41 The metaphor in this line is that of a reed being cut down.
42 Heb “the elder and the one lifted up with respect to the face.” For another example of the Hebrew idiom, see 2 Kgs 5:1.

In other versions

So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,

palm branch and reed in one day—

the elder and honored man is the head,

and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;

So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail,

both palm branch and reed in a single day;

the elders and dignitaries are the head,

the prophets who teach lies are the tail.

So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,

palm branch and reed in a single day.

The head is the elder, the honored one;

the tail is the prophet, the one teaching lies.

Therefore, in a single day the Lord will destroy both the head and the tail,

the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.

The leaders of Israel are the head,

and the lying prophets are the tail.

So Yahweh cut off head and tail from Israel,

palm branch and reed in one day.

Elders and the respectable are the head,

and prophets who teach lies are the tail.

Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail,

Branch and rush, in one day.

The ancient and honourable, he is the head;

And the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

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