They will growl over it on that day, like the roaring of the sea: The fearsome “growling” noise of the enemy is now likened to the roaring of the sea, another loud sound. They will growl over it repeats the idea of the enemy uttering a threatening sound as it seizes the prey it has caught (see the previous verse). The picture then changes to events related to nature. This will happen on that day (see the comments on 2.11).

The comparison of the growling lion to a roaring sea should be kept if possible to show the link between this verse and the previous one. It will be sufficient to do this by keeping the same verb for growl as used in the previous verse. However, in some languages this mixing of images may not be understood. For the image of the “growling lion,” the verb “roar” might be better if it can be applied to the noise of the sea as well. Then, if it is natural for the sea to “crash” or “thunder” in the receptor language, either of these terms may be used. If the figure of the roaring sea is not appropriate, it may be changed to something more natural.

The principle involved here is important for translators to recognize when doing a meaning-based translation. Since the focus in comparative statements like this one is not on the sea itself but on the feature or characteristic it represents, translators may choose another illustration that will achieve the same point. Here that point is the roaring. Translators may use a different simile if necessary so long as it does not conflict with the biblical context; for example, people who live far from the sea may use a simile about the loud desert wind since comparing the enemy’s noise to waves crashing may be meaningless. However, when translators change an image, there is not only the risk of introducing foreign elements into the biblical culture, but also the poetic imagery of the passage will change entirely. Often it is better to express the image with a more general expression; for example, the first two lines of this verse may be rendered “They will growl over it on that day, and their growling will be a fearsome [or, deafening] noise.”

And if one look to the land, behold, darkness and distress: In contrast to the sea is the mention of the land. Here the land refers to more than just the land of Judah invaded by the enemy. The whole world is in view. It is covered by darkness and distress. These two nouns portray the land—it has become dark, and the people are distressed (see 1.7-8). The darkness presumably refers to the invading army and its advance, rather than to the actual darkness of night. However, if possible, the image of darkness should be kept. This figure, which contrasts with light, symbolizes an evil threat. It is a common one in literature, including the Scriptures. The word behold draws attention to the words darkness and distress. Good News Translation expresses the highlighting function of behold through the use of exclamation marks here: “Look at this country! Darkness and distress!” Many translations omit behold, but it should be expressed in some way if possible.

And the light is darkened by its clouds is a very brief statement that may need to be expanded slightly. The daylight is made dark by its clouds. Clouds are frequently associated with judgment (see Ezek 30.3; 34.12). The clouds here may be from the enemy army as it marches across the land, sending up clouds of dust that darken the sun. So the pronoun its may refer to the invading army. A possible rendering of the line with this understanding is “the light is blotted out by clouds of dust.” However, most versions do not mention “dust.” They simply speak about “[thick] clouds” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “thick fog”). With this understanding its refers to the earth—the clouds that block out the light are over the earth. Translators do not need to make the exact nature of the clouds explicit.

For the translation of this verse we suggest the following examples:

• The enemies will growl over their prey on that day;
it will sound like the crashing of the sea.
If you look at the land, you will see it full of darkness
and the people distressed;
clouds of dust will blot out the [sun]light.

• They will growl over their prey at that time,
it will be as loud as the roaring of the sea.
The land will look dark and the people will be distressed;
[sun]light will be blotted out by thick clouds [in the sky].

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 .