Translation Bias in Isaiah 24:22 – Heavenly Things

Firstly, to quote from Bradley Hooper regarding the NIV translation of Isaiah 24:22 (shown in Image too):

Every time a translator translates a part of the Bible he brings his theology with him. Here’s an example.

21 In that day the Lord will punish

the powers in the heavens above

and the kings on the earth below.

22 They will be herded together

like prisoners bound in a dungeon;

they will be shut up in prison

and be punished[a] after many days (Isaiah 24:21-22, NIV).

The footnote [a] says

[a] Isaiah 24:22 Or released

Why didn’t the translator put “released” in the text and put “or punished” in the footnote?

He made the text fit with his theology, that’s why. There are lots of examples like this in the Bible.

P/S: Here are some further edifying comments to that:

Now, who are the “powers in the heavens” (Isaiah 24:21, NIV) whose punishments is described in Isaiah 24:22 together with the “kings of the earth”?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)

For Isaiah 24:22, other translators using a different word than “punished” (NIV or NASB) such as:

“visited” (KJV)

and

“Inspected” (YLT)

*they are not eternally ignored. Yes, inspected or visited to see if they are rehabilitated for release after punishments —–> which can be inferred in meaning if these words used by various translators are ‘combined’.

Can we see it?

Many days = an unknown long time but limited (age or ages) and certainly not forever

Other translations (example):

“And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” (Isaiah 24:22, KJV)

“And they have been gathered — A gathering of bound ones in a pit, And shut up they have been in a prison, And after a multitude of days are inspected.” (Isaiah 24:22, YLT)

Yes, even these ones in the “heavens” (included in the definition of Colossians 1:16 too first) will be “Reconciled” by “His Blood” (Colossians 1:20) as ‘it is Written’ in verses below too agreeing to all this:

“because in Him were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and unto Him.

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace by the blood of His cross through Him, whether the things on the earth or the things in the heavens.” – apostle Paul (Colossians 1:16, 20, BLB)

Are we able to understand it?

“And when He was alone, those around Him with the Twelve began asking Him about the parable.

And He [Lord Jesus Christ] was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is done in parables, so that,

‘Seeing, they might see and not perceive;

and hearing, they might hear and not understand;

lest ever they should turn,

and they should be forgiven.” (Mark 4:10 – 12, BLB)

“If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:12, NASB)

Blessed be the Savior of the World