^7:18At that time³⁷ the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.³⁸^7:19All of them will come and make their home³⁹ in the ravines between the cliffs, and in the crevices of the cliffs, in all the thorn bushes, and in all the watering holes.⁴⁰^7:20At that time⁴¹ the sovereign master will use a razor hired from the banks of the Euphrates River,⁴² the king of Assyria, to shave the head and the pubic hair;⁴³ it will also shave off the beard.

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Footnotes

37 Heb “in that day” (so ). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in .
38 Swarming flies are irritating; bees are irritating and especially dangerous because of the pain they inflict with their sting (see Deut 1:44; Ps 118:12). The metaphors are well chosen, for the Assyrians (symbolized by the bees) were much more powerful and dangerous than the Egyptians (symbolized by the flies). Nevertheless both would put pressure on Judah, for Egypt wanted Judah as a buffer state against Assyrian aggression, while Assyrian wanted it as a base for operations against Egypt. Following the reference to sour milk and honey, the metaphor is especially apt, for flies are attracted to dairy products and bees can be found in the vicinity of honey.
39 Heb “and shall rest” (so , ); , , “and settle.”
40 The meaning of this word (נַהֲלֹל, nahalol) is uncertain; some understand this as referring to another type of thorn bush. For bibliography, see I *נַהֲלֹל.
41 Heb “in that day” (so , ); “In the same day.”
42 Heb “the river” (so ); “the Euphrates.” The name of the river has been supplied in the present translation for clarity.
43 Heb “the hair of the feet.” The translation assumes that the word “feet” is used here as a euphemism for the genitals. See 920 רֶגֶל.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.

In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria. They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes. In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and private parts, and to cut off your beard also.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

On that day

the Lord will whistle to flies

at the farthest streams of the Nile

and to bees in the land of Assyria.

All of them will come and settle

in the steep ravines, in the clefts of the rocks,

in all the thornbushes, and in all the water holes.

On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave the hair on your heads, the hair on your legs, and even your beards.

NLTNew Living Translation

In that day the Lord will whistle for the army of southern Egypt and for the army of Assyria. They will swarm around you like flies and bees. They will come in vast hordes and settle in the fertile areas and also in the desolate valleys, caves, and thorny places. In that day the Lord will hire a “razor” from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—and use it to shave off everything: your land, your crops, and your people.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And this shall happen: On that day, Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the stream of Egypt and the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And all of them will come and settle in the rivers of the cliffs and in the clefts of the rocks and on all of the thornbushes and watering places. On that day, the Lord will shave the head and the hair of the feet with a razor of the one hired from beyond the river—with the king of Assyria—and it will even take off the beard.

KJV 1900King James Version

And it shall come to pass in that day,

That the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt,

And for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.

And they shall come, and shall rest all of them

In the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks,

And upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.

In the same day shall the Lord shave with a rasor that is hired,

Namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria,

The head, and the hair of the feet:

And it shall also consume the beard.

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