When Yahweh comes to punish the sins of his enemies, he will also come to rescue his people who turn from their sins. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation mark this verse as beginning a new stanza or paragraph, but the thought of Yahweh’s future appearance in the previous verse continues here. Therefore we prefer to treat verses 15b-21 as one unit.
And he will come to Zion as Redeemer: The message of Yahweh coming to Zion repeats the promise in 52.8 and is directly linked with bringing comfort to his troubled and suffering people. For Zion as another title for Jerusalem, see the comments on 1.8. Good News Translation changes Zion to “Jerusalem” following its principle of using the more common term when two or more are available for the same entity. For the divine title Redeemer, see the comments on 41.14. It is an important title in the context of the people’s return from Babylonian exile. Good News Translation renders Redeemer as “to defend you and to save all of you,” but some translators may find this too elaborate. For the whole line Bible en français courant has “The Lord will come to free Jerusalem.”
To those in Jacob who turn from transgression restricts God’s coming as Redeemer to certain kinds of people. He will do it for his people who turn away from their sins. Those in Jacob refers to the people of Judah (see the comments on 14.1 and 40.27). For transgression see verse 12.
Says the LORD reminds the people that the prophet is speaking on behalf of Yahweh. This quote frame is literally “declaration of the LORD,” (see the comments on 43.10 and 49.18). In many languages translators may need to place it at the beginning of Yahweh’s speech for naturalness (so Good News Translation), but some languages may require it both at the beginning and the end of his speech. It may also be possible to use indirect speech by beginning this verse with “The LORD says that he will come….”
For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:
• And he will come as the Redeemer to his people in Zion,
to those in Judah who abandon their sinful ways,
says the LORD.
• Yahweh says:
“I will come to Zion as its Redeemer,
to those in Judah who turn from their sin.”
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 .