Yesaya 51:23

51:23 I will put it into the hand of your tormentors ¹ 

who said to you, ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you.’

You made your back like the ground,

and like the street for those who walked over you.”

Yesaya 65:12

65:12 I predestine you to die by the sword, ² 

all of you will kneel down at the slaughtering block, ³ 

because I called to you, and you did not respond,

I spoke and you did not listen.

You did evil before me; ⁴ 

you chose to do what displeases me.”

[51:23]  ¹ tn That is, to make them drink it.

[65:12]  ² tn Heb “I assign you to the sword.” Some emend the Qal verb form מָנִיתִי (maniti, “I assign”) to the Piel מִנִּיתִי (minniti, “ I ordain”). The verb sounds like the name of the god Meni (מְנִי, mÿni, “Destiny, Fate”). The sound play draws attention to the irony of the statement. The sinners among God’s people worship the god Meni, apparently in an effort to ensure a bright destiny for themselves. But the Lord is the one who really determines their destiny and he has decreed their demise.

[65:12]  ³ tn Or “at the slaughter”; NIV “for the slaughter”; NLT “before the executioner.”

[65:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “that which is evil in my eyes.”