says he will pardon Jerusalem. Good News Translation expresses this “If you can, the LORD will forgive Jerusalem.” New International Version is also good: “If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.”
Pardon is here used in the sense of “forgive” (Good News Translation), and her refers to “Jerusalem” (Good News Translation) or “the people of Jerusalem.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “then I will forgive the guilt of the entire city.”
It is assumed by some scholars that the expression “says the LORD” (found in the Septuagint at the end of this verse) was unintentionally omitted by some scribe. Of the major translations, only New Jerusalem Bible includes this expression in its text, and it is accompanied by a footnote, indicating the origin. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch introduces the verse with “The Lord says…,” but this is included on translational grounds.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .