Here the watchman may be seeing the messengers coming from the Babylonian battlefield or the army invading Babylonia (see the introductory comments on verses 5-10). New Jerusalem Bible follows the first view with the following footnote: “Not the invading army but the hurrying messengers, and later the caravans, coming to announce the news, see v. 9.” Why these messengers would arrive in the way described here is not clear.

Repetition is a feature of this verse. The repeated Hebrew terms are rekev (literally “chariot”) and qashav/qeshev (“be attentive” / “attentiveness”). The first word draws attention to those arriving on the scene (the messengers or those attacking Babylonia); the second one encourages the watchman to listen closely. Most translations fail to show the repetition in the Hebrew text.

When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, riders on asses, riders on camels is literally “and he sees a chariot of a pair of horsemen, a chariot of donkey, a chariot of camel.” Revised Standard Version follows a different Hebrew vowel pointing than that of Masoretic Text, changing “chariot” to riders (similarly most other versions). The change may be justified because donkeys and camels did not normally pull chariots, but they were ridden. The literal expression “a chariot of a pair of horsemen” may refer to two horses pulling one chariot (with one rider), two men riding the one chariot, or “a column of horsemen in pairs” (Revised English Bible). For “chariot” and “horse,” see 2.7. For asses see 1.3. Camels are very common in desert areas in many parts of the world, where they are the traditional means of transport. If the camel is not known in the receptor-language culture, translators may need to borrow the word and explain it in a footnote or in the glossary.

The text here appears to list a number of groups coming at the same time, which is consistent with the view that this is a description of a battle scene (see the introductory comments on verses 5-10). Contemporary English Version expresses this view with “When they see cavalry troops and columns of soldiers on donkeys and camel.” On the other hand, if this is a description of messengers coming to tell of Babylonia’s downfall, this could be a list of possible groups the watchman might see. If so, the list should be separated by “or” instead of “and.” This is the view of Bible en français courant, which reads “If he sees a war chariot pulled by horses, a caravan with donkeys, or a caravan with camels” (similarly Revised English Bible).

Let him listen diligently, very diligently is literally “and he will cause to be attentive [with/through] attentiveness much attentiveness.” It may not be possible in many languages to keep this repetition for emphasis, but adding adverbs or ideophones may express it; for example, “Make sure he pays close attention, the very closest of attention.” The text does not have any object for the verb “be attentive,” but it is clear the watchman is to pay close attention to whatever he sees. Listen (also New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) seems to imply that the watchman should focus on what someone might say. The fuller context suggests that he should primarily keep a close look out, either for messengers or the invading army. Instead of listen, a better rendering is “watch” (New Jerusalem Bible), “be alert” (New International Version), or “pay attention to” (Bible en français courant).

Translation examples for this verse are:

• When he sees chariots pulled by pairs of horses,
and men riding on donkeys or on camels,
he must pay close attention, the very closest attention.”

• If he should see chariots and pairs of horsemen,
riders on donkeys and riders on camels,
let him take notice, very special notice!”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .