The Wrong Word

Therefore, says the Master, LORD of Armies, Israel’s Mighty One: Oh, I will settle scores with my foes and take vengeance on my enemies.  Isaiah 1:24  Robert Alter

Settle scores – It’s surprising that Alter’s translation employs a modern euphemism, but examination of the actual Hebrew might justify his choice.  The NASB 1995  attempts a closer meaning of the Hebrew term but leaves the reader confused.  It translates the verb nāḥam as “I will be relieved of My adversaries.”  Unfortunately, nāḥam is a verb about regret, comfort, and repentance—none of which fit the tone of this verse.

The origin of the root seems to reflect the idea of “breathing deeply,” hence the physical display of one’s feelings, usually sorrow, compassion, or comfort. The root occurs in Ugaritic (see “to console” in UT 19: no. 1230) and is found in ot proper names such as Nehemiah, Nahum, and Menehem. The LXX renders nḥm by both metanoeō and metamelomai.

The KJV translates the Niphal of nḥm “repent” thirty-eight times. The majority of these instances refer to God’s repentance, not man’s. The word most frequently employed to indicate man’s repentance is šûb (q.v.), meaning “to turn” (from sin to God). Unlike man, who under the conviction of sin feels genuine remorse and sorrow, God is free from sin. Yet the Scriptures inform us that God repents (Gen 6:6–7: Ex 32:14; Jud 2:18; I Sam 15:11 et al.), i.e. he relents or changes his dealings with men according to his sovereign purposes.^[1]

As you can see, “settling scores” doesn’t seem to fit the actual verb.  But it’s also clear that God is not repenting of His judgment on His enemies, nor is He feeling comfort because they will be destroyed.  However, there’s just a hint here that some of the usual sense of nāḥam shows up in judgment.

Do you think God is happy with the destruction of those who oppose Him?  Do you think He’s glad they’re gone?  I would remind you of the midrash about the Egyptian army dying when the waters came back together after Israel crossed the sea.  According to this story, the angels were rejoicing that God’s enemies had expired.  God reprimanded them, saying, “Are these not my children also?”  The peculiar use of nāḥam in this verse contains a shadow of this truth.  God’s enemies are still His creation.  They may deserve the punishment, but there is still injury to the purposes of God when they are destroyed.  Isaiah’s verse forces us to recognize the very personal impact of divine judgment on God.  That is in concert with all the rest of these opening verses.  It’s not just a matter of legal consequence.  The Judge is also the Father.  Settling scores comes at the price to God.  A God who describes Himself first with the word raḥûm (Exodus 34:6) feels the loss of even His enemies.  Perhaps we should be paying more attention to the nuances of nāḥam when we feel inclined to throw a victory party.

Topical Index: nāḥam, compassion, settle scores, judgment, Isaiah 1:24

^[1] Wilson, M. R. (1999). 1344 נָחַם. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., pp. 570–571). Chicago: Moody Press.