Isaiah 3:12–13

Footnotes

1. 28 This may refer to the prophet or to the Lord.
2. 29 The Hebrew text appears to read literally, “My people, his oppressors, he deals severely, and women rule over them.” The correct text and precise meaning of the verse are debated. The translation above assumes (1) an emendation of נֹגְשָׂיו (nogésayv, “his oppressors”) to נֹגְשִׂים (nogéshim, “oppressors”) by moving the mem (ם) on the following form to the end of the word and dropping the vav (ו) as virtually dittographic; (2) an emendation of מְעוֹלֵל (mé’olel, a singular participle that does not agree with the preceding plural subject) to עֹלְלוּ (’olélu), a third plural Poel perfect from עָלַל (’alal, “deal severely”; note that the following form begins with a vav [ו]; the text may be haplographic or misdivided); and (3) an emendation (with support from the ) of נָשִׁים (nashim, “women”) to נֹשִׁים (noshim, “creditors”; a participle from נָשַׁא, nasa’). Another option is to emend מְעוֹלֵל to עוֹלְלִים (’olélim, “children”) and read, “My people’s oppressors are children; women rule over them.” In this case the point is the same as in v. 4; the leadership void left by the judgment will be filled by those incompetent to lead the community—children and women. (The text reflects the ancient Israelite patriarchal mindset.)
3. 30 Heb “and the way of your paths they confuse.” The verb בָּלַע (bala’, “confuse”; I בלע) is a homonym of the more common בָּלַע (“swallow”; see בלע).
4. 31 The Hebrew text has “nations,” but the preceding and following contexts make it clear that the Lord is judging his covenant people. עָמִים (’amim) should be changed (with support from the ) to עמו. The final mem (ם) on the form in the Hebrew is either dittographic or enclitic. When the mem was added or read as a plural ending, the vav (ו) was then misread as a yod (י).