Discovery BoxIsaiah 14:16-17 
Context14:16 Those who see you stare at you,
they look at you carefully, thinking: 1
“Is this the man who shook the earth,
the one who made kingdoms tremble?
14:17 Is this the one who made the world like a desert,
who ruined its 2 cities,
and refused to free his prisoners so they could return home?”’ 3
1 tn The word “thinking” is supplied in the translation in order to make it clear that the next line records their thoughts as they gaze at him.
2 tc The pronominal suffix is masculine, even though its antecedent appears to be the grammatically feminine noun “world.” Some have suggested that the form עָרָיו (’arayv, plural noun with third masculine singular suffix) should be emended to עָרֶיהָ (’areha, plural noun with third feminine singular suffix). This emendation may be unnecessary in light of other examples of lack of agreement a suffix and its antecedent noun.
3 tn Heb “and his prisoners did not let loose to [their] homes.” This really means, “he did not let loose his prisoners and send them back to their homes.’ On the elliptical style, see GKC 366 §117.o.
