31:8 Assyria will fall by a sword, but not one human-made; 1
a sword not made by humankind will destroy them. 2
They will run away from this sword 3
and their young men will be forced to do hard labor.
55:2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? 4
Why spend 5 your hard-earned money 6 on something that will not satisfy?
Listen carefully 7 to me and eat what is nourishing! 8
Enjoy fine food! 9
62:8 The Lord swears an oath by his right hand,
by his strong arm: 10
“I will never again give your grain
to your enemies as food,
and foreigners will not drink your wine,
which you worked hard to produce.
1 tn Heb “Assyria will fall by a sword, not of a man.”
2 tn Heb “and a sword not of humankind will devour him.”
3 tn Heb “he will flee for himself from before a sword.”
4 tn Heb “for what is not food.”
5 tn The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
6 tn Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.
7 tn The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.
8 tn Heb “good” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).
9 tn Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.”
sn Nourishing, fine food here represents the blessings God freely offers. These include forgiveness, a new covenantal relationship with God, and national prominence (see vv. 3-6).
10 tn The Lord’s right hand and strong arm here symbolize his power and remind the audience that his might guarantees the fulfillment of the following promise.