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NASB | Isaiah 59:19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Isaiah 59:19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun. For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream Which the breath of the LORD drives [overwhelming the enemy]. [Matt 8:11; Luke 13:29] |
Bible Question: Reading the KJV of Is59:19,why do they use the word "standard" and the NASB seems not to use that word at all when rendering this translation? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Fcampos777! I have noticed that Isaiah 59:19 is an interesting verse... The KJV and NKJV both render the last part of this verse as "The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him", while the NASB and NIV both render this same passage as "Which the wind of the LORD drives." Examined closely and within the context, the reading in the NKJV and KJV seems at best 'out of place' when considering that this passage is speaking about the coming of the Lord, which will be an irresistible "overflowing torrent" that overwhelms the enemy (see Is. 30:28). I am not saying that the KJV/NKJV translators erred in their translation; I am simply saying that the phrase in Hebrew that says "When the enemy comes" could also mean "when He comes as an enemy" (Is. 35:4), and the NASB and NIV translators have obviously adopted this second meaning rather than the first meaning, which is clearly reflected in the KJV/NKJV translations. To better explain this verse and the varying meanings/qualities within it, I will quote this verse from the Amplified Bible, which does a splendid job in bringing these two meanings into some type of "harmony".. Isaiah 59:19 "So [as the result of the Messiah's intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. [Matt. 8:11; Luke 13:29.]" As you can see, the Amplified Bible combines the two meanings derived from the verse into a "flowing" account, providing much understanding to this textual difference between translations. Blessings to you and Welcome to the Forum! Nolan |