Yahweh explains why no attack on Jerusalem will succeed. It is because he is in control of those who make and use weapons.

Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals: The word Behold draws attention to what follows. Most translations omit it, but New Revised Standard Version and New International Version have “See.” I have created is literally “I, I have created,” which places emphasis on Yahweh as the actor. He is in full control and acts on behalf of his people. For the verb created, see the comments on 40.26. The Hebrew word for smith refers to anyone who works with his hands to fashion objects (see the comments on 40.19, where it is rendered “workman”). Here the term points specifically to a blacksmith since he blows the fire of coals. Blows is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. It is highly unlikely that the blacksmith uses his own breath to blow on the burning coals to heat the metal he is making into a weapon. Better renderings for blows the fire of coals are “fans the coals in the fire” (similarly Revised English Bible) and “fans the coals into flame” (New International Version). Good News Translation prefers a more general expression, saying “builds a fire.” Coals refers to the burning charcoal in the blacksmith’s forge (see the comments on 44.12). Translators may use terms that are natural in their language to describe the work of a blacksmith who makes various tools and other metal objects by hand.

And produces a weapon for its purpose is the reason why the blacksmith is heating his forge. This line is literally “and one bringing out a vessel for its/his use/work.” The Hebrew noun rendered weapon is a very general term; it can refer to any utensil or vessel. In this context of the next two lines it clearly is a weapon. The Hebrew expression rendered for its purpose is vague, since the pronoun for its can refer to the weapon or the blacksmith. Most commentators believe it refers to the weapon. New International Version expresses this sense by rendering the whole line as “and forges a weapon fit for its work,” and so does New Revised Standard Version with “and produces a weapon fit for its purpose.” However, New Jerusalem Bible reflects the other sense with “to produce a weapon for his use.” Good News Translation and Bible en français courant prefer general renderings, without referring to any purpose. Bible en français courant has “and produces all kinds of weapons,” and Good News Translation says simply “and forges weapons.”

I have also created the ravager to destroy: Not only has God created those who make weapons, but also those who use them. I have … created is literally “I, I have created,” as in the first line. God emphasizes his control once again. The Hebrew participle rendered ravager comes from a root that means “to cause destruction.” What he destroys could be what the blacksmith makes or things in general, including people and their cities. New Jerusalem Bible prefers the first interpretation by rendering this line as “I also created the destroyer to ruin it [the weapon].” Most commentators and versions follow the more general interpretation; for example, New International Version says “And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Look, I, I am the one who created the blacksmith
who fans the forge fire,
and who makes weapons to use.
I, I am the one who also created the one to destroy things.

• See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals of the forge,
and makes weapons for a purpose.
And it is I who created the one to bring ruin.

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 .