21and will clothe him with your robe and bind your sash on him. I will commit your authority to his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)
The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:
While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)
“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 22:21:
Kupsabiny: “I shall dress him in your work clothes and the waist belt that you have. I shall give him the authority that you had for him to become the father of the people of Jerusalem and of Judah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “I will give him your officials’ clothes to wear and [I] will let him bind your waist band. I will put all your authority into his hands. He will be like a father to the people who live in Jerusalem and Judah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “I will-have- him -wear your (sing.) official clothes and belt/sash, and I will-give to him your (sing.) authority. He will be like a father to those of/from-Jerusalem and those of/from-Juda.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “I will allow him to wear your robe, and to fasten your sash around him, and I will give to him the authority that you had. He will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and all the other towns in Judah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him does not mean that Yahweh himself will do these things. He will cause them to happen. Translators may need to say “I will cause him to wear your robe and to put on your girdle” or “I will make him wear your robe and tie on your girdle.” The robe and girdle signified Shebna’s position and rank. For both these words see 3.24, which has different Hebrew words but the meaning is the same. The robe was a long garment. It was like a long shirt (see Gen 37.3; 2 Sam 15.32, where the same Hebrew word is rendered “coat”). The girdle was a sash or belt worn around the waist. Revised English Bible says “sash of office.” Both of these items of clothing were given to Aaron to wear (Exo 28.40), suggesting that they indicated a priestly office. However, since Shebna and Eliakim also wore them, this shows that these special clothes were not for priests only but were for other officials also.
And will commit your authority to his hand brings out the meaning of the actions just mentioned. When Eliakim puts on the robe and belt, he will receive the authority held by Shebna. Having “authority in one’s hand” is an idiom for exercising power. This clause may be rendered “I will give him the authority you have held” (similarly Good News Translation).
And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: Eliakim will serve as a caring leader of Judah. The metaphor of a father of a nation is common in many cultures. Some languages will prefer to use a simile here, saying “and he will be like a father to….” The inhabitants of Jerusalem and the house of Judah refer to the whole nation of Judah. The house of Judah may be a figure of speech for “the royal family of Judah” (Contemporary English Version) in this context, but it probably refers to “the people of Judah” (Revised English Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). It may be translated “the kingdom of Judah” (Bible en français courant) or “the nation of Judah.”
Some translation examples for this verse are:
• I will dress him in your robe of office and tie your sash on him. Your authority will pass to him, and he will be [like] a father to the people of Jerusalem and the [rest of the] nation of Judah [or, and the royal family of Judah].
• I will put your robe of office on him with its sash, and he will exercise the authority you have held. He will become a leader of the people of Jerusalem and the [rest of the] kingdom of Judah.
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 .
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