And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians: The phrase the land of Judah usually refers to the tribal territory of Judah, but here the whole country of Judah is in view. The prophet says Judah will frighten the Egyptians, but he does not specify how this will happen. Good News Translation says “The people of Egypt will be terrified of Judah.” Bible en français courant and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch hint at a different interpretation. For these versions it is not Judah itself but the memory of what the LORD did to Judah, that will terrify to the Egyptians. They understand the Hebrew word translated terror to mean “object of terror.” They also believe the relative clause to whom it is mentioned in the last half of the verse supports this interpretation. For the whole verse Bible en français courant has “For them [the Egyptians] the land of Judah will remain a humiliating memory; each time that they are reminded of them [the people of Judah], they will begin to fear what the Lord of the universe could decide against them.”

Every one to whom it is mentioned will fear: Every one here refers to everyone in Egypt, and the pronoun it points to Judah. To whom it is mentioned is literally “whom he causes to remember it.” It can be rendered “who hears about it [or, Judah]” or “who hears mention of Judah’s name.” Fear renders the same Hebrew verb translated “with fear” in the previous verse. It refers to intense fear. A better way to express it is “be terrified” or “be in dread.”

Because of the purpose which the LORD of hosts has purposed against them: Egypt’s fear of Judah is part of Yahweh’s plan. For which the LORD of hosts has purposed against them, see the comments on verse 12. The Hebrew words rendered purpose and has purposed come from the same root as in 14.26, but the whole expression is not as emphatic here. It may be rendered “what Yahweh of hosts has planned.” Against them indicates that Yahweh’s plan will be to Egypt’s disadvantage. There is a hint of future punishment.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• And the land of Judah will become a source of terror to Egypt. All in Egypt who hear of Judah will shudder because of what Yahweh of hosts plans to do against them.

• When the land of Judah is mentioned, everyone in Egypt will be in terror and will tremble with fear because of what Yahweh of hosts intends to do against them.

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 .