29 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
30 Sheol is the underworld, land of the dead, according to the OT world view.
31 Elsewhere the noun חֹזֶה (khozeh) refers to a prophet who sees visions. In v. 18 the related term חָזוּת (khazut, “vision”) is used. The parallelism in both verses (note “treaty”) seems to demand a meaning “agreement” for both nouns. Perhaps חֹזֶה and חזוּת are used in a metonymic sense in vv. 15 and 18. Another option is to propose a homonymic root. See J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah (), 1:, and II חֹזֶה.
32 Heb “the overwhelming scourge, when it passes by” ( similar).
33 “Lie” and “deceitful word” would not be the terms used by the people. They would likely use the words “promise” and “reliable word,” but the prophet substitutes “lie” and “deceitful word” to emphasize that this treaty with death will really prove to be disappointing.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers,

who rule this people in Jerusalem!

Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,

and with Sheol we have an agreement,

when the overwhelming whip passes through

it will not come to us,

for we have made lies our refuge,

and in falsehood we have taken shelter”;

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers

who rule this people in Jerusalem.

You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,

with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.

When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,

it cannot touch us,

for we have made a lie our refuge

and falsehood our hiding place.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers

who rule this people in Jerusalem.

For you said, “We have made a covenant with Death,

and we have an agreement with Sheol;

when the overwhelming catastrophe passes through,

it will not touch us,

because we have made falsehood our refuge

and have hidden behind treachery.”

NLTNew Living Translation

Therefore, listen to this message from the Lord,

you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem.

You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death

and have made a deal to dodge the grave.

The coming destruction can never touch us,

for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Therefore hear the word of Yahweh, men of mockery,

rulers of these people in Jerusalem:

Because you have said,

“We have made a covenant with death,

and we have made an agreement with Sheol.

The overwhelming flood, when it passes through, will not come to us,

for we have made lies our refuge,

and we have hidden ourselves in falsehood.”

KJV 1900King James Version

Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men,

That rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death,

And with hell are we at agreement;

When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us:

For we have made lies our refuge,

And under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

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