Discovery BoxIsaiah 1:10 
Context1:10 Listen to the Lord’s word,
you leaders of Sodom! 1
Pay attention to our God’s rebuke, 2
people of Gomorrah!
Isaiah 8:12
Context8:12 “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ every time these people say the word. 3
Don’t be afraid of what scares them; don’t be terrified.
Isaiah 30:21
Context30:21 You 4 will hear a word spoken behind you, saying,
“This is the correct 5 way, walk in it,”
whether you are heading to the right or the left.
Isaiah 30:27
Context30:27 Look, the name 6 of the Lord comes from a distant place
in raging anger and awesome splendor. 7
He speaks angrily
and his word is like destructive fire. 8
Isaiah 39:8
Context39:8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The Lord’s word which you have announced is appropriate.” 9 Then he thought, 10 “For 11 there will be peace and stability during my lifetime.”
1 sn Building on the simile of v. 9, the prophet sarcastically addresses the leaders and people of Jerusalem as if they were leaders and residents of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah. The sarcasm is appropriate, for if the judgment is comparable to Sodom’s, that must mean that the sin which prompted the judgment is comparable as well.
2 tn Heb “to the instruction of our God.” In this context, which is highly accusatory and threatening, תּוֹרָה (torah, “law, instruction”) does not refer to mere teaching, but to corrective teaching and rebuke.
3 tn Heb “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ with respect to all which these people say, ‘Conspiracy.’” The verb translated “do not say” is second masculine plural, indicating that this exhortation is directed to Isaiah and other followers of the Lord (see v. 16).
sn The background of this command is uncertain. Perhaps the “conspiracy” in view is the alliance between Israel and Syria. Some of the people may even have thought that individuals in Judah were plotting with Israel and Syria to overthrow the king.
4 tn Heb “your ears” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
5 tn The word “correct’ is supplied in the translation for clarification.
6 sn The “name” of the Lord sometimes stands by metonymy for the Lord himself, see Exod 23:21; Lev 24:11; Pss 54:1 (54:3 HT); 124:8. In Isa 30:27 the point is that he reveals that aspect of his character which his name suggests – he comes as Yahweh (“he is present”), the ever present helper of his people who annihilates their enemies and delivers them. The name “Yahweh” originated in a context where God assured a fearful Moses that he would be with him as he confronted Pharaoh and delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. See Exod 3.
7 tn Heb “his anger burns, and heaviness of elevation.” The meaning of the phrase “heaviness of elevation” is unclear, for מַשָּׂאָה (masa’ah, “elevation”) occurs only here. Some understand the term as referring to a cloud (elevated above the earth’s surface), in which case one might translate, “and in heavy clouds” (cf. NAB “with lowering clouds”). Others relate the noun to מָשָׂא (masa’, “burden”) and interpret it as a reference to judgment. In this case one might translate, “and with severe judgment.” The present translation assumes that the noun refers to his glory and that “heaviness” emphasizes its degree.
8 tn Heb “his lips are full of anger, and his tongue is like consuming fire.” The Lord’s lips and tongue are used metonymically for his word (or perhaps his battle cry; see v. 31).
9 tn Heb “good” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “favorable.”
10 tn Heb “and he said.” The verb אָמַר (’amar, “say”) is sometimes used of what one thinks (that is, says to oneself).
11 tn Or “surely”; cf. CEV “At least.”
