Discovery BoxIsaiah 1:20 
Context1:20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be devoured 1 by the sword.”
Know for certain that the Lord has spoken. 2
Isaiah 1:24
Context1:24 Therefore, the sovereign Lord who commands armies, 3
the powerful ruler of Israel, 4 says this:
“Ah, I will seek vengeance 5 against my adversaries,
I will take revenge against my enemies. 6
1 sn The wordplay in the Hebrew draws attention to the options. The people can obey, in which case they will “eat” v. 19 (תֹּאכֵלוּ [to’khelu], Qal active participle of אָכַל) God’s blessing, or they can disobey, in which case they will be devoured (Heb “eaten,” תְּאֻכְּלוּ, [tÿ’ukkÿlu], Qal passive/Pual of אָכַל) by God’s judgment.
2 tn Heb “for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” The introductory כִּי (ki) may be asseverative (as reflected in the translation) or causal/explanatory, explaining why the option chosen by the people will become reality (it is guaranteed by the divine word).
3 tn Heb “the master, the Lord who commands armies [traditionally, the Lord of hosts].” On the title “the Lord who commands armies,” see the note at v. 9.
4 tn Heb “the powerful [one] of Israel.”
5 tn Heb “console myself” (i.e., by getting revenge); NRSV “pour out my wrath on.”
6 sn The Lord here identifies with the oppressed and comes as their defender and vindicator.
