14:17 Is this the one who made the world like a desert,
who ruined its 1 cities,
and refused to free his prisoners so they could return home?”’ 2
27:4 I am not angry.
I wish I could confront some thorns and briers!
Then I would march against them 3 for battle;
I would set them 4 all on fire,
48:7 Now they come into being, 5 not in the past;
before today you did not hear about them,
so you could not say,
‘Yes, 6 I know about them.’
1 tc The pronominal suffix is masculine, even though its antecedent appears to be the grammatically feminine noun “world.” Some have suggested that the form עָרָיו (’arayv, plural noun with third masculine singular suffix) should be emended to עָרֶיהָ (’areha, plural noun with third feminine singular suffix). This emendation may be unnecessary in light of other examples of lack of agreement a suffix and its antecedent noun.
2 tn Heb “and his prisoners did not let loose to [their] homes.” This really means, “he did not let loose his prisoners and send them back to their homes.’ On the elliptical style, see GKC 366 §117.o.
3 tn Heb “it.” The feminine singular suffix apparently refers back to the expression “thorns and briers,” understood in a collective sense. For other examples of a cohortative expressing resolve after a hypothetical statement introduced by נָתַן with מִי (miwith natan), see Judg 9:29; Jer 9:1-2; Ps 55:6.
4 tn Heb “it.” The feminine singular suffix apparently refers back to the expression “thorns and briers,” understood in a collective sense.
5 tn Heb “are created” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “They are brand new.”
6 tn Heb “look”; KJV, NASB “Behold.”