Discovery BoxIsaiah 21:1 
Context21:1 Here is a message about the Desert by the Sea: 1
Like strong winds blowing in the south, 2
one invades from the desert,
from a land that is feared.
Isaiah 27:8
Context27:8 When you summon her for divorce, you prosecute her; 3
he drives her away 4 with his strong wind in the day of the east wind. 5
Isaiah 29:10
Context29:10 For the Lord has poured out on you
a strong urge to sleep deeply. 6
He has shut your eyes (the prophets),
and covered your heads (the seers).
Isaiah 34:7
Context34:7 Wild oxen will be slaughtered 7 along with them,
as well as strong bulls. 8
Their land is drenched with blood,
their soil is covered with fat.
Isaiah 35:4
Context“Be strong! Do not fear!
Look, your God comes to avenge!
With divine retribution he comes to deliver you.” 10
1 sn The phrase is quite cryptic, at least to the modern reader. Verse 9 seems to indicate that this message pertains to Babylon. Southern Mesopotamia was known as the Sealand in ancient times, because of its proximity to the Persian Gulf. Perhaps the reference to Babylon as a “desert” foreshadows the destruction that would overtake the city, making it like a desolate desert.
2 tn Or “in the Negev” (NASB).
3 tn The Hebrew text reads literally, “in [?], in sending her away, you oppose her.” The meaning of this line is uncertain. The form בְּסַאסְּאָה (bÿsa’ssÿ’ah) is taken as an infinitive from סַאסְּאָה (sa’ssÿ’ah) with a prepositional prefix and a third feminine singular suffix. (The MT does not have a mappiq in the final he [ה], however). According to HALOT 738 s.v. סַאסְּאָה the verb is a Palpel form from an otherwise unattested root cognate with an Arabic verb meaning “to gather beasts with a call.” Perhaps it means “to call, summon” here, but this is a very tentative proposal. בְּשַׁלְחָהּ (bÿshalkhah, “in sending her away”) appears to be a Piel infinitive with a prepositional prefix and a third feminine singular suffix. Since the Piel of שָׁלָח (shalakh) can sometimes mean “divorce” (HALOT 1514-15 s.v.) and the following verb רִיב (riv, “oppose”) can be used in legal contexts, it is possible that divorce proceedings are alluded to here. This may explain why Israel is referred to as feminine in this verse, in contrast to the masculine forms used in vv. 6-7 and 9.
4 tn The Hebrew text has no object expressed, but one can understand a third feminine singular pronominal object and place a mappiq in the final he (ה) of the form to indicate the suffix.
5 sn The “east wind” here symbolizes violent divine judgment.
6 tn Heb “a disposition [or “spirit”] of deep sleep.” Through this mixed metaphor (sleep is likened to a liquid which one pours and in turn symbolizes spiritual dullness) the prophet emphasizes that God himself has given the people over to their spiritual insensitivity as a form of judgment.
7 tn Heb “will go down”; NAB “shall be struck down.”
8 tn Heb “and bulls along with strong ones.” Perhaps this refers to the leaders.
9 tn Heb “Say to the hasty of heart,” i.e., those whose hearts beat quickly from fear.
10 tn The jussive form וְיֹשַׁעֲכֶם (vÿyosha’akhem), which is subordinated to the preceding imperfect with vav conjunctive, indicates purpose.
