66:16 For the Lord judges all humanity 1
with fire and his sword;
the Lord will kill many. 2
66:17 “As for those who consecrate and ritually purify themselves so they can follow their leader and worship in the sacred orchards, 3 those who eat the flesh of pigs and other disgusting creatures, like mice 4 – they will all be destroyed together,” 5 says the Lord.
1 tn Heb “flesh” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); NIV “upon all men”; TEV “all the people of the world.”
2 tn Heb “many are the slain of the Lord.”
3 tn Heb “the ones who consecrate themselves and the ones who purify themselves toward the orchards [or “gardens”] after the one in the midst.” The precise meaning of the statement is unclear, though it is obvious that some form of idolatry is in view.
4 tn Heb “ones who eat the flesh of the pig and the disgusting thing and the mouse.”
5 tn Heb “together they will come to an end.”