Thy holy people possessed thy sanctuary a little while; our adversaries have trodden it down: As the GNB footnote|prj:GNTD.Isa 63.18 indicates, this verse is unclear in Hebrew. It is literally (without punctuation) “For a short time they possessed people of your holiness our adversaries they have trodden down your sanctuary.” Revised Standard Version and most versions understand “people of your holiness” as the subject of the verb “possessed.” They read the verse as follows: “For a short time [only] your holy people possessed your sanctuary; our adversaries have trodden it down.” However, Good News Translation and other versions see “our adversaries” as the agent of the verb “possessed,” and they understand this verb to mean “drive out.” They read this verse as follows: “Your holy people were driven out by our adversaries for a little while; they have trodden down your sanctuary.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project says either reading is valid. Revised English Bible emends the first line of this verse in Masoretic Text to read “Why have the wicked trespassed on your sanctuary…?” (similarly New American Bible), but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends keeping Masoretic Text.

For holy people, see the comments on 4.3. If thy sanctuary refers to the Temple of Solomon (see 60.13), the time phrase a little while does not fit, because this Temple stood in Jerusalem for about 400 years. This is the only place in the Old Testament where the Hebrew noun for a little while is rendered as a time phrase. In this context it is better to say “for a time.” Our adversaries could refer to the Assyrians or the Babylonians, or both. It is true that the Assyrians did not destroy the Temple in Jerusalem, but they did strip it of all its valuables for tribute and desecrated it. Have trodden it down is a figurative expression for destroying the Temple (compare verse 6, where the same Hebrew verb is used).

It is clear that views of the text of this verse and its possible meaning vary. Translators will probably choose to follow a recognized version available in their area, unless in principle they determine to follow Masoretic Text. The majority interpretation of the text is clear enough, namely, God’s people had his Temple for a short time, but their enemies came and destroyed it. A footnote should be added, regardless of the rendering chosen, to indicate that the meaning of the Hebrew text is uncertain.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Your people possessed your sanctuary for a time,
but our enemies then destroyed it.

• Your holy people were driven out by our enemies for a time,
they destroyed your sanctuary.

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 .