Verses 16-17b contain an encouraging message. Yahweh may be making a promise here, but more likely he is reminding the leaders of Judah that they should rely on him as their sure foundation in Zion, not on a foreign nation.

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Therefore links this verse to the previous one, expressing its result. Yahweh responds to what the leaders say. For the Lord GOD, see 3.15. Most versions use quote marks to set off the LORD’s words. Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch close his speech in the middle of verse 17, but Revised Standard Version closes it at the end of verse 17. Translators may end it in either place.

Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Yahweh says he has laid a foundation stone in Zion. The word Behold draws attention to what he is saying. The Hebrew verb translated am laying is a perfect verb in Masoretic Text, so it is better rendered “have laid” (Nouvelle Bible Segond, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). It is a participle in Dead Sea Scrolls. A participle refers to something about to happen. Like Revised Standard Version, the early versions and most English versions give it a future sense here; for example, Good News Translation has “am placing,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “shall lay.” For Zion see 1.8.

For a foundation a stone has been corrected in New Revised Standard Version to read “a foundation stone,” since the preposition for is an incorrect addition. In cultures where houses built on stone foundations are unknown, translators may need to look for a descriptive phrase; for example, the beginning of Yahweh’s quote may be rendered “Behold, I am laying in Zion a big solid stone, one of the stones on which a house can be built….”

A tested stone presents a challenge to interpreters. The Hebrew word rendered tested is considered by some scholars to be an Egyptian word for a particular hard stone used for building. New Jerusalem Bible and Revised English Bible adopt this view by saying “granite.” But tested or “for testing” is the traditional rendering. If the stone is “for testing,” it would mean that other stones are measured against it for correct measurements. If the stone itself has been tested, it would mean that its measurements are correct. Since the meaning of the Hebrew term here is uncertain, we recommend that translators choose the traditional rendering tested.

A precious cornerstone is literally “a precious corner.” The Hebrew adjective rendered precious could refer to the weight of something; here it means something highly valued, as in 43.4. It may be rendered “honored.” A cornerstone is the most important stone in a building (see 19.13).

Of a sure foundation is literally “a foundation founded.” The same root is repeated in Hebrew. Both words comes from the same root as the verb rendered am laying. The duplicate form emphasizes the idea that the foundation is solid. For a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation, New International Version has “a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation,” which means the cornerstone is part of the foundation. New Revised Standard Version says “a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation,” which means the cornerstone itself is the foundation. Both views are acceptable.

He who believes will not be in haste: He who believes refers to someone who trusts in God, the firm foundation. The meaning of the verb phrase will not be in haste is problematic. The Hebrew verb here comes from a root that can mean “to hurry” or “to feel/enjoy.” The Septuagint has “will not be put to shame,” which is an alternative reading. Renderings that follow this reading are “need not fear” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “shall not be shaken” (New American Bible), “will never be dismayed” (New International Version), and “will not waver” (Revised English Bible). Since the Hebrew verb here means “to hurry” in 5.19, it is quite possible that this whole line means “the one who trusts in Yahweh’s presence in Zion, the sure foundation, will not rush to form foreign alliances.” Although this is our preferred understanding, we recommend that translators give a fairly literal rendering.

Both Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch view the last line as an inscription carved on the cornerstone. Good News Translation has “on which is written the words, ‘Faith that is firm is also patient.’” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “On it is written: ‘Those who trust in the LORD will not move from their position.’” Cornerstones usually had inscriptions, but nothing in the present text supports the renderings of Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch. It is simpler to see the solid foundation stone as a symbol for Yahweh himself.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Therefore my Lord Yahweh says this:
“See, I have set in Zion a stone,
a tested stone, an honored cornerstone,
a firm foundation.
One who has faith will not be hasty.

• Therefore this is what my Master Yahweh says:
“Look, in Zion I have established a stone,
a measured stone, an honored cornerstone,
for a solid foundation.
The one who trusts [in me] will not be too hasty.

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 .