complete verse (Isaiah 3:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 3:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “leaders of soldiers and powerful men.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “captains of fifty and important officers,
    counselors [lit.: counsel givers], craftsmen, magicians.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “leaders/[lit. heads] of their soldiers, honorable men, advisers, and their skilled magicians and sorcerers.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 3:3

This verse adds five more examples of leaders in Judah.

The captain of fifty and the man of rank: The Hebrew term rendered captain is a word with multiple meanings, all relating to leadership. Here the context indicates that this leader is a junior military person in charge of a group of fifty men. Captain may be rendered “military officer” if this title has not been used in verse 2. The man of rank renders an idiomatic Hebrew phrase, which is literally “uplifted of face,” meaning a respected person. This title refers most likely to a civilian, not a military person. In Job 22.8 the phrase is rendered “the favored man,” who is probably someone with political power. Revised English Bible has “men of good standing,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “dignitary.”

The counselor is someone who gave advice to the king (see 1 Kgs 12.6, 8, 28). Good News Translation suggests “politicians,” but this should not be taken too literally. If a precise term is not available in a language, any general title referring to a high official will be acceptable.

The skilful magician refers to those who used magical rites to obtain information. However, the Hebrew phrase here is literally “wise in craft.” The Septuagint renders it with a word related to “architect,” which suggests that the person was actually trained in a useful practical skill and did not rely on magic (so New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version; see also the first example below).

The Hebrew expression rendered the expert in charms carries a negative sense, while in English charms can have a positive connotation. The expert in charms refers to someone who used secret and forbidden means to cast spells on people. “Sorcerer” may be a good equivalent.

Translators may continue the list in this verse as follows:

• … military officers and politicians,
advisers and skilled craftspeople,
and those who cast spells.

• … military officers of fifty men and politicians,
advisers to the king and [skilled] magicians,
and those expert in sorcery [or, sorcerers].

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 .