And he will be the stability of your times. Even though the Hebrew pronoun for your is singular, it refers to God’s people. Bible en français courant makes this explicit by saying, “you, the people of the Lord.” The Hebrew noun translated stability refers to something that is firm and secure. New International Version has “sure foundation.” Times is a literal rendering of the Hebrew word here, but it probably means “experiences” (BDB) or “circumstances” in this context, as in 1 Chr 29.30. If so, the prophet is promising that Yahweh will also provide security for the people’s lives. This line may be rendered “He will also make your situation/lives secure/safe.”

Abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is his treasure: Revised Standard Version links the second line of this verse to the first one to form one sentence, and it renders the last line as a separate sentence (also New International Version). Bible en français courant divides the verse into three sentences as follows: “As for you, people of the Lord, you will be able to live in security. To be wise and to know God means to be rich in salvation; to honor the Lord, that is your treasure!” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible). We offer a different analysis of the last two lines based on the Hebrew syntax. The phrase abundance of salvation explains the security of the first line more fully, while wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD are the contents of his treasure.

The Hebrew word for abundance refers to riches in a material sense, while salvation can mean “rescue” or “safety” (see verse 2), so abundance of salvation means “safety/security provided by riches.” This explains how Yahweh will provide the security promised in the first line.

Wisdom and knowledge are linked to the fear of the LORD (see 11.2-3; Pro 1.7). Wisdom is a way of life that follows the teachings of the wise. Knowledge refers to more than intellectual information; it speaks of a relationship with the LORD. The fear of the LORD is reverence for him. For more discussion on these three expressions, see 11.2. These three attributes are his treasure. Who is the referent for the pronoun his? Is it Zion or Yahweh? Many versions believe it refers to Zion; for example, New Revised Standard Version says “Zion’s treasure,” while Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh have “her treasure.” Good News Translation is similar with “Their greatest treasure,” referring to the treasure of the people of Zion. However, since Hebrew normally treats cities as feminine nouns, the masculine pronoun his more likely refers to Yahweh (so New Jerusalem Bible and NIV footnote|prj:NIV84.Isa 33.6). These three attributes are Yahweh’s gift to the people of Zion, just as “justice” and “righteousness” are in verse 5.

Obviously this is a difficult verse. Whatever rendering the translator chooses, it may be useful to add a footnote to indicate that the translation is tentative. Alternative renderings should be provided. Possible models for this verse are:

• And he will provide stability in your lives and secure [your] wealth;
wisdom, knowledge, and respect for Yahweh [or, himself] are the treasures he gives.

• You people of the LORD, he will make your situation firm and make your wealth secure;
wisdom, knowledge and respect for the LORD [or, himself], these are the treasures he offers.

• Yahweh will also offer stability for your times,
your wealth will be safe;
the treasure he gives is wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of himself.

• He will also offer you stability, your wealth will be safe;
his treasures are wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of himself.

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 .