OET interlinear ISA 13:8

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

וְֽ⁠נִבְהָ֓לוּ

and,they_will_be_terrified

The pronoun they refers to the Babylonians. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the Babylonians will be terrified]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

וְֽ⁠נִבְהָ֓לוּ

and,they_will_be_terrified

The expression they will be terrified is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And terror will seize them]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

צִירִ֤ים וַֽ⁠חֲבָלִים֙ יֹֽאחֵז֔וּ⁠ן

pangs and,labor-pains they,will_seize_[them]

Isaiah is speaking of pangs and agonies as if they were living things that could seize people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they will suffer pangs and agonies]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

צִירִ֤ים וַֽ⁠חֲבָלִים֙

pangs and,labor-pains

The terms pangs and agonies mean similar things. Isaiah is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [intense pain]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כַּ⁠יּוֹלֵדָ֖ה יְחִיל֑וּ⁠ן

like_(the),who]_gives_birth they,will_be_in_anguish

The point of this comparison is that just as one birthing writhes in great pain, so will the Babylonians writhe in their agony. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [just as a woman writhes in great pain when she gives birth, so they will writhe in agony]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֨⁠הוּ֙ יִתְמָ֔הוּ

(a)_man to/towards his/its=neighbour look_aghast

The masculine terms A man and his friend have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: [A person will marvel to a neighbor]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

פְּנֵ֥י לְהָבִ֖ים פְּנֵי⁠הֶֽם

face/surface_of Lehabim faces_of,their

Isaiah is speaking of the people’s faces as if they were faces of flames, meaning their faces will be flushed with distress. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their faces will be flushed with distress]