stronghold

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “stronghold” is translated in Chichewa with linga. In Chewa culture, the word has its background in the context of war. Before the 1950s, there were a lot of tribal wars. The word “linga” was used to refer to a place, mostly a cave in a mountain or hill, where people were hiding in times of wars. Sometimes they used this place to hide their weapons. This was a safe place to be in times of danger. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also fortress.

complete verse (Isaiah 33:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 33:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “A person like that
    is the one who shall live up there in heaven.
    (he) shall live in a guarded place
    and (he) shall be given food and water.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “That very person will sit on top,
    whose place to take shelter will be a fortress of the mountain.
    His food will be given to him
    and he will have plenty of water for drinking.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These are the kind of people who will-be-saved from disaster, that seems-like they will-dwell on the high places, whose shelter/[lit. something-that-protects] are the big stones. They will- not -lacking of/with food and water.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 33:16

This verse assures those who obey God that he will allow them to dwell with him, protect them, and provide for them.

He will dwell on the heights: Since this verse gives the consequence of obeying God, Good News Translation begins with the connector “Then.” Other ways to begin this verse to indicate this relationship are “Such people…” and “If they do that, they….” Dwell on the heights recalls the reference to Yahweh’s dwelling place in verse 5. The expression is used in both places to assure the people that they can safely live within Yahweh’s presence, provided they follow his ways. Many translations interpret it here to mean “live in safety” (so Good News Translation). Bible en français courant has “live on the heights, protected.” The Hebrew verb for dwell refers to permanent dwelling, so it contrasts with the one used in verse 14, which pointed to temporary dwelling. In verse 14 the people questioned if they could even remain with the LORD temporarily, but here the prophet assures them that they can dwell with him permanently if they obey him.

His place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks is literally “strongholds of rocks his high refuge.” The Hebrew word rendered place of defense comes from a root meaning high and inaccessible. It is the same root used in verse 5 to describe Yahweh as “exalted.” The sense of this word is missing in many English versions, but New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh expresses it well with “inaccessible.” The Hebrew word for rocks occurs in its singular form in 31.9 and 32.2, where it has figurative sense, as the place that provides shelter and protection. It may have a figurative meaning here also, but the plural form rocks suggests that these are the actual rocks on which Zion was built. This line pictures an inaccessible fortress made of rocks, where the righteous people find refuge. It may be rendered “his refuge will be the high rocky stronghold/fortress.”

His bread will be given him, his water will be sure: These two lines assure righteous people that they will receive their basic needs. Bread and water represent the basic things that sustain life. Bread may be rendered “food” since it has a generic sense here. If some languages need to render the passive verb will be given in an active form, these two lines may be translated “he will always receive food and water” (see also Good News Translation).

For the translation of this verse we can say:

• Such people will dwell [safely] on the heights;
their high abode will be the rocky fortresses [or, the strong places among the rocks];
food will be provided and water assured.

• Such a person will dwell on high;
an inaccessible fortress among the rocks will be his/her defense;
food will be given him/her and water always available.

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 .