OET interlinear ISA 29:16

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / exclamations

הַ֨פְכְּ⁠כֶ֔ם

perversity_of,your(pl)

Isaiah is using a phrase that expresses a strong feeling, that of indignation at the people’s audacity in reversing the proper relationship between God and his creatures. If your language uses exclamations to express such feelings, it would be appropriate to use one here. Alternate translation: [How you have turned everything upside down!]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

הַ֨פְכְּ⁠כֶ֔ם

perversity_of,your(pl)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of overturning, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [How you turn things upside down]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

אִם־כְּ⁠חֹ֥מֶר הַ⁠יֹּצֵ֖ר יֵֽחָשֵׁ֑ב כִּֽי־יֹאמַ֨ר מַעֲשֶׂ֤ה לְ⁠עֹשֵׂ֨⁠הוּ֙ לֹ֣א עָשָׂ֔⁠נִי וְ⁠יֵ֛צֶר אָמַ֥ר לְ⁠יוֹצְר֖⁠וֹ לֹ֥א הֵבִֽין

if like,clay_of the,potter regarded that/for/because/then/when say what_is_made to,the_[one_of,who]_made_it not he,made_me and,a_pot he/it_had_said to,potter_of,its not he/it_understood

Isaiah is using the question form for emphasis to show the absurdity of people treating God as if they were equal to him, just as it would be absurd for a potter to be considered as equal to the clay. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [It is absurd that the potter should be regarded as the clay, that the made should say of its Maker, “He did not make me,” or the form should say of its Former, “He does not understand”!]

Note 4 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

אִם

if

See how you translated the term Or in [10:9](../10/09.md).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

כְּ⁠חֹ֥מֶר הַ⁠יֹּצֵ֖ר יֵֽחָשֵׁ֑ב

like,clay_of the,potter regarded

The expression should be regarded 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: [you should regard the potter as the clay]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כְּ⁠חֹ֥מֶר הַ⁠יֹּצֵ֖ר יֵֽחָשֵׁ֑ב

like,clay_of the,potter regarded

Isaiah is speaking as if the relationship between God and his people were the relationship between the potter and the clay. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the Creator should be regarded as one of his creatures]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

יֹאמַ֨ר מַעֲשֶׂ֤ה לְ⁠עֹשֵׂ֨⁠הוּ֙ לֹ֣א עָשָׂ֔⁠נִי

say what_is_made to,the_[one_of,who]_made_it not he,made_me

Isaiah is speaking of the make as if it were a living thing that could speak and deny its Maker. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the thing made should say of its Maker, “He did not make me,”]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

וְ⁠יֵ֛צֶר אָמַ֥ר לְ⁠יוֹצְר֖⁠וֹ לֹ֥א הֵבִֽין

and,a_pot he/it_had_said to,potter_of,its not he/it_understood

Isaiah is speaking of the form as if it were a living thing that could speak and accuse its Former of lacking understanding. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [or a person should say of the one who formed him, “He does not understand what he was doing”]