23:13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans,
these people who have lost their identity! 1
The Assyrians have made it a home for wild animals.
They erected their siege towers, 2
demolished 3 its fortresses,
and turned it into a heap of ruins. 4
33:18 Your mind will recall the terror you experienced, 5
and you will ask yourselves, 6 “Where is the scribe?
Where is the one who weighs the money?
Where is the one who counts the towers?” 7
1 tn Heb “this people [that] is not.”
2 tn For the meaning of this word, see HALOT 118 s.v. *בַּחוּן.
3 tn Or “laid bare.” For the meaning of this word, see HALOT 889 s.v. ערר.
4 sn This verse probably refers to the Assyrian destruction of Babylon.
5 tn Heb “your heart will meditate on terror.”
6 tn The words “and you will ask yourselves” are supplied in the translation for clarification and stylistic reasons.
7 sn The people refer to various Assyrian officials who were responsible for determining the amount of taxation or tribute Judah must pay to the Assyrian king.