Yesaya 48:4

48:4 I did this ¹  because I know how stubborn you are.

Your neck muscles are like iron

and your forehead like bronze. ² 

Yesaya 21:2

21:2 I have received a distressing message: ³ 

“The deceiver deceives,

the destroyer destroys.

Attack, you Elamites!

Lay siege, you Medes!

I will put an end to all the groaning!” ⁴ 

[48:4]  ¹ tn The words “I did this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text v. 4 is subordinated to v. 3.

[48:4]  ² sn The image is that of a person who has tensed the muscles of the face and neck as a sign of resolute refusal.

[21:2]  ³ tn Heb “a severe revelation has been related to me.”

[21:2]  ⁴ sn This is often interpreted to mean “all the groaning” that Babylon has caused others.