OET interlinear ISA 8:14

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

וּ⁠לְ⁠אֶ֣בֶן

and_(into),a,stone_of

Yahweh uses the word but here to indicate a contrast between being a sanctuary for those who trust him and being a cause of stumbling for those who do not. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [yet he will be a stone]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠הָיָ֖ה לְ⁠מִקְדָּ֑שׁ

and=it_was (into)_a,sanctuary

Here Yahweh is speaking as if he were a sanctuary that protects those who trust in him. 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 will protect those who trust in him]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠לְ⁠אֶ֣בֶן נֶ֠גֶף וּ⁠לְ⁠צ֨וּר מִכְשׁ֜וֹל

and_(into),a,stone_of strikes and_(into),a,rock_of stumbles_over

Here Yahweh is speaking as if he were a stone of tripping and a rock of stumbling. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [but a cause of stumbling and falling]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

וּ⁠לְ⁠אֶ֣בֶן נֶ֠גֶף וּ⁠לְ⁠צ֨וּר מִכְשׁ֜וֹל

and_(into),a,stone_of strikes and_(into),a,rock_of stumbles_over

The phrases a stone of tripping and a rock of stumbling mean basically the same thing. Yahweh is using the two phrases together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [but a stone that causes people to trip and stumble]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וּ⁠לְ⁠אֶ֣בֶן נֶ֠גֶף וּ⁠לְ⁠צ֨וּר מִכְשׁ֜וֹל

and_(into),a,stone_of strikes and_(into),a,rock_of stumbles_over

Yahweh is using the possessive form to describe a stone that is characterized by causing tripping and a rock that is characterized by causing stumbling. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express these ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: [but a stone that people trip over and a rock that people stumble on]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לִ⁠שְׁנֵ֨י בָתֵּ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

for,the_two_of houses_of Yisrael

Here, houses represents the people or family lines of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [for the two families of Israel]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

לְ⁠פַ֣ח וּ⁠לְ⁠מוֹקֵ֔שׁ

(into)_a,trap and_(into),a,snare

Here Yahweh is speaking as if he were a trap and a snare for those who do not trust him. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a cause of capture]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

לְ⁠פַ֣ח וּ⁠לְ⁠מוֹקֵ֔שׁ

(into)_a,trap and_(into),a,snare

The terms a trap and a snare mean similar things. Yahweh 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: [a deadly trap]

Note 9 topic: translate-alternativereadings

לְ⁠מִקְדָּ֑שׁ וּ⁠לְ⁠אֶ֣בֶן

(into)_a,sanctuary and_(into),a,stone_of

The word translated as sanctuary represents the standard written Hebrew text as we have it today. However, the context seems to call for a negative term, and scholars have proposed that the original reading may have been “snare,” the same term that occurs later in the verse. They suggest that a scribe may have inadvertently added a consonant to this term, thinking that the more common word “sanctuary” was intended. If there is a major translation in your area and it says “snare,” you may want to use that reading. Alternate translation: [a snare, and a stone of]