47:11 Disaster will overtake you;
you will not know how to charm it away. 1
Destruction will fall on you;
you will not be able to appease it.
Calamity will strike you suddenly,
before you recognize it. 2
54:14 You will be reestablished when I vindicate you. 3
You will not experience oppression; 4
indeed, you will not be afraid.
You will not be terrified, 5
for nothing frightening 6 will come near you.
1 tc The Hebrew text has שַׁחְרָהּ (shakhrah), which is either a suffixed noun (“its dawning,” i.e., origin) or infinitive (“to look early for it”). Some have suggested an emendation to שַׁחֲדָהּ (shakhadah), a suffixed infinitive from שָׁחַד (shakhad, “[how] to buy it off”; see BDB 1005 s.v. שָׁחַד). This forms a nice parallel with the following couplet. The above translation is based on a different etymology of the verb in question. HALOT 1466 s.v. III שׁחר references a verbal root with these letters (שׁחד) that refers to magical activity.
2 tn Heb “you will not know”; NIV “you cannot foresee.”
3 tn Heb “in righteousness [or “vindication”] you will be established.” The precise meaning of צְדָקָה (tsÿdaqah) here is uncertain. It could mean “righteousness, justice,” indicating that the city will be a center for justice. But the context focuses on deliverance, suggesting that the term means “deliverance, vindication” here.
4 tn Heb “Be far from oppression!” The imperative is used here in a rhetorical manner to express certainty and assurance. See GKC 324 §110.c.
5 tn Heb “from terror.” The rhetorical command, “be far” is understood by ellipsis here. Note the preceding context.
6 tn Heb “it,” i.e., the “terror” just mentioned.