51:4 Let them fall 1 slain in the land of Babylonia, 2
mortally wounded in the streets of her cities. 3
1 tn The majority of English versions and the commentaries understand the vav (ו) consecutive + perfect as a future here “They will fall.” However, it makes better sense in the light of the commands in the previous verse to understand this as an indirect third person command (= a jussive; see GKC 333 §112.q, r) as REB and NJPS do.
2 tn Heb “the land of the Chaldeans.” See the study note on 21:4 for explanation.
3 tn The words “cities” is not in the text. The text merely says “in her streets” but the antecedent is “land” and must then refer to the streets of the cities in the land.