The connector For introduces the explanation for the whole catastrophe described in verses 1-7. Here for the first time in this chapter the prophet tells us why Yahweh is removing the leaders of his people. The succession of “for/because” clauses, which begin here and continue through verse 11 and lead into verse 12, provide the reasons for the actions described in verses 1-7. Translators who wish to make this clear could begin verse 8 with “All this is happening because….” However, the Hebrew particle rendered For may be understood as an emphatic word that also introduces the explanation for the catastrophe. Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch follow this interpretation by inserting a paragraph break here and beginning with the word “Yes” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh with “Ah”).

Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen: Here the prophet personifies both Jerusalem and Judah. He speaks of these places as if they were human. He really is referring to the people and their leaders who live in these places. In some languages this literary device will not be understood correctly, and translators will need to indicate that the people of both these places are in focus; for example, these two clauses may be rendered “The people of Jerusalem and Judah have fallen” or “The leaders of Jerusalem and the people of Judah….” The verbs stumbled (or, tripped) and fallen are parallel metaphors. They are both pictures of the people failing to live according to God’s ways, the ways required in 1.16-17. According to this interpretation (which we prefer), this verse refers to a situation that is a present reality. But the Hebrew verb forms rendered has stumbled and has fallen may refer to the future, in spite of their tense. If so, these verbs describe God’s coming judgment as though it has already taken place. Good News Translation provides a model of this interpretation with “is doomed” and “is collapsing.” The first verb says the coming judgment is certain, and the second verb implies that the process has already begun.

Because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD: The pronoun their refers to the people and especially to the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem. Both their speech (or, “all that they say”) and their deeds (or, “all that they do”) are against the LORD. Speech and action together are a summary for a person’s whole way of being. The people and their leaders are fundamentally opposed to Yahweh. Are against may be rendered “defied” (Revised English Bible) or “are an affront to.”

Defying his glorious presence is literally “to show rebelliousness to [or, provoke] the eyes of his glory.” Although the Hebrew text may be difficult to understand fully, the general sense of this line can be grasped if we say “offending his glory” or “provoking God’s glory.” Good News Translation suggests “they openly insult God himself,” so it understands “his glory” as a reference to God. Bible en français courant translates “they challenge him to his face.” Revised English Bible has “in open rebellion against his glory.” “Glory” is a very abstract idea. It has to do with power and light (compare 2.10). The word “power” may be the best term to use in many languages. The Hebrew word translated defying is rendered “rebel” in 1.20; see the comments there and at 1.2.

Some translation examples for this verse are:

• Yes! The people of Jerusalem and Judah
have stumbled and fallen.
Their words and actions oppose Yahweh,
they have offended his glory.

• Indeed, all in Jerusalem and Judah have failed.
They defy Yahweh with their words and actions,
they deliberately oppose his glorious 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 .