Isaiah 8:21

they shall pass through it Obviously, the land; but something must have fallen out before this verse, to account for the reference of the pronoun. Throughout this and the following verse, "they," "their," "themselves," should be "he," "his," "himself." The subject is either the whole nation or an individual Israelite. He wanders through the land, perhaps seeking an oracle (Amos 8:12).

they shall fret themselves Better: he shall break out in anger (the form is used only here).

curse his king and his God Not "his king and God" whether Jehovah or a false god; but the king because he cannot, and God because He will not, help. Cf. 2 Kings 6:26 f. (see also 1 Kings 21:10). This gives a much better sense than "curse byhis king and his God," although the parallel passages are in favour of the latter translation.