Yesaya 9:2

9:2 (9:1) The people walking in darkness

see a bright light; ¹ 

light shines

on those who live in a land of deep darkness. ² 

Yesaya 42:16

42:16 I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; ³ 

I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. ⁴ 

I will turn the darkness in front of them into light,

and level out the rough ground. ⁵ 

This is what I will do for them.

I will not abandon them.

Yesaya 60:2

60:2 For, look, darkness covers the earth

and deep darkness covers ⁶  the nations,

but the Lord shines on you;

his splendor ⁷  appears over you.

[9:2]  ¹ sn The darkness symbolizes judgment and its effects (see 8:22); the light represents deliverance and its effects, brought about by the emergence of a conquering Davidic king (see vv. 3-6).

[9:2]  ² tn Traditionally צַלְמָוֶת (tsalmavet) has been interpreted as a compound noun, meaning “shadow of death” (so KJV, ASV, NIV), but usage indicates that the word, though it sometimes refers to death, means “darkness.” The term should probably be repointed as an abstract noun צַלְמוּת (tsalmut). See the note at Ps 23:4.

[42:16]  ³ tn Heb “a way they do not know” (so NASB); NRSV “a road they do not know.”

[42:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “in paths they do not know I will make them walk.”

[42:16]  ⁵ tn Heb “and the rough ground into a level place.”

[60:2]  ⁶ tn The verb “covers” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[60:2]  ⁷ tn Or “glory” (so most English versions); TEV “the brightness of his presence.”