1.4 KiB
Will the axe boast about itself against the one who wields it? Will the saw praise itself more than the one who cuts with it
The speaker uses these questions to mock the king of Assyria. Alternate translation: "An axe is not better than the one who holds it. And a saw does not get more glory than the one who cuts with it." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)
the saw
a sharp tool used for cutting wood
as if a rod could lift up those who raise it, or as if a wooden club could lift up a person
These phrases mean basically the same thing and are used to strengthen the meaning of the two questions before it. This could be translated as a new sentence: "And neither can a rod or staff lift the person who picks it up." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism)
Therefore the Lord Yahweh of Hosts will send emaciation among his elite warriors
It is unclear whether Yahweh or Isaiah is speaking. Alternate translation: "Therefore I, Lord Yahweh of Hosts, will make the king's strongest soldiers weak."
under his glory there will be kindled a burning like fire
Yahweh compares his punishment to a fire. This emphasizes that his punishment will completely destroy all the splendor and greatness of the kingdom of Assyria. Alternate translation: "like a burning fire I will destroy his greatness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile)