Isaiah 51:12-13
12 “I, I am the one who consoles you. ▼▼tc The plural suffix should probably be emended to the second masculine singular (which is used in v.
13). The final
mem (
ם) is probably dittographic; note the
mem at the beginning of the next word.
Why are you afraid of mortal men,
of mere human beings who are as short-lived as grass? ▼▼tn Heb “Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, and of the son of man who [as] grass is given up?” The feminine singular forms should probably be emended to the masculine singular (see v.
13). They have probably been influenced by the construction
אַתְּ־הִיא (
ʾat-hiʾ) in vv.
9-10.
13 Why do you forget ▼▼tn Heb “and that you forget.”
the Lord, who made you,
who stretched out the sky ▼▼tn Or “the heavens” (also in v.
16). The Hebrew term
שָׁמַיִם (
shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
and founded the earth?
Why do you constantly tremble all day long ▼▼tn Heb “and that you tremble constantly all the day.”
at the anger of the oppressor,
when he makes plans to destroy?
Where is the anger of the oppressor? ▼▼tn The question anticipates the answer, “Ready to disappear!” See v.
14.
