OET interlinear ISA 41:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

מִ֤י הֵעִיר֙ מִ⁠מִּזְרָ֔ח צֶ֖דֶק

who? stirred_up from_[the],east righteousness

Yahweh is using the question form to assert that he himself is the one who has done this. 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: [I have awakened righteousness from the rising of the sun, calling it to my foot.]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

צֶ֖דֶק

righteousness

Here, righteousness represents “a righteous conqueror,” the one whom Yahweh has raised up to act righteously. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [a righteous conqueror]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

מִ⁠מִּזְרָ֔ח

from_[the],east

Yahweh is using the rising of the sun as a common expression of the culture to mean “the east.” 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: [from the eastern region]

Note 4 topic: writing-pronouns

יִקְרָאֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַגְל֑⁠וֹ

it,meets_him to,foot_of,his

The pronoun it refers to the conqueror whom Yahweh has summoned. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [calling this conqueror to his service]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

יִקְרָאֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַגְל֑⁠וֹ

it,meets_him to,foot_of,his

Yahweh is using to his foot as a common expression of the culture to mean summoning someone into his service to follow him. 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: [calling it to follow him]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

יִתֵּ֨ן לְ⁠פָנָ֤י⁠ו גּוֹיִם֙

he/it_gave before,,him nations

The pronoun He refers to the Yahweh. The possessive pronoun his refers to Cyrus. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Yahwey places nations before Cyrus]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

יִתֵּ֨ן לְ⁠פָנָ֤י⁠ו גּוֹיִם֙

he/it_gave before,,him nations

Here, to his face represents this conqueror being in front of an enemy, that is, attacking that enemy in battle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [he enables him to defeat nations when he fights against them]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠מְלָכִ֣ים יַ֔רְדְּ

and,kings subdues

Here Yahweh is speaking of the conqueror defeating kings as if he physically tramples them. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and he defeats kings]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

יִתֵּ֤ן כֶּֽ⁠עָפָר֙ חַרְבּ֔⁠וֹ

he/it_gave like,dust sword_of,his

The point of this comparison is that just as dust is easily scattered and blown away, so the conqueror easily destroys his enemies with his sword. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [He destroys them with his sword as easily as wind scatters dust]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כְּ⁠קַ֥שׁ נִדָּ֖ף קַשְׁתּֽ⁠וֹ

like,chaff wind-driven bow_of,his

The point of this comparison is that just as driven straw is helplessly scattered by the wind, so the conqueror’s enemies are helplessly scattered before his bow. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [scattered helplessly before his bow]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

חַרְבּ֔⁠וֹ & קַשְׁתּֽ⁠וֹ

sword_of,his & bow_of,his

Here, his sword and his bow represent “warfare,” the conqueror’s military power. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [with his military power … with his military strength]