51:49 “Babylon must fall 1
because of the Israelites she has killed, 2
just as the earth’s mortally wounded fell
because of Babylon. 3
51:52 Yes, but the time will certainly come,” 4 says the Lord, 5
“when I will punish her idols.
Throughout her land the mortally wounded will groan.
1 tn The infinitive construct is used here to indicate what is about to take place. See IBHS 610 §36.2.3g.
2 tn Heb “the slain of Israel.” The words “because of” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The preceding context makes it clear that Babylon would be judged for its atrocities against Israel (see especially 50:33-34; 51:10, 24, 35).
3 tn The juxtaposition of גַם…גַם (gam...gam), often “both…and,” here indicates correspondence. See BDB 169 s.v. גַּם 4. Appropriately Babylon will fall slain just as her victims, including God’s covenant people, did.
4 tn Heb “that being so, look, days are approaching.” Here לָכֵן (lakhen) introduces the Lord’s response to the people’s lament (v. 51). It has the force of “yes, but” or “that may be true.” See Judg 11:8 and BDB 486-87 s.v. כֵּן 3.d.
5 tn Heb “Oracle of the