OET interlinear ISA 38:14

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כְּ⁠ס֤וּס עָגוּר֙ כֵּ֣ן אֲצַפְצֵ֔ף

like,a_swallow_of crane yes/correct/thus/so chirp

The point of this comparison is that just as a swallow or a crane chirps, so Hezekiah moans feebly in his suffering. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [Like a swallow or a crane, so I chirp feebly]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

אֶהְגֶּ֖ה כַּ⁠יּוֹנָ֑ה

moan like,dove

The point of this comparison is that just as a dove coos, so Hezekiah moans softly in his distress. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [I moan softly like a dove]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

דַּלּ֤וּ עֵינַ⁠י֙

weary_with_looking eyes_of,my

Here, My eyes represents Hezekiah’s looking to heaven for help. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [I look with wearied eyes]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

לַ⁠מָּר֔וֹם

to,height[s]

Hezekiah is using to the height as a common expression of the culture to mean “upward toward heaven.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [upward toward heaven]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עָֽשְׁקָה־לִּ֥⁠י

oppressed to/for=me

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of oppression, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [I am oppressed]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

עָרְבֵֽ⁠נִי

stand,surety_for_me

Hezekiah is using give surety for me as a common expression of the culture to mean “be my guarantor” or “take responsibility to protect me.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [be my guarantor]