In that day he will speak out, saying is literally “He will lift up on that day saying.” From the context this unusual expression seems to mean the older brother is protesting and refusing. His reaction is strong and emotional. The Hebrew verb for “lift up” is without its expected object, namely, “his voice.” Speak out is better than Good News Translation‘s weaker verb “answer,” although Good News Translation makes it explicit afterward that this is a strong refusal by beginning quotation with “Not me!” A good alternative for speak out is “protest loudly.” In that day normally refers to the time in the future when Yahweh will act in judgment or salvation (see 2.11, 17; 3.18; 4.2), but here it more likely points to the troubled situation described in verses 1-6. This phrase may begin verse 6, as explained in the introductory comments there.

I will not be a healer: The Hebrew participle rendered healer comes from a root that is associated with binding up the wounds of those who are hurt (see 1.6, where it is rendered “bound up”). Here healer is a metaphor for restoring the sorry state of the nation, which the brother refuses to do (compare to Isa 30.26). This explains Revised English Bible‘s rendering “I cannot heal society’s wounds.” New International Version has “I have no remedy.” A few versions prefer a more general rendering; for example, Good News Translation says “I can’t help you,” and Bible en français courant has “I can do nothing for you [plural].”

In my house there is neither bread nor mantle: The brother does not agree that he has the requirements for leadership. He does it by denying that he has the appropriate clothing that they say he has. He strengthens that refusal by adding that his family does not even have enough food (bread). In my house may be understood in its literal sense and be translated that way, or the whole line may be rendered simply “I do not have food or clothes.” With this simpler interpretation of the line the brother is saying he cannot lead the people because he cannot provide them with either food or clothing.

You shall not make me leader of the people: With these words the older brother rejects the invitation to become leader. This line may be rendered “You cannot make me [your] leader” or “Don’t ask me to be your leader.”

Bread, mantle, and leader should be rendered as in verses 1 and 6.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• He will refuse at that time saying:
“I cannot bind up the people’s wounds;
I have no food or cloak at home,
so you cannot make me [your] leader.”

• He will say at such a time,
“There is no way I can bring healing,
I have no bread and no coat at home.
Don’t ask me to be your leader.”

• At that time he will refuse to heal the people’s suffering
because his own family has no food or cloak.
Because of that he will say that they cannot make him their leader.

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 .