Isa 32:12-13 | NETfull | STEP | Mourn over the field, over the delightful fields and the fruitful vine!

Isaiah 32:12-13

12 Mourn over the field, ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text has “over mourning breasts.” The reference to “breasts” would make sense in light of v. 11, which refers to the practice of women baring their breasts as a sign of sorrow (see J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah [NICOT], 1:585). However, one expects the preposition עַל (’al) to introduce the source or reason for mourning (see vv. 12b–13a) and the participle סֹפְדִים (sofedim, “mourning”) seems odd modifying “breasts.” The translation above assumes a twofold emendation: (1) שָׁדַיִם (shadayim, “breasts”) is emended to [ם]שָׂדַי (saday[m], “field,” a term that also appears in Isa 56:9). The final mem (ם) would be enclitic in this case, not a plural indicator. (The Hebrew noun שָׂדֶה (sadeh, “field”) forms its plural with an וֹת- [-ot] ending). (2) The plural participle סֹפְדִים is emended to סְפֹדָה (s^efodah), a lengthened imperatival form, meaning “mourn.” For an overview of various suggestions that have been made for this difficult line, see Oswalt, 586, n. 12).}
over the delightful fields
and the fruitful vine!
13 Mourn ^{▼▼ “Mourn” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text vv. 12–13 are one long sentence.} over the land of my people,
which is overgrown with thorns and briers,
and over all the once-happy houses ^{▼▼ Heb “indeed, over all the houses of joy.” It is not certain if this refers to individual homes or to places where parties and celebrations were held.}
in the city filled with revelry. ^{▼▼ This same phrase is used in 22:2.}