30 The verb עָשַׁק (’ashaq, “to oppress”) may refer to (1) oppressing the poor and defenseless ( 798 עָשַׁק 1), or more likely to (2) oppression of one nation by another as the judgment of God (Deut 28:29, 33; 1 Chr 16:21; Pss 105:14; 119:121, 122; Isa 52:4; Jer 50:33; Hos 5:11; 798 2). The Qal passive participles עָשׁוּק (’ashuq, “oppressed”) and רְצוּץ (rétsuts, “crushed”) might refer to a present situation (so , , , , ); however, the context suggests that they refer to a future situation (so ). When a participle is used in reference to the future, it often denotes an imminent future situation and may be rendered, “about to” (e.g., Gen 6:17; 15:14; 20:3; 37:30; 41:25; 49:29; Exod 9:17–18; Deut 28:31; 1 Sam 3:11; 1 Kgs 2:2; 20:22; 2 Kgs 7:2). For functions of the participle, see §37.6f.
31 The term רְצוּץ (rétsuts, “crushed”) is a metaphor for weakness (e.g., 2 Kgs 18:21; Isa 36:6; 42:3) and oppression (e.g., Deut 28:33; 1 Sam 12:3, 4; Amos 4:1; Isa 58:6). Here it is used as a figure to describe the devastating effects of the Lord’s judgment.
32 Heb “crushed of judgment” (רְצוּץ מִשְׁפָּט, rétsuts mishpat). The second term is a genitive of cause (“crushed because of judgment” or “crushed under judgment”) rather than respect (“crushed in judgment,” as in many English versions).
33 The meaning of the Hebrew term translated “worthless idols” is uncertain; cf. “the commandment”; “man’s command”; “filth”; “vanity.”