17:3 Fortified cities will disappear from Ephraim,
and Damascus will lose its kingdom. 1
The survivors in Syria
will end up like the splendor of the Israelites,”
says the Lord who commands armies.
19:1 Here is a message about Egypt:
Look, the Lord rides on a swift-moving cloud
and approaches Egypt.
The idols of Egypt tremble before him;
the Egyptians lose their courage. 2
47:9 Both of these will come upon you
suddenly, in one day!
You will lose your children and be widowed. 3
You will be overwhelmed by these tragedies, 4
despite 5 your many incantations
and your numerous amulets. 6
1 tn Heb “and kingship from Damascus”; cf. NASB “And sovereignty from Damascus.”
2 tn Heb “and the heart of Egypt melts within it.”
3 tn Heb “loss of children and widowhood.” In the Hebrew text the phrase is in apposition to “both of these” in line 1.
4 tn Heb “according to their fullness, they will come upon you.”
5 tn For other examples of the preposition bet (בְּ) having the sense of “although, despite,” see BDB 90 s.v. III.7.
6 sn Reference is made to incantations and amulets, both of which were important in Mesopotamian religion. They were used to ward off danger and demons.