This verse describes the second Exodus in terms that echo the first one. However, there is one important difference, namely, this time God’s people do not need to leave in a hurry.

At the beginning of this verse the Hebrew particle ki rendered For introduces a contrast with the first Exodus, so New International Version and Revised English Bible translate it “But.” Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch begin with “This time” to express the contrast. Either approach is acceptable since the Hebrew particle here carries an emphatic sense, which may be expressed by saying “Surely,” or “Indeed.” The connector For does not seem appropriate since there is not a logical link between verses 11 and 12.

You shall not go out in haste contrasts with the way the people were to leave Egypt (see Exo 12.11, 33). The Hebrew noun rendered haste is found elsewhere only in Exo 12.11|prj:HEB.EXO.12.11 and Deut 16.3|prj:HEB.DEU.16.3, which both refer to the first Exodus. For this clause Good News Translation has “you will not have to leave in a hurry.”

And you shall not go in flight is parallel to the previous line. The Hebrew noun rendered flight comes from a root meaning “to flee [from someone or something].” Good News Translation renders this line as “you will not be trying to escape.” Bible en français courant has “you will no longer leave in panic/fear.”

For the LORD will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rear guard: The Hebrew particle ki rendered for is a logical connector here. It introduces the reason why the people do not have to leave in a hurry. It is because God will go before them as their leader and go behind them as their protector. This recalls the first Exodus during which the angel of God went before and behind the Israelites (see Exo 14.19-20). Just as the angel of God protected the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt, so God will protect the exiles as they return home to Jerusalem. In these two parallel lines before you contrasts with your rear guard. Not only will God will be in front leading and protecting his people, but he will also be in the rear protecting them. Rear guard refers to someone who walks behind a group giving it protection from the rear. When translators render these lines, they should not leave the impression that the LORD and the God of Israel are different persons. Good News Translation avoids this misunderstanding by combining these titles with “The LORD your God.” However, this rendering omits the idea of Israel. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch keeps it by saying “The LORD, the God of Israel.” For the God of Israel, see the comments on 17.6. For these two lines Good News Translation has “The LORD your God will lead you and protect you on every side.” This is a possible understanding of the Hebrew text, but it does not keep the contrast between before you and your rear guard. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is better with “The LORD, the God of Israel, goes ahead of you, and he himself is at the end of your marching column.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• But this time you will not need to leave in a hurry,
you will not be trying to escape,
because Yahweh will go before you,
the God of Israel will protect you at the back.

• However, this time you will not have to depart quickly,
nor will you look to escape,
because Yahweh will go ahead of you,
and will protect you from behind.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .