The abstract noun "baldness" can be stated as "bald." "Gaza" represents the people. AT: "The people of Gaza will shave their heads bald" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
The shaving of the entire head or portions of the head is a sign of great sorrow practiced by idol worshipers in nations such as Philistia. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
Possible meanings are 1) the people will be silent because they are mourning or 2) this is a euphemism that means the enemy soldiers will kill them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism]])
Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that the people will cut themselves in mourning. This question can be translated as a statement. AT: "You will cut yourselves in mourning." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
The cutting of one's skin was another practice done by the idol worshipers when they mourn the dead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
The Philistines speak to the sword of Yahweh as if it were a person that could hear them. AT: "Yahweh who is holding his sword! When will you stop striking us with your sword? Stop your sword and put it back in its scabbard!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
Yahweh punishing the Philistines by sending the army from the north is spoken of as if Yahweh were striking them with a sword. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# How long will it be until you become silent?
The people of the Philistines use this question to express their deep frustration about the devastation caused by their enemies. This may be translated as a statement. AT: "Please be silent!" or "Please, Yahweh, stop striking us with your sword!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
# you become silent
A sword makes a noise as it slashes back and forth. Asking the sword to be silent means to ask it to stop slashing and killing. AT: "you rest" or "you stop slashing" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
# scabbard
This is the case used to protect the blade of a sword.
# How can you be quiet ... along the sea
Here Jeremiah is speaking. He continues speaking to the sword of Yahweh as if it were a person that could hear him. Yahweh punishing the Philistines by sending the army of the north is spoken of as if Yahweh were striking the people with a sword. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# How can you be quiet, for Yahweh has commanded you
Jeremiah uses a question to mean that the sword cannot stop since Yahweh has commanded it to continue killing. This question can be translated as a statement. AT: "You cannot stop, for Yahweh has commanded you" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
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