In this verse there is a series of seven imperatives, spoken with irony. They are addressed to the foreign nations that threaten Judah. The third line is identical to the last line, which makes the verse especially notable. The verb be dismayed occurs three times, setting the tone for the verse.

There is a textual problem with the opening imperative Be broken. The Hebrew root for this imperative is either rʿʿ, which means “to break,” or rʿh, which means “to unite.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers the sense of “break” or “be broken,” but Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Bible en français courant (1997) follow the sense of “unite.” Translators may follow either meaning here, but they should put the alternative in a footnote. Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible follow the Septuagint, which has the imperative “Know,” but we do not recommend this.

You peoples probably refers to the enemies of Judah, those defined as far countries in the parallel line.

And be dismayed: The verb here is repeated twice at the end of the verse. The enemies are told to be afraid and confounded. New International Version translates “be shattered” (similarly Revised English Bible), New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “you shall be broken,” and Bible en français courant says “terror awaits you.” The repetition of this verb clearly demonstrates the focus of the verse.

Give ear means to listen closely to something (see 1.2, 10).

All you far countries is parallel to you peoples. The adjective far may imply that nations as distant as Assyria are included.

Gird yourselves and be dismayed: This line is repeated for emphasis. For be dismayed, see the comments above. The imperative gird yourselves is a call to prepare for battle by putting on armor. A more general expression is acceptable, for example, “arm yourselves” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant) or “Get ready to fight” (Good News Translation).

Contemporary English Version removes all the repetitions in this verse, so its rendering is much shorter. It reads “All of you foreign nations, go ahead and prepare for war, but you will be crushed.” However, the purpose of the repetitions is to emphasize the call to the enemies of Judah to be afraid, even as they prepare for war. No amount of preparation will prevent their defeat. Translators should render the verse in a way that adequately expresses the forcefulness of the prophet’s call. If repetitions of this kind do not convey emphasis in the receptor language, translators may consider reducing the lines as Contemporary English Version has done.

Several translation examples for this verse are:

• Join together, you peoples, and tremble;
listen closely, all you distant countries;
prepare for war, but tremble;
prepare for war, but tremble!

• Unite, you peoples, and shake in fear;
listen closely, all you distant lands;
get ready for battle, but shake in fear;
get ready for battle, but shake in fear.

• Be broken and tremble, you peoples;
listen, all you distant lands;
get ready to fight, but tremble;
get ready to fight, but tremble.

A footnote should be provided to indicate that the opening imperative is uncertain. A possible footnote for the first two examples is “The Hebrew text may also mean ‘Be broken.’”

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 .