complete verse (Isaiah 11:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 11:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “He will do justice to the weak
    and put right the matters of the poor/orphans.
    He will give a message/decree for people to be punished,
    and say/pronounce a word for sinners to be wiped away.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But with righteousness he will do justice for the needy,
    and [he] will do just judgment of the poor who live in the land.
    [He] will strike the earth by power of his word.
    and [he] will destroy the wicked with the breath of his mouth.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He will-give right judgment to-the poor-ones and he will-defend them of their rights. By his command, he will-punish the world and the wicked people will-die.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 11:4

The verbs judge and decide link this verse with the previous one. It also introduces the important term righteousness.

But with righteousness he shall judge the poor: The simple Hebrew conjunction that introduces this verse should be rendered but to mark a contrast with the last statement. This is a positive statement, telling us what the king will do. The term righteousness is a legal term and refers to living according to the Law (see Lev 19.15). The objective standard of God’s Law will be applied to everyone, including the poor. The prophetic writings are full of criticisms of Israel’s leaders who do not show mercy and justice toward the poor and disadvantaged (see 3.14-15 and 10.2 for two examples in this book). Here Isaiah is saying the ideal ruler will judge the poor in a way that is strictly according to the Law. Righteousness may be rendered “true justice.” For a discussion on the meaning of righteousness as compared to “justice,” see 1.21.

When translators render the word poor, they should bear in mind the word meek in the next line. They should use parallel terms in the order that is most natural in the receptor language. Jesus referred to the poor and the meek in the Beatitudes (see Matt 5.3, 5), so the words used there may assist in the translation here.

And decide with equity for the meek of the earth is parallel to the previous line and similar in meaning. The Hebrew word for equity comes from a root meaning “level,” so it refers to equality in treatment. Good News Translation says “fairly.” The meek of the earth are all those who are poor, helpless and weak, without power or influence. Even they will experience fair treatment from this new ruler.

And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth is highly figurative. The Hebrew verb translated smite (meaning “hit/strike [with a blow]”) is often used to express punishment, which seems to be its sense here also. The earth can refer to the people of the world or the land on which they live. The parallel line that follows refers to the wicked being killed, which gives us a clue to the meaning of the earth here. It refers to people who are evil. However, for translation it is best to use a general rendering here. Good News Translation has “the people” and Bible en français courant “the land.” Revised English Bible follows a suggested textual emendation that changes earth in Masoretic Text to “cruel man.” For this line it has “like a rod his verdict will strike the ruthless.” However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project firmly rejects this option, because it lacks evidence from other old manuscripts.

The rod of his mouth is a very condensed phrase. Throughout Isaiah thus far the word rod has been used to mean punishment (9.4; 10.5, 15 and elsewhere). The rod of his mouth seems to suggest that the words the new king will pronounce are a decision to punish someone. Bible en français courant renders the whole line well with “His word, like a stick, will strike the land.” Even though Good News Translation adopts a poetic layout for 11.2-9, it is more prosaic here.

And with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked: This line also makes use of very figurative language. The breath of his lips refers to what the king says rather than to his breathing (see Psa 33.6). It could also imply that his breath is like fire, as in 30.27, 33. However, since it is parallel to the rod of his mouth, it refers to judgment expressed in words. He shall slay the wicked indicates that the king’s words of judgment will result in deadly action against those who are evil.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• But he will judge the poor according to the Law, and the powerless he will treat fairly. He will pronounce punishment on the people, and his judgments will destroy the evil person.

• However, the poor he will judge on the basis of true justice, and the powerless he will treat with fairness. He will pronounce punishment against the people and his words will destroy the wicked.

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 .