complete verse (Isaiah 32:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 32:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Each one of them shall be like a
    wall that protects from the wind,
    or/and things that protect from a whirlwind.
    They shall be like water
    that flows in a land that is a desert
    or/and a shade of a big rock
    in a country where the sun is hot/fierce.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “These people [will be like] places to take shelter from the wind,
    and like places to hide from the whirlwind,
    like rivers that have water in the wilderness,
    and [they] will be like the shadow of a big rock in a dry land.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Each of them are like something-that-protects/shelter from a strong wind and storm. They are also like a stream that flows in the desert, and a shade of a big stone in the heat and dry place.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 32:2

The prophet uses four similes here to describe the new king and his officials as sources of protection and refreshment for their people.

Each will be like a hiding place from the wind: This is the first simile. The Hebrew word rendered Each (literally “a man”) refers to each person in the new administration, that is, the king and his officials. They will be like a hiding place from the wind. The Hebrew term for hiding place is found only here in the Old Testament. However, it is clear in this context that it refers to a place of protection. Here the wind is a strong and destructive one.

A covert from the tempest is the second simile. It is parallel to the previous one. The Hebrew word for covert also refers to a place of protection (see 16.4, where it is rendered “refuge”). It is better translated “shelter” (Good News Translation) since covert is an archaic word in English. A tempest is a violent windstorm, usually accompanied by heavy rain (see 30.30).

Like streams of water in a dry place is the third simile. The point of comparison here is refreshment rather than protection. This can be indicated by beginning this line with “They will be as refreshing as….” For streams see 30.25; for dry place, see 25.5. Good News Translation, New International Version, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh render dry place well with “desert.”

Like the shade of a great rock in a weary land is the fourth simile. The point of this comparison is also refreshment since it refers to a cool place that gives relief from the hot sun. Great renders a Hebrew adjective that can mean “heavy” or “honored.” It is an appropriate term to use in this context of leaders. The Hebrew word for weary comes from a root meaning “exhausted.” New International Version and Revised English Bible translate it “thirsty” on the basis of parallelism with the preceding line. However, its meaning is wider than “thirsty.” Good News Translation is better with “barren,” which also is a more appropriate English adjective than weary as a description of land.

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• Each of them will be like a place of protection from the [strong] wind,
[like] a shelter from the [destructive] windstorm.
They will be refreshing like a stream of water in an arid place,
like the shade from a large rock in a hot and barren land.

• Each of them will be like a safeguard from the wind,
like a haven from the sudden storm.
They will be energizing like a stream in a dry land,
like shade from a large rock in a wasteland.

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 .