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1.6 KiB
He has bent his bow toward us like an enemy, he has set his right hand like an adversary
A soldier has to bend his bow in order to shoot an arrow from it. This speaks of the Lord preparing to attack Israel as if he were an enemy about to shoot them with a bow and arrow. Alternate translation: "He has prepared to kill us, like an enemy who has made his bow ready to shoot us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
like an enemy ... like an adversary
"As if he were our enemy ... as if he were our adversary"
he has set his right hand like an adversary. He has slaughtered all
Some modern translations read, "he has set his right hand. Like an adversary, he has slaughtered all"
he has set his right hand
He has pulled back the bowstring and is ready to shoot an arrow. Most bowmen pull back the string and arrow with their right hands.
in the tent of the daughter of Zion
The "daughter of Zion" is a poetic name for Jerusalem, which is spoken of here as if it were a woman. The phrase "tent of the daughter of Zion" speaks of Jerusalem as a "tent" emphasizing that it is the home of those who live there. Alternate translation: "who live in Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
he has poured out his wrath like fire
This speaks of the Lord's wrath as if it were a liquid that he were pouring out on the people. His wrath is also compared to a "fire" to emphasize how destructive it is. Alternate translation: "in his anger he has destroyed everything like a blazing fire" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)