Isaiah 11:11-12

11:11 At that time the sovereign master will again lift his hand to reclaim the remnant of his people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the seacoasts.

11:12 He will lift a signal flag for the nations;

he will gather Israel’s dispersed people 10 

and assemble Judah’s scattered people

from the four corners of the earth.


tn Or “in that day” (KJV). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonai).

tc The Hebrew text reads, “the sovereign master will again, a second time, his hand.” The auxiliary verb יוֹסִיף (yosif), which literally means “add,” needs a main verb to complete it. Consequently many emend שֵׁנִית (shenit, “a second time”) to an infinitive. Some propose the form שַׁנֹּת (shannot, a Piel infinitive construct from שָׁנָה, shanah) and relate it semantically to an Arabic cognate meaning “to be high.” If the Hebrew text is retained a verb must be supplied. “Second time” would allude back to the events of the Exodus (see vv. 15-16).

tn Or “acquire”; KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV “recover.”

tn Heb “the remnant of his people who remain.”

sn Perhaps a reference to Upper (i.e., southern) Egypt (so NIV, NLT; NCV “South Egypt”).

tn Or “Ethiopia” (NAB, NRSV, NLT).

tn Or “Babylonia” (NIV, NCV, TEV, NLT).

tn Or perhaps, “the islands of the sea.”

10 tn Or “the banished of Israel,” i.e., the exiles.