After the imperative at the end of the previous verse, two more imperatives begin this verse. This follows the prophet’s frequent practice of triple expressions. However, even though all these imperatives are singular, here they are addressed not to Yahweh but to the people of Israel. In translation the singular may be changed to plural if that is more natural. Good News Translation has changed the commands to a third person plural description: “They will hide….” This gives continuity with verses 11-21. Those verses refer to Israel in the third person rather than second person. However, second person speech, especially an imperative, is more direct and personal. If translators decide to stay close to the Hebrew form, its forcefulness may be made more explicit; for example, just as the addressee may be added to the end of verse 9 (Good News Translation “LORD”), a contrasting addressee may be added at the beginning of this verse: “You, [O] man….”
Enter into the rock means “go into the holes in [or, between] the rocks.” An alternative model is “enter into the caves [between the rocks].” However, there is a great deal of irony in this line. In many passages Israel is invited to come to Yahweh, the Rock, for safety and salvation (for example, Psa 61.2; 89.26). But here the prophet tells them to flee to the rocks to escape Yahweh’s punishment.
Hide in the dust is parallel to the previous line. It calls on the people to hide themselves in the ground. Further irony is apparent here since lying in dust or putting dust on their heads can be a sign of repentance or mourning. Here it does not have that meaning but, as in the previous line, the prophet tells the people to do this to escape from God’s punishment. In both lines there is a mocking undertone since everyone knows there is nowhere a person can hide from Yahweh. Good News Translation tries to make this line parallel with the first one by saying “dig holes in the ground.” For the first two lines Contemporary English Version has “Everyone of you, go [and] hide among the rocks and in the ground.” Bible en français courant says “Hide [plural] under the rocks, go underground.”
From before the terror of the LORD: Terror refers to Yahweh’s severe punishments. There will be fear when God reveals himself in power. Verses 19 and 21 express this verbally: “when he [the LORD] rises to terrify the earth.” Terror may be rendered “fearsome punishment.” From before carries the idea of trying to avoid or escape from it. Other possible ways of translating this line are “and so escape Yahweh’s fearsome punishment,” “in order to flee from Yahweh’s terrible judgment,” and “in order to flee from the terror that the Lord instills” (Bible en français courant).
And from the glory of his majesty: Not only does the prophet encourage the people to hide from Yahweh’s terrifying power, but he also tells them to avoid the glory of his majesty. This phrase occurs only here in the Bible (verses 10, 19, 21). It refers to Yahweh’s majestic or overwhelming power. It may be rendered “his glorious majesty.” The Hebrew term rendered glory is translated “majesty” in 35.2, where it is parallel to the more common Hebrew term for “glory.” The Hebrew word for majesty refers to a person’s special and royal dignity, his supreme greatness and authority. It can be used as a title for kings and queens in their exalted status and power. When Yahweh appears and demonstrates his power, it is something marvelous to behold, yet it can terrify those for whom he comes as a judge (see New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which renders this phrase “His dread majesty”). For the last line Bible en français courant has “for you to find a shelter from his supreme greatness.” In many languages abstract ideas are very difficult to convey, but words expressing God’s mighty power can serve here. If translators are unable to find exact, one-to-one equivalents for glory and majesty, they may state the idea of the LORD’s terrifying glory, majesty and power in one well-chosen expression.
New Jerusalem Bible follows the Septuagint by adding a line at the end of this verse: “when he arises to make the earth quake.” This line is similar to the final line in verses 19 and 21. Translators should not include this line here.
For the translation of this verse consider the following models:
• Go into holes in the rocks,
hide yourself in the dust,
and so escape Yahweh’s terrible punishment
and his overwhelming power.
• Find somewhere to hide among the rocks and in the ground
to avoid Yahweh’s fearsome punishment
and his dreaded power.
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 .