My question is regarding the translation of the Heb. זָר which basically means an alien or a stranger. However, it is used in Isa 43:12 to refer to strange gods:
אָנֹכִי הִגַּדְתִּי וְהֹושַׁעְתִּי וְהִשְׁמַעְתִּי וְאֵין בָּכֶם זָר וְאַתֶּם עֵדַי נְאֻם־יְהוָה וַֽאֲנִי־אֵֽל׃
I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God. (ESV)
A commentary I consult to lists three (3) other occurrences where apparently the Hebrew could mean other gods: Deu 32:16, Jer 2:25, and 3:13. Looking at these verses it appears to me that although זר could refer to the gods of other nations, the word might also just be translated as [human] stranger/s, as in the ESV:
Deu 32:16: They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods (זָרִים); with abominations they provoked him to anger.
Jer 2:25: Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners (זָרִים), and after them I will go.’
Jer 3:13: Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners (זָרִים) under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.
The verses provided weren't exhaustive of all uses of זָר but it does show examples of flexibility in translating the word. Most of the uses however only refer to persons, "strangers". I personally think, however, for the verses above, that gods could be a better translation, as in the NET:
Jer 3:13: "...You must confess that you have given yourself to foreign gods (זָרִים) under every green tree, and have not obeyed my commands,’ says the Lord. (NET)
So going back, is the translation in Isa 43:12 referring to strange gods justified, or could it just be translated strangers?
