112 The words “of Babylonia” are not in the text but are implicit from the context. They have been supplied in the translation to clarify the referent. The verbs in vv. 22–25 are all descriptive of the present, but all of this is really to take place in the future. Hebrew poetry has a way of rendering future actions as though they were already accomplished. The poetry of this section makes it difficult, however, to render the verbs as future as the present translation has regularly done.
113 Heb “among the nations.” With the exception of this phrase, the different verb in v. 46a, the absence of a suffix on the word for “land” in v. 45d, the third plural suffix instead of the third singular suffix on the verb for “chase … off of,” this passage is identical with 49:19–21 with the replacement of Babylon or the land of the Chaldeans for Edom. For the translation notes explaining the details of the translation here see the translator’s notes on . This passage is virtually identical with Jer 49:19–21 with the replacement of Babylon, land of Babylonia for Edom. As God used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to destroy Edom, so he would use Cyrus and the Medes and Persians and their allies to destroy Babylon (cf. 25:13, 14). As Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant to whom all would be subject (25:9; 27:6), so Cyrus is called in Isaiah “his anointed one,” i.e., his chosen king whom he will use to shatter other nations and set Israel free (Isa 45:1–4).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Behold, like a lion coming up from the thicket of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make them run away from her, and I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? Therefore hear the plan that the Lord has made against Babylon, and the purposes that he has formed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of their flock shall be dragged away; surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth shall tremble, and her cry shall be heard among the nations.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets

to a rich pastureland,

I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant.

Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this?

Who is like me and who can challenge me?

And what shepherd can stand against me?”

Therefore, hear what the Lord has planned against Babylon,

what he has purposed against the land of the Babylonians:

The young of the flock will be dragged away;

their pasture will be appalled at their fate.

At the sound of Babylon’s capture the earth will tremble;

its cry will resound among the nations.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Look, it will be like a lion coming from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered grazing land. I will chase Babylon away from her land in a flash. I will appoint whoever is chosen for her. For who is like me? Who will issue me a summons? Who is the shepherd who can stand against me?”

Therefore, hear the plans that the Lord has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies he has devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Certainly the flock’s little lambs will be dragged away; certainly the grazing land will be made desolate because of them. At the sound of Babylon’s conquest the earth will quake; a cry will be heard among the nations.

NLTNew Living Translation

“I will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan,

leaping on the sheep in the pasture.

I will chase Babylon from its land,

and I will appoint the leader of my choice.

For who is like me, and who can challenge me?

What ruler can oppose my will?”

Listen to the Lord’s plans against Babylon

and the land of the Babylonians.

Even the little children will be dragged off like sheep,

and their homes will be destroyed.

The earth will shake with the shout, “Babylon has been taken!”

and its cry of despair will be heard around the world.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Look, like a lion he comes up from the thickets of the Jordan

against a pastureland by a constantly flowing stream,

so I will chase them away quickly from her,

and I will appoint whoever is chosen over her.

For who is like me, and who can summon me,

and who is this shepherd who can stand before me?

Therefore hear the plan of Yahweh

that he has planned against Babylon,

and his plans

that he has planned against the land of the Chaldeans.

Surely they will drag them away,

the little ones of the flock.

Surely he will cause their grazing place

to be desolate over them.

At the sound, ‘Babylon has been captured,’

the earth will quake,

and a cry for help among the nations

will be heard.”

KJV 1900King James Version

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan

Unto the habitation of the strong:

But I will make them suddenly run away from her:

And who is a chosen man, that I may appoint over her?

For who is like me? and who will appoint me the time?

And who is that shepherd that will stand before me?

Therefore hear ye the counsel of the Lord,

That he hath taken against Babylon;

And his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans:

Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out:

Surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them.

At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved,

And the cry is heard among the nations.

Public Domain