Isaiah 29:9

Footnotes

1. 15 The form הִתְמַהְמְהוּ (hitmahméhu) is a Hitpalpel imperative from מָהַהּ (mahah, “hesitate”). If it is retained, one might translate “halt and be amazed.” The translation assumes an emendation to הִתַּמְּהוּ (hittamméhu), a Hitpael imperative from תָּמַה (tamah, “be amazed”). In this case, the text, like Hab 1:5, combines the Hitpael and Qal imperatival forms of תָּמַה (tamah). A literal translation might be “Shock yourselves and be shocked!” The repetition of sound draws attention to the statement. The imperatives here have the force of an emphatic assertion. On this use of the imperative in Hebrew, see §110.c and §34.4c.
2. 16 Heb “Blind yourselves and be blind!” The Hitpalpel and Qal imperatival forms of שָׁעַע (sha’a’, “be blind”) are combined to draw attention to the statement. The imperatives have the force of an emphatic assertion.
3. 17 Some prefer to emend the perfect form of the verb to an imperative (e.g., , , ), since the people are addressed in the immediately preceding and following contexts.
4. 18 Some prefer to emend the perfect form of the verb to an imperative (e.g., , , ), since the people are addressed in the immediately preceding and following contexts.