38 The meaning of this last line is somewhat uncertain: Heb “I will cause them distress in order that [or with the result that] they will find.” The absence of an object for the verb “find” has led to conjecture that the text is wrong. Some commentators follow the lead of the Greek and Latin versions which read the verb as a passive: “they will be found,” i.e., be caught and captured. Others follow a suggestion by G. R. Driver (“Linguistic and Textual Problems: Jeremiah,” 28 [1937–38]: 107) that the verb be read not as “they will find” (יִמְצָאוּ [yimtsa’u] from מָצָא [matsa’]) but “they will be squeezed/ drained” (יִמְצוּ [yimtsu] from מָצָה [matsah]). The translation adopted assumes that this is an example of the ellipsis of the object supplied from the context (cf. E. W. Bullinger, Figures of Speech, ). For a similar nuance for the verb “find” = “feel/experience” see 592 מָצָא Qal.1.f and compare the usage in Ps 116:3.

In other versions

For thus says the Lord:

“Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land

at this time,

and I will bring distress on them,

that they may feel it.”

For this is what the Lord says:

“At this time I will hurl out

those who live in this land;

I will bring distress on them

so that they may be captured.”

For this is what the Lord says:

Look, I am flinging away

the land’s residents at this time

and bringing them such distress

that they will feel it.

For this is what the Lord says:

“Suddenly, I will fling out

all you who live in this land.

I will pour great troubles upon you,

and at last you will feel my anger.”

For thus says Yahweh,

“Look, I am about to sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time,

and I will bring distress to them, so that they may feel it.”

For thus saith the Lord,

Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once,

And will distress them, that they may find it so.

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