Judges

Judges front

Introduction to Judges

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Judges

A. Introduction: the tribes conquer their territories (1:1–3:6) B. History of the judges of Israel (3:7–16:31) Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar (3:7–31) Deborah and Barak (4:1–5:31) Gideon (6:1–8:35) Abimelek (9:1–57) Tola and Jair (10:1–5) Jephthah (10:6–12:7) Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8–15) Samson (13:1–16:31) C. Dan becomes a center of idolatry (17:1–18:31) D. Outrage at Gibeah, civil war against Benjamin (19:1–21:25)

What is the book of Judges about?

The book of Judges tells of events that occurred after the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan. The events in this book happened over a period of about 150 years. The book continues the biblical narrative directly from the book of Joshua. It begins, “After the death of Joshua,” resuming the story at the point it had reached at the end of the book of Joshua.

This book describes how the Israelites repeatedly sinned against Yahweh during this time. They worshiped false gods and did the same wicked things as the peoples who lived around them. Therefore, God would allow enemies to defeat and oppress the Israelites. Eventually, the Israelites would call to Yahweh for help. Yahweh would then cause someone to help the Israelites defeat their enemies. This person was called a “judge.” The Israelites would live in peace until the judge died. After that judge died, the Israelites would start sinning again. So this pattern of events would repeat.

What title should translators give this book?

This book has traditionally had the title “Judges” because it gives accounts of some of the main leaders or judges in Israel before there were any kings ruling the people. Unless a translation of the Bible exists in your region that uses a different title, you should probably use the title “Judges” or a similar title such as “The Book about the Leaders in Israel.”

Part 2: Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Book

What kind of leaders were the judges?

The judges were men and women whom God chose to help the Israelites defeat their enemies. Afterward these leaders usually continued to help the people by deciding disputes among them. They also helped them make important decisions. Many of these leaders served all the people of Israel, but some of these leaders may have served only certain tribes.

What kind of society was Israel during the time of the judges?

During this time, the twelve tribes of Israel were independent of one another. They were not a unified nation with one ruler. However, they were descendants of the same ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They also shared in the same covenant with Yahweh. So the tribes would often help each other when enemies were threatening them. However, the book of Judges tells of some times when the tribes fought against each other.

Part 3: Translation Issues in This Book

“the angel of Yahweh”

In many places in the book, the author speaks of a character whom he calls “the angel of Yahweh.” Interpreters are unsure about the exact identity of this character. When he speaks, sometimes the author says “the angel said” and sometimes the author says “Yahweh said.” So he is closely identified with Yahweh in some way, although it is not clear in precisely what way. We recommend that you translate this phrase using the same words that you use in the rest of your translation for “angel” and “Yahweh.” The UST models one way to do this.

“arose”

In many contexts, the author uses the expression “arose” to mean that a person took action or took on a particular role. It does not mean that he or she stood up from a sitting or lying position. Similarly, characters sometimes tell other characters to “arise,” meaning that they should take action. Notes will help clarify what the expression means in specific contexts. (See: Idiom)

“behold”

The author and characters often use the word “behold” to focus their listeners’ attention on what they are about to say. While the word literally means “look,” the speakers do not want their listeners to look at something, but to pay careful attention. (See: Metaphor)

“in the eyes of”

The author and characters often use the term “eyes” by association to mean sight; sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and estimation or judgment. For example, the author says in 2:11 that the Israelites “did evil in the eyes of Yahweh,” meaning that they did what Yahweh considered wrong and had said was wrong. Samson says to his parents in 14:3 about the woman he wants to marry, “she is right in my eyes,” meaning that he thinks she is the right one for him. (See: Metonymy)

“to the face of”

The author and characters often use the word “face” to represent the presence of a person or group, by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. The expression “to the face of” can have different shades of meaning, depending on the context. The focus may be more on the presence of a person, such as in 20:26, where the author says that the Israelites “sat … to the face of Yahweh.” He means that they were in the presence of Yahweh near his sacred tent. The focus may also be on something being in front of or near a person or thing. When the author says in 3:27 that Ehud was “to the face of” the Israelite soldiers who were with him, he means that Ehud was in front of them, that is, leading their army. Or the focus may be on the relationship between people or groups, as in 11:33, where the author says that “the sons of Ammon were subdued from the face of the sons of Israel.” This means that the Ammonites were subdued in relation to the Israelites, that is, they became subject to them. (See: Metonymy)

In other contexts, the author or a character may use the word “face,” describing part of a person, in order to represent the whole person as being present. For example, in 13:15, when Manoah tells the angel of Yahweh, “we will prepare to your face a kid of goats,” he means that he wants him to remain present so that they can prepare the goat and serve it to him. (See: Synecdoche)

“into the hand of,” “into your hand”

The author and characters often use the word “hand” by association to represent the power and capability of a person. For example, the author says in 11:32 that when Jephthah went to fight the Ammonites, “Yahweh gave them into his hand.” This means that Yahweh gave him the power to defeat them. The word “hand” may also represent possession, as when the author says in 7:8 that Gideon’s soldiers “took provision into their hand.” The word “hand” may also represent agency, as when the author speaks in 3:4 of the commandments that Yahweh gave the Israelites “by the hand of Moses.” In such cases, the author is using the hand, part of a person, to mean the whole person in the act of doing something. Notes will help distinguish the difference between these shades of meaning when that may not be clear from the context. (See: Metonymy and Synecdoche)

“hear,” “listen”

The author and characters often use the terms “hear” and “listen” to mean complying with what someone has said. When humans “hear” or “listen” in this sense, the terms mean “obey,” as when the author says negatively in 2:17 that the disobedient Israelites did not “hear the commandments of Yahweh.” When Yahweh “hears” or “listens” in this sense, it means that he does what someone asks in prayer. For example, when the author says in 13:9 that “God listened to the voice of Manoah,” he means that God answered Manoah’s prayer and sent the angel back to him and his wife. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

name of tribe, city, or kingdom representing its people

The author and characters often use the name of a tribe, city, or kingdom to represent its people. For example, in 1:12, when Caleb speaks of “whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher,” he is using the name of that city to refer by association to the people who live in it. (See: Metonymy)

name of a person representing associated or accompanying people

For example, in 3:10, when the author says of Othniel that “he went out to war,” he is using Othniel, one person who was involved in this action, to represent everyone who was involved. He means that the army of Israel went out to war with Othniel commanding it. (See: Synecdoche)

“nose burned against”

In several places in the book, the author uses the term “nose” and the expression “burned” to mean anger. For example, in 2:14 he says that “the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel,” meaning that Yahweh became very angry with the Israelites. This is by association with the way that a person who is angry breathes heavily through his nose and the way the skin of a person who is angry becomes hotter. Your language and culture may also associate anger with a particular part and disposition of the body. If so, it may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language and say “anger.” (See: Idiom)

“shall”

The ULT represents the Hebrew instructional verb form with the English helping verb “shall.” For example, when Deborah tells Barak in Judges 4:6 “and you shall take with you 10,000 men,” she is instructing him to take 10,000 men with him. Other ways to say this are: “you are to take 10,000 men with you” or “take 10,000 men with you.” Translate this form with the most natural way in your language for giving instructions. (See: Irregular Use of Tenses)

“sons of”

The author and characters often speak of “the sons of” a person to mean the nation or tribe that consists of his descendants. For example, the author speaks in 1:1 of the “sons of Israel” to mean the Israelites and in 1:8 of the “sons of Judah” to mean the people of the tribe of Judah and particularly their army. In this case, “sons” does not mean first-generation offspring but later descendants. (See: Metaphor)

The phrase “sons of” may also refer to people who have a particular characteristic or quality. For example, the author speaks in 18:2 of “sons of valor,” meaning men who were characterized by valor, that is, valiant warriors. (See: Idiom)

“struck,” “struck to the mouth of the sword”

In many places, the author says that soldiers “struck” an opposing army, city, or king, as if they had only hit them. But he means that they attacked those opponents, and in some contexts the meaning is clearly that they killed them. That is the case in 3:29, for example, where the author says, “And they struck Moab at that time, about 10,000 men … not one escaped.” (See: Metonymy)

In several contexts the author uses a longer form of this expression and says “they struck them (or it) to the mouth of the sword.” This means that they completely destroyed a city, killing everyone who lived there. For example, speaking in 1:25 of what the tribes descended from Joseph did to Bethel, the author says that “they struck the city with the mouth of the sword.” (See: Idiom)

“went up,” “went down”

In Hebrew, writers and speakers generally indicated whether people were going up to a higher elevation or going down to a lower elevation when they traveled. For example, in 1:3 the soldiers of Judah ask the soldiers of Simeon to “go up” with them into their allotment because the Israelites were in the valley of the Jordan River and the Judeans’ allotment was in the hills above the valley. In 3:27, the author says that the fighting men of Ephraim “went down” with Ehud because they were going from the hill country of Ephraim down into the Jordan River valley. If your language does not mark travel for change in elevation, you can translate instances such as these simply as “go” or “went.”

Judges 1

Judges 1 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

• Verses 1–10: Judah conquers its assigned territory
• Verses 11–16: Caleb and Othniel conquer Debir (Kiriath Sepher)
• Verses 12–21: Judah and Simeon conquer territory but leave some hostile nations
• Verses 22–29: Ephraim and Manasseh conquer territory but leave some hostile nations
• Verses 30–36: Zebulin, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan conquer territory but leave some hostile nations

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Cutting off the thumbs and big toes of captured enemies

In 1:7, Adoni-Bezek describes how he had his soldiers cut off the thumbs and big toes of the kings he had defeated. This prevented a captured enemy from running away or from ever using a weapon again. However, as the context shows, it was also a way of humiliating a captured king. When the Israelites did this to Adoni-Bezek, he acknowledged that he was getting what he deserved for having done this to others.

Complete destruction of a city and its people

In 1:17, the armies of Judah and Simeon completely destroy a Canaanite city and kill all of its people. They call the place “Hormah,” which means “destruction.” Deuteronomy 7:1–4 describes how, when Yahweh was preparing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, he commanded them to destroy completely the Canaanite people who lived there. They were not to make any treaties with them or to intermarry with them. This was to prevent the Israelites from joining them in worshiping their false gods, which would have led them to develop a culture and society very different from the kind that Yahweh wanted. The book of Joshua describes how the Israelites completely destroyed the major Canaanite cities and their people. In this chapter, 1:17 describes a further instance of that. However, the Israelites left many of the Canaanite people in the land, and they did intermarry with them and worship their gods. This led the Israelites into many evil practices that made Yahweh very angry with them.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Names of people groups, cities, and Israelite tribes meaning their people or armies

In this chapter, the author and characters frequently use the names of people groups or cities by association to mean the people or armies of those groups or cities. For example, when the author says in 1:1 that the Israelites “fought against Jerusalem,” he means that they fought against the people who lived in that city. The author and characters sometimes also speak of the Israelite tribes as if they were individual people who could talk to one another, go places together, and so forth. For example, the author says in 1:1, “Then Judah said to Simeon, his brother, ‘Go up with me into my allotment.’” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. For example, instead of saying “Judah,” you could say “the people of the tribe of Judah.” (See: Metonymy and Personification)

Generic nouns

In this chapter, the author and characters use expressions such as “the Canaanite,” “the Perizzite,” “the Amorite,” and so forth. They are not referring to specific individuals. Rather, they mean in general the people of the nation mentioned. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms, for example, “the Canaanites.” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Judges 1:1

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֗י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using the phrase And it happened to introduce a new event in the story of the people of Israel, which continues here in the book of Judges at the point where it left off at the end of the book of Joshua. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of the phrase the sons of Israel in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [the people of Israel]

Who will go up

Quote: מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The Israelites are asking Yahweh which of their tribes should be the first to go into its allotment and fight against the Canaanites living there. They are speaking of that tribe as if it were an individual person. (The verb in this phrase is singular, indicating that Who is also singular.) See the discussion of this issue, which occurs several times in this chapter, in the Introduction to this chapter. Alternate translation: [What tribe will go up]

for us

Quote: לָּ֧⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

By us, the Israelites mean themselves but not Yahweh, to whom they are speaking, so use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

the Canaanite … against him

Quote: הַֽ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֛י & בּֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

As the Introduction to this chapter discusses, here and in similar instances throughout the chapter, this is not a reference to a specific Canaanite. Rather, it refers to the Canaanites or the Canaanite nations in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: [the Canaanites … against them] or [the Canaanite nations … against them]

Judges 1:2

Judah

Quote: יְהוּדָ֣ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges and the Introduction to this chapter discuss, here Yahweh is using the name Judah by association to mean the army that belongs to the tribe of Judah. Alternate translation: [The army of the tribe of Judah]

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh is using the term Behold, which literally means “Look,” to focus his listeners’ attention on what he is about to say. See the discussion of this usage in the Introduction to Judges. In this context, since Yahweh is the speaker, there is also the implication that what follows is something that Yahweh has determined and so is certain to happen. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [Indeed]

I have given the land into his hand

Quote: נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ בְּ⁠יָדֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here, as the Introduction to Judges discusses, having something in one’s hand represents possessing it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I have given them possession of the land]

Judges 1:3

Then Judah said to Simeon, … So Simeon went with him

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָה֩ לְ⁠שִׁמְע֨וֹן & וַ⁠יֵּ֥לֶךְ אִתּ֖⁠וֹ שִׁמְעֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

As the Introduction to this chapter discusses, here the author is speaking of the tribes of Judah and Simeon as if they were individual people who could speak with each other. Alternate translation: [Then the people of Judah said to the people of Simeon … So the people of Simeon went with them] or [Then the commanders of the Judean army said to the commanders of the Simeonite army … So the Simeonite army went with the Judean army]

his brother

Quote: אָחִ֜י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is using the term brother to describe people who are descended from the same ancestor. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their kinsmen]

Go up with me

Quote: עֲלֵ֧ה אִתִּ֣⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “Come” instead of Go. Alternate translation: [Come with me]

against the Canaanite

Quote: בַּֽ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

See how you translated this same expression in 1:1. Alternate translation: [against the Canaanites]

And I will also go with you myself into your allotment

Quote: וְ⁠הָלַכְתִּ֧י גַם־אֲנִ֛י אִתְּ⁠ךָ֖ בְּ⁠גוֹרָלֶ֑⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The Judeans are leaving some information implicit. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [If you do, we will also go with you into your allotment and fight against the Canaanites]

Judges 1:4

And Judah went up

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֣עַל יְהוּדָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

As the Introduction to this chapter discusses, here the author is using the name of one of the tribes whose soldiers were in this army to mean the entire army, which included soldiers from both tribes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the army of the tribe of Judah went up with the army of the tribe of Simeon]

and Yahweh gave the Canaanite and the Perizzite into their hand

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־הַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֖י בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here, as the Introduction to Judges discusses, hand represents the power or capability of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh gave them the power to conquer the Canaanites and the Perizzites]

And at Bezek they struck

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֣וּ⁠ם בְּ⁠בֶ֔זֶק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, when the author says that the armies of Judah and Simeon struck or “hit” the Canaanite and Perizzite soldiers who opposed them, he means that they defeated them and, in contexts such as this, that they killed them. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [And at Bezek they defeated] or [And at Bezek they killed]

at Bezek

Quote: בְּ⁠בֶ֔זֶק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Bezek is the name of a city in the territory in Canaan that was allotted to the tribe of Judah.

10,000

Quote: עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

The author may be using the number 10,000 as an approximation or as a customary way of saying “very many.” Alternate translation: [a large number of]

Judges 1:5

And they found

Quote: וַֽ֠⁠יִּמְצְאוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The word found does not mean that the armies of Judah and Simeon were intentionally searching for this man. It means that they encountered him when they reached the city of Bezek. Alternate translation: [and they encountered]

Adoni-Bezek

Quote: אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֥י בֶ֨זֶק֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Adoni-Bezek is the name or title of a man. It means “the lord of Bezek,” and so it may be the title for the king who reigned in the city of Bezek.

and they fought against him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ בּ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

As the Notes to this chapter discuss, here the author is using Adoni-Bezek to represent both this king himself and his entire army. Alternate translation: [and they fought against him and his army]

Judges 1:6

the thumbs of his hands and his feet

Quote: אֶת־בְּהֹנ֥וֹת יָדָ֖י⁠ו וְ⁠רַגְלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

Some languages use the same word for the largest finger and the largest toe, as the biblical text does here. If your language has different words for these, you can use both words in your translation. If the phrase might then seem to contain extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language, you could shorten it, as the UST does. Alternate translation: [the thumbs of his hands and the big toes of his feet]

Judges 1:7

70 kings

Quote: שִׁבְעִ֣ים ׀ מְלָכִ֡ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

This could be an approximate number, chosen for its symbolic significance. Alternate translation: [dozens of kings]

kings

Quote: מְלָכִ֡ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

In Canaan at this time, each city and town had a ruler who had the same title as someone who ruled over a large territory. So, for example, Pharaoh is called the “the king of Egypt” in Exodus 1:5, while the book of Joshua refers to the “king” of cities such as Libnah (Joshua 10:30) and Hebron (Joshua 10:37). If your language uses a different word for people who rule over one community than for people who rule over extensive areas, you could use that term here. Alternate translation: [chieftains]

with} the thumbs of their hands and their feet cut off

Quote: בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֨ם וְ⁠רַגְלֵי⁠הֶ֜ם מְקֻצָּצִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. See the Notes to this chapter for an explanation of the practice described here. It is unlikely that Adoni-Bezek was the agent who did this personally. Alternate translation: [whose thumbs and big toes I ordered my soldiers to cut off]

were gathering beneath my table

Quote: הָי֤וּ מְלַקְּטִים֙ תַּ֣חַת שֻׁלְחָנִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Adoni-Bezek is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [were gathering scraps of food beneath my table]

were gathering beneath my table

Quote: הָי֤וּ מְלַקְּטִים֙ תַּ֣חַת שֻׁלְחָנִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Dozens of kings would not have fit under the table where Adoni-Bezek ate his meals, so he probably does not mean this literally. Instead, he seems to be speaking of these defeated chieftains as if they were dogs that had to scrounge for food from the scraps that fell from his table. This indicates that he had reduced them to a state of helpless dependence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [had to survive on what little I gave them] or [were my helpless prisoners]

Judges 1:8

the sons of Judah

Quote: בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, sons means “descendants.” The author is describing the people of the tribe of Judah as descendants of their ancestor Judah. In context, the reference is specifically to the army of the tribe of Judah. Alternate translation: [the Judeans] or [the Judean army]

the sons of Judah

Quote: בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

As in 1:4, the author is using the name Judah to represent the entire combined army. Alternate translation: [the armies of the tribes of Judah and Simeon]

with Jerusalem and captured it

Quote: בִּ⁠יר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַ⁠יִּלְכְּד֣וּ אוֹתָ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Notes to this chapter discuss, here the author is using the name Jerusalem to represent the people of that city. Alternate translation: [against the people who lived in Jerusalem and captured that city]

And they struck it to the mouth of the sword

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֖וּ⁠הָ לְ⁠פִי־חָ֑רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, the author is using the expression to the mouth of the sword to mean that the army of the tribe of Judah killed all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way to do that.

And they struck it

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֖וּ⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is speaking of the people who lived in the city of Jerusalem by association with the city itself, which he refers to by the pronoun it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And they struck the people who lived there]

and they sent the city into fire

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־הָ⁠עִ֖יר שִׁלְּח֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had literally sent or thrown the city of Jerusalem into a large fire that was burning nearby. (This same expression occurs in Judges 20:48.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they set the city on fire]

Judges 1:9

the sons of Judah

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

See how you translated this expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [the armies of the tribes of Judah and Simeon]

and the Shephelah

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁפֵלָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Shephelah is the name of a region within the territory that was assigned to the tribe of Judah. It consists of hills that are lower than the central ridge where Jerusalem is located. Alternate translation: [and the foothills]

Judges 1:10

Judah

Quote: יְהוּדָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

See how you translated the term Judah in 1:4 and the expression “the sons of Judah” in 1:8. Alternate translation: [the combined army]

Now the name of Hebron previously {was} Kiriath Arba

Quote: וְ⁠שֵׁם־חֶבְר֥וֹן לְ⁠פָנִ֖ים קִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֑ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what is happening in the story. The author probably wrote this because his readers knew this city as Hebron. But at the time when Israel attacked it, it was called Kiriath Arba. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. You may also wish to mark it in some way as background information, such as by putting it in parentheses as the ULT does. Alternate translation: [Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba]

And they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֛וּ אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֥י וְ⁠אֶת־אֲחִימַ֖ן וְ⁠אֶת־תַּלְמָֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai are the names of three clans that lived in and around the city of Hebron.

Judges 1:11

And he went

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֣לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to “Judah” in the previous verse. That name represented the army of the tribe of Judah and implicitly the accompanying army of the tribe of Simeon. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And these armies went]

Debir

Quote: דְּבִ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Debir is the name of a city in the territory that Joshua assigned to the tribe of Judah.

Now the name of Debir previously {was} Kiriath Sepher

Quote: וְ⁠שֵׁם־דְּבִ֥יר לְ⁠פָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת־סֵֽפֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

See how you translated the similar sentence in the previous verse.

Judges 1:12

And Caleb said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר כָּלֵ֔ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that a man named Caleb was commanding the armies of Judah and Simeon at this point. (The full story is told in Joshua 15:13–19.) You could indicate this explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And Caleb, the man who was commanding these armies, said]

Judges 1:14

Now it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this phrase to introduce background information that is not part of the main narrative. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

in the coming of her

Quote: בְּ⁠בוֹאָ֗⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will understand what he means by this phrase. This could mean: (1) that Aksah came to Kiriath Sepher in order to marry Othniel and that she made this request when she arrived and saw the land that Caleb had given to him. Alternate translation: [when Aksah arrived at Kiriath Sepher] (2) that the author is using this expression to describe Aksah entering Othniel’s household as his wife. Alternate translation: [once Aksah had married Othniel]

that she persuaded him to request the field

Quote: וַ⁠תְּסִיתֵ֨⁠הוּ֙ לִ⁠שְׁא֤וֹל & הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving implicit who was to make this request. The meaning does not seem to be that Aksah persuaded Othniel that he should request this field from Caleb, since he is not the one who asks; she is. In this culture, a young man such as Othniel may not have had the standing to make this kind of request from a leader such as Caleb. So the meaning seems to be that Aksah persuaded Othniel that she should ask for the field. In this culture, a daughter may have been able to make such a request of her father. Alternate translation: [that she persuaded him to allow her to request the field]

the field from her father

Quote: מֵֽ⁠אֵת־אָבִ֨י⁠הָ֙ הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author has a particular field in view. The narrative suggests that Caleb had given some land to Othniel but that it was arid territory. It suggests further that near this land, there was some ground that was suitable for cultivation because it was watered by springs. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [from her father some land that was nearby the land that he had already given to Othniel and that was watered by springs and so could be cultivated]

What for you

Quote: מַה־לָּֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Caleb is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [What can to do for you]

Judges 1:15

Give

Quote: הָֽבָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative

This is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: [Please give]

a blessing

Quote: בְרָכָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

In this context, the word blessing is an abstract noun. It does not refer to something that someone would say to cause good and beneficial things to happen to a person. Instead, it refers to a good and beneficial thing itself. If your language does not use abstract nouns in this way, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [something that will benefit me]

you shall also give to me

Quote: וְ⁠נָתַתָּ֥ה לִ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

Aksah is using a verb form that could either indicate what a person ought to do or what a person is going to do. This could mean: (1) that since the land Caleb gave Aksah and Othniel was dry, he also ought to give them some land with springs of water. Alternate translation: [you should also give me] (2) that Aksah is answering Caleb’s question and this is implicitly her request. Alternate translation: [my request is that you will also give me]

springs of waters.” … the upper springs and the lower springs

Quote: גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם & אֵ֚ת גֻּלֹּ֣ת עִלִּ֔ית וְ⁠אֵ֖ת גֻּלֹּ֥ת תַּחְתִּֽית (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Aksah and the author are using these expressions to mean by association the land on which these springs were located. Alternate translation: [some land that has springs of waters … some land in that area where there were upper springs and lower springs]

springs of waters

Quote: גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [springs] or [land on which there are springs]

Judges 1:16

Now the sons of the Kenite

Quote: וּ⁠בְנֵ֣י קֵינִי֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing some further background information that is not part of the main narrative. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Now the sons of

Quote: וּ⁠בְנֵ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Since the actual sons of the man whom the author is describing here would have been in the same generation as Moses, the term sons could be intended literally. However, since those sons would have had three or even four generations of descendants by this time, the term may also be meant to include them. Alternate translation: [Now the descendants of]

the Kenite

Quote: קֵינִי֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Kenite is the name of a people group. Since the author has a specific Kenite in mind, your language might use a demonstrative pronoun here. Alternate translation: [that Kenite] or [that man from the Kenite people group]

the father-in-law of Moses

Quote: חֹתֵ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [the father of Moses’ wife]

from the City of Palms

Quote: מֵ⁠עִ֤יר הַ⁠תְּמָרִים֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The author is using the expression the City of Palms to refer to settlements in the area of the city of Jericho, which the Israelites had destroyed several years before this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use the name “Jericho” here. Alternate translation: [from Jericho] or [from Jericho, the city of palm trees]

with the sons of Judah

Quote: אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, the term sons means “descendants.” The author is identifying the Judeans as descendants of their ancestor Judah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression “the sons of Israel” in 1:1. Alternate translation: [with the people of Judah]

And he went and he dwelled

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֖לֶךְ וַ⁠יֵּ֥שֶׁב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he seems to refer to the Kenite, that is, the man who was the father-in-law of Moses. The author is using him to represent his descendants. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And they went and they dwelled]

with the people

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠עָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By the people the author means those from the tribe of Judah who also settled in this region. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [among the people of Judah who also settled there]

Judges 1:17

Then Judah went with Simeon his brother

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֤לֶךְ יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת־שִׁמְע֣וֹן אָחִ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the terms Judah, Simeon, and brother in 1:3. Alternate translation: [Then the soldiers of the tribe of Judah went with their kinsmen, the soldiers of the tribe of Simeon]

And they devoted it

Quote: וַ⁠יַּחֲרִ֣ימוּ אוֹתָ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The word that the ULT translates as devoted is a specialized term that describes the cultural practice of giving something over to Yahweh so that humans will no longer be able to use it. Depending on the context, the term can indicate either “destroy” or “preserve, but set apart.” In this context, the meaning is clearly “destroy.” You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And they completely destroyed it]

and they called the name of the city

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שֵׁם־הָ⁠עִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression called the name contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and they called the city] or [and they named the city]

Hormah

Quote: חָרְמָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Hormah is the name of a city. The Israelites changed the name of Zephath to Hormah, which means “destruction,” after they destroyed it completely. See the Introduction to this chapter for a further discussion.

Judges 1:18

Judah

Quote: יְהוּדָה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using the name of one of the tribes whose soldiers were in this army to mean the entire army. Alternate translation: [the combined army of Judah and Simeon]

Judges 1:19

Now it happened {that

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֤י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this expression to introduce information about what was happening behind the scenes in this story and also to introduce an overall theme for 1:19–36. In a way that was not visible, Yahweh was helping the Israelites to defeat the Canaanites. Nevertheless, the Israelite tribes did not drive the Canaanite nations completely out of their assigned territories. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Yahweh {was} with Judah

Quote: יְהוָה֙ אֶתּ־יְהוּדָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh had literally been present with the army of Judah as it fought to conquer its assigned territory. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Yahweh helped Judah]

chariotry of iron

Quote: רֶ֥כֶב בַּרְזֶ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The metal iron was barely used during this time period, so this is not a reference to chariots entirely made of iron. Those would have been too heavy for any practical use in warfare anyway. It is probably a reference to chariots whose wheels or floor were strengthened with iron or that had iron studs or points to make them more destructive when used in ramming. Alternate translation: [chariots fitted out with iron]

Judges 1:20

But they gave

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the people of the tribe of Judah and most likely to their leaders. While Moses had originally promised Hebron to Caleb in Numbers 14:24 and Joshua had confirmed this in Joshua 14:6–15, the leaders of Judah confirmed this again when they conquered their assigned territory. Alternate translation: [But the leaders of the tribe of Judah gave]

the three sons of the Anak

Quote: אֶת־שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י הָ⁠עֲנָֽק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the three clans that lived in and around the city of Hebron as if they were the literal sons of their ancestor Anak. (These clans are named in 1:10.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the three clans descended from Anak]

the Anak

Quote: הָ⁠עֲנָֽק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Anak is the name of a man. The author seems to be using the definite article the to indicate that he has a specific Anak in mind, the man who was the ancestor of these clans. Your language might naturally use a demonstrative pronoun for this purpose. Alternate translation: [the well-known Anak]

Judges 1:21

But the Jebusite, the dweller of Jerusalem, … So the Jebusite has dwelled

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠יְבוּסִי֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם & וַ⁠יֵּ֨שֶׁב הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֜י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

1:251:25The word Jebusite is the name of a member of a particular people group. Alternate translation: [But the Jebusites dwelling in Jerusalem … So the Jebusites have dwelled]

the sons of Benjamin … with the sons of Benjamin

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן & אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י בִנְיָמִן֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, sons means “descendants.” The author is describing the people of the tribe of Benjamin as descendants of their ancestor Benjamin. The reference in the first instance is specifically to the army of this tribe; it seems to be generally to the people of the tribe in the second instance. Alternate translation: [the army of the tribe of Benjamin … with the people of the tribe of Benjamin]

until this day

Quote: עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using the term day to refer to a specific time, the time when he was writing this book. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [right up to this time]

Judges 1:22

the house of Joseph

Quote: בֵית־יוֹסֵ֛ף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the term house means all the people descended from a particular person. It envisions them as if they were one household living together. So the house of Joseph means all the people descended from the patriarch Joseph. By this time, those descendants had become the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Joseph] or [the armies of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh]

and Yahweh {was} with them

Quote: וַֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה עִמָּֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 1:19.

Judges 1:23

the house of Joseph

Quote: בֵית־יוֹסֵ֖ף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the expression the house of Joseph in the previous verse.

Now the name of the city previously {was} Luz

Quote: וְ⁠שֵׁם־הָ⁠עִ֥יר לְ⁠פָנִ֖ים לֽוּז (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what is happening in the story. The author probably wrote this because his readers knew this city as Bethel. But at the time when Israel attacked it, it was called Luz. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. You may also wish to mark it in some way as background information, such as by putting it in parentheses as the ULT does. Alternate translation: [Bethel used to be called Luz]

Judges 1:24

and we will do kindness with you

Quote: וְ⁠עָשִׂ֥ינוּ עִמְּ⁠ךָ֖ חָֽסֶד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of kindness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [we will treat you kindly] or [we will treat you mercifully]

Judges 1:25

and they struck the city to the mouth of the sword

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־הָ⁠עִ֖יר לְ⁠פִי־חָ֑רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is saying the city by association to mean the people who lived in the city. Alternate translation: [and they struck the people of the city with the mouth of the sword]

Judges 1:26

until this day

Quote: עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 1:21. Alternate translation: [right up to this time]

Judges 1:27

Beth Shan … or Taanach … Dor … Ibleam … Megiddo

Quote: אֶת־בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן & וְ⁠אֶת־תַּעְנַ֣ךְ & ד֜וֹר & יִבְלְעָם֙ & מְגִדּ֖וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Beth Shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, and Megiddo are the names of cities.

and its daughters

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנוֹתֶי⁠הָ֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the villages surrounding the cities named in this verse were literally their daughters. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [or the people who lived in the surrounding villages]

Judges 1:34

And the Amorite, they pressed the sons of Dan {into} the hill country, for he did not allow him to go down into the valley

Quote: וַ⁠יִּלְחֲצ֧וּ הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֛י אֶת־בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן הָ⁠הָ֑רָ⁠ה כִּי־לֹ֥א נְתָנ֖⁠וֹ לָ⁠רֶ֥דֶת לָ⁠עֵֽמֶק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [And the Amorites did not allow the sons of Dan to go down into the valley, so they were pressed into the hill country]

the sons of Dan

Quote: אֶת־בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the expression “the sons of Judah” in 1:16. Alternate translation: [the people of Dan]

he did not allow him

Quote: לֹ֥א נְתָנ֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to the Amorite, and the pronoun him refers to the sons of Dan (as if they were a single individual, their ancestor Dan). It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the Amorites did not allow the people of Dan]

Judges 1:35

And the Amorite resolved to dwell at Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim

Quote: וַ⁠יּ֤וֹאֶל הָֽ⁠אֱמֹרִי֙ לָ⁠שֶׁ֣בֶת בְּ⁠הַר־חֶ֔רֶס בְּ⁠אַיָּל֖וֹן וּ⁠בְ⁠שַֽׁעַלְבִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And the Amorites resolved to dwell at Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, and so the Israelites were not able to dispossess them]

at Mount Heres

Quote: בְּ⁠הַר־חֶ֔רֶס (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Mount Heres is the name of a large hill on which the city of Aijalon was built.

but the hand of the house of Joseph became heavy

Quote: וַ⁠תִּכְבַּד֙ יַ֣ד בֵּית־יוֹסֵ֔ף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Saying that the hand of a person or group became heavy means that the person or group became strong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [but the house of Joseph became strong]

the house of Joseph

Quote: בֵּית־יוֹסֵ֔ף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the phrase the house of Joseph in 1:22. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Joseph]

and they became forced labor

Quote: וַ⁠יִּהְי֖וּ לָ⁠מַֽס (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the Amorite, that is, the people group of the Amorites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and the Amorites were put to forced labor]

Judges 1:36

Now the border of the Amorite

Quote: וּ⁠גְבוּל֙ הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that is not part of the main story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

was} from the Ascent of Akrabbim

Quote: מִֽ⁠מַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

Akrabbim is a Hebrew word that the ULT has spelled out using English letters so that readers will know how it sounds. The word means “scorpions” in Hebrew, and here it is the name of a place. In your translation you could spell this name the way it sounds in your language, or you could express its meaning as a name. Alternate translation: [was from Scorpion Pass]

from Sela

Quote: מֵ⁠הַ⁠סֶּ֖לַע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Sela also means “cliff,” so this could be a geographic description rather than a proper name. Alternate translation: [from the cliff]

Judges 2

Judges 2 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

• Verses 1–5: The angel of Yahweh appears to the Israelites at Bokim
• Verses 6–10: Review: the Israelites worshiped and obeyed Yahweh during the lifetimes of Joshua and the elders
• Verses 11–23: The Israelites disobeyed Yahweh and worshiped other gods afterward, so Yahweh let other nations conquer them

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Joshua reappears in the story after it tells how he died

In Judges 2:6–9, the author repeats Joshua 24:28-31 to remind readers how the people of Israel served Yahweh faithfully when they first arrived in the land of Canaan. This is background information. After these verses, the main story of the book of Judges begins. It is about how the Israelites then worshiped other gods, but Yahweh repeatedly brought them back to himself and delivered them from their enemies when they repented. It may seem strange for the book to speak of Joshua doing something, since it begins “after the death of Joshua.” So you can translate this in a way that shows that the author is providing background information by describing something that happened in the past. See the note at 2:6 for a specific suggestion.

“Cut a covenant”

The phrase “cut a covenant” occurs in this chapter. It means “make a covenant.” The word “cut” reflects the cultural background. It is used because in some covenant ceremonies, the participants would cut up animals and then walk between the pieces. This was to indicate, “If I break this covenant, may I be destroyed in this same way.” It is not necessary to understand this background to covenant ceremonies in order to understand the action in this chapter, so you do not have to use the term “cut” in your translation. You could simply say “make,” or you could use an expression from your own language and culture.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

"fathers"

In this chapter, the author uses the word “fathers” several times to mean “ancestors.” He is not speaking of the immediate male parents of the Israelites, but of the generations who lived before them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. (See: Metaphor)

Symbolic action

In this chapter, the author speaks of the Israelites bowing down to idols that represented foreign gods. This was a symbolic action that constituted a public act of worship, so it represented a definitive expression of allegiance to those gods. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. When the book says that the Israelites bowed down to foreign gods, you could say, for example, that they “worshiped them by bowing down to them.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-symaction)

Judges 2:1

the angel of Yahweh

Quote: מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion of the phrase the angel of Yahweh in the Introduction to Judges.

Bokim

Quote: הַ⁠בֹּכִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Bokim is the name of a place. The Israelites actually give the place this name at the end of this episode, in 2:5, but the author is using it here because his readers knew the place by that name. See the UST for one way to handle this issue.

and said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמֶר֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and said to the Israelites, who had gathered there]

I am bringing you up

Quote: אַעֲלֶ֨ה אֶתְ⁠כֶ֜ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

The angel, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, is using the present tense to describe a past event. He may be doing that because delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and settling them in the land of Canaan together constitute a single work on their behalf that was still ongoing at this point. However, if it would not be natural for a speaker of your language to use the present tense in such a context, you could use the past tense in your translation. Alternate translation: [I brought you up from Egypt]

to your fathers

Quote: לַ⁠אֲבֹ֣תֵי⁠כֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

As the Notes to this chapter discuss, the angel is using the term fathers to mean “ancestors.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to your ancestors]

And I have said, ‘I will forever not break my covenant with you

Quote: וָ⁠אֹמַ֕ר לֹֽא־אָפֵ֧ר בְּרִיתִ֛⁠י אִתְּ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠עוֹלָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And I have said that I would not break my covenant with you, to eternity]

Judges 2:2

And you, you shall not cut a covenant with the dwellers of this land. Their altars you shall demolish

Quote: וְ⁠אַתֶּ֗ם לֹֽא־תִכְרְת֤וּ בְרִית֙ לְ⁠יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙ הָ⁠אָ֣רֶץ הַ⁠זֹּ֔את מִזְבְּחוֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם תִּתֹּצ֑וּ⁠ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If you decided in the previous verse to translate this quotation in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: [But I also said that you were not to cut a covenant with the dwellers of this land. You were to demolish their altars]

But you have not heard my voice

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥ם בְּ⁠קֹלִ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, here the word heard has the specific sense of “obeyed.” Alternate translation: [But you have not obeyed my voice]

But you have not heard my voice

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥ם בְּ⁠קֹלִ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The angel, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, is using the word voice by association to mean what he said by using his voice. Alternate translation: [But you have disobeyed what I commanded]

What {is} this you have done

Quote: מַה־זֹּ֥את עֲשִׂיתֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The angel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should not have done this!]

Judges 2:3

And I have also said, ‘I will not expel them from the face of you, but they will be to you in the sides, and their gods will be to you for a snare

Quote: וְ⁠גַ֣ם אָמַ֔רְתִּי לֹֽא־אֲגָרֵ֥שׁ אוֹתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠כֶ֑ם וְ⁠הָי֤וּ לָ⁠כֶם֙ לְ⁠צִדִּ֔ים וֵ⁠אלֹ֣הֵי⁠הֶ֔ם יִהְי֥וּ לָ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠מוֹקֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And I have also said that I would not expel them from before you, but they would be to you like thorns in your sides, and their gods would be a snare to you]

And I have also said

Quote: וְ⁠גַ֣ם אָמַ֔רְתִּי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The angel, representing Yahweh, assumes that the Israelites will know when he also said this. In Numbers 33:55, Yahweh told the Israelites that if they did not drive out the Canaanites, the ones who remained would be thorns in their sides. In Joshua 23:12–13, Joshua warned the Israelites that if they made treaties with the Canaanite nations and intermarried with them, then Yahweh would no longer dispossess those nations and they would be thorns and a snare to the Israelites. So the angel seems to be indicating that Joshua was speaking on behalf of Yahweh when Joshua said that Yahweh would no longer drive out the Canaanites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And as I said through Joshua]

from the face of you

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [from your presence]

but they will be to you in the sides

Quote: וְ⁠הָי֤וּ לָ⁠כֶם֙ לְ⁠צִדִּ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The angel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [but they will be thorns in your sides]

but they will be to you in the sides

Quote: וְ⁠הָי֤וּ לָ⁠כֶם֙ לְ⁠צִדִּ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh spoke as if the Canaanites would literally be thorns in the sides of the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [but they will continually cause trouble for you]

and their gods will be to you for a snare

Quote: וֵ⁠אלֹ֣הֵי⁠הֶ֔ם יִהְי֥וּ לָ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠מוֹקֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh spoke as if the gods of the Canaanites would literally be a snare in which the Israelites would be caught. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and worshiping their gods will be the cause of your destruction]

Judges 2:4

Now it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֗י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this phrase to introduce background information that is not part of the main narrative. This verse and the next verse explain how this place got the name Bokim. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [the Israelites]

that the people lifted up their voice and wept

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ הָ⁠עָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖⁠ם וַ⁠יִּבְכּֽוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of voice. Alternate translation: [that the people lifted up their voices and wept]

that the people lifted up their voice and wept

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ הָ⁠עָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖⁠ם וַ⁠יִּבְכּֽוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if a voice were literally something that the people of Israel could have lifted up. He means that they spoke loudly. Your language may have an expression of its own that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [that the people wept in loud voices]

that the people lifted up their voice and wept

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֥וּ הָ⁠עָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖⁠ם וַ⁠יִּבְכּֽוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

The phrase lifted up their voice and wept conveys a single idea by using two expressions connected with and. The expression lifted up their voice tells in what way the people wept. Alternate translation: [that the people wept out loud]

Judges 2:5

So they called the name of that place Bokim

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֛וּ שֵֽׁם־הַ⁠מָּק֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֖וּא בֹּכִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will know that Bokim means “weepers.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could provide this information in a footnote, or you could put it in the text of your translation, as the UST does.

So they called the name of that place

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֛וּ שֵֽׁם־הַ⁠מָּק֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֖וּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression they called the name of that place contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. See how you translated the same expression in 1:17. Alternate translation: [So they called that place]

Judges 2:6

And Joshua dismissed the people, and the sons of Israel went

Quote: וַ⁠יְשַׁלַּ֥ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֑ם וַ⁠יֵּלְכ֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. See the discussion of this in the Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: [Now after Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel had gone]

a man to his inheritance

Quote: אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠נַחֲלָת֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the land that Joshua assigned to the tribes were literally an inheritance that they received from a relative who had died. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [each one to his assigned territory]

Judges 2:7

And the people served Yahweh

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעַבְד֤וּ הָ⁠עָם֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

If you decided to translate 2:6 in a way that showed it was background information, you can continue to do that in this verse. Alternate translation: [And the people had served Yahweh]

all of the days of Joshua and all of the days of the elders

Quote: כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וְ⁠כֹ֣ל ׀ יְמֵ֣י הַ⁠זְּקֵנִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

In these phrases, the author is using the term days to refer to a specific time, the lifetimes of Joshua and these elders. He is doing this by association with the way a lifetime is made up of individual days. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [throughout the lifetimes of Joshua and the elders]

who had lengthened their days after Joshua

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּ יָמִים֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשׁ֔וּעַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is speaking as if these elders had done something to make their days longer after Joshua died. He is using a common expression that means that their days, that is, their lifetimes, continued for some years after Joshua died. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who had outlived Joshua]

all of the great deed of

Quote: אֵ֣ת כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה & הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

In a context such as this, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of deed. Alternate translation: [all of the great deeds]

Judges 2:8

And Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֛מָת יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן־נ֖וּן עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

If you have been translating these verses in a way that shows they are background information, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: [Now Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, had died]

Nun

Quote: נ֖וּן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Nun is the name of a man, the father of Joshua.

a son of 110 years

Quote: בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה וָ⁠עֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

In certain contexts, the expression son of indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In cases such as this, it specifically describes how old a person is. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when he was 110 years old]

Judges 2:9

And they buried him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְבְּר֤וּ אוֹת⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

If you have been translating these verses in a way that shows they are background information, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: [And they had buried him]

And they buried him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְבְּר֤וּ אוֹת⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And his people buried him] or [And he was buried]

in Timnath Heres, … Gaash

Quote: בְּ⁠תִמְנַת־חֶ֖רֶס & גָּֽעַשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Timnath Heres are the name of an area.

Judges 2:10

And all of that generation was also gathered to its fathers

Quote: וְ⁠גַם֙ כָּל־הַ⁠דּ֣וֹר הַ⁠ה֔וּא נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל־אֲבוֹתָ֑י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, the context suggests that it was Yahweh. Alternate translation: [And Yahweh also gathered all of that generation to its fathers]

And … was also gathered to its fathers

Quote: וְ⁠גַם֙ & נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל־אֲבוֹתָ֑י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The author is using gathered to its fathers to mean that the people of that generation died. This is a mild way of referring to death. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [And … also passed away]

who did not know Yahweh and also the deed that he had done for Israel

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא־יָֽדְעוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וְ⁠גַם֙ אֶת־הַֽ⁠מַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [who did not know Yahweh and also did not know the deed that he had done for Israel]

the deed

Quote: אֶת־הַֽ⁠מַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to all of the things that Yahweh … had done for Israel, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of deed as in 2:7. Alternate translation: [the deeds]

Judges 2:11

evil

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠רַ֖ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of evil, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [what was evil] or [things that were evil]

in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term eyes by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. See the discussion of this usage in the Introduction to Judges. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in Yahweh’s judgment]

the Baals

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠בְּעָלִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Baals is the plural of the name Baal. While Baal was generally the name of one particular false god, the word was also used for various other gods that were often worshiped along with Baal. If using the plural name in your translation would not be clear for your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [many false gods]

Judges 2:12

and they went after other gods

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּלְכ֞וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites literally went after the false gods that they worshiped, that is, as if they walked somewhere following them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they served other gods]

and they bowed down to them

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

As the Notes to this chapter discuss, bowing down to these gods was a symbolic action that was an act of worship. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [and they worshiped them by bowing down to them]

Judges 2:13

and the Ashtoreths

Quote: וְ⁠לָ⁠עַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Ashtoreths is the plural of the name Ashtoreth. This was a false goddess who was worshiped in many different forms. If using the plural name in your translation would not be clear for your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [many false goddesses]

Judges 2:14

Then the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, the author is using the term nose to mean anger, by association with the way that a person who is angry breathes heavily through his nose. Your language and culture may also associate anger with a particular part of the body. If so, you could use an expression involving that part of the body in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [Then Yahweh became very angry with Israel]

Then the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh’s anger literally burned, as if it were a fire. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [Then Yahweh became furious with Israel]

And he sold them into the hand of their enemies from around

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּמְכְּרֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֽוֹיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ מִ⁠סָּבִ֔יב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh had literally sold the Israelites as slaves to the hostile nations around them. He means that the Israelites became subject to those nations. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And he made them subjects of the enemies that surrounded them]

And he sold them into the hand of their enemies

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּמְכְּרֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֽוֹיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here, hand represents possession, by association with the way that people may hold something that they own in their hands. It was as if the hostile nations owned the Israelites as their slaves. Alternate translation: [And he made them subject to their enemies]

and they were not able anymore to stand to the face of their enemies

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ ע֔וֹד לַ⁠עֲמֹ֖ד לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י אוֹיְבֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites could literally not stand up in the presence of their enemies. As the Introduction to Judges discusses, here face represents their presence, by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they were no longer able to resist their enemies]

Judges 2:15

just as Yahweh had spoken and just as Yahweh had sworn to them

Quote: כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה וְ⁠כַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֛ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לָ⁠הֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two expressions connected with and. The word sworn tells in what way Yahweh spoke. Alternate translation: [as Yahweh had said solemnly that he would do]

And it narrowed to them greatly

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֥צֶר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites were literally brought into a place where they had very little room on either side of them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And they were in great distress]

Judges 2:16

Then Yahweh raised up judges

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֥קֶם יְהוָ֖ה שֹֽׁפְטִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh had literally raised up these judges, that is, as if Yahweh had lifted them up to a high place. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Yahweh provided judges]

Judges 2:17

But even to their judges they did not listen. … to hear the commandments of Yahweh

Quote: וְ⁠גַ֤ם אֶל־שֹֽׁפְטֵי⁠הֶם֙ לֹ֣א שָׁמֵ֔עוּ & לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֥עַ מִצְוֺת־יְהוָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:2. Alternate translation: [But they would not even obey their judges … to obey the commands of Yahweh]

they whored after other gods

Quote: זָנ֗וּ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had literally acted as prostitutes for other gods. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they betrayed Yahweh by worshiping other gods]

They turned quickly from the way that their fathers had walked

Quote: סָ֣רוּ מַהֵ֗ר מִן־הַ⁠דֶּ֜רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָלְכ֧וּ אֲבוֹתָ֛⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of how people live as if that were a way or path that people walked along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [They quickly stopped living in the manner that their fathers had]

Judges 2:18

For when Yahweh raised up for them judges, … For Yahweh had compassion because of their groaning from the faces of their afflicters and their oppressors

Quote: וְ⁠כִֽי־הֵקִ֨ים יְהוָ֥ה ׀ לָ⁠הֶם֮ שֹֽׁפְטִים֒ & כִּֽי־יִנָּחֵ֤ם יְהוָה֙ מִ⁠נַּֽאֲקָתָ֔⁠ם מִ⁠פְּנֵ֥י לֹחֲצֵי⁠הֶ֖ם וְ⁠דֹחֲקֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could put the second sentence of this verse at the beginning of the verse, since it gives the reason for what the rest of the verse describes. Within that sentence, you could also put the reason before the result. Alternate translation: [For the people of Israel were groaning because of their afflicters and oppressors. Yahweh had compassion on them, so he raised up judges for them]

Yahweh raised up for them judges

Quote: הֵקִ֨ים יְהוָ֥ה ׀ לָ⁠הֶם֮ שֹֽׁפְטִים֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the expression raised up in 2:16. Alternate translation: [Yahweh provided judges for them]

and he saved them

Quote: וְ⁠הֽוֹשִׁיעָ⁠ם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun them refers to the Israelites. The pronoun he could refer either to Yahweh or to the judge, although there is not a significant difference in meaning. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh saved the Israelites] or [and that enabled the judge to save the Israelites]

all of the days of the judge

Quote: כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י הַ⁠שּׁוֹפֵ֑ט (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the word days in 2:7. Alternate translation: [throughout the lifetime of that judge]

from the faces of their afflicters and their oppressors

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֥י לֹחֲצֵי⁠הֶ֖ם וְ⁠דֹחֲקֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of these enemies, their faces, to represent the enemies themselves in the act of afflicting and oppressing the Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [caused by their afflicters and their oppressors]

Judges 2:19

they turned

Quote: יָשֻׁ֨בוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had literally been walking behind God but then turned away to walk in a different direction from him. He means that they stopped living in the manner in which God wants people to live. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they changed their behavior]

to walk after other gods

Quote: לָ⁠לֶ֗כֶת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of how people live as if that were a path that people would walk along. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [to live as the followers of other gods do]

They did not drop

Quote: לֹ֤א הִפִּ֨ילוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites could literally drop their wrong actions, that is, have them fall out of their hands onto the ground. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [They did not give up]

any} of their deeds or {any} of their stubborn ways

Quote: מִ⁠מַּ֣עַלְלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וּ⁠מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֖⁠ם הַ⁠קָּשָֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the actions that people do as if those were ways or paths that people were walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [any of their deeds or any of their stubborn actions]

any} of their deeds or {any} of their … ways

Quote: מִ⁠מַּ֣עַלְלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וּ⁠מִ⁠דַּרְכָּ֖⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms deeds and ways mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 2:20

So the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [So Yahweh became furious with Israel]

and they have not listened to my voice

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ לְ⁠קוֹלִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh is using the word voice to represent what he said by using his voice, and he is using the term listened to mean by association “obey.” See how you translated the similar expression in 2:17. Alternate translation: [and they have not obeyed what I commanded]

Judges 2:22

whether they will be keeping the way of Yahweh, to walk in them

Quote: הֲ⁠שֹׁמְרִ֣ים הֵם֩ אֶת־דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה לָ⁠לֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression with way and walk in 2:17. Alternate translation: [are they living in the manner that Yahweh wishes, obeying his commandments]

the way of Yahweh

Quote: אֶת־דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: [my way]

to walk in them

Quote: לָ⁠לֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Since the pronoun them is plural, it is not a reference back to the way of Yahweh. It is probably a reference instead to the commandments of Yahweh, which were mentioned in the corresponding phrase in 2:17. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [to walk in his commandments] or [to obey his commandments]

Judges 2:23

and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יַד־יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using Joshua to represent the entire army of Israel, which Joshua commanded. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and he did not enable the Israelite soldiers under the command of Joshua to conquer them]

Judges 3

Judges 3 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

• Verses 1–8: The Israelites lived with other nations and worshiped their gods
• Verses 9–11: God sent Othniel to rescue Israel from Aram
• Verses 12–30: God sent Ehud to rescue Israel from Moab
• Verse 31: God sent Shamgar to rescue Israel from the Philistines

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Yahweh allowed other nations to conquer Israel

As 3:5–8 explains, Israel worshiped idols and false gods. Because of this, Yahweh allowed the nations of Aram and Moab to rule over them. In the period of Judges, when Israel sinned, they were often placed under the rule of a foreign power. However, when the people repented, Yahweh sent judges to deliver them. This chapter describes how Yahweh sent Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar to rescue Israel from foreign control. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

The carved images at Gilgal

Biblical scholars are not entirely sure what the “carved images” mentioned in 3:19 were. They could have been some kind of boundary marker. Some interpreters associate them with the twelve large stones that Joshua set up at Gilgal in Joshua 4:20. They seem to have been a recognizable landmark of some kind. Once Ehud and the porters reached them, Ehud knew that the porters were back in Israelite territory and could find their way safely back home from there without him. In your translation, you might refer to these as “carved stones” or, as in the UST, “boundary stones.”

Judges 3:1

Now those nations that Yahweh left for the testing of Israel by them, all who had not known any of the wars of Canaan

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֤לֶּה הַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִנִּ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠נַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖⁠ם אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֵ֚ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יָדְע֔וּ אֵ֖ת כָּל־מִלְחֲמ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Now many of the Israelites had not known any of the wars of Canaan, so Yahweh left some nations for the testing of Israel by them]

Now those nations

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֤לֶּה הַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Judges 3:2

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:4. Alternate translation: [the Israelites]

had not known them

Quote: לֹ֥א יְדָעֽוּ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

This instance of the pronoun them refers to the wars against the Canaanites described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [had not experienced these wars]

Judges 3:3

the Canaanite and the Sidonian and the Hivite

Quote: הַֽ⁠כְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠צִּ֣ידֹנִ֔י וְ⁠הַ֣⁠חִוִּ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific Canaanite, Sidonian, or Hivite. He means the members of those people groups in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Canaanites and Sidonians and Hivites]

from Mount Baal Hermon

Quote: מֵ⁠הַר֙ בַּ֣עַל חֶרְמ֔וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Mount Baal Hermon seems to be another name for the mountain that was also known as Mount Hermon. This is the tallest mountain in Israel. It is at the southern tip of the Lebanon mountain range.

Judges 3:4

whether they would hear

Quote: הֲ⁠יִשְׁמְעוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:2. Alternate translation: [whether they would obey]

the commandments of Yahweh, which he commanded their fathers

Quote: אֶת־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה אֶת־אֲבוֹתָ֖⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

For emphasis, the author is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [the commandments that Yahweh ordered their fathers to obey]

by the hand of Moses

Quote: בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using the hand of Moses to represent Moses himself in the act of giving the commandments of Yahweh to Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [through Moses]

Judges 3:5

the Canaanite, the Hittite, and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite

Quote: הַֽ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֑י הַ⁠חִתִּ֤י וְ⁠הָֽ⁠אֱמֹרִי֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֔י וְ⁠הַ⁠חִוִּ֖י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

See how you translated the similar list of people groups in 3:3. Alternate translation: [the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites]

Judges 3:6

And they took their daughters for themselves as wives, and they gave their daughters to their sons, and they served their gods

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְח֨וּ אֶת־בְּנוֹתֵי⁠הֶ֤ם לָ⁠הֶם֙ לְ⁠נָשִׁ֔ים וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנוֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם נָתְנ֣וּ לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֑ם וַ⁠יַּעַבְד֖וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

It may be helpful to clarify for your readers the references of the pronouns in this verse. Alternate translation: [And the Israelites took the daughters of these nations for themselves as wives, and the Israelites gave their daughters to the sons of these nations, and the Israelites served the gods of these nations]

Judges 3:7

evil

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠רַע֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

See how you translated the same expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [what was evil] or [things that were evil]

in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [in Yahweh’s judgment]

the Baals and the Asherahs

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠בְּעָלִ֖ים וְ⁠אֶת־הָ⁠אֲשֵׁרֽוֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [many false gods and goddesses]

Judges 3:8

Then the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Then. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Then the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [Then Yahweh became furious with Israel]

and he sold them into the hand of

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּמְכְּרֵ֗⁠ם בְּ⁠יַד֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [and he made them subjects of]

Aram Naharaim

Quote: אֲרַ֣ם נַהֲרָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Aram Naharaim is the name of a country.

Judges 3:9

and Yahweh raised up a savior

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֨קֶם יְהוָ֥ה מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:16. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh provided a savior] or [and Yahweh provided someone to deliver]

Judges 3:10

And the Spirit of Yahweh was upon him

Quote: וַ⁠תְּהִ֨י עָלָ֥י⁠ו רֽוּחַ־יְהוָה֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Spirit of Yahweh had physically been upon or on top of Othniel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the Spirit of Yahweh powerfully influenced him]

And he went out to war

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצֵא֙ לַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Othniel did not do this by himself. Rather, he led an army of soldiers that did this. The author is speaking of Othniel, one person who was involved in this action, to mean everyone who was involved. Alternate translation: [And he led the army of Israel out to war]

and Yahweh gave Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram, into his hand

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יָד֔⁠וֹ אֶת־כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 1:4. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh gave him the power to defeat Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram]

and Yahweh gave Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram, into his hand

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יָד֔⁠וֹ אֶת־כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is speaking of Cushan-Rishathaim to mean that king and his whole army. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh gave him the power to defeat the army of Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram]

So his hand was strong against Cushan-Rishathaim

Quote: וַ⁠תָּ֣עָז יָד֔⁠וֹ עַ֖ל כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתָֽיִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that means that Othniel won the battle against this king because his forces were more powerful. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [So he prevailed against Cushan-Rishathaim]

Judges 3:11

And the land rested 40 years

Quote: וַ⁠תִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author is speaking as if the land on which the Israelites lived were a living thing that rested after a foreign occupier was driven away. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And there were no more wars for 40 years]

Judges 3:12

evil in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: הָ⁠רַ֖ע בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:11 and 3:7. Alternate translation: [what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment]

So Yahweh strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab, against Israel, because they did evil in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: וַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־עֶגְל֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֛ל כִּֽי־עָשׂ֥וּ אֶת־הָ⁠רַ֖ע בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [So because the Israelites did evil in his eyes, Yahweh strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab, against them]

So Yahweh strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab, against Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־עֶגְל֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is speaking of Eglon to mean that king and his army. Alternate translation: [So Yahweh enabled Eglon to build a strong army to attack Israel]

Judges 3:13

And he gathered to him the sons of Ammon and Amalek

Quote: וַ⁠יֶּאֱסֹ֣ף אֵלָ֔י⁠ו אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן וַ⁠עֲמָלֵ֑ק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, sons means “descendants.” While the phrase the sons of Ammon and Amalek could refer to the entire Ammonite and Amalekite people groups, here the term sons may have male descendants, specifically soldiers, in view. Alternate translation: [And he made a military alliance with the Ammonites and Amalekites] or [And he joined forces with the Ammonite and Amalekite armies]

and struck Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יַּךְ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term struck in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [and attacked the Israelites]

the City of Palms

Quote: אֶת־עִ֥יר הַ⁠תְּמָרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated this name in 1:16. Alternate translation: [Jericho]

Judges 3:15

and Yahweh raised up a savior for them

Quote: וַ⁠יָּקֶם֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָ⁠הֶ֜ם מוֹשִׁ֗יעַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:16. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh provided a savior for them] or [and Yahweh provided someone to deliver them]

Ehud, the son of Gera

Quote: אֶת־אֵה֤וּד בֶּן־גֵּרָא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Ehud and Gera are the names of men.

a man impeded in his right hand

Quote: אִ֥ישׁ אִטֵּ֖ר יַד־יְמִינ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Ehud literally had some limitation in the use of his right hand. In the context of this culture, the phrase probably indicates that he could use his left hand better than he could use his right hand but that he actually had no restriction in the use of either hand. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a left-handed man]

And the sons of Israel sent tribute by his hand

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁלְח֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל בְּ⁠יָד⁠וֹ֙ מִנְחָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using the hand of Ehud to represent Ehud himself in the act of bringing tribute to Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the sons of Israel sent tribute with Ehud]

Judges 3:16

and two mouths {were} to it

Quote: וְ⁠לָ֛⁠הּ שְׁנֵ֥י פֵי֖וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author is speaking of Ehud’s sword as if it had been a living thing that had a mouth and could eat. This is probably a reference to the way a sword cuts into a person as if it were an animal biting him. Since the author speaks of the sword having two mouths, in this context the word mouths probably refers to the edges of the sword. Alternate translation: [it was double-edged]

a cubit {was} its length

Quote: גֹּ֣מֶד אָרְכָּ֑⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance

The word translated as cubit describes the distance from a typical person’s elbow to the knuckles of his clenched fist. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this distance in terms of modern measurements. Alternate translation: [it was about half a meter long] or [it was about eighteen inches long]

Judges 3:17

Now Eglon

Quote: וְ⁠עֶגְל֕וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Judges 3:18

that he sent away the people

Quote: וַ⁠יְשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to Ehud, not Eglon, in both instances in this verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [that Ehud sent away the people]

Now it happened

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Judges 3:19

But he himself turned back

Quote: וְ⁠ה֣וּא שָׁ֗ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

For emphasis, the author is stating the pronoun he, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated as turned. If your language can state implied pronouns explicitly for emphasis, you may want to use that construction here in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of bringing out this emphasis. The ULT does so by using the intensive pronoun himself. Alternate translation: [But as for him, he turned back]

the carved images

Quote: הַ⁠פְּסִילִים֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of what these carved images might have been and for some suggestions of how to describe them in your translation.

and he said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֕אמֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he returned to King Eglon. Ehud said to him]

A word of secrecy {is} to me for you

Quote: דְּבַר־סֵ֥תֶר לִ֛⁠י אֵלֶ֖י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of secrecy, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [I have something secret to tell you]

And he said, “Hush

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר הָ֔ס (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

“The pronoun he refers to Eglon. This could mean: (1) that he wanted silence in his court, and he specifically wanted everyone except him and Ehud to leave the room so that the court would be silent. Alternate translation: [And King Eglon told his servants, “Leave us here alone”] (2) that he was telling Ehud not to say anything further, since his message was secret, until everyone else left. Alternate translation: [And King Eglon told Ehud, “Keep quiet for a moment”]

Judges 3:20

Then Ehud came to him. Now he was sitting in the upper room of coolness that {was} to him

Quote: וְ⁠אֵה֣וּד ׀ בָּ֣א אֵלָ֗י⁠ו וְ⁠הֽוּא־יֹ֠שֵׁב בַּ⁠עֲלִיַּ֨ת הַ⁠מְּקֵרָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־ל⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The word came could indicate: (1) that Ehud walked up close to Eglon and stood in front of him. Alternate translation: [Then Ehud approached him. Now he was sitting in his upper room of coolness] (2) that Ehud came into the upper room where Eglon was sitting. If so, this could mean that Ehud actually sent word to Eglon through his servants that he had a message for him, and Eglon summoned Ehud to come into his room where the two of them could speak privately once all the servants had left. Alternate translation: [Then Ehud entered the upper room of coolness in which the king was sitting]

Now he was sitting

Quote: וְ⁠הֽוּא־יֹ֠שֵׁב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

in the upper room of coolness that {was} to him

Quote: בַּ⁠עֲלִיַּ֨ת הַ⁠מְּקֵרָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־ל⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The phrase upper room of coolness describes a room in a palace that was designed to give rulers a place to go to escape the heat of summer, which was intense in this climate. Sometimes these were interior rooms on whose walls the sun did not shine, and sometimes they were rooms in a garden within the palace complex. In this case, it seems to have been a room on the roof that was exposed to currents of air, since the author describes it with the term upper room. Your language and culture may have an expression to describe such a room. Alternate translation: [in his summer parlor] or [in his cool roof chamber]

And he arose

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֖קָם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

King Eglon arose as a symbolic action to show respect for God and the message he thought God was sending to him through Ehud. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [And he stood up respectfully]

Judges 3:21

and he thrust it into his belly

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְקָעֶ֖⁠הָ בְּ⁠בִטְנֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to Ehud, and the pronoun his refers to Eglon. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and Ehud thrust the sword into Eglon’s belly]

Judges 3:22

and the fat closed around the handle, for he did not pull the sword from his belly

Quote: וַ⁠יִּסְגֹּ֤ר הַ⁠חֵ֨לֶב֙ בְּעַ֣ד הַ⁠לַּ֔הַב כִּ֣י לֹ֥א שָׁלַ֛ף הַ⁠חֶ֖רֶב מִ⁠בִּטְנ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [and since Ehud did not pull the sword from Eglon’s belly, the fat closed around the handle]

and excrement came out

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֖א הַֽ⁠פַּרְשְׁדֹֽנָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as excrement occurs only here in the Old Testament, so its meaning is not entirely certain. This could mean: (1) that Eglon’s bowels discharged from the force and shock of the sword thrust. (See the Notes to this chapter for a further discussion of this possibility.) Your language may have a way of referring to this discreetly. Alternate translation: [and he soiled himself] (2) that the point of the sword came out the other side of Eglon’s body. Alternate translation: [and the point came out the other side] (3) that Ehud went out to a chamber within this room before leaving the room itself. Alternate translation: [and he went out to the vestibule]

Judges 3:23

to} the porch

Quote: הַֽ⁠מִּסְדְּר֑וֹנָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as porch occurs only here in the Old Testament, so its meaning is not entirely certain. Most interpreters understand it to mean a covered entrance area just outside the room Ehud had been in. Your language and culture may have an expression to describe such an area. Alternate translation: [to the vestibule]

Judges 3:24

And he went out, and his servants came

Quote: וְ⁠ה֤וּא יָצָא֙ וַ⁠עֲבָדָ֣י⁠ו בָּ֔אוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to Ehud, and the pronoun his refers to Eglon. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And Ehud went out, and Eglon’s servants came]

and they looked, and behold, the doors of the upper room {were} bolted

Quote: וַ⁠יִּרְא֕וּ וְ⁠הִנֵּ֛ה דַּלְת֥וֹת הָ⁠עֲלִיָּ֖ה נְעֻל֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is using the term behold to indicate that what the servants found when they looked was unexpected. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they discovered that the doors of the upper room were bolted]

the doors of the upper room {were} bolted

Quote: דַּלְת֥וֹת הָ⁠עֲלִיָּ֖ה נְעֻל֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [someone had bolted the doors of the upper room]

he is covering his feet

Quote: מֵסִ֥יךְ ה֛וּא אֶת־רַגְלָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The servants are using the phrase covering his feet as a polite way of referring to an activity that is done in private. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [he is going to the bathroom]

in the chamber of coolness

Quote: בַּ⁠חֲדַ֥ר הַ⁠מְּקֵרָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

See how you translated the expression “the upper room of coolness” in 3:20. The word chamber here is different from the word “upper chamber” there, but the author is referring to the same room, so you can use the same expression here as you did there.

Judges 3:25

until they felt ashamed

Quote: עַד־בּ֔וֹשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author implicitly means that the servants felt ashamed because they were supposed to stay in the king’s presence and remain available to fulfill any request of his. (The author describes these servants in 3:19 as those who were usually “standing around” him.) You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [until they felt they were neglecting their duty]

the opener

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠מַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as opener refers to a device that people in this culture used to release the inside bolt of a door from the outside. It was a bar of wood, hooked on one end, that people would pass through a hole in a door in order to catch and lift the bolt inside. If the word opener would be unclear and it would be difficult or complicated to explain what it was, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: [the key]

Judges 3:26

But Ehud escaped during their delaying

Quote: וְ⁠אֵה֥וּד נִמְלַ֖ט עַ֣ד הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

Since Ehud escaping is new information, it may be more natural in your language to present it after the information that readers already have, about Eglon’s servants delaying. Alternate translation: [Now while they were delaying, Ehud escaped]

the carved images

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠פְּסִילִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

See how you translated the same expression in 3:19.

Judges 3:27

that he blew on the shofar

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְקַ֥ע בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Ehud blew on the shofar to summon the Israelites to battle. The UST models one way to indicate this explicitly.

on the shofar

Quote: בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

A shofar is the horn of a ram (a male sheep) that has been made into a musical instrument. If your readers would not be familiar with this, in your translation, you could use the name of a similar object that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [a loud horn]

was} to the face of them

Quote: לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3.

Judges 3:27-28

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֣י בְּ⁠בוֹא֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּתְקַ֥ע בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֖ר בְּ⁠הַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַ⁠יֵּרְד֨וּ עִמּ֧⁠וֹ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִן־הָ⁠הָ֖ר וְ⁠ה֥וּא לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽם׃ וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵ⁠הֶם֙ רִדְפ֣וּ אַחֲרַ֔⁠י כִּֽי־נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֧ה אֶת־אֹיְבֵי⁠כֶ֛ם אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֑ם וַ⁠יֵּרְד֣וּ אַחֲרָ֗י⁠ו וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ אֶת־מַעְבְּר֤וֹת הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּן֙ לְ⁠מוֹאָ֔ב וְ⁠לֹֽא־נָתְנ֥וּ אִ֖ישׁ לַ⁠עֲבֹֽר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge

You could also create a verse bridge and combine verses 27 and 28 so that the background information comes within the flow of the narrative. Alternate translation: [Now it happened at his coming that he blew on the shofar in the hill country of Ephraim. And he said to them, ”Follow after me, for Yahweh has given your enemies, Moab, into your hand.“ Then the sons of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was to the face of them. They captured the fords of the Jordan opposite Moab, and they did not allow anyone to cross over]

Judges 3:28

Now he had said to them, “Follow after me, for Yahweh has given your enemies, Moab, into your hand

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵ⁠הֶם֙ רִדְפ֣וּ אַחֲרַ֔⁠י כִּֽי־נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֧ה אֶת־אֹיְבֵי⁠כֶ֛ם אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information that will help readers understand what is happening in the story. In the previous verse, the author described how “the sons of Israel went down with” Ehud “from the hill country.” This sentence explains that they had the courage to do that because Ehud had announced that Yahweh had promised them victory. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

your enemies, … into your hand

Quote: אֶת־אֹיְבֵי⁠כֶ֛ם & בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The word your is plural in these instances because Ehud is addressing the Israelites, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. (Because your is plural, it may be more natural in your language to say “hands” rather than hand.)

Moab, … opposite Moab

Quote: אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב & לְ⁠מוֹאָ֔ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, Ehud is using the word Moab in its first instance in this verse by association to mean the Moabite army. However, in the second instance, the author is using the word Moab to mean the country that has that name. Alternate translation: [the Moabite army … the territory of Moab]

Judges 3:30

So Moab was subdued on that day under the hand of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠תִּכָּנַ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֔וּא תַּ֖חַת יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So the hand of Israel subdued Moab on that day]

and the land rested 80 years

Quote: וַ⁠תִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the same expression in 3:11. Alternate translation: [And there were no more wars for 80 years]

Judges 3:31

After him

Quote: וְ⁠אַחֲרָ֤י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun him refers to Ehud. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And after Ehud]

Shamgar, the son of Anath

Quote: שַׁמְגַּ֣ר בֶּן־עֲנָ֔ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Shamgar and Anath are the names of men.

with a goad of the ox

Quote: בְּ⁠מַלְמַ֖ד הַ⁠בָּקָ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific ox. He means oxen in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [with a goad for oxen]

with a goad of the ox

Quote: בְּ⁠מַלְמַ֖ד הַ⁠בָּקָ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

To make their cattle move, farmers in this culture would poke them with a long tool that had a point at one end. This tool was called a goad. If your readers would not be familiar with this object, in your translation you could use the name of a similar object that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [with a pole used to urge cattle to move] or [with a pole used to direct cattle]

Judges 4

Judges 4 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The place of this story in the book

To this point, after giving an introduction to the stories of the judges (1:1–3:6), the author has briefly described the work of three judges: Othniel (3:7–11), Ehud (3:12–30), and Shamgar (3:31). In this chapter, he describes at more length the work of another judge, Deborah, and the man she called and helped to lead an Israelite army, Barak.

The ending of the story

In verses 23 and 24, the author ends the story with a summary of what happened. He presents the information in a special form called a chiasm, in which the first and last parts match and the middle parts match. These parts match: “So on that day God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan” and “until that they destroyed Jabin, the king of Canaan.” These parts also match: “to the face of the sons of Israel” and “For going, the hand of the sons of Israel went and {became} severe against Jabin, the king of Canaan.” You may be able to show this in your translation by using some special formatting. For example: So on that day God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan to the face of the sons of Israel For going, the hand of the sons of Israel went and {became} severe against Jabin, the king of Canaan until that they destroyed Jabin, the king of Canaan.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

How had Yahweh already begun to fight Sisera before the Israelites attacked?

In 4:14, Deborah tells Barak that it is time to attack Sisera’s forces because Yahweh has already begun to fight against them. It is not clear from this chapter entirely what this means. But readers learn in the next chapter that there was a great storm on the day of this battle. Deborah says in her song (in 5:4) that when Yahweh marched out, “dark clouds dripped down water” and “the earth shook” (perhaps a reference to thunder). She speaks in 5:21 of the Kishon River flooding. The historian Josephus writes of this battle that “as soon as the armies were engaged, there arose a prodigious tempest of hail and rain, which drove in the faces of the Canaanites, and occasioned a total rout of them.” With the rain, hail, and flooding, Sisera’s forces were not able to make use of their chariots. Barak was able to lead his troops down from the relative safety of Mount Tabor onto the plain and destroy Sisera’s army and its chariots.

“Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman”

When Deborah tells Barak to raise an army to oppose Sisera, he replies, “If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (4:8). Deborah agrees to go with him, but she also tells him that the credit and honor for killing Sisera will not go to him but to a woman. Interpreters have many different ideas about what this means. One possibility is that Barak was insisting on having visible, tangible assurance of God’s presence and help in the person of Deborah, who was a prophetess. Deborah graciously agreed to accompany Barak and provide this assurance, but at the same time she indicated to him that God’s power was so great that Barak should not have put this condition on his obedience. God would use a woman, who in this culture would not have been a warrior, to kill Sisera. At this time, great honor came from killing an enemy commander, and this honor would not go to Barak but to this woman and ultimately to God, who would arrange the circumstances for it. However, it is not necessary to resolve the meaning of this exchange in order to translate this passage. You can report the conversation between Deborah and Barak naturally in your translation without adding any interpretation.

Judges 4:1

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:4. Alternate translation: [the Israelites]

evil in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: הָ⁠רַ֖ע בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment]

after Ehud died

Quote: וְ⁠אֵה֖וּד מֵֽת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

Since readers already have information about Ehud, and since what happened after his death is new information, it may be more natural in your language to put the phrase after Ehud died at the beginning of this verse.

Judges 4:2

And Yahweh sold them into the hand of

Quote: וַ⁠יִּמְכְּרֵ֣⁠ם יְהוָ֗ה בְּ⁠יַד֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [So Yahweh made them subjects of]

king of Canaan

Quote: מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנַ֔עַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Canaan was not a single kingdom; it was an area in which there were many different cities and territories ruled by different kings. The author seems to mean implicitly that Jabin’s rule from Hazor extended over a wide part of the region of Canaan. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [a king who ruled over much of Canaan]

in Hazor. … in Harosheth Haggoyim

Quote: בְּ⁠חָצ֑וֹר & בַּ⁠חֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Hazor and Harosheth Haggoyim are the names of cities.

in Harosheth Haggoyim

Quote: בַּ⁠חֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

The name Harosheth Haggoyim means “Woodcutting of the Nations.” Since there were forests in this area, many interpreters believe that Jabin kept prisoners there from the nations he had conquered and forced them to work cutting down trees. In your translation you could spell this the way it sounds in your language, as the ULT and UST do, or you could use a word or phrase from your language that expresses the meaning of all or part of this name. Alternate translation: [in Harosheth of the Nations] or [in Timberland of the Nations]

Judges 4:3

for 900 chariots of iron {were} to him

Quote: כִּ֠י תְּשַׁ֨ע מֵא֤וֹת רֶֽכֶב־בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronouns him and he seem to refer to Sisera, since these chariots were under his command. Alternate translation: [because Sisera had 900 iron chariots]

chariots of iron

Quote: רֶֽכֶב־בַּרְזֶל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the same expression in 1:19. Alternate translation: [chariots fitted out with iron]

with might

Quote: בְּ⁠חָזְקָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of might, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [mightily]

Judges 4:4

Now Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she {was} judging Israel at that time

Quote: וּ⁠דְבוֹרָה֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה נְבִיאָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת לַפִּיד֑וֹת הִ֛יא שֹׁפְטָ֥ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ⁠עֵ֥ת הַ⁠הִֽיא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using the phrase a woman to introduce Deborah as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [Now a certain woman named Deborah was judging Israel at that time. She was a prophetess, and her husband was named Lappidoth]

Now Deborah, … Lappidoth

Quote: וּ⁠דְבוֹרָה֙ & לַפִּיד֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Deborah is the name of a woman, and the word Lappidoth is the name of a man.

Judges 4:5

was} sitting

Quote: יוֹשֶׁ֨בֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

In this culture, people in positions of authority such as rulers, teachers, and judges would exercise their authority from a seated position. Deborah sitting beneath the tree was therefore a symbolic action that indicated her role as a judge. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [was judging cases]

and … came up

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲל֥וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of came. Alternate translation: [and … went up]

for justice

Quote: לַ⁠מִּשְׁפָּֽט (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of justice, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [to have her judge their cases]

Judges 4:6

for Barak, the son of Abinoam

Quote: לְ⁠בָרָ֣ק בֶּן־אֲבִינֹ֔עַם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Barak and Abinoam are the names of men.

Has not Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and draw out at Mount Tabor, and you shall take with you 10, 000 men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּ⁠מָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠הַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְ⁠לָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּ⁠ךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [Has not Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded you to go and draw out at Mount Tabor and to take with you 10,000 men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun]

Has not Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and draw out at Mount Tabor, and you shall take with you 10, 000 men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּ⁠מָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠הַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְ⁠לָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּ⁠ךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Deborah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. (While the question continues into the next verse, you may find it helpful to divide it into two sentences.) Alternate translation: [Yahweh, the God of Israel, has commanded, ‘Go and draw out at Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun]

and draw out

Quote: וּ⁠מָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

For elegance of expression and to emphasize the certainty of what he is saying, in this verse and the next one Yahweh uses the same verb in two different senses. Here, draw out means to recruit men for an army. In the next verse, it refers to how Yahweh will lure Sisera unsuspectingly into a situation where he and his army will be destroyed. Your language may have a verb that can be used in both of these senses. But if trying to use the same word in both places would be unclear, you could express the meaning. Alternate translation: [and recruit]

10, 000 men

Quote: עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

Here, 10,000 may be an approximate number or a customary way of saying “very many.” Alternate translation: [a large army of men]

Judges 4:7

and I will draw out to you, … and I will give him into your hand

Quote: וּ⁠מָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜י⁠ךָ & וּ⁠נְתַתִּ֖י⁠הוּ בְּ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

In this verse, Deborah is continuing to tell Barak what Yahweh has commanded him. If you began translating this in the previous verse so that there was not a quotation within a quotation, you can continue doing that here. Alternate translation: [and he will draw out to you … and he will give him into your hand]

and I will draw out to you, to the wadi of Kishon, Sisera, the commander of the army of Jabin, and his chariotry and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand

Quote: וּ⁠מָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜י⁠ךָ אֶל־נַ֣חַל קִישׁ֗וֹן אֶת־סִֽיסְרָא֙ שַׂר־צְבָ֣א יָבִ֔ין וְ⁠אֶת־רִכְבּ֖⁠וֹ וְ⁠אֶת־הֲמוֹנ֑⁠וֹ וּ⁠נְתַתִּ֖י⁠הוּ בְּ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This is the continuation of a question that Deborah began asking Barak in the previous verse, using the question form for emphasis. If you began to translate it it as a statement or as an exclamation there, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: [And I will draw out to you, to the wadi of Kishon, Sisera, the commander of the army of Jabin, and his chariotry and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand!]

and I will draw out to you

Quote: וּ⁠מָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

As discussed in a note to 4:6, in his command to Barak, Yahweh uses the same verb in two different senses. Here, draw out refers to how Yahweh will lure Sisera unsuspectingly into a situation where he and his army will be destroyed. Your language may have a verb that can be used in both verses. But if trying to use the same word in both places would be unclear, you could express the meaning. Alternate translation: [And I will lure to you]

Judges 4:8

If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go

Quote: אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖⁠י וְ⁠הָלָ֑כְתִּי וְ⁠אִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖⁠י לֹ֥א אֵלֵֽךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

Barak is describing a condition in which a second event will take place only if a first event does. Your language may have its own way of expressing such conditions. Alternate translation: [Suppose you go with me. Then I will go. But suppose you do not go with me. Then I will not go]

If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go

Quote: אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖⁠י וְ⁠הָלָ֑כְתִּי וְ⁠אִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖⁠י לֹ֥א אֵלֵֽךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Barak is making parallel statements of his position, first positively and then negatively. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: [I will only go if you go with me]

If you will go with me, … go, but if you will not … with me

Quote: אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖⁠י & וְ⁠אִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “come” instead of go. Alternate translation: [If you will come with me … but if you will not come with me]

Judges 4:9

Going, I will go with you

Quote: הָלֹ֧ךְ אֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֗⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Deborah is repeating forms of the verb go in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [I will indeed go with you]

it will not be your honor

Quote: לֹ֨א תִֽהְיֶ֜ה תִּֽפְאַרְתְּ⁠ךָ֗ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of honor, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [people will not honor you]

upon the way that you are going

Quote: עַל־הַ⁠דֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתָּ֣ה הוֹלֵ֔ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Deborah could be using the term way to refer to: (1) Barak’s conduct in saying he will only go if Deborah comes with him. Alternate translation: [since you have said that you will only obey Yahweh on this condition] (2) the military expedition that Barak will be leading. Alternate translation: [for leading this expedition]

for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman

Quote: כִּ֣י בְֽ⁠יַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה יִמְכֹּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [for Yahweh will give a woman the opportunity and power to kill Sisera]

Then Deborah arose

Quote: וַ⁠תָּ֧קָם דְּבוֹרָ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here the expression arose means that Deborah took action, specifically to accompany Barak. It does not mean only that she stood up from where she was sitting beneath the palm tree. See the discussion of this usage in the Introduction of Judges. Alternate translation: [Then Deborah got ready]

Judges 4:10

10,000 men

Quote: עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אַלְפֵ֖י אִ֑ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

See how you translated the same expression in 4:6. Alternate translation: [a large army of men]

at his feet

Quote: בְּ⁠רַגְלָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the feet of Barak by association to represent these men walking where Barak had just walked. In other words, they were following him, and this means that he was their military commander. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [under his command]

Judges 4:11

Now Heber the Kenite

Quote: וְ⁠חֶ֤בֶר הַ⁠קֵּינִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Now Heber … from Kain, … Hobab, … in Zaanannim

Quote: וְ⁠חֶ֤בֶר & מִ⁠קַּ֔יִן & חֹבָ֖ב & בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Heber, Kain, and Hobab are the names of men, and the word Zaanannim is the name of a place.

from Kain

Quote: מִ⁠קַּ֔יִן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is referring to the people group of the Kenites (described in 1:16) by association with its ancestor Kain. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [from the other Kenites]

the father-in-law of Moses

Quote: חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

See how you translated the same expression in 1:16. Alternate translation: [the father of Moses’ wife]

And he had pitched his tent

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֣ט אָהֳל֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one thing that Heber did to mean everything that he did to establish his residency in Zaanannim. (The author indicates in 4:17 that Heber’s wife Jael had her own tent, so at the very least Heber set up more than one tent.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And he had moved to a place]

Judges 4:12

And they reported to Sisera

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגִּ֖דוּ לְ⁠סִֽיסְרָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And people reported to Sisera] or [And Sisera was told]

Judges 4:13

chariots of iron

Quote: רֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the same expression in 4:3. Alternate translation: [chariots fitted out with iron]

Judges 4:14

Arise

Quote: ק֗וּם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Deborah is using the expression Arise to tell Barak to take action and lead his army against Sisera’s army. She is not telling him to get out of bed or stand up from a seated position. Alternate translation: [Get going]

Yahweh has given Sisera into your hand

Quote: נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֤ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָא֙ בְּ⁠יָדֶ֔⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture

To emphasize the certainty of Barak winning this battle, Deborah is speaking as if Yahweh has already given Barak victory over Sisera. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense in your translation. Alternate translation: [Yahweh is going to give Sisera into your hand] or [Yahweh is going to give you the power to conquer Sisera]

Has not Yahweh gone out to the face of you

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֥א יְהוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Deborah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Yahweh has already gone out ahead of you!]

to the face of you

Quote: לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3. Alternate translation: [ahead of you]

Judges 4:15

And Yahweh panicked Sisera and all of the chariotry and all of the army, to the mouth of the sword to the face of Barak

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֣הָם יְ֠הוָה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָ֨א וְ⁠אֶת־כָּל־הָ⁠רֶ֧כֶב וְ⁠אֶת־כָּל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֛ה לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֖רֶב לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י בָרָ֑ק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [And Yahweh panicked Sisera and all of the chariotry and all of the army, with the result that Barak and his army were able to attack them and kill large numbers of them]

to the mouth of the sword

Quote: לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֖רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [since there was wholesale slaughter]

and fled on his feet

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֥נָס בְּ⁠רַגְלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that your language would not naturally express. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and ran away]

Judges 4:16

But Barak

Quote: וּ⁠בָרָ֗ק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using Barak, the commander of the Israelite army, to mean the entire army. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [But Barak and the soldiers he commanded]

and all of the army of Sisera fell by the mouth of the sword. Not even one remained

Quote: וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֞ל כָּל־מַחֲנֵ֤ה סִֽיסְרָא֙ לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֔רֶב לֹ֥א נִשְׁאַ֖ר עַד־אֶחָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The phrases all of the army … fell and Not even one remained mean the same thing. For emphasis, the author is saying it first positively and then negatively. If a speaker of your language would not use repetition like this, in your translation you can convey the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [and every single one of Sisera’s soldiers fell by the mouth of the sword]

and … fell

Quote: וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֞ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word fell to mean “died,” by association with the way that people fall down when they die. Alternate translation: [and … died]

by the mouth of the sword

Quote: לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֔רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse.

Judges 4:17

fled on his feet

Quote: נָ֣ס בְּ⁠רַגְלָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

See how you translated the same expression in 4:15. Alternate translation: [ran away]

Jael

Quote: יָעֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Jael is the name of a woman.

for {there was} peace between Jabin, king of Hazor, and the house of Heber the Kenite

Quote: כִּ֣י שָׁל֗וֹם בֵּ֚ין יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־חָצ֔וֹר וּ⁠בֵ֕ין בֵּ֖ית חֶ֥בֶר הַ⁠קֵּינִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. Since there was peace between Jabin and Heber, Sisera felt that he could safely go to Heber’s compound and find protection there. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

and the house of Heber the Kenite

Quote: וּ⁠בֵ֕ין בֵּ֖ית חֶ֥בֶר הַ⁠קֵּינִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term house to mean an entire household living together. Alternate translation: [and the extended family of Heber the Kenite]

Judges 4:18

Turn aside

Quote: סוּרָ֧⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative

This is an imperative, but it communicates a polite request rather than a command. In your translation, use a form in your language that communicates a polite request. Alternate translation: [Please turn aside]

Turn aside

Quote: סוּרָ֧⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jael means implicitly that Sisera does not need to continue running away from the Israelites. He can Turn aside from the road he is on and come into her tent. Alternate translation: [Come in here]

with a blanket

Quote: בַּ⁠שְּׂמִיכָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as blanket occurs only here in the Old Testament, so its meaning is not entirely certain. The word could refer to: (1) something that people use to keep warm in bed. Alternate translation: [with a coverlet] (2) something that people put on the floor for warmth and decorative purposes. Alternate translation: [with a carpet] (3) an outer garment. Alternate translation: [with a cloak]

Judges 4:19

Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty

Quote: הַשְׁקִי⁠נִי־נָ֥א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם כִּ֣י צָמֵ֑אתִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. The UST models one way to do this.

a skin of milk

Quote: אֶת־נֹ֧אוד הֶ⁠חָלָ֛ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as skin refers to a bag made out of animal skin that was used for holding liquids. If your readers would not be familiar with this object, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [a leather bag of milk]

Judges 4:20

and asks you and says, ‘Is there anyone here?’ then you shall say ‘No one

Quote: וּ⁠שְׁאֵלֵ֗⁠ךְ וְ⁠אָמַ֛ר הֲ⁠יֵֽשׁ־פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ וְ⁠אָמַ֥רְתְּ אָֽיִן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [and asks you whether there is anyone here, then tell him that there is not]

and asks you and says

Quote: וּ⁠שְׁאֵלֵ֗⁠ךְ וְ⁠אָמַ֛ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [asks you] or [says to you]

Judges 4:21

a peg of the tent, … the hammer

Quote: אֶת־יְתַ֨ד הָ⁠אֹ֜הֶל & אֶת־הַ⁠מַּקֶּ֣בֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The phrase a peg of the tent describes a pointed piece of wood or metal that people drive into the ground to hold down a corner of a tent. A hammer in this context refers to a heavy tool made of wood that people use to hit objects with force, for example, in order to drive a tent peg into the ground. If your readers would not be familiar with these objects, in your translation you could use the name of similar things that your readers would recognize, or you could use general expressions. Alternate translation: [a spike … a mallet] or [a sharp piece of wood … a heavy tool]

for he was sleeping deeply and was weary

Quote: וְ⁠הֽוּא־נִרְדָּ֥ם וַ⁠יָּ֖עַף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what is happening in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. It may be helpful to put this information at the beginning of the verse, as the UST does.

for he was sleeping deeply and was weary

Quote: וְ⁠הֽוּא־נִרְדָּ֥ם וַ⁠יָּ֖עַף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [since he was so weary that he had fallen fast asleep]

Judges 4:22

And behold

Quote: וְ⁠הִנֵּ֣ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 1:2. Alternate translation: [Now listen]

and Jael came out to meet him

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּצֵ֤א יָעֵל֙ לִ⁠קְרָאת֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of came. Alternate translation: [and Jael went out to meet him]

Sisera had fallen dead

Quote: סִֽיסְרָא֙ נֹפֵ֣ל מֵ֔ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the similar expression in 3:25. Alternate translation: [and he found Sisera dead]

Judges 4:23

on that day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֔וּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

While the battle against Sisera did take place on a specific day, the author may be using the term day to refer generally to the whole time when the Israelites gathered an army to oppose the rule of Jabin and fought against his forces. Alternate translation: [at that time]

So on that day God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, to the face of the sons of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכְנַ֤ע אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֔וּא אֵ֖ת יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory

In this verse and the next one, the author is ending this story of Deborah and Barak with a summary of what happened. Your language may have its own way of presenting such a summary at the end of a story.

So … God subdued Jabin, the king of Canaan, to the face of the sons of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכְנַ֤ע אֱלֹהִים֙ & אֵ֖ת יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

In one sense, this battle was a direct contest between the power of God and the power of Jabin. (The next chapter describes how God sent a hailstorm to thwart Sisera’s chariots.) In another sense, the author is speaking of God to represent all of the forces on the side of Israel, including God, and he is using Jabin to represent that king and his army. The UST models one way to represent this second sense.

Judges 4:24

For going, the hand of the sons of Israel went and {became} severe

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּ֜לֶךְ יַ֤ד בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְ⁠קָשָׁ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is repeating forms of the verb “go”—going and went—in order to intensify the idea that this word expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [For the hand of the sons of Israel became more and more severe]

Jabin, the king of Canaan, … Jabin, the king of Canaan

Quote: יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן & אֵ֖ת יָבִ֥ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָֽעַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is repeating this phrase for emphasis. If it would not be natural in your language to do that, you may have another way of expressing the emphasis. The UST models one way to do this.

they destroyed Jabin

Quote: הִכְרִ֔יתוּ אֵ֖ת יָבִ֥ין (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the name Jabin by association to mean the army of this king, which the Israelites destroyed. (The book does not say specifically that the Israelites killed Jabin himself.) Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [they broke the power of Jabin]

Judges 5

Judges 5 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, the author presents a song that Deborah and Barak sang to celebrate the victory that Yahweh enabled them to win over Sisera.

Some translations prefer to set apart quotations, prayers, and songs with special formatting. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of chapter 5, which is a song, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

How were the Israelites able to fight against Sisera if they had no weapons?

In 5:8, this song describes how Jabin’s occupying soldiers took away the weapons that the Israelites had. So how were the Israelites able to fight a battle against Sisera’s forces? As a note to 4:2 explains, the name Harosheth Haggoyim may describe a place where Jabin forced captive peoples to cut wood for him. It has been suggested that the conscripted Israelites who joined Barak’s army took their axes and hatchets with them and used them as weapons.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Hebrew poetry

Except for a brief introduction and conclusion, this chapter is poetry that consists of pairs of phrases that repeat the same meaning. The second phrase advances the idea of the first by affirming, contrasting, or supplementing it in different words. (Sometimes there is a third line with similar meaning.) Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both (or all three) phrases in your translation. It may be clearer in your language to connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the idea of the first one, not saying something different. For example, in 5:2 you might say, “For the loosening of long hair in Israel, yes, for the volunteering of the people.” (See: Parallelism)

Deborah and Barak singing this song together

While the author says in 5:1 that both “Deborah and Barak” sang this song, the first-person verbs and pronouns in it are singular. It was common for the Israelites to sing in responsive parts, so it may be that Deborah and Barak each sang parts of this song individually, responding to one another. For example, it seems probable that in 5:12 Barak sang “awake, Deborah” and Deborah responded “Arise, Barak.”

Hebrew does not mark first-person pronouns or verbs for gender, so it is not clear in many cases which of them sang which parts, although in some cases the text does give us a fair idea. For the sake of languages that do mark first-person singular pronouns or verbs for gender, here are some suggestions as to who might be singing when the song says “I” or “my.” This is, however, largely a matter of interpretation, so use your own best judgment in your translation. Since Deborah and Barak are, in a sense, speaking for each other, another alternative would be to use plural first-person pronouns. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them and Singular Pronouns that refer to Groups)

• In 5:3, you could consider using masculine forms for “I … {even} I, let me sing” and feminine forms for “I will make music.” The verb translated as “make music” refers to singing with an instrumental accompaniment. Deborah was a prophetess, and the Old Testament prophets appear to have sung at least some of their prophecies to instrumental accompaniment. (See, for example, Ezekiel 33:32.) So it is perhaps more likely that Deborah sang “I will make music” and Barak sang “let me sing.”
• Deborah is speaking of herself as “I” in 5:7, so it would be appropriate to use feminine forms there.
• It has been suggested that in 5:9, it would be more appropriate for Deborah to thank the leaders, who would have included Barak, and for Barak to thank those who volunteered in response to his summons. So you may wish to mark “My” as feminine.
• Barak is probably referring to himself as “me” in 5:13, since he was the one who led the Israelite army “against the warriors” of Sisera.
• Barak seems to be speaking in 5:15, “my commanders in Issachar were with Deborah,” because otherwise Deborah would be speaking of herself in the third person, which she does not seem to do in this song.
• It has been suggested that in 5:21, Barak may have described the Kishon River flooding, since he saw this first-hand in the battle, and then said, “March on, my soul, in strength,” recalling how the Israelite soldiers pursued the attack against Sisera vigorously when they saw how the flooding had put them and their chariots at a disadvantage.

A different setting for part of the song

There is an apparent change of setting in 5:10–11, from the original performance of the song at a victory celebration to its repeated recitation at places where travelers stopped along the road for water. In this part of the song, Deborah and Barak are not addressing people who are not present as if they could hear them. That is a poetic device that writers and speakers in the Bible sometimes use, but it does not occur here. Rather, verses 10 and 11 of the song reflect its later use at “watering places” to commemorate the victory over Sisera and Jabin. So translate verse 10 as a direct address to people who are present.

Judges 5:1

on that day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֖וּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As in 4:23, here the word day may refer not to a single day but to a more general time. The author may not mean that Deborah and Barak sang this song on the actual day on which the Israelites defeated the forces of King Jabin, but rather during that general time. Alternate translation: [at the time when the Israelites defeated the forces of King Jabin]

So Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam, sang on that day, saying

Quote: וַ⁠תָּ֣שַׁר דְּבוֹרָ֔ה וּ⁠בָרָ֖ק בֶּן־אֲבִינֹ֑עַם בַּ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֖וּא לֵ⁠אמֹֽר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations

The author is using the term saying to introduce a direct quotation of the song that Deborah and Barak sang. In your translation, use a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [So Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam, sang the following song on that day]

Judges 5:2

For the loosening of long hair in Israel, for the volunteering of the people

Quote: בִּ⁠פְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּ⁠הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks

This is the beginning of the song that Deborah and Barak sang. You may wish to indicate this with an opening first-level quotation mark or with some other punctuation or convention that your language uses to indicate the start of a first-level quotation. You may also be able to use special formatting to set off the song as poetry, as the ULT does.

For the loosening of long hair in Israel, for the volunteering of the people

Quote: בִּ⁠פְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּ⁠הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

As the following notes explain, these two phrases mean similar things. See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of how to translate such similar phrases throughout this song.

For the loosening of long hair in Israel

Quote: בִּ⁠פְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

While scholars disagree about how to translate and understand this phrase, it seems to be describing the practice of taking a vow not to cut one’s hair until a certain objective is achieved, in this case, the defeat of Sisera’s army. Growing long hair was thus a symbolic action that expressed the determination to achieve this objective. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [For the Israelites who vowed to defeat Sisera’s army]

For the loosening of long hair in Israel

Quote: בִּ⁠פְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

For emphasis and poetic effect, Deborah and Barak are using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. That is, the word translated as long hair describes hair that is flowing freely or loosely, and the word translated as loosening describes not braiding that hair or binding it with a turban. Your language may have terms available that will allow you to use the same construction in your translation to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis and poetic effect, if you do not express the meaning in plain language. Alternate translation: [For freely flowing hair in Israel]

for the volunteering of the people

Quote: בְּ⁠הִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Deborah and Barak are referring implicitly to people volunteering to fight against Israel’s enemies. You could state this information explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [for the people who volunteered to fight]

bless

Quote: בָּרֲכ֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The imperative verb bless is plural here because Deborah and Barak are addressing an audience of many people, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 5:3

Listen, kings! Give ear, rulers

Quote: שִׁמְע֣וּ מְלָכִ֔ים הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ רֹֽזְנִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Deborah and Barak are speaking to two groups that they know cannot hear them. They are doing this to show in a strong way how they feel about the story they are telling in their song. They feel that it is worth the attention of the most important people in the world. They are actually speaking to all the people who can hear them or who will hear them. (5:10–11 indicates that this includes people from throughout Israelite society.) If your readers might not understand what Deborah and Barak are doing, you could translate their words as if they were speaking directly to people who were present. Alternate translation: [This story deserves to be heard by kings and rulers!]

I, to Yahweh, {even} I, may I sing. I will make music

Quote: אָֽנֹכִ֗י לַֽ⁠יהוָה֙ אָנֹכִ֣י אָשִׁ֔ירָה אֲזַמֵּ֕ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

If your language marks first-person singular pronouns or verbs for gender, see the discussion in the Notes to this chapter for a suggestion of how to mark the instances of I here.

may I sing

Quote: אָשִׁ֔ירָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

The speaker here is not asking permission. He is using a particular verb tense to encourage himself to do something. If your language does not use this type of verb, in your translation you can use an equivalent type. Alternate translation: [I certainly should sing]

Judges 5:4

Yahweh, at your going forth from Seir, at your marching from the field of Edom

Quote: יְהוָ֗ה בְּ⁠צֵאתְ⁠ךָ֤ מִ⁠שֵּׂעִיר֙ בְּ⁠צַעְדְּ⁠ךָ֙ מִ⁠שְּׂדֵ֣ה אֱד֔וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if Yahweh had literally traveled from or across the land of Seir, that is, Edom, in order to lead the Israelites into battle against Sisera. This could mean: (1) that the song is envisioning Mount Sinai as Yahweh’s dwelling place on earth and describing the route that Yahweh would have taken from there to the battlefield. Alternate translation: [Yahweh, when you came across Seir to fight against Sisera, when you marched across the fields of Edom] (2) that the song is referring to the time when the Israelites left Edom to start conquering the people in Canaan and speaking of Yahweh as if he had been a warrior leading the Israelite army at that time. Alternate translation: [Yahweh, it was just like the time when you first led our armies into Canaan from Seir. It was as if you marched ahead of us across the fields of Edom]

from the field of Edom

Quote: מִ⁠שְּׂדֵ֣ה אֱד֔וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The song is not referring to a specific field in Edom. It means the cultivated land in Edom in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [from the fields of Edom]

the earth shook, the heavens also dripped, the dark clouds also dripped water

Quote: אֶ֣רֶץ רָעָ֔שָׁה גַּם־שָׁמַ֖יִם נָטָ֑פוּ גַּם־עָבִ֖ים נָ֥טְפוּ מָֽיִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The song seems to be referring implicitly to the great storm that rendered Sisera’s chariots useless for the battle. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the earth trembled from the thunder and there was a heavy downpour]

Judges 5:5

The mountains flowed

Quote: הָרִ֥ים נָזְל֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if the mountains above the battlefield had literally flowed down onto it. This seems to be a reference to the way the downpour made the mountain streams overflow. (Ultimately, they fed into the Kishon River, and it flooded the battlefield. See 5:21.) This might also be an allusion to the way that the overflowing streams would have carried dirt, branches, rocks, etc., down from the mountains, as if the mountains themselves were coming down onto the plain. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [The mountain streams overflowed]

this {is} Sinai from the face of Yahweh

Quote: זֶ֣ה סִינַ֔י מִ⁠פְּנֵ֕י יְהוָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is saying that what happened to the mountains above the battlefield was just like what happened when Yahweh appeared to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. When he did, according to Exodus 19:16–18, there was also a thunderstorm and the mountain shook. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [just as Mount Sinai trembled when Yahweh appeared there in a storm]

Judges 5:6

In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael

Quote: בִּ⁠ימֵ֞י שַׁמְגַּ֤ר בֶּן־עֲנָת֙ בִּ⁠ימֵ֣י יָעֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The song is speaking of two time periods in order to mean the time in between them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [Between the time when Shamgar son of Anath defeated the Philistines and the time when Jael killed Sisera]

roads ceased

Quote: חָדְל֖וּ אֳרָח֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if the roads in Israel had literally ceased to exist. It means that people stopped using the main roads because it had become too dangerous to travel on them. Jabin’s forces were apparently occupying Israel, and his soldiers would plunder the goods that anyone was transporting. (This means that, in a sense, the roads literally did cease to exist, since they were dirt roads and grass would have grown back over them. One translation option would be to say this and let readers realize the implications.) Alternate translation: [people stopped using the main roads] or [grass grew back over the roads]

and walkers of paths walked crooked roads

Quote: וְ⁠הֹלְכֵ֣י נְתִיב֔וֹת יֵלְכ֕וּ אֳרָח֖וֹת עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The song means implicitly that because people needed to stay off the main roads for safety, they took back roads that wound through the countryside. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and travelers had to take roundabout back routes]

Judges 5:7

The peasantry ceased in Israel, they ceased, until when I, Deborah, arose, when I arose, a mother in Israel

Quote: חָדְל֧וּ פְרָז֛וֹן בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חָדֵ֑לּוּ עַ֤ד שַׁ⁠קַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁ⁠קַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Deborah is repeating the verbs ceased and arose in order to intensify the ideas that they express. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [The peasantry completely ceased in Israel until when I, Deborah, arose triumphantly as a mother in Israel]

The peasantry ceased in Israel, they ceased

Quote: חָדְל֧וּ פְרָז֛וֹן בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חָדֵ֑לּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if the rural population of Israel had literally ceased to exist. The meaning is that no one was living in the countryside anymore because the rural people hid in the mountains or moved into fortified cities for safety. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Everyone had to move from the countryside into the cities where it was safer]

in Israel, … in Israel

Quote: בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל & בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

If it would be more natural in your language, you could use another term to refer to Israel in the second instance, rather than repeating the name. Alternate translation: [in Israel … there]

until when I, Deborah, arose, when I arose, a mother in Israel

Quote: עַ֤ד שַׁ⁠קַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁ⁠קַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Deborah is using the expression arose to mean that she took on a particular role. She is not referring to getting up from sitting beneath her palm tree to accompany Barak. The role she is describing included settling the Israelites’ disputes there. Alternate translation: [but then I, Deborah, became a mother in Israel]

when I, Deborah, arose, when I arose, a mother in Israel

Quote: שַׁ⁠קַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁ⁠קַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Deborah is speaking of herself as if she had literally become the mother of the Israelites. She means that she became a leader who cared for the Israelites the way a mother takes care of her children. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning as a comparison. Alternate translation: [when I, Deborah, became a leader who took care of the Israelites the way a mother takes care of her children]

Judges 5:8

He chose new gods

Quote: יִבְחַר֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun He refers back to “Israel” in the previous verse, meaning the people of Israel. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [The people of Israel chose new gods]

then fighting {was} {at} the gates

Quote: אָ֖ז לָחֶ֣ם שְׁעָרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using one part of cities, their gates, to mean entire cities. The gates are chosen to represent the cities because that is where enemies would attack to try to get into the city and conquer it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [then enemy armies besieged the cities]

was a shield seen, or a spear, among 40,000 in Israel

Quote: מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָ⁠רֹ֔מַח בְּ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The song is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [a shield or spear was not seen among 40,000 in Israel!]

was a shield seen, or a spear, among 40,000 in Israel

Quote: מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָ⁠רֹ֔מַח בְּ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

The song is using the number 40,000 as a customary way of saying “very many.” Alternate translation: [one could hardly find a single shield or spear among a large number of Israelites]

was a shield seen, or a spear

Quote: מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָ⁠רֹ֔מַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [did anyone see a shield or a spear]

was a shield seen, or a spear

Quote: מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָ⁠רֹ֔מַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The song is using the fact that no shield or spear could be seen by association to mean that no Israelites had these weapons. (Jabin’s occupying forces has apparently confiscated all of the weapons that the Israelites had.) Alternate translation: [was there a single shield or spear]

was a shield seen, or a spear

Quote: מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָ⁠רֹ֔מַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using two weapons, a shield and a spear, to mean weapons of all kinds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [were there any weapons]

Judges 5:9

My heart is to the commanders of Israel

Quote: לִבִּ⁠י֙ לְ⁠חוֹקְקֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

In this culture, people regarded the heart as the location of human feelings. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I am so happy about what the commanders of Israel did]

Bless

Quote: בָּרֲכ֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

As in 5:2, the imperative verb bless is plural here, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 5:10

Riders of white donkeys, sitters on carpet, walkers on the road

Quote: רֹכְבֵי֩ אֲתֹנ֨וֹת צְחֹר֜וֹת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י עַל־מִדִּ֛ין וְ⁠הֹלְכֵ֥י עַל־דֶּ֖רֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter of the apparent change of setting in 5:10–11, from the original performance of the song at a victory celebration to its repeated recitation at places where travelers stopped along the road for water.

Riders of white donkeys, sitters on carpet, walkers on the road

Quote: רֹכְבֵי֩ אֲתֹנ֨וֹת צְחֹר֜וֹת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י עַל־מִדִּ֛ין וְ⁠הֹלְכֵ֥י עַל־דֶּ֖רֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

The song is speaking of two kinds of people, rich and poor, in order to mean all kinds of people. (Wealthier people would have animals to ride and carpet to sit on as they traveled; poorer people would walk on foot.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [All of you who pass by this place]

carpet

Quote: מִדִּ֛ין (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as carpet describes something that people would put on the back of a riding animal to make the rider more comfortable. If your readers would not be familiar with such an object, you could use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: [saddle blankets]

Judges 5:11

From the voice of the singers

Quote: מִ⁠קּ֣וֹל מְחַֽצְצִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using the voice of these singers to represent the song they are singing with their voices. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [From the song of the singers]

From the voice of the singers

Quote: מִ⁠קּ֣וֹל מְחַֽצְצִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the song is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of voice. Alternate translation: [From the voices of the singers]

the righteous acts of Yahweh, the righteous acts of his peasantry in Israel

Quote: צִדְק֣וֹת יְהוָ֔ה צִדְקֹ֥ת פִּרְזֹנ֖⁠וֹ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The song is using the term righteous to describe the victory that Yahweh and his peasantry (the volunteer soldiers) won over Sisera. This is by association with the fact that it was wrong for Jabin to oppress the Israelites, and so by defeating him, the victors restored a situation that was right or righteous. Alternate translation: [what Yahweh and his peasantry in Israel did to restore a right situation]

went down to the gates

Quote: יָרְד֥וּ לַ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using one part of cities, their gates, to mean entire cities. See how you translated the same expression in 5:8. Alternate translation: [returned to live in the cities that their enemies had conquered]

Judges 5:12

Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, speak a song

Quote: עוּרִ֤י עוּרִי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה ע֥וּרִי ע֖וּרִי דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is addressing Deborah as if she were literally asleep and needed to wake up. (Baruk may be singing this part; see the discussion in the Notes to this chapter.) This is actually a call for Deborah to apply vitality and creativity to the task of celebrating Yahweh’s victory through this song. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [Come on, Deborah, sing in a lively way!]

Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, speak a song

Quote: עוּרִ֤י עוּרִי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה ע֥וּרִי ע֖וּרִי דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The song is repeating the word awake in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [You certainly must not be drowsy as you sing, Deborah!]

speak a song

Quote: דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

This does not mean that Deborah should stop singing and only speak the words of the song. It is actually play on words in Hebrew: the word translated as speak has the same three root letters as Deborah’s name, D-B-R. Your language may have an expression that you could use in your translation to bring out the meaning here. Alternate translation: [make the song your own]

Arise

Quote: ק֥וּם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The expression Arise does not mean that Barak should get out of bed or stand up from a seated position. Rather, it means that Barak should take action. Deborah could be the one singing this line (see the discussion in the Notes to this chapter), and it could be intentionally reminiscent of 4:14, where she used the same expression to tell him that it was time to attack Sisera. See how you translated the expression there.

and take captive your captivity

Quote: וּֽ⁠שֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

For emphasis, the song is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [and lead away all of your prisoners]

and take captive your captivity

Quote: וּֽ⁠שֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The song is using this possessive form to speak to Barak about the group of people that he and his army have taken prisoner. It is not saying that Barak himself is in captivity. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and lead away all the prisoners you have captured]

and take captive your captivity

Quote: וּֽ⁠שֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The song is leaving some information implicit that listeners are expected to understand. It is possible that the original occasion of this song was a victory celebration through which captured enemy soldiers were paraded in order to dramatize the victory. Barak, as the army commander, would have led this procession. You could suggest this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and parade the captured enemy soldiers in a victory procession]

Judges 5:13

the remnant came down to the nobles, the people of Yahweh came down to me

Quote: יְרַ֣ד שָׂרִ֔יד לְ⁠אַדִּירִ֖ים עָ֑ם יְהוָ֕ה יְרַד־לִ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

While the expression came down in both instances is probably a literal reference to travel down from higher elevations to a plain, the implicit meaning is that the remnant and people were gathering on a level place as troops for battle under the command of the nobles and Barak. You could indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the remnant gathered to the nobles, the people of Yahweh gathered to me]

the remnant came down to the nobles

Quote: יְרַ֣ד שָׂרִ֔יד לְ⁠אַדִּירִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The phrase translated as to the nobles could also be a possessive form and mean “of the nobles.” There would not be a significant difference in meaning. Alternate translation: [the remnant of the nobles came down]

to me

Quote: לִ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun me probably refers to Barak, since he was the one who led the Israelite army against the warriors of Sisera. Even if your language does not need to mark first-person pronouns for gender, it may be helpful to clarify the reference for your readers. Otherwise, they might take it to be Deborah, since she clearly spoke in the first person in 5:7 and probably did in 5:9 as well. Alternate translation, as in the UST: [to me, Barak]

Judges 5:14

From Ephraim, their root {is} in Amalek; after you, Benjamin, with your peoples; … and from Zebulun, the ones holding the scepter of a scribe

Quote: מִנִּ֣י אֶפְרַ֗יִם שָׁרְשָׁ⁠ם֙ בַּ⁠עֲמָלֵ֔ק אַחֲרֶ֥י⁠ךָ בִנְיָמִ֖ין בַּֽ⁠עֲמָמֶ֑י⁠ךָ & וּ⁠מִ֨⁠זְּבוּלֻ֔ן מֹשְׁכִ֖ים בְּ⁠שֵׁ֥בֶט סֹפֵֽר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

In these phrases, the song is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [Some from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek, came down; they came after you, Benjamin, with your peoples … and from Zebulun, the ones holding onto the scepter of a scribe also came down]

From Ephraim, their root {is} in Amalek

Quote: מִנִּ֣י אֶפְרַ֗יִם שָׁרְשָׁ⁠ם֙ בַּ⁠עֲמָלֵ֔ק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if the people of the tribe of Ephraim were literally a plant whose root was in the territory that formerly belonged to the Amalek people group. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [People from the tribe of Ephraim, which defeated the Amalekites and took their territory]

after you, Benjamin, with your peoples

Quote: אַחֲרֶ֥י⁠ךָ בִנְיָמִ֖ין בַּֽ⁠עֲמָמֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Here the song could be speaking to a group of people who are not there to hear it, the people of the tribe of Benjamin, in order to express strong approval of the way the soldiers from that tribe came and fought for Israel. The song would actually be speaking to the people who could hear it, initially the soldiers and others who gathered for the victory celebration at which it was first performed. However, some people from the tribe of Benjamin probably were present at the celebration, so the direct address with you and your could be literal. On the other hand, as 5:9–10 shows, this song was later sung in other contexts where people from Benjamin were not necessarily present. So it may be clearer in some languages to translate this without using second-person pronouns and to express the emphasis in some other way. Alternate translation: [they followed the brave soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin]

from Machir, commanders came down

Quote: מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר יָֽרְדוּ֙ מְחֹ֣קְקִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using these commanders to refer to them and the troops they commanded. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the military leaders from Machir brought their soldiers]

from Machir

Quote: מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Machir is the name of a man, the son of Manasseh.

from Machir

Quote: מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The name Machir could mean: (1) the descendants of Machir, who formed one part of the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: [from the clan of Machir] (2) by association, the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: [from the tribe of Manasseh]

and from Zebulun, the ones holding the scepter of a scribe

Quote: וּ⁠מִ֨⁠זְּבוּלֻ֔ן מֹשְׁכִ֖ים בְּ⁠שֵׁ֥בֶט סֹפֵֽר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

The military leaders of the tribe of Zebulun each carried a scepter as a symbolic action to indicate their rank and position. Each leader is called a scribe because one of his duties was to record the names of soldiers who enlisted and keep a total of the number of soldiers in the army. But the focus here is not on that duty but on the fact that these were military leaders, like the commanders mentioned in the previous phrase. Alternate translation: [and the military commanders of the tribe of Zebulun also brought their soldiers]

Judges 5:15

And my commanders in Issachar {were} with Deborah

Quote: וְ⁠שָׂרַ֤⁠י בְּ⁠יִשָּׂשכָר֙ עִם־דְּבֹרָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here again the song is using part of an army, its commanders, to mean all of the army. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the soldiers and officers I commanded who were from Issachar also supported Deborah]

and {as} Issachar, so Barak

Quote: וְ⁠יִשָּׂשכָר֙ כֵּ֣ן בָּרָ֔ק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This expression means that the first person or group mentioned was willing to do whatever the second person mentioned wanted to do. (See, for example, 1 Kings 22:4.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and the soldiers from Issachar were willing to do whatever Barak ordered]

into a valley he was sent at his feet

Quote: בָּ⁠עֵ֖מֶק שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּ⁠רַגְלָ֑י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

This could mean: (1) that the pronoun he refers to Issachar, that is, the soldiers from the tribe of Issachar, and the pronoun his refers to Barak. In that case, the phrase at his feet would mean the same thing as in 4:10. Alternate translation: [those soldiers were sent into a valley under Barak’s command] (2) that both the pronoun he and the pronoun his refer to Barak. In that case, the last phrase would be translated “on his feet,” and it would be a reference to the courage of Barak and his soldiers, who fought against chariots on foot. Alternate translation: [he was sent into a valley to fight against chariots on foot]

into a valley he was sent at his feet

Quote: בָּ⁠עֵ֖מֶק שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּ⁠רַגְלָ֑י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. While it was Deborah who told Barak in 4:14 to go down and attack Sisera, she did this as a prophetess speaking for Yahweh, so it would be appropriate to describe Yahweh as the one who sent. Alternate translation: [Yahweh sent these soldiers into a valley under Barak’s command] or [Yahweh sent Barak into a valley to fight against chariots on foot]

Among the divisions of Reuben

Quote: בִּ⁠פְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as divisions is a rare word whose meaning is not entirely clear in this context. It could mean: (1) divisions of the people of the tribe of Reuben. Alternate translation: [Among the clans of Reuben] (2) divisions of the territory of the tribe of Reuben. Alternate translation: [Throughout the districts of Reuben]

great {were} the searchings of the heart

Quote: גְּדֹלִ֖ים חִקְקֵי־לֵֽב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the heart represents the thoughts and intentions. By using the word translated as searchings, the song is speaking as if the people of Reuben needed to look around inside their hearts to find out what they should do. That is also a rare word whose meaning is not entirely clear in this context. This could mean: (1) that the people of Reuben could not decide whether to help fight. Your language may have a comparable expression for this meaning that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [people had second thoughts about whether to fight] (2) that the people of Reuben publicly expressed a resolve to help fight Sisera but, as the next verse shows, they did not follow through. Alternate translation: [great were the promises to help]

Judges 5:16

Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the piping for the flocks

Quote: לָ֣⁠מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽ⁠מִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The song is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should not have stayed among the sheepfolds, as if it was more important to listen to the piping for the flocks!]

Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the piping for the flocks

Quote: לָ֣⁠מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽ⁠מִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

The song is speaking to someone who is not present. It is doing this to express a strong feeling about that person to the people who are present. If a speaker of your language would not address someone who was not present, you could translate this as if the song were directly addressing those who are present. Alternate translation: [Reuben should not have stayed among the sheepfolds, as if it were more important to listen to the piping for the flocks]

Why did you sit among the sheepfolds

Quote: לָ֣⁠מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽ⁠מִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The word you is singular here because the song is addressing this tribe as if it were a single person, its ancestor Reuben. It may be more natural in some languages to use a plural form of “you,” since a group of people is actually being addressed.

To hear the piping for the flocks

Quote: לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The song is implicitly making a comparison that it expects listeners to recognize. When Barak summoned the Israelites in 4:10, it is likely that he blew a shofar (ram’s horn), as Ehud did in 3:27. The song is suggesting that the men of Reuben so much enjoyed listening to shepherds play their pipes to summon their flocks that they did not pay attention to the war trumpet. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Was it because you would rather listen to shepherd’s pipes than respond to the call of the war trumpet?]

As for the divisions of Reuben, great {were} the searchings of the heart

Quote: לִ⁠פְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן גְּדוֹלִ֖ים חִקְרֵי־לֵֽב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse.

Judges 5:17

Gilead

Quote: גִּלְעָ֗ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The song is using the name Gilead by association to mean the soldiers from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, which settled in the region of Gilead on the east side of the Jordan River. Alternate translation: [The soldiers of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh]

and Dan, why did he sojourn {on} ships

Quote: וְ⁠דָ֕ן לָ֥⁠מָּה יָג֖וּר אֳנִיּ֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

The song is using the present tense to describe habitual action. During the battle against Sisera, the people of the tribe of Dan continued to do what they usually did. Their territory included the harbor of Joppa, and so they were devoted to the pursuits of fishing and maritime trading. But since the song is referring specifically to what the people of Dan did on a specific occasion, you could use the past tense in your translation. Alternate translation: [and Dan, why did he sojourn on ships]

and Dan, why did he sojourn {on} ships

Quote: וְ⁠דָ֕ן לָ֥⁠מָּה יָג֖וּר אֳנִיּ֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The song is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [and Dan should not have sojourned on ships!]

Judges 5:18

Zebulun {was} a people reproaching its soul unto death

Quote: זְבֻל֗וּן עַ֣ם חֵרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֛⁠וֹ לָ⁠מ֖וּת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the song is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of soul. Alternate translation: [The people of Zebulun were reproaching their souls unto death]

Zebulun {was} a people reproaching its soul unto death

Quote: זְבֻל֗וּן עַ֣ם חֵרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֛⁠וֹ לָ⁠מ֖וּת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The song is speaking as if the people of the tribe of Zebulun had literally been reproaching their souls during the battle, that is, as if they had been taunting or shaming them for wanting to stay alive. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [The people of Zebulun told themselves not to be afraid to die]

also Naphtali on the heights of the field

Quote: וְ⁠נַפְתָּלִ֑י עַ֖ל מְרוֹמֵ֥י שָׂדֶֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The song is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and the people of Naphtali were also not afraid to die on the heights on the battlefield]

Judges 5:19

Kings came, they fought; then the kings of Canaan fought

Quote: בָּ֤אוּ מְלָכִים֙ נִלְחָ֔מוּ אָ֤ז נִלְחֲמוּ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Chapter 4 describes only Jabin oppressing the Israelites and only his army attacking Barak and his forces. However, it also describes Jabin as the “king of Canaan” (4:2), suggesting that other Canaanite kings were his subjects or allies. The song may be referring to such kings implicitly here. Alternate translation: [Then the armies of Jabin and his Canaanite allies came and fought]

Kings came, … the kings of Canaan

Quote: בָּ֤אוּ מְלָכִים֙ & מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using the term kings to refer to them and their armies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Kings came with their armies … the armies of the kings of Canaan]

they fought; … the kings of Canaan fought

Quote: נִלְחָ֔מוּ & נִלְחֲמוּ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The song is leaving some information implicit that it assumes readers will understand. The meaning is not that these kings fought with each other, but that they fought against the Israelites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [they fought against us Israelites … the kings of Canaan fought against us]

at Taanach, … Megiddo

Quote: בְּ⁠תַעְנַ֖ךְ & מְגִדּ֑וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated the names of the cities of Taanach and Megiddo in 1:27.

the waters of Megiddo

Quote: מֵ֣י מְגִדּ֑וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the song is referring to the Kishon River as the waters of Megiddo by association with the fact that the river flows through the plain of Megiddo, also known as the valley of Jezreel, where the battle against Sisera was fought. You could use the name Kishon River here if that would help your readers to recognize that the song is describing the same waters as in 5:21. Alternate translation: [the Kishon River]

Plunder of silver they did not take

Quote: בֶּ֥צַע כֶּ֖סֶף לֹ֥א לָקָֽחוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The song is using silver, one thing that armies might take as plunder, to mean plunder of all kinds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [But they did not take any plunder]

Plunder of silver they did not take

Quote: בֶּ֥צַע כֶּ֖סֶף לֹ֥א לָקָֽחוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The song is using taking plunder to mean winning the battle, by association with the way that victorious armies take plunder. Alternate translation: [But they did not win the battle]

Judges 5:20

From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera

Quote: מִן־שָׁמַ֖יִם נִלְחָ֑מוּ הַ⁠כּֽוֹכָבִים֙ מִ⁠מְּסִלּוֹתָ֔⁠ם נִלְחֲמ֖וּ עִם־סִיסְרָֽא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The song is speaking of the stars as if they were living things that could have fought against Sisera. It is using the stars to represent the forces of nature, particularly those in the sky, and celebrating the way Yahweh used those forces to defeat Sisera. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Yahweh used the forces of nature to defeat Sisera; he sent a great storm from the sky]

Judges 5:21

swept them away

Quote: גְּרָפָ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun them refers to the soldiers in Sisera’s army. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [swept away Sisera’s soldiers]

the wadi of antiquity

Quote: נַ֥חַל קְדוּמִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of antiquity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [that ancient wadi]

the wadi of antiquity

Quote: נַ֥חַל קְדוּמִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The implicit idea behind this phrase may be that the Kishon is a natural river, part of the original creation, rather than a manmade canal or irrigation channel. Therefore, like the storm, it was a natural force that Yahweh used to defeat Sisera. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [a river that God created]

March on, my soul, {in} strength

Quote: תִּדְרְכִ֥י נַפְשִׁ֖⁠י עֹֽז (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The singer, who is probably Barak at this point (see the Introduction to this chapter), is using one part of himself, his soul, to mean all of himself. He is putting himself back in the time of the battle and encouraging himself to fight vigorously since Yahweh is already defeating Sisera with natural forces. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, and you could express it from the time perspective of the victory celebration, that is, as a past event, as in the first sentence of the verse. Alternate translation: [When I saw this, it encouraged me to fight vigorously]

Judges 5:22

Then the hooves of a horse beat, from the galloping, the galloping of his mighty {ones

Quote: אָ֥ז הָלְמ֖וּ עִקְּבֵי־ס֑וּס מִֽ⁠דַּהֲר֖וֹת דַּהֲר֥וֹת אַבִּירָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun his refers to Sisera. This is a description of the sound of Sisera’s horses fleeing from the battle. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Then there was the sound of horses’ hooves beating, as Sisera’s mighty steeds galloped away from the battlefield]

the hooves of a horse beat

Quote: הָלְמ֖וּ עִקְּבֵי־ס֑וּס (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the song is referring to all of Sisera’s horses, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of horse. Alternate translation: [the hooves of horses beat]

from the galloping, the galloping of his mighty {ones

Quote: מִֽ⁠דַּהֲר֖וֹת דַּהֲר֥וֹת אַבִּירָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is repeating the verb galloping in order to intensify the idea that it expresses and perhaps to imitate the repetitive sound of horses’ hooves beating against the ground. If your language can repeat words for intensification and poetic effect, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [as Sisera’s mighty steeds galloped wildly away]

his mighty {ones

Quote: אַבִּירָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The song is using the adjective mighty as a noun to mean a horse that has the characteristic of being mighty. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [his mighty steeds]

Judges 5:23

Curse Meroz!’ said the angel of Yahweh. Cursing, you shall curse the dwellers of it, because they did not come to the aid of Yahweh, to the aid of Yahweh against the warriors

Quote: א֣וֹרוּ מֵר֗וֹז אָמַר֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר יֹשְׁבֶ֑י⁠הָ כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָ֨אוּ֙ לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּ⁠גִּבּוֹרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [The angel of Yahweh said that we must certainly curse the people who lived in Meroz, because they did not come to the aid of Yahweh against the warriors]

Meroz

Quote: מֵר֗וֹז (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Meroz is the name of a town. It was probably along the route that Sisera’s army took when fleeing from the battlefield, and the people of the town could have blocked their way so that the Israelites could have kept many more of the enemy soldiers from escaping.

the angel of Yahweh

Quote: מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the same phrase in 2:1. Translate it here as you do in other parts of the book, even though there is no further information here about how or when the angel of Yahweh appeared on this occasion.

Cursing, you shall curse the dwellers of it, because they did not come to the aid of Yahweh, to the aid of Yahweh against the warriors

Quote: אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר יֹשְׁבֶ֑י⁠הָ כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָ֨אוּ֙ לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּ⁠גִּבּוֹרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Because they did not come to the aid of Yahweh, to the aid of Yahweh against the warriors, cursing, you shall curse the dwellers of it]

Cursing, you shall curse

Quote: אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The song is repeating forms of the verb curse in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [You must certainly curse]

they did not come to the aid of Yahweh, to the aid of Yahweh against the warriors

Quote: לֹֽא־בָ֨אוּ֙ לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠עֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּ⁠גִּבּוֹרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases are saying the same thing. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first by being more specific. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and you could show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation. However, if it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [they did not help Yahweh at all against the warriors]

Judges 5:24

Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, is blessed from women, from women in the tent she is blessed

Quote: תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִ⁠נָּשִׁ֔ים יָעֵ֕ל אֵ֖שֶׁת חֶ֣בֶר הַ⁠קֵּינִ֑י מִ⁠נָּשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠אֹ֖הֶל תְּבֹרָֽךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh bless Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who lives in a tent, more than any other woman]

is blessed from women

Quote: תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִ⁠נָּשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Here, from women is a common expression that means that Jael is the most blessed woman, that is, she is more blessed than any other woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [is more blessed than any other woman]

is blessed from women, from women in the tent she is blessed

Quote: תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִ⁠נָּשִׁ֔ים & מִ⁠נָּשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠אֹ֖הֶל תְּבֹרָֽךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases are saying the same thing. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first by being more specific. (It is not qualifying the first phrase by specifying that this statement about Jael actually applies only to women who live in tents.) You could include both phrases in your translation. However, if it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [who lives in a tent, is the most blessed of all women]

in the tent

Quote: בָּ⁠אֹ֖הֶל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The song is not referring to a specific tent. This expression refers to tents in general. Alternate translation: [who live in tents]

Judges 5:25

Water he requested, milk she gave

Quote: מַ֥יִם שָׁאַ֖ל חָלָ֣ב נָתָ֑נָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to Sisera, and the pronoun she refers to Jael. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Sisera requested water, Jael gave him milk]

in a bowl of nobles she brought curdled milk

Quote: בְּ⁠סֵ֥פֶל אַדִּירִ֖ים הִקְרִ֥יבָה חֶמְאָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Bringing more than Sisera asked for and bringing it in an elegant bowl was a symbolic action that suggested that Jael respected Sisera and wanted to honor him. This would have made Sisera less cautious and encouraged him to think that he could safely go to sleep. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [to suggest that she respected and honored him, she brought curdled milk in an elegant bowl]

in a bowl of nobles

Quote: בְּ⁠סֵ֥פֶל אַדִּירִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The song is using this possessive form to describe the kind of elegant bowl that wealthy nobles would have. This does not mean a bowl that contained nobles or a bowl that actually belonged to nobles. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [in a bowl fit for nobles] or [in an elegant bowl]

Judges 5:26

They reached out

Quote: תִּשְׁלַ֔חְנָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun They refers to Jael’s hands. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Her hands reached out]

They reached out

Quote: תִּשְׁלַ֔חְנָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The song is speaking of Jael’s hands as if they were living things that could have reached out by themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [She reached out with her hands]

her hand

Quote: יָדָ⁠הּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The context indicates that the word hand here means Jael’s left hand. Alternate translation: [her left hand]

she crushed his head, and she shattered and pierced his temple

Quote: מָחֲקָ֣ה רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ וּ⁠מָחֲצָ֥ה וְ⁠חָלְפָ֖ה רַקָּתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases are saying the same thing. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first by being more specific. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [she drove the peg right through his temple and smashed his head]

Judges 5:27

Between her feet, he bowed

Quote: בֵּ֣ין רַגְלֶ֔י⁠הָ כָּרַ֥ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Since Sisera was lying down asleep when Jael pounded the tent peg through his head, it does not seem that he literally bowed down to her from a standing position. Rather, the song seems to be saying that when Jael stood astride his dead body, it was as if Sisera had prostrated himself before her, the way people in this culture did to show great honor to someone. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [It was as if Sisera had been prostrating himself before Jael]

he fell, he lay down

Quote: נָפַ֖ל שָׁכָ֑ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Since Sisera was lying down, it also does not seem that he fell or lay down from a standing position. The song seems to be using the word fell to mean “died,” as in 4:16, and the expression lay down to mean “died” as well. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [he died, he surely died]

Between her feet he bowed, he fell. At where he bowed, there he fell, destroyed

Quote: בֵּ֤ין רַגְלֶ֨י⁠הָ֙ כָּרַ֣ע נָפָ֔ל בַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרַ֔ע שָׁ֖ם נָפַ֥ל שָׁדֽוּד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

For emphasis, these two clauses repeat the idea of the first clause and last clause adds some specific information. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these clauses and express the emphasis in another way. The UST models one way to do this.

destroyed

Quote: שָׁדֽוּד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here and replace the comma before it with a period. Alternate translation: [She had destroyed him]

Judges 5:28

Why has his chariot delayed to come? Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry

Quote: מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠ב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [She asked why his chariot had delayed to come and why the hoofbeats of his chariots were tarrying]

Why has his chariot delayed to come? Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry

Quote: מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠ב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sisera’s mother is using his chariot and these hoofbeats by association to mean Sisera himself. Alternate translation: [Why has he delayed to come back in his chariot? Why do I not hear the sound of the hoofbeats of his chariot horses indicating his arrival?]

Why has his chariot delayed to come? Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry

Quote: מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּ⁠וֹ֙ לָ⁠ב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [Why is it taking so long for him to come back with his chariots?]

Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry

Quote: מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sisera’s mother is using the phrase the hoofbeats of his chariots by association to mean the sound of the hoofbeats of the horses that pull Sisera’s chariots. Alternate translation: [Why do I not yet hear the sound of the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots?]

Judges 5:29

The wise of her princesses

Quote: חַכְמ֥וֹת שָׂרוֹתֶ֖י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The song is using the adjective wise as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [Her wisest princesses]

she also returned her answer to herself

Quote: אַף־הִ֕יא תָּשִׁ֥יב אֲמָרֶ֖י⁠הָ לָֽ⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that means that Sisera’s mother answered her own question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [she also answered her own question]

Judges 5:30

Are they not finding, {are} they {not} dividing spoil, a maiden, two maidens to the head of a warrior, spoil of dyed fabrics for Sisera, spoil of dyed fabrics {and} embroidery, dyed fabric {and} two embroideries for the necks of the spoil

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֨א יִמְצְא֜וּ יְחַלְּק֣וּ שָׁלָ֗ל רַ֤חַם רַחֲמָתַ֨יִם֙ לְ⁠רֹ֣אשׁ גֶּ֔בֶר שְׁלַ֤ל צְבָעִים֙ לְ⁠סִ֣יסְרָ֔א שְׁלַ֥ל צְבָעִ֖ים רִקְמָ֑ה צֶ֥בַע רִקְמָתַ֖יִם לְ⁠צַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. It may be helpful to make this more than one sentence. Alternate translation: [She told herself that Sisera and his soldiers must be searching the battlefield for plunder and dividing it up. Each soldier, she thought, must be claiming a woman or two as concubines. She also thought that the soldiers must each be finding one or two dyed, embroidered robes that they could wear]

Are they not finding, {are} they {not} dividing spoil

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֨א יִמְצְא֜וּ יְחַלְּק֣וּ שָׁלָ֗ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Sisera’s mother is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Certainly they are finding and dividing spoil]

to the head of a warrior

Quote: לְ⁠רֹ֣אשׁ גֶּ֔בֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

This expression uses one part of a warrior, his head, to mean the warrior himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for each warrior]

for Sisera

Quote: לְ⁠סִ֣יסְרָ֔א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sisera’s mother is probably using the name Sisera by association to mean the soldiers in his army. She is probably not saying that only one or two expensive robes will be found among all the plunder and that Sisera personally will get those. Alternate translation: [for Sisera’s soldiers]

dyed fabrics {and} embroidery

Quote: צְבָעִ֖ים רִקְמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words implicitly connected with and. The word embroidery indicates how these dyed fabrics have been made even more luxurious. Alternate translation: [embroidered dyed fabrics]

for the necks of the spoil

Quote: לְ⁠צַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Sisera’s mother is using one part of these soldiers, their necks, to mean the soldiers themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for the soldiers to wear who are collecting this plunder]

for the necks of the spoil

Quote: לְ⁠צַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Sisera’s mother is using the term spoil by association to mean the soldiers who are collecting this plunder after the battle. Alternate translation: [for the necks of the soldiers collecting this plunder]

Judges 5:31

But {may} the lovers of him {be

Quote: וְ⁠אֹ֣הֲבָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

The song is speaking about Yahweh in the third person after addressing him in the second person. It may be more natural in your language to translate this phrase in the second person as well. Alternate translation: [But may those who love you be]

like the going forth of the sun in its strength

Quote: כְּ⁠צֵ֥את הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ בִּ⁠גְבֻרָת֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The strength of the sun could be its brightness or its heat. So the point of this comparison may be that just as the sun, once it rises, is too bright to look at or so hot that people must get out of its rays into the shade, so no one will be able to resist those who love Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [irresistibly strong, like the unbearable brightness of the risen sun] or [irresistibly strong, like the unbearable heat of the risen sun]

like the going forth of the sun in its strength

Quote: כְּ⁠צֵ֥את הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ בִּ⁠גְבֻרָת֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks

This is the end of the song that Deborah and Barak sang. (In the next sentence, the author resumes the story.) If you began the song with an opening first-level quotation mark or similar opening convention, indicate its ending here with a closing first-level quotation mark or similar closing convention. If you have been using special formatting to set off the song as poetry, resume regular formatting with the next sentence.

Then the land rested 40 years

Quote: וַ⁠תִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the same expression in 3:11. Alternate translation: [After this, there were no more wars for 40 years]

Judges 6

Judges 6 Chapter Introduction

Structure and formatting

This chapter tells the first part of the story of the next judge, Gideon. That story continues in Chapters 7 and 8.

Judges 6:1

evil in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: הָ⁠רַ֖ע בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment]

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:4. Alternate translation: [the Israelites]

so Yahweh gave them into the hand of

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֧⁠ם יְהוָ֛ה בְּ⁠יַד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [so Yahweh made them subject to]

Midian

Quote: מִדְיָ֖ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, the author is using the name Midian by association to mean the people of Midian. Alternate translation: [the Midianites]

Judges 6:2

From the face of Midian

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֨י מִדְיָ֜ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3. Alternate translation: [To get away from the Midianites]

Judges 6:3

Now it happened

Quote: וְ⁠הָיָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this phrase to introduce background information that will help readers understand what happens in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

when Israel sowed

Quote: אִם־זָרַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of the process of growing crops, sowing seed, to mean the whole process. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [as the Israelites tried to grow crops each year]

and the sons of the east

Quote: וּ⁠בְנֵי־קֶ֖דֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

In certain contexts, the biblical text uses the expression sons of to indicate that the members of a group share the quality of something. In this case, they share the quality of living to the east of the Israelites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and the inhabitants of the land to the east of Israel]

against him

Quote: עָלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun him refers to Israel. The author is speaking of the nation as if it were a person. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [to oppress the people of Israel]

Judges 6:5

And of them and of their camels there was no counting

Quote: וְ⁠לָ⁠הֶ֥ם וְ⁠לִ⁠גְמַלֵּי⁠הֶ֖ם אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [Large numbers of people came, and they brought very many camels with them]

And they came into the land to destroy it

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֥אוּ בָ⁠אָ֖רֶץ לְ⁠שַׁחֲתָֽ⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

The author is describing the result rather than the purpose of the Midianites coming into the land of Israel. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And as a result of them coming into the land, it was ruined]

Judges 6:6

And Israel was impoverished greatly from the face of Midian

Quote: וַ⁠יִּדַּ֧ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מְאֹ֖ד מִ⁠פְּנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And the Midianites greatly impoverished the Israelites]

from the face of Midian

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of the Midianites, their faces, to represent the Midianites themselves in the act of impoverishing the Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [because of the Midianites]

Judges 6:7

Now it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֕י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Judges 6:8

a man, a prophet

Quote: אִ֥ישׁ נָבִ֖יא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using the phrase a man to introduce this prophet as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [a certain prophet]

Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and I brought you out from the house of slaves

Quote: כֹּה־אָמַ֥ר יְהוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָנֹכִ֞י הֶעֱלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְ⁠כֶם֙ מִ⁠מִּצְרַ֔יִם וָ⁠אֹצִ֥יא אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם מִ⁠בֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [Yahweh, the God of Israel, says that he brought you up from Egypt and that he brought you out from the house of slaves]

I brought you up from Egypt, and I brought you out from the house of slaves

Quote: אָנֹכִ֞י הֶעֱלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְ⁠כֶם֙ מִ⁠מִּצְרַ֔יִם וָ⁠אֹצִ֥יא אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם מִ⁠בֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

Yahweh gave the prophet a poetic message that used repetition for emphasis. To show that this is poetry, you may want to include both phrases in your translation. But it may be clearer in your language to connect the phrases with a word other than and in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: [I brought you up from Egypt, indeed, I brought you out from the house of slaves]

you

Quote: אֶתְ⁠כֶם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh is saying you by association to mean “you Israelites.” He did not bring the people whom this prophet is addressing up from Egypt, since that happened in an earlier generation. Alternate translation: [you Israelites]

from the house of slaves

Quote: מִ⁠בֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh is speaking of Egypt as if it had been a house where people kept slaves. Alternate translation: [the country where you were in slavery]

Judges 6:10

And I said to you, “I {am} Yahweh your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorite, when you {are} dwelling in their land.” But you have not heard my voice

Quote: וָ⁠אֹמְרָ֣⁠ה לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֲנִי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠כֶ֔ם לֹ֤א תִֽירְאוּ֙ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יוֹשְׁבִ֣ים בְּ⁠אַרְצָ֑⁠ם וְ⁠לֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּ⁠קוֹלִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If you began translating this in the previous verse in such a way that there would not be a quotation within a quotation, you can continue to do that here. Alternate translation: [He says that he told you that he was Yahweh your God and that you were not to fear the gods of the Amorite when you were dwelling in their land, but you have not heard his voice]

But you have not heard my voice

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּ⁠קוֹלִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the same expression in 2:2. Alternate translation: [But you have not obeyed my voice]

But you have not heard my voice

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּ⁠קוֹלִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh is using the term voice by association to mean what he used his voice to command them to do. Alternate translation: [But you have not obeyed what I commanded you]

Judges 6:11

Now the angel of Yahweh came

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֞א מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

the angel of Yahweh

Quote: מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated it in 2:1.

was} in Ophrah, … the Abiezrite

Quote: בְּ⁠עָפְרָ֔ה & אֲבִ֣י הָֽעֶזְרִ֑י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Ophrah is the name of a town, and the word Abiezrite describes a person who belonged to the group of descendants of a man named Abiezer.

And Gideon, his son

Quote: וְ⁠גִדְע֣וֹן בְּנ֗⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to introduce Gideon as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [And one of his sons, Gideon]

from the face of Midian

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֥י מִדְיָֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term face to mean sight, by association with the way that people can see what is in front of their face. Alternate translation: [from the sight of Midian]

Judges 6:12

Yahweh {is} with you

Quote: יְהוָ֥ה עִמְּ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Verses 14 and 16 identify this angel as Yahweh himself. So here Yahweh is actually speaking about himself in the third person. However, Gideon does not yet know that Yahweh is appearing to him in the form of this angel. So it would be appropriate to leave this statement in the third person.

warrior of valor

Quote: גִּבּ֥וֹר הֶ⁠חָֽיִל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of valor, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [valiant warrior]

Judges 6:13

Excuse me, my lord, but {if} Yahweh is with us, then why has all of this happened to us? And where {are} all of his wonders that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt

Quote: בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔⁠י וְ⁠יֵ֤שׁ יְהוָה֙ עִמָּ֔⁠נוּ וְ⁠לָ֥⁠מָּה מְצָאַ֖תְ⁠נוּ כָּל־זֹ֑את וְ⁠אַיֵּ֣ה כָֽל־נִפְלְאֹתָ֡י⁠ו אֲשֶׁר֩ סִפְּרוּ־לָ֨⁠נוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֜י⁠נוּ לֵ⁠אמֹ֗ר הֲ⁠לֹ֤א מִ⁠מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙ הֶעֱלָ֣⁠נוּ יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gideon and the ancestors whom he is quoting are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: [Excuse me, my lord, but if Yahweh is with us, then all of this should not have happened to us! We should be seeing the same kind of wonders that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Yahweh brought us up from Egypt!]

Excuse me, my lord

Quote: בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

Gideon is politely asking permission to address a superior and referring to the angel by a respectful title. In your translation, use comparable forms for these purposes in your own language.

with us, … has … happened to us? … to us, … Did … bring us up … and given us

Quote: עִמָּ֔⁠נוּ & מְצָאַ֖תְ⁠נוּ & לָ֨⁠נוּ & הֶעֱלָ֣⁠נוּ & וַֽ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֖⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

In each of these instances, by us, Gideon means himself and others in his situation but not the angel of Yahweh, to whom he is speaking. So use the exclusive form of that word in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

our fathers

Quote: אֲבוֹתֵ֜י⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Gideon is using the term fathers to mean “ancestors.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [our ancestors]

saying, ‘Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt

Quote: לֵ⁠אמֹ֗ר הֲ⁠לֹ֤א מִ⁠מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙ הֶעֱלָ֣⁠נוּ יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [when they told us how Yahweh brought us up from Egypt]

and given us into the palm of Midian

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֖⁠נוּ בְּ⁠כַף־מִדְיָֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the term palm, like the term “hand” elsewhere in the book, represents the power of a person or group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and given the Midianites power over us]

Judges 6:14

from the palm of Midian

Quote: מִ⁠כַּ֣ף מִדְיָ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [from the power of Midian]

Have I not sent you

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֖א שְׁלַחְתִּֽי⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [I am sending you!]

Judges 6:15

Excuse me, my lord

Quote: בִּ֣י אֲדֹנָ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

See how you translated this same phrase in 6:13.

by what shall I save Israel

Quote: בַּ⁠מָּ֥ה אוֹשִׁ֖יעַ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gideon seems to be using the question form for emphasis rather than to ask for information, since in the rest of the verse he gives reasons why he cannot do what Yahweh is telling him to do. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [there is no means by which I can save Israel!]

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּ֤ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, Gideon is using the word Behold to call attention to what he is about to say. Alternate translation: [Listen]

my thousand

Quote: אַלְפִּ⁠י֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

Here the term thousand probably refers not to that number of people but to a part of a tribe. Alternate translation, as in the UST: [my clan]

is} the weak {one} in Manasseh, and I {am} the young {one

Quote: הַ⁠דַּ֣ל בִּ⁠מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וְ⁠אָנֹכִ֥י הַ⁠צָּעִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

Gideon is using the adjectives weak and young as nouns. The ULT shows this by adding the word one in each case. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate these adjectives with equivalent phrases. Alternate translation: [is the weakest clan in Manasseh, and I am the youngest son]

Judges 6:16

Because I will be with you

Quote: כִּ֥י אֶהְיֶ֖ה עִמָּ֑⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Yahweh is implicitly answering Gideon’s question in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [You will be able to save Israel because I will be with you]

Midian as one man

Quote: אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן כְּ⁠אִ֥ישׁ אֶחָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that refers to an entire group gathered together, as the similar uses in 20:1, 20:8, 20:11, and Nehemiah 8:1 show. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the entire army of Midian at once]

Judges 6:17

if I have found favor in your eyes

Quote: אִם & מָצָ֥אתִי חֵ֖ן בְּ⁠עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Gideon is not using the word found to mean that he was intentionally searching for something. He is using it to refer to having something, as if he had found it. Alternate translation: [if in fact I have favor in your eyes]

if I have found favor in your eyes

Quote: אִם & מָצָ֥אתִי חֵ֖ן בְּ⁠עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of favor, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [if in fact you have judged me favorably]

Judges 6:19

a kid of goats

Quote: גְּדִֽי־עִזִּים֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that describes a young goat. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a young goat]

and, {from} an ephah of flour

Quote: וְ⁠אֵיפַת־קֶ֣מַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume

If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express this amount in terms of modern measurements. Alternate translation: [and from about 22 liters of flour] or [and from about 20 pounds of flour]

Judges 6:20

the angel of God

Quote: מַלְאַ֣ךְ הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The phrase the angel of God refers to the same person as “the angel of Yahweh.” It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers by using the same expression that you have been using to translate “the angel of Yahweh.”

Judges 6:21

and fire came up

Quote: וַ⁠תַּ֨עַל הָ⁠אֵ֜שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of came. Alternate translation: [and fire went up]

from his eyes

Quote: מֵ⁠עֵינָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term eyes by association to mean sight. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [out of his sight]

Judges 6:22

And Gideon saw

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֣רְא גִּדְע֔וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term saw by association to mean “recognized.” Alternate translation: [And Gideon recognized]

Alas, my Lord Yahweh, for upon that I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face

Quote: אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣⁠י יְהוִ֔ה כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֤ן רָאִ֨יתִי֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Since I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face, I am afraid that you, Lord Yahweh, are going to punish me]

Alas, my Lord Yahweh

Quote: אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣⁠י יְהוִ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations

Gideon is using a word that expresses a strong feeling, fear. The ULT translates this word as Alas. There may be an equivalent word or expression in your language that you can use in your translation to convey this strong feeling. If not, you could specify that Gideon said this because he was feeling fear. Alternate translation: [Oh, no, my Lord Yahweh] or [I am afraid, my Lord Yahweh]

face to face

Quote: פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that describes seeing someone in person. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. (For example, some languages may say something such as “nose to nose.”) You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation, as in the UST: [in person]

Judges 6:23

But Yahweh said to him

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר ל֧⁠וֹ יְהוָ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Since the angel of Yahweh had disappeared from Gideon’s sight, the author seems to mean implicitly that Yahweh spoke to Gideon from heaven. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [But Yahweh spoke to him from heaven and said]

Peace to you

Quote: שָׁל֥וֹם לְ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of Peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [Everything is peaceful between you and me]

Judges 6:24

Yahweh {is} Peace

Quote: יְהוָ֖ה שָׁל֑וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

Even if your language would not ordinarily use an abstract noun for the idea of Peace, you may be able to use that word in the name of this altar. If not, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [Yahweh Makes Us Peaceful]

To this day

Quote: עַ֚ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term day to refer to a specific time, the time when he was writing the book of Judges. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [At this time]

Judges 6:25

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

the bullock of an ox

Quote: אֶת־פַּר־הַ⁠שּׁוֹר֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that describes a young ox. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the comparable expression “a kid of goats” in 6:19. Alternate translation: [the young ox]

and the second bullock, seven years {old

Quote: וּ⁠פַ֥ר הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֖י שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [and his other bullock, the one that is seven years old]

Judges 6:26

on the head of this stronghold

Quote: עַ֣ל רֹ֧אשׁ הַ⁠מָּע֛וֹז הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh assumes that Gideon will understand that by the head of this stronghold, he is referring to the top of a rocky cliff in the town of Ophrah. The people of the town could go there for safety from the Midianites, and since it was a high place, it was also where Gideon’s father had built an altar. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [on the high place near this town]

in the arrangement

Quote: בַּ⁠מַּֽעֲרָכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This phrase probably refers to Yahweh’s command to the Israelites in Exodus 20:25 to use only natural stones if they built a stone altar to him. That is, they were not to use any stones that had been cut or shaped with tools. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [in the proper arrangement] or [using only natural stones, as I have commanded]

Then you shall take the second bull and you shall offer an offering

Quote: וְ⁠לָֽקַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־הַ⁠פָּ֣ר הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֔י וְ⁠הַעֲלִ֣יתָ עוֹלָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

As the previous verse describes, this second bull was seven years old. This was symbolic of the seven years during which God had punished the Israelites for their disobedience, as 6:1 describes. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [Then you shall take the seven-year-old bull and you shall offer an offering for the sins of the Israelites]

on the wood of the Asherah

Quote: בַּ⁠עֲצֵ֥י הָ⁠אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh is using the term wood by association to mean a fire that Gideon would build using this wood as fuel. Alternate translation: [on a fire that you shall build from the wood of the Asherah]

Judges 6:27

the house of his father

Quote: אֶת־בֵּ֨ית אָבִ֜י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term house by association to mean a group of people who were living together, not necessarily all in the same building. Gideon’s father was the head of this household, which probably included family members in several generations and servants. Alternate translation: [the people in his extended family]

and the men of the city

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָ⁠עִ֛יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations

Here the masculine term men has a generic sense that includes both men and women. While the males in the city were the most likely to attack Gideon for tearing down the altar of Baal, he probably feared any person—man or woman, adult or child—who would recognize him and identify him as the person who had done that. Alternate translation: [and the people of the city]

Judges 6:28

and behold, the altar of Baal was torn down, and the Asherah that {was} beside it was cut down, and the second bullock had been offered on the built altar

Quote: וְ⁠הִנֵּ֤ה נֻתַּץ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הַ⁠בַּ֔עַל וְ⁠הָ⁠אֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֖י⁠ו כֹּרָ֑תָה וְ⁠אֵת֙ הַ⁠פָּ֣ר הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֔י הֹֽעֲלָ֔ה עַל־הַ⁠מִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַ⁠בָּנֽוּי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use these passive forms, you could express these ideas with active forms or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and they saw that someone had torn down the altar of Baal, cut down the Asherah that was beside it, built an altar, and offered the second bullock on it]

Judges 6:29

And they said, a man to his fellow

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that means that the people of the city were asking each other the question that follows. No particular relationship is in view between a man and his fellow man. The expression just means that one person asked another. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Each person was asking other people]

And they searched and sought, and they said

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַ⁠יְבַקְשׁ֔וּ וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms searched and sought mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis, probably to mean that it took some time to find out who was responsible. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [They had to search for some time, but finally they discovered]

Judges 6:30

Bring out your son, that he may die, because he tore down the altar of Baal and because he cut down the Asherah that {was} beside it

Quote: הוֹצֵ֥א אֶת־בִּנְ⁠ךָ֖ וְ⁠יָמֹ֑ת כִּ֤י נָתַץ֙ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֣ח הַ⁠בַּ֔עַל וְ⁠כִ֥י כָרַ֖ת הָ⁠אֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Because your son tore down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah that was beside it, he deserves to die, so bring him out to us]

that he may die

Quote: וְ⁠יָמֹ֑ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The men of the city mean implicitly that they want Joash to surrender Gideon to them so that they can execute him as a punishment. They do not mean that Gideon would die as a result of Joash bringing him out. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [so that we can execute him]

Judges 6:31

who stood against him

Quote: אֲשֶׁר־עָמְד֨וּ עָלָ֜י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that describes these people opposing Joash in an argument. The emphasis is not on their body position, although they likely were standing around his house. The idea is that they wanted Joash to bring Gideon out to them, but he refused, so the people were in opposition against Joash. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who were arguing with him]

Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him

Quote: הַ⁠אַתֶּ֣ם ׀ תְּרִיב֣וּ⁠ן לַ⁠בַּ֗עַל אִם־אַתֶּם֙ תּוֹשִׁיע֣וּ⁠ן אוֹת֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Joash is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: [You should not have to contend for Baal! You should not have to help him!]

Whoever contends for him, may he die

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֥יב ל֛⁠וֹ יוּמַ֖ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Joash is saying implicitly that anyone who thinks he needs to act to defend Baal’s honor is suggesting that Baal is not powerful enough to defend his own honor, and that is being just as disrespectful to Baal as the person who tore down his altar. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Whoever contends for him is being just as disrespectful, and he is the one who deserves to die]

still morning

Quote: עַד־הַ⁠בֹּ֑קֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Joash is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [while it is still morning]

Judges 6:32

Jerubbaal

Quote: יְרֻבַּ֣עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Jerubbaal is another name by which Gideon became known. It means “may Baal contend.”

saying, “May Baal contend against him, since he tore down his altar

Quote: לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר יָ֤רֶב בּ⁠וֹ֙ הַ⁠בַּ֔עַל כִּ֥י נָתַ֖ץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks

It is unclear how many of the words that follow saying were spoken by the people who gave Gideon the name Jerubbaal and how many are an explanation by the author of why the people gave him this name. The people could have spoken: (1) all of the words that are within quotation marks in the ULT. This would be a repetition of what Joash said at the end of the previous verse. (2) only the first phrase that is within quotation marks in the ULT. This would explain the meaning of the name Jerubbaal. The rest would be an explanation by the author. Alternate translation: [saying, “May Baal contend against him,” since he tore down his altar]

Judges 6:33

Now all of Midian and Amalek and the sons of the east assembled themselves together

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־מִדְיָ֧ן וַ⁠עֲמָלֵ֛ק וּ⁠בְנֵי־קֶ֖דֶם נֶאֶסְפ֣וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

and the sons of the east

Quote: וּ⁠בְנֵי־קֶ֖דֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this expression in 6:3.

and they crossed over

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעַבְר֥וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will understand that he means that these enemy forces crossed over the Jordan River into Israel. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and they crossed over the Jordan River into Israel]

Judges 6:34

Then the Spirit of Yahweh wore Gideon

Quote: וְ⁠ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה לָבְשָׁ֖ה אֶת־גִּדְע֑וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Spirit of Yahweh literally wore Gideon as if he had been a garment. He means that the Spirit of Yahweh gave Gideon strength and guidance, as if Gideon had the Spirit right inside himself doing that. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Then the Spirit of Yahweh filled Gideon] or [Then the Spirit of Yahweh made Gideon strong and confident]

Abiezer

Quote: אֲבִיעֶ֖זֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion in the Introduction to Judges of the author’s use of the name of a nation, tribe, or clan to mean its people or army. Alternate translation: [the Abiezrites]

Judges 6:35

him

Quote: ה֖וּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author is using the pronoun him in the first instance to speak of the tribe of Manasseh as if it were an individual person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the soldiers from that tribe]

and they went up to meet them

Quote: וַֽ⁠יַּעֲל֖וּ לִ⁠קְרָאתָֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “came” instead of went. Alternate translation: [and they came up to meet them]

and they went up to meet them

Quote: וַֽ⁠יַּעֲל֖וּ לִ⁠קְרָאתָֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the soldiers from the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali who responded to the summons from Gideon. The pronoun them could refer to: (1) Gideon and the soldiers from Manasseh whom he was commanding. This would suit the sense of the verb went up, since 7:9 indicates that Gideon was staying on some high ground above the battlefield. Alternate translation: [and soldiers from those tribes went up to meet Gideon and the soldiers from Manasseh whom he was commanding] (2) the enemy armies. Alternate translation: [and soldiers from those tribes joined in the fight against the Midianites and their allies]

Judges 6:36

If you are saving Israel by my hand

Quote: אִם־יֶשְׁ⁠ךָ֞ מוֹשִׁ֧יעַ בְּ⁠יָדִ֛⁠י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Gideon is using one part of himself, his hand, to represent all of himself in the act of saving Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [If you are indeed using me to save Israel]

Judges 6:37

a fleece of wool

Quote: אֶת־גִּזַּ֥ת הַ⁠צֶּ֖מֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

A fleece of wool is a large piece of skin from a sheep that still has the wool (the thick, warm hair of the sheep) attached. In this culture, a fleece could be used as a blanket or to make a garment. If your readers would not be familiar with what a fleece is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [a sheepskin] or [an animal skin with the hair still on it]

but on all of the ground {is} dryness

Quote: וְ⁠עַל־כָּל־הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ חֹ֔רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of dryness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [but all around it the ground stays dry]

Judges 6:38

and wrung dew from the fleece, the fulness of a bowl {of} water

Quote: וַ⁠יִּ֤מֶץ טַל֙ מִן־הַ⁠גִּזָּ֔ה מְל֥וֹא הַ⁠סֵּ֖פֶל מָֽיִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. While the fleece was soaked with dew, the ground all around it remained dry. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 6:39

May your nose not burn against me

Quote: אַל־יִ֤חַר אַפְּ⁠ךָ֙ בִּ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [May you not be angry with me]

but may I speak only this time. May I please test only this time

Quote: וַ⁠אֲדַבְּרָ֖ה אַ֣ךְ הַ⁠פָּ֑עַם אֲנַסֶּ֤ה נָּא־רַק־הַ⁠פַּ֨עַם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Since Gideon has already done a test with the fleece once, by only this time he means, in both instances, “just one more time.” You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [but may I speak just one more time. May I please test just one more time]

may dryness be on the fleece alone

Quote: יְהִי & חֹ֤רֶב אֶל־הַ⁠גִּזָּה֙ לְ⁠בַדָּ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of dryness, you could express the same idea in another way. See how you translated the similar expression in 6:37. Alternate translation: [may only the fleece be dry]

Judges 6:40

For dryness was on the fleece alone

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי־חֹ֤רֶב אֶל־הַ⁠גִּזָּה֙ לְ⁠בַדָּ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [For only the fleece was dry]

Judges 7

Judges 7 Chapter Introduction

Structure and formatting

The account of Gideon, which began in chapter 6, continues in this chapter.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why does the barley loaf represent Gideon?

In 7:13, a Midianite soldier tells his friend that the loaf of barley bread in the dream the friend has just recounted must represent Gideon. He says this because barley was a grain that only poorer people ate, and as 6:6 states, the Midianites had reduced the Israelites to poverty. In 6:11, Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites; they may have taken the wheat from Israel but left the barley because they did not want to eat it. Beyond this, the “sons of the east” were nomadic herders, so they would have associated grain with a farming culture such as the Israelites had. For these reasons, the soldier recognizes that the loaf of barley bread represents the Israelite army under the command of Gideon. A note to verse 13 suggests a way to indicate this in your translation.

Mount Gilead

In 7:3, Yahweh tells Gideon to announce to his troops that anyone who is afraid can depart from “Mount Gilead.” In this context, that name cannot refer, as it usually does, to the mountainous region east of the Jordan River. The Valley of Jezreel, where the two armies had gathered for battle, was west of the Jordan River. Since Gilead was the ancestor of a major part of the tribe of Manasseh, including the Abiezrites, and since that tribe had territory on both sides of the Jordan, it is possible that the people of Manasseh had named a mountain after Gilead on the west side of the river, near where Gideon’s army had assembled. But such a mountain is not known from any other source. Some commentators have suggested instead that “Mount Gilead” might have been a name that the soldiers of Manasseh gave to their army, to describe both its strength and its lineage. However, there is no evidence elsewhere for that either. But since this is ultimately a matter of interpretation rather than of translation, is probably best to translate the expression as “Mount Gilead” and allow preachers and teachers of the Bible to explain the possible meanings.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“into their hand”/“into your hand” (plural “you”)

In several places in this chapter, the author or characters use the expressions “into their hand” and “into your hand” (with a plural “you”). Since this expression refers to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of hand. (See: Collective Nouns)

Judges 7:1

Harod. … Moreh

Quote: חֲרֹ֑ד & הַ⁠מּוֹרֶ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Harod means “trembling.” The spring probably got this name because, as 7:3 describes, all the soldiers who were “afraid and trembling” were dismissed from Gideon’s army there. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in a footnote.

Judges 7:2

for my giving Midian into their hand

Quote: מִ⁠תִּתִּ֥⁠י אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh is using the term hand in the sense of possession. The image is of someone holding something in his hand. That is, when Yahweh speaks of giving Midian into the hand of the Israelites, the idea is that the Israelites will conquer the Midianites, who will then become subject to them. Alternate translation: [for me to enable them to conquer the Midianites]

into their hand

Quote: בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

As the Notes to this chapter discuss, since a group of people is in view here and in similar instances, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of hand. Alternate translation: [into their hands]

My hand has saved me

Quote: יָדִ֖⁠י הוֹשִׁ֥יעָה לִּֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here Yahweh is using the term hand more in the sense of power. The image is of someone doing something with his hand. That is, if the Israelites claimed that their hand had saved them, they would be saying that they had saved themselves by their own power. Alternate translation: [We Israelites have saved ourselves by our own power]

Judges 7:3

proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever {is} afraid and trembling, may he turn back and depart from Mount Gilead

Quote: קְרָ֨א & בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֤י הָ⁠עָם֙ לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר מִֽי־יָרֵ֣א וְ⁠חָרֵ֔ד יָשֹׁ֥ב וְ⁠יִצְפֹּ֖ר מֵ⁠הַ֣ר הַ⁠גִּלְעָ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [proclaim in the ears of the people that anyone who is afraid or trembling may turn back and depart from Mount Gilead]

in the ears of the people

Quote: בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֤י הָ⁠עָם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Yahweh is using one part of Gideon’s soldiers, their ears, to mean all of them in the act of hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [loudly so that the people can hear]

is} afraid and trembling

Quote: יָרֵ֣א וְ⁠חָרֵ֔ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word afraid tells why a soldier might be trembling. Alternate translation: [is trembling with fear]

from Mount Gilead

Quote: מֵ⁠הַ֣ר הַ⁠גִּלְעָ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter for a suggestion of how to translate this name in this context.

were left

Quote: נִשְׁאָֽרוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [remained]

Judges 7:4

and I will refine it for you there

Quote: וְ⁠אֶצְרְפֶ֥⁠נּוּ לְ⁠ךָ֖ שָׁ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun it refers back to the people earlier in the verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and I will refine the people for you there]

and I will refine it for you

Quote: וְ⁠אֶצְרְפֶ֥⁠נּוּ לְ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Yahweh is speaking as if he were literally going to refine Gideon’s troops, as if they were a precious metal such as silver or gold and he was going to melt them with heat to remove their impurities. He means that he is going to enable Gideon to identify the best soldiers and keep only them in his army. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and I will enable you to identify the best soldiers]

And it will be, {of} whom I say to you, ‘This {one} shall go with you,’ he shall go with you, but all {of} whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go

Quote: וְ⁠הָיָ֡ה אֲשֶׁר֩ אֹמַ֨ר אֵלֶ֜י⁠ךָ זֶ֣ה ׀ יֵלֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֗⁠ךְ ה֚וּא יֵלֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֔⁠ךְ וְ⁠כֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַ֜ר אֵלֶ֗י⁠ךָ זֶ֚ה לֹא־יֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֔⁠ךְ ה֖וּא לֹ֥א יֵלֵֽךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And when I tell you that a certain kind of soldier is to go with you, then you must bring that kind of soldier with you, but you must not bring any other kind of soldier with you that I say is not to go with you]

Judges 7:5

So he brought the people down

Quote: וַ⁠יּ֥וֹרֶד אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “took” instead of brought. Alternate translation: [So he took the people down]

and anyone who kneels upon his knees to drink

Quote: וְ⁠כֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִכְרַ֥ע עַל־בִּרְכָּ֖י⁠ו לִ⁠שְׁתּֽוֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and you shall put in a different group anyone who kneels upon his knees to drink]

kneels upon his knees

Quote: יִכְרַ֥ע עַל־בִּרְכָּ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression kneels upon his knees contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [kneels down]

Judges 7:6

with their hand to their mouth

Quote: בְּ⁠יָדָ⁠ם֙ אֶל־פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural forms of hand and mouth. Alternate translation: [with their hands to their mouths]

knelt upon their knees

Quote: כָּרְע֥וּ עַל־בִּרְכֵי⁠הֶ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [knelt down]

Judges 7:7

I will save you, and I will give Midian into your hand

Quote: אוֹשִׁ֣יעַ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֔ם וְ⁠נָתַתִּ֥י אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן בְּ⁠יָדֶ֑⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Since Yahweh was going to give Midian into Gideon’s hand (that is, give Gideon the power to conquer Midian) in order to save the Israelites, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they were going to happen. Alternate translation: [I will give Midian into your hand and save you]

you

Quote: אֶתְ⁠כֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

In this verse, the word your is singular because Yahweh is speaking to Gideon as an individual. However, the word you is plural because Yahweh is addressing Gideon as representative of all the Israelites. So use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Other languages may have different ways of clarifying the meaning. Alternate translation: [you Israelites]

But all the people may go

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם יֵלְכ֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Yahweh assumes that when he says all the people, Gideon will understand that he means “all the other people,” that is, the soldiers who did not lap the water from their hands. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [But all the soldiers who did not lap the water may go]

a man to his place

Quote: אִ֥ישׁ לִ⁠מְקֹמֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

Yahweh is not referring to a specific man. He means each of the men who knelt down to drink. Express this in a way that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [each man to his own home]

Judges 7:8

into their hand

Quote: בְּ⁠יָדָ֜⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

See how you translated the same expression in 7:6. Alternate translation: [into their hands]

and their shofars

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֣ת שׁוֹפְרֹֽתֵי⁠הֶ֗ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun their refers to the soldiers who were leaving the army. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and the shofars that the other soldiers had brought]

but every man of Israel

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֨ת כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will understand that by every man of Israel he means the soldiers who had not lapped the water from their hands. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [but the soldiers who had not lapped the water from their hands]

Now the camp of Midian was to him from below, in the valley

Quote: וּ⁠מַחֲנֵ֣ה מִדְיָ֔ן הָ֥יָה ל֖⁠וֹ מִ⁠תַּ֥חַת בָּ⁠עֵֽמֶק (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Judges 7:9

Arise

Quote: ק֖וּם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Yahweh is using the expression Arise to tell Gideon to take action and lead his army down into the valley to attack the Midianites. Gideon probably was lying in bed when Yahweh spoke to him that night, but the meaning of the term Arise is not simply that Gideon should get out of bed. See how you translated the same expression in 4:14. Alternate translation: [Get going]

Go down into the camp, for I have given it into your hand

Quote: רֵ֣ד בַּֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֑ה כִּ֥י נְתַתִּ֖י⁠ו בְּ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Yahweh is using the term camp by association to mean the Midianite army in its camp. Alternate translation: [Go down and attack the Midianite army where it is encamped, for I have given you the power to defeat it]

I have given it into your hand

Quote: נְתַתִּ֖י⁠ו בְּ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture

Yahweh is using the past tense to describe something that is going to happen in the future. He is doing this to show that the event will certainly happen. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense in your translation and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [I will certainly give it into your hand]

Judges 7:10

and Purah

Quote: וּ⁠פֻרָ֥ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Purah is the name of a man.

Judges 7:11

your hands will be strong

Quote: תֶּחֱזַ֣קְנָה יָדֶ֔י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Yahweh is using one part of Gideon, his hands, to mean all of him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [you will feel courageous]

to the edge of the armed {ones} who {were} in the camp

Quote: אֶל־קְצֵ֥ה הַ⁠חֲמֻשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use a passive form such as armed, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. The emphasis here may be on the fact that these men were holding weapons because they were sentries guarding the camp. Alternate translation: [to the edge of the camp, where the sentries were]

Judges 7:12

the sons of the east

Quote: בְּנֵי־קֶ֨דֶם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this expression in 6:3.

like the locust in multitude

Quote: כָּ⁠אַרְבֶּ֖ה לָ⁠רֹ֑ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as a locust swarm is very great in multitude, that is, extremely numerous, so this combined army had a very great number of soldiers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [in huge numbers, such as in a swarm of locusts]

And to their camels there was not a number

Quote: וְ⁠לִ⁠גְמַלֵּי⁠הֶם֙ אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֔ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [And they had so many camels that one could hardly count them]

And to their camels there was not a number, like the sand that {is} along the edge of the sea in multitude

Quote: וְ⁠לִ⁠גְמַלֵּי⁠הֶם֙ אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֔ר כַּ⁠ח֛וֹל שֶׁ⁠עַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַ⁠יָּ֖ם לָ⁠רֹֽב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as the grains of sand that are along the edge of the sea are very numerous, so this combined army had a very great number of camels. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [And they had a huge number of camels, which seemed as huge as the number of grains of sand along the edge of the sea]

Judges 7:13

and behold, a man was recounting … Behold, … and behold

Quote: וְ⁠הִ֨נֵּה־אִ֔ישׁ מְסַפֵּ֥ר & הִנֵּ֧ה & וְ⁠הִנֵּ֨ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, the author is using the term behold to call attention to what he is about to say. Similarly, the man is saying Behold … behold not to get his comrade to look at something but to get him to pay attention to what he is about to say. Your language may have comparable expressions that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [and what he found was that a man was recounting … Now listen … and in my dream]

I dreamed a dream

Quote: חֲל֣וֹם חָלַ֗מְתִּי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression I dreamed a dream contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [I had a dream]

Judges 7:14

And his comrade answered and said

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֨עַן רֵעֵ֤⁠הוּ וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word answered tells why the comrade said this. Alternate translation: [And his comrade said in response] or [And his comrade responded]

This {is} nothing except if {it is} the sword of Gideon

Quote: אֵ֣ין זֹ֔את בִּלְתִּ֗י אִם־חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions

If, in your language, it would appear that the comrade was making a statement and then contradicting it, you could reword this as a positive statement. Alternate translation: [This can only be the sword of Gideon]

This {is} nothing except if {it is} the sword of Gideon

Quote: אֵ֣ין זֹ֔את בִּלְתִּ֗י אִם־חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun this refers to the loaf of barley bread in the dream. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [The loaf of barley bread in your dream can only represent the sword of Gideon]

the sword of Gideon

Quote: חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The comrade is using the expression the sword of Gideon to mean the army of Gideon, by association with the way that his army would use swords as weapons. Alternate translation: [the army of Gideon]

Gideon, the son of Joash, the man of Israel

Quote: גִּדְע֥וֹן בֶּן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter for an explanation of why the comrade says that the loaf of barley bread must represent Gideon. Alternate translation: [that poor Israelite farmer, Gideon, the son of Joash]

Judges 7:15

that he bowed down

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Gideon bowed down to worship God in thanks for the victory that he realized the Israelites were going to win. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [that he bowed down in worship]

And he returned

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֨שָׁב֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is referring only to Gideon, but he means that both Gideon and Purah returned to the Israelite camp. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And he and Purah returned]

Arise, for Yahweh has given the camp of Midian into your hand

Quote: ק֔וּמוּ כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֖ם אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֥ה מִדְיָֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Yahweh has given the camp of Midian into your hand, so arise]

Arise

Quote: ק֔וּמוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Even though Gideon’s men were probably lying in bed, here the term Arise does not mean simply that they should get up. It means the same thing that it did in 7:9. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: [Let’s get going!]

Arise, … into your hand

Quote: ק֔וּמוּ & בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The implied “you” in the imperative Arise and the pronoun your are plural here because Gideon is addressing all of the soldiers in his army, so use plural forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 7:18

And you shall say, ‘For Yahweh and for Gideon

Quote: וַ⁠אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַ⁠יהוָ֥ה וּ⁠לְ⁠גִדְעֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And you shall shout that you are fighting for Yahweh and for Gideon]

And you shall say, ‘For Yahweh and for Gideon

Quote: וַ⁠אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַ⁠יהוָ֥ה וּ⁠לְ⁠גִדְעֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Gideon is telling his soldiers to shout something that is not a complete sentence. It is a war cry, and so it is not supposed to be lengthy, and it does not have to be grammatically complete. You may wish to retain it as a brief incomplete sentence in your translation. See the translation suggestion for verse 20, where there is a slightly longer version of this war cry.

Judges 7:19

Stationing, they had just stationed the guards

Quote: אַ֛ךְ הָקֵ֥ם הֵקִ֖ימוּ אֶת־הַ⁠שֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is repeating forms of the verb “station” in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [The new guards were just coming on duty]

they had just stationed the guards, and they blew on the shofars

Quote: אַ֛ךְ & הֵקִ֖ימוּ אֶת־הַ⁠שֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים וַֽ⁠יִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּ⁠שּׁ֣וֹפָר֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The first instance of the pronoun they refers to the Midianites, while the second instance refers to Gideon and his men. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the Midianites had just stationed the guards, and Gideon and his men blew on the shofars]

Judges 7:20

A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon

Quote: חֶ֥רֶב לַֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה וּ⁠לְ⁠גִדְעֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The soldiers are using the term sword by association to mean “army,” since they are an army that uses swords to fight. Alternate translation: [The army of Yahweh and of Gideon]

Judges 7:21

the camp

Quote: הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word camp by association to mean the soldiers in the camp. Alternate translation: [the soldiers in the camp]

Judges 7:22

and Yahweh set the sword of a man against his comrade

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֣שֶׂם יְהוָ֗ה אֵ֣ת חֶ֥רֶב אִ֛ישׁ בְּ⁠רֵעֵ֖⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author is speaking of a sword as if it were a living thing that Yahweh could have set against a person, that is, caused to attack a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The UST models one way to do this.

the camp. And the camp fled

Quote: הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַ⁠יָּ֨נָס הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֜ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

In both of these instances, the author is using the word camp by association to mean the soldiers in the camp. Alternate translation: [the other soldiers in the camp. And the soldiers fled]

Judges 7:23

Then a man of Israel from Naphtali and from Asher and from all of Manasseh was summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵ֧ק אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִ⁠נַּפְתָּלִ֥י וּ⁠מִן־אָשֵׁ֖ר וּ⁠מִן־כָּל־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [Then Gideon summoned the men of Israel from Naphtali and from Asher and from all of Manasseh]

Then a man of Israel … was summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵ֧ק אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The author is using the term man in a collective sense. It may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of the word and a plural verb. Alternate translation: [Then the men of Israel … were summoned]

Judges 7:24

Come down

Quote: רְד֞וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “Go” instead of Come. Alternate translation: [Go down]

the waters unto Beth Barah and the Jordan

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠מַּ֔יִם עַ֛ד בֵּ֥ית בָּרָ֖ה וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The messengers are using the word waters by association to mean the shallow places where people can cross rivers and streams. Your language may have a term for such places. Alternate translation: [the fords of the streams in the area of Beth Barah and the fords of the Jordan]

Beth Barah

Quote: בֵּ֥ית בָּרָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The term Beth Barah is the name of a town.

So every man of Ephraim was summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵ֞ק כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So the messengers summoned all of the men of Ephraim]

So every man of Ephraim was summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵ֞ק כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that the messengers summoned every man who was able to fight as a solider. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [So the messengers summoned all the fighting men of Ephraim]

Judges 7:25

Oreb and Zeeb

Quote: אֶת־עֹרֵ֣ב וְ⁠אֶת־זְאֵ֗ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Oreb and Zeeb are the names of men.

at the rock of Oreb, … at the winepress of Zeeb

Quote: בְּ⁠צוּר־עוֹרֵב֙ & בְ⁠יֶֽקֶב־זְאֵ֔ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The expressions the rock of Oreb and the winepress of Zeeb are the names of places. Some languages may present these names as titles. Alternate translation: [at the Rock of Zeeb … at the Winepress of Oreb]

and they brought the head of Oreb and Zeeb

Quote: וְ⁠רֹאשׁ־עֹרֵ֣ב וּ⁠זְאֵ֔ב הֵבִ֨יאוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to two people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of head. Alternate translation: [and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb]

to Gideon, from across the Jordan

Quote: אֶל־גִּדְע֔וֹן מֵ⁠עֵ֖בֶר לַ⁠יַּרְדֵּֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) that the soldiers from Ephraim pursued the fleeing Midianite soldiers across the Jordan River, bringing the heads of Oreb and Zeeb with them, and when they met Gideon on the east side of the river, they presented the heads to him. This would mean that 8:4 is resuming the story after this episode. Alternate translation: [to Gideon after he crossed the Jordan] (2) that the soldiers from Ephraim pursued the fleeing Midianite soldiers across the Jordan River, found and killed Oreb and Zeeb on the east side of the river, and then brought their heads back to Gideon on the west side of the river. This would mean that the phrase they chased after Midian is a summary of what happened in the first part of the verse. Alternate translation: [back across the river to Gideon]

Judges 8

Judges 8 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The account of Gideon concludes in this chapter.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The tower in Penuel

Ancient cities and towns often built protective towers. Their citizens could go inside them for safety, and from the top of them their soldiers had an advantage in fighting attacking armies. The leaders of Penuel probably thought that they were safe from the Midianites because they had such a tower. Gideon told them that he was going to tear down their tower to show that they should have taken his side in the fight against the Midianites.

Why did Gideon kill the men of Penuel?

It seems difficult to understand why, when Gideon returned to Penuel (8:17), he “killed the men of the city.” He had only said he would tear down their tower, just as he had only told the leaders of Succoth that he would whip them with thorny branches, and that was all he did to them. Here is one possible explanation. In 8:16, the author uses the phrase “the men of Succoth” to mean the same thing as “the elders of the city.” So the phrase “the men of the city” in 8:17 may refer to the town leaders of Penuel. The author may be saying that when Gideon tore down the tower, this killed the town leaders. That may have happened because those leaders took refuge in the tower, thinking they would be safe from Gideon there because he would not be able to tear down the tower or that he would not tear it down if they were in it. A note to 8:17 suggests an alternate translation that suggests this meaning.

Why did Gideon tell his son Jether to kill the Midianite kings?

In 8:20, Gideon tells his son Jether, who was still a young man, to kill the Midianite kings Zeba and Zalmunna. This was in some way a symbolic action, but interpreters are not entirely sure of what kind. Here are some possibilities: (1) Gideon could have been intending to give an honor to his son. Gideon had already appeased the Ephraimites by telling them what an honor it had been for them to kill Oreb and Zeeb (8:3), and he may have wanted his firstborn son to have a similar honor. If that is the significance of this action, in your translation you might have Gideon say to Jether, “I will give you the honor of killing these kings.” (2) Gideon could have been intending to dishonor Zeba and Zalmunna. They had apparently killed Gideon’s brothers by murder rather than in battle, and so Gideon did not consider them worthy of being killed by a person of status, such as himself. (In this culture, it was customary for someone to be executed by a person of equal status; see, for example, 1 Kings 2:29.) If that is the significance, you might have Gideon say to Jether, “I am going to have you, a youth, kill them.” (3) Gideon could have wanted to emphasize to Jether that he needed to be prepared to fight against the oppressors of Yahweh’s people, just as he had. In that case, you might have Gideon say, “Kill these enemy kings, as you must be prepared to fight to free Yahweh’s people from oppression.”

Judges 8:1

What {is} this thing you have done to us, not calling to us when you went to fight against Midian

Quote: מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֔⁠נוּ לְ⁠בִלְתִּי֙ קְרֹ֣אות לָ֔⁠נוּ כִּ֥י הָלַ֖כְתָּ לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֣ם בְּ⁠מִדְיָ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The soldiers from Ephraim are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should not have acted toward us like this! When you went out to fight against the army of Midian, you should have called us to help you!]

in strength

Quote: בְּ⁠חָזְקָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of strength, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [vehemently]

Judges 8:2

What have I now done like you? {Are} not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer

Quote: מֶה־עָשִׂ֥יתִי עַתָּ֖ה כָּ⁠כֶ֑ם הֲ⁠ל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב עֹלְל֥וֹת אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִ⁠בְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gideon is using the question form in order to make a point without being confrontational. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations, particularly if they would not be regarded as confrontational in your culture. Alternate translation: [What I have done is not like what you have done! The gleanings of Ephraim are better than the vintage of Abiezer!]

Are} not the gleanings of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer

Quote: הֲ⁠ל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב עֹלְל֥וֹת אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִ⁠בְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Gideon is speaking as if he had literally harvested a crop of grapes and the soldiers from Ephraim had come along after him and collected the few grapes that he had left on the vines. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. (You could also express this as a comparison, as the UST does.) Alternate translation: [The specific thing that you did at the end of the battle was more important than what I and my soldiers did during the battle!]

than the vintage of Abiezer

Quote: מִ⁠בְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Gideon is using the name of his clan, Abiezer by association to mean himself. Alternate translation: [than the grapes I have harvested]

Judges 8:3

into your hand

Quote: בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶם֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 1:2.

So what was I able to do like you

Quote: וּ⁠מַה־יָּכֹ֖לְתִּי עֲשׂ֣וֹת כָּ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gideon is using the question form for emphasis and to be persuasive without being confrontational. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for those purposes, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [So what I have done is not like what you have done!]

Then their spirit abated toward him

Quote: אָ֗ז רָפְתָ֤ה רוּחָ⁠ם֙ מֵֽ⁠עָלָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the spirit of the Ephraimite soldiers literally became smaller or weaker. In this context, the word spirit refers to anger. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Then they had less anger toward him]

upon him speaking this word

Quote: בְּ⁠דַבְּר֖⁠וֹ הַ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term word to represent what Gideon said by using words. He is not referring to one specific word that Gideon spoke that made the Ephraimite soldiers less angry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when he said these things to them]

Judges 8:4

Then Gideon came to the Jordan. Crossing over, he and the 300 men who {were} with him {were} weary, but pursuing

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֥א גִדְע֖וֹן הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֑נָ⁠ה עֹבֵ֣ר ה֗וּא וּ⁠שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת הָ⁠אִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔⁠וֹ עֲיֵפִ֖ים וְ⁠רֹדְפִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

Here the author is introducing a new event in the story. It is possible that he is backing up to a point in the narrative just after 7:24 and that the events of 7:25–8:3 are related out of sequence. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event and that would allow for this possibility. Alternate translation: [Now when Gideon and the 300 men who were with him reached the Jordan and crossed it, even though they were weary, they continued pursuing]

but pursuing

Quote: וְ⁠רֹדְפִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [but still pursuing their enemies]

Judges 8:5

loaves of bread to the people

Quote: כִּכְּר֣וֹת לֶ֔חֶם לָ⁠עָ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Gideon asks specifically for loaves of bread because they would have been easy to carry and to eat while pursuing the Midianites. But he may also be using one kind of food to mean the various kinds of food that would provide a good meal to strengthen a soldier. You may wish to indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: [some food to strengthen the people]

to the people who {are} at my feet

Quote: לָ⁠עָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּ⁠רַגְלָ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the similar expression in 4:10. Alternate translation: [to the men who are under my command]

Judges 8:6

Is} the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that {we are} giving bread to your army

Quote: הֲ֠⁠כַף זֶ֧בַח וְ⁠צַלְמֻנָּ֛ע עַתָּ֖ה בְּ⁠יָדֶ֑⁠ךָ כִּֽי־נִתֵּ֥ן לִֽ⁠צְבָאֲ⁠ךָ֖ לָֽחֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The leaders of Succoth are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [The palm of Zebah and Zalmunna is not now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army!]

Is} the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand

Quote: הֲ֠⁠כַף זֶ֧בַח וְ⁠צַלְמֻנָּ֛ע עַתָּ֖ה בְּ⁠יָדֶ֑⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The leaders of Succoth are referring by association to Gideon and his men having captured Zebah and Zalmunna. While the source and meaning are not entirely clear of the expression palm … in your hand, it seems to refer to the way captured prisoners would have their hands tied or chained by a rope or chain that one of their captors would hold in his hand to lead them. Alternate translation: [Have you already captured Zebah and Zalmunna]

Is} the palm of

Quote: הֲ֠⁠כַף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the leaders of Succoth are referring to two people, it might be more natural in your language to use the dual or plural form of palm. Alternate translation: [Are the palms]

Judges 8:9

In my returning in peace

Quote: בְּ⁠שׁוּבִ֣⁠י בְ⁠שָׁל֔וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [When I return here peacefully] or [When I return here after winning the war against the Midianites]

Judges 8:10

Now Zebah and Zalmunna {were} in Karkor

Quote: וְ⁠זֶ֨בַח וְ⁠צַלְמֻנָּ֜ע בַּ⁠קַּרְקֹ֗ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

and their camps {… the camp of the sons of the east

Quote: וּ⁠מַחֲנֵי⁠הֶ֤ם & מַחֲנֵ֣ה בְנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the terms camps and camp to mean “soldiers” and “army,” by association with the way the soldiers in an army stay in camps. Alternate translation: [and their soldiers … the army of the sons of the east]

the sons of the east

Quote: בְנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this phrase in 6:3.

and the {ones} having fallen

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠נֹּ֣פְלִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the similar expression in 4:16. Alternate translation: [and the ones who had died]

men drawing the sword

Quote: אִ֖ישׁ שֹׁ֥לֵֽף חָֽרֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using this phrase to mean soldiers, by association with the way that soldiers at this time drew swords in order to fight battles. Alternate translation: [soldiers]

Judges 8:11

the {ones} lodged in tents

Quote: הַ⁠שְּׁכוּנֵ֣י בָֽ⁠אֳהָלִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the ones who live in tents]

the road of the {ones} lodged in tents

Quote: דֶּ֚רֶךְ הַ⁠שְּׁכוּנֵ֣י בָֽ⁠אֳהָלִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the phrase the road of the {ones} lodged in tents to describe a caravan road, by association with the way that caravan travelers stayed on this road for many days, pitching their tents alongside the road to sleep at night. Alternate translation: [the caravan road]

from the east to Nobah and Jogbehah

Quote: מִ⁠קֶּ֥דֶם לְ⁠נֹ֖בַח וְ⁠יָגְבֳּהָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is describing the location of places relative to one another in the way that is characteristic of his culture. In your translation, express this in the way your culture customarily describes the location of places relative to one another. Alternate translation: [to the east of Nobah and Jogbehah]

And he struck the camp, and the camp was {in} security

Quote: וַ⁠יַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְ⁠הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֖ה הָ֥יָה בֶֽטַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of security, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [And he struck the camp while the soldiers were feeling secure]

And he struck

Quote: וַ⁠יַּךְ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term struck in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated it in 3:13. Alternate translation: [And he attacked]

the camp

Quote: אֶת־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here, as in the previous verse, the author is using the word camp to mean the soldiers in the camp. Alternate translation: [the enemy soldiers]

And he struck the camp, and the camp was {in} security

Quote: וַ⁠יַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְ⁠הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֖ה הָ֥יָה בֶֽטַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Since the camp was in security before Gideon struck or “attacked” it, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [And the soldiers were feeling secure, but he attacked their camp]

Judges 8:12

And he made all of the camp tremble

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֖ה הֶחֱרִֽיד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is speaking by association of how Gideon made the Midianite army tremble to mean that the army panicked and fled. Alternate translation: [And he threw the entire army into a panic]

And he made all of the camp tremble

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֖ה הֶחֱרִֽיד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Since Gideon first routed the Midianite army and its kings then fled, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. You could do that by putting this last sentence first in the verse.

Judges 8:13

through the Ascent of Heres

Quote: מִֽ⁠לְ⁠מַעֲלֵ֖ה הֶ⁠חָֽרֶס (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Heres is the name of a road that passes between two mountains. Alternate translation: [through Heres Pass]

Judges 8:14

and he questioned him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁאָלֵ֑⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Gideon questioned this young man in order to find out the identities of all of the town leaders of Succoth. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he questioned him to find out who the town leaders were]

And he wrote for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders

Quote: וַ⁠יִּכְתֹּ֨ב אֵלָ֜י⁠ו אֶת־שָׂרֵ֤י סֻכּוֹת֙ וְ⁠אֶת־זְקֵנֶ֔י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [And he wrote for him the names of the leaders of Succoth and its elders]

Judges 8:15

Then he went

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “came” instead of went. Alternate translation: [Then he came]

you taunted me, saying, ‘Is the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we {are} giving bread to your weary men

Quote: חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם אוֹתִ֜⁠י לֵ⁠אמֹ֗ר הֲ֠⁠כַף זֶ֣בַח וְ⁠צַלְמֻנָּ֤ע עַתָּה֙ בְּ⁠יָדֶ֔⁠ךָ כִּ֥י נִתֵּ֛ן לַ⁠אֲנָשֶׁ֥י⁠ךָ הַ⁠יְּעֵפִ֖ים לָֽחֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [you taunted me, asking whether the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna was already in my hand, that you should give bread to my weary men!]

Is the palm of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we {are} giving bread to your weary men

Quote: הֲ֠⁠כַף זֶ֣בַח וְ⁠צַלְמֻנָּ֤ע עַתָּה֙ בְּ⁠יָדֶ֔⁠ךָ כִּ֥י נִתֵּ֛ן לַ⁠אֲנָשֶׁ֥י⁠ךָ הַ⁠יְּעֵפִ֖ים לָֽחֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

If you retain the quotation within the quotation, see how you translated this question in 8:6. Alternate translation: [The palm of Zebah and Zalmunna is not now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men!]

Judges 8:16

And took the elders of the city and thorns of the wilderness and briers

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקַּח֙ אֶת־זִקְנֵ֣י הָ⁠עִ֔יר וְ⁠אֶת־קוֹצֵ֥י הַ⁠מִּדְבָּ֖ר וְ⁠אֶת־הַֽ⁠בַּרְקֳנִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [And he took the elders of the city, and he also took thorns of the wilderness and briers]

and he taught

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣דַע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants

The traditional Hebrew text reads taught here. The ULT follows that reading. Some ancient versions seem to reflect a different textual reading and say “thrashed,” as in 8:7. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT. However, if the original reading is “taught,” in this context the word would mean “disciplined,” so the two readings mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: [and he disciplined]

Judges 8:17

Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־מִגְדַּ֥ל פְּנוּאֵ֖ל נָתָ֑ץ וַֽ⁠יַּהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָ⁠עִֽיר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of what the author may be saying implicitly here. Alternate translation: [Then he tore down the tower of Peniel, and that killed the leaders of the city]

Judges 8:18

Where {are} the men whom you killed at Tabor

Quote: אֵיפֹה֙ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲרַגְתֶּ֖ם בְּ⁠תָב֑וֹר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Gideon’s question relates to something that the author has not narrated as part of this story. The author has also not related it as background information. So readers must infer what happened. It appears that at some point, probably before Yahweh called Gideon to lead an army against the Midianites, their soldiers came into Israel and murdered some of Gideon’s brothers. Because these forces were under the command or authority of Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon is going to hold them accountable for his brothers’ deaths. You can indicate this in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Now some time ago your forces killed some men at Tabor. You need to answer for that]

Where {are} the men whom you killed at Tabor

Quote: אֵיפֹה֙ הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲרַגְתֶּ֖ם בְּ⁠תָב֑וֹר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

This could mean: (1) that Gideon is asking for information. He wants to verify the identity of the men whom these kings killed. Alternate translation: [What did the men look like whom you killed at Tabor?] (2) that Gideon is using the question form to announce that he is going to hold Zebah and Zalmunna accountable for the deaths of his brothers. This question seems to have had that significance in this culture. For example, for the same purpose, God says to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” (Genesis 4:9). Alternate translation: [I am going to hold you accountable for the men whom you killed at Tabor]

As you {are}, so they {were}. Each {was} like the form of the sons of the king

Quote: כָּמ֣וֹ⁠ךָ כְמוֹ⁠הֶ֔ם אֶחָ֕ד כְּ⁠תֹ֖אַר בְּנֵ֥י הַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Zebah and Zalmunna could be: (1) saying implicitly that they killed these men because they were of regal bearing and so they perceived them to be a potential threat. As Israelites of strength and influence, they could have led resistance to the Midianites. Alternate translation: [They were of regal bearing, just like you, and we killed them because we perceived them as a threat] (2) answering Gideon’s question by providing information. Alternate translation: [They looked just like you. Each one of them looked like a prince]

the sons of the king

Quote: בְּנֵ֥י הַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By the expression the king, Zebah and Zalmunna could mean: (1) a person of regal bearing and presence in general. Alternate translation: [the sons of a king] (2) Gideon himself. They may regard him as the “king” of Israel because he has led the Israelite forces into battle. In that case, by the sons of the king, they would be referring to Gideon’s sons, at least one of whom is present, as 8:20 indicates. Alternate translation: [your sons right there]

Judges 8:19

They {were} my brothers, the sons of my mother

Quote: אַחַ֥⁠י בְּנֵֽי־אִמִּ֖⁠י הֵ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Gideon is specifying that he had not just the same father but also the same mother as these men. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [They were my full brothers]

The life of Yahweh

Quote: חַי־יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula

Following the custom of his culture, Gideon is swearing an oath by guaranteeing it by something he holds sacred. Use a natural way in your language to express an oath. The UST models one way to do that.

Judges 8:20

Then he said to Jether his firstborn, “Arise, kill them

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לְ⁠יֶ֣תֶר בְּכוֹר֔⁠וֹ ק֖וּם הֲרֹ֣ג אוֹתָ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Gideon having his son Jether, who was still a young man, kill Zeba and Zalmunna was in some way a symbolic action, but interpreters are not entirely sure what it would have meant. See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of the possibilities and for suggestions of how to translate what Gideon told Jether.

Arise

Quote: ק֖וּם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Gideon is using the expression Arise to tell Jether to take action. He is not telling him to get up from a seated position. Alternate translation: [Go ahead]

Judges 8:21

Arise … So Gideon arose

Quote: ק֤וּם & וַ⁠יָּ֣קָם גִּדְע֗וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the word “Arise” in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [Go ahead … So Gideon took action]

For like a man {is} his strength

Quote: כִּ֥י כָ⁠אִ֖ישׁ גְּבוּרָת֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs

Zebah and Zalmunna may be expressing their meaning by using a short popular saying of the culture. They probably mean that Gideon should not have expected that a boy would have had the strength or courage to kill them. Your culture may have a comparable saying that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [It takes a man to do a man’s job]

For like a man {is} his strength

Quote: כִּ֥י כָ⁠אִ֖ישׁ גְּבוּרָת֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks

You may wish to use punctuation to indicate that Zebah and Zalmunna may be quoting a popular saying of the culture. You could put this sentence within second-level quotation marks, or you could use some other punctuation or convention of your language.

the ornaments

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠שַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as ornaments describes crescent-shaped decorations made of gold. If your readers would not be familiar with such objects, in your translation you could describe them more fully. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 8:22

the men of Israel

Quote: אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By the men of Israel, the author seems implicitly to mean Gideon’s soldiers. What Gideon says to these men in 8:24 suggests this. Alternate translation: [Gideon’s soldiers]

Rule over us, both you and your son and the son of your son

Quote: מְשָׁל־בָּ֨⁠נוּ֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֔ה גַּם־בִּנְ⁠ךָ֖ גַּ֣ם בֶּן־בְּנֶ֑⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own terms for the relationships described here. You could also use a general expression. Alternate translation: [We want you and your son and your grandson to rule over us] or [We want your family to rule over us to the third generation]

Judges 8:23

and my son will not rule over you

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִמְשֹׁ֥ל בְּנִ֖⁠י בָּ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By saying my son will not rule over you, Gideon implicitly means that his grandson will not rule over the Israelites either. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and my son and grandson will not rule over you]

Judges 8:24

Let me request a request from you

Quote: אֶשְׁאֲלָ֤ה מִ⁠כֶּם֙ שְׁאֵלָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

To make his request politely, Gideon is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express a polite request. Alternatively, your language may have another way of doing that. Alternate translation: [I just have one small thing that I would like to ask of you]

a man

Quote: אִ֖ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

Gideon is not referring to a specific man. He means each man in the army. Alternate translation: [each one of you]

For earrings of gold {were} to them, for they {were} Ishmaelites

Quote: כִּֽי־נִזְמֵ֤י זָהָב֙ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם כִּ֥י יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים הֵֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what is happening in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

For earrings of gold {were} to them, for they {were} Ishmaelites

Quote: כִּֽי־נִזְמֵ֤י זָהָב֙ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם כִּ֥י יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים הֵֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [For since they were Ishmaelites, they were wearing golden earrings]

Judges 8:25

Giving, we will give

Quote: נָת֣וֹן נִתֵּ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The men are repeating forms of the verb give in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [We will certainly give you what you want!]

and a man threw

Quote: וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֣יכוּ & אִ֖ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

As in the previous verse, this is not referring to a specific man. Alternate translation: [and each man threw]

Judges 8:26

1,700 gold

Quote: אֶ֥לֶף וּ⁠שְׁבַע־מֵא֖וֹת זָהָ֑ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word gold by association to mean golden shekels, a unit of weight. Alternate translation: [1,700 shekels of gold]

1,700 gold

Quote: אֶ֥לֶף וּ⁠שְׁבַע־מֵא֖וֹת זָהָ֑ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight

These 1,700 gold shekels weighed about 20 kilograms or over 40 pounds. In your translation, you could use the ancient measurement and spell the word “shekel” the way it sounds in your language. You could also use the metric measurement given in the UST or another measurement that your language and culture customarily use. Alternatively, you could use the ancient measurement in your translation and put a modern measurement in parentheses in the text or in a footnote.

the ornaments

Quote: הַ⁠שַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as ornaments is the same word as in 8:21, so it appears that these kings wore crescent-shaped decorations made of gold as their camels did. See how you translated the word there.

and the pendants … the chains

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠נְּטִפ֜וֹת & הָ֣⁠עֲנָק֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The word translated as pendants refers to some other kind of jewelry that these kings wore. Interpreters are not entirely sure what it was, so it may be best to use a general expression for it. The same is true for the word translated as chains, which seems to refer to some kind of decoration that went around the necks of the camels, possibly made of gold chains. Alternate translation: [and the jewelry … the necklaces]

Judges 8:27

Then Gideon made it into an ephod

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעַשׂ֩ אוֹת֨⁠וֹ גִדְע֜וֹן לְ⁠אֵפ֗וֹד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun it refers to the 1,700 shekels of gold described in the previous verse. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Then Gideon made the gold into an ephod]

and all of Israel whored after it there

Quote: וַ⁠יִּזְנ֧וּ כָֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אַחֲרָ֖י⁠ו שָׁ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had literally acted as prostitutes for this ephod. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the same expression in 2:17. Alternate translation: [and all of Israel betrayed Yahweh by worshiping this ephod there as if it were a god]

And it was for a snare to Gideon and to his house

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֛י לְ⁠גִדְע֥וֹן וּ⁠לְ⁠בֵית֖⁠וֹ לְ⁠מוֹקֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if this ephod had literally been a snare in which Gideon and his house were caught. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the same expression in 2:3. Alternate translation: [and this led to the ruin of Gideon and his house]

to Gideon and to his house

Quote: לְ⁠גִדְע֥וֹן וּ⁠לְ⁠בֵית֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, house means all the people descended from a particular person. It does not mean the building in which they lived. Alternate translation: [for Gideon and his descendants]

Judges 8:28

So Midian was subdued to the face of the sons of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּכָּנַ֣ע מִדְיָ֗ן לִ⁠פְנֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory

In this verse and the next one, the author is saying what happened at the end of the story of the fight that Gideon led against the Midianites. Your language may have its own way of presenting such information.

So Midian was subdued

Quote: וַ⁠יִּכָּנַ֣ע מִדְיָ֗ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So Yahweh subdued Midian]

So Midian was subdued to the face of

Quote: וַ⁠יִּכָּנַ֣ע מִדְיָ֗ן לִ⁠פְנֵי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term face in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [So Midian was subdued before]

and they did not continue to lift their head

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א יָסְפ֖וּ לָ⁠שֵׂ֣את רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Midianites were literally looking down, as a subservient person would do in this culture. He means that they no longer assumed a position of dominance over the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they no longer oppressed the Israelites]

their head

Quote: רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to a group of people, if you retain this image, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of head. Alternate translation: [their heads]

And the land rested forty years

Quote: וַ⁠תִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָ⁠אָ֛רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the same expression in 3:11. Alternate translation: [And there were no more wars for 40 years]

in the days of Gideon

Quote: בִּ⁠ימֵ֥י גִדְעֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the word days in 2:7. Alternate translation: [throughout the lifetime of Gideon]

Judges 8:29

And Jerubbaal, the son of Joash, went

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֛לֶךְ יְרֻבַּ֥עַל בֶּן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

As 6:32 and 7:1 explain, the word Jerubbaal is another name for the man also known as Gideon. The author may be using this name here to recall how Gideon tore down the altar to Baal that his father Joash had set up. He may be recalling that action to contrast it with Gideon setting up the golden ephod. So it would be in keeping with the author’s purposes to use the name Jerubbaal here in your translation. But if it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain in the text that this is another name for Gideon. Alternate translation: [And Jerubbaal, the son of Joash, that is, Gideon, went]

Judges 8:30

Now to Gideon were 70 sons coming from his thigh, for many wives were to him

Quote: וּ⁠לְ⁠גִדְע֗וֹן הָיוּ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑⁠וֹ כִּֽי־נָשִׁ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת הָ֥יוּ לֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

In this verse and the next one, the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Now to Gideon were 70 sons coming from his thigh, for many wives were to him

Quote: וּ⁠לְ⁠גִדְע֗וֹן הָיוּ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑⁠וֹ כִּֽי־נָשִׁ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת הָ֥יוּ לֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Now Gideon had many wives, so he had 70 sons coming from his thigh]

sons coming from his thigh

Quote: בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

The author is using the expression coming from his thigh to mean that Gideon was the biological father of all these sons. Gideon did not adopt any sons or marry any widows who already had sons by their late husbands. Your language may have its own term or expression that communicates this meaning. Alternate translation: [sons of his own]

Judges 8:31

Abimelek

Quote: אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is introducing Abimelek as a new participant in the story. He will be the main character in Chapter 9. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation.

Abimelek

Quote: אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author could assume that his original audience would know that the Hebrew name Abimelek means “my father is king.” While Gideon had refused to become the actual king of Israel, he may have given this name to his son to suggest that he was, in a sense, a king, since he had been offered the kingship. Unfortunately this seems to have made Abimelek ambitious to become an actual king, with disastrous consequences, as Chapter 9 describes. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate the meaning of this name explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: [Abimelek, which means “my father is king”]

Judges 8:32

in good old age

Quote: בְּ⁠שֵׂיבָ֣ה טוֹבָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression that describes a person being very old. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when he was very old]

and he was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֗ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and his family buried him]

Judges 8:33

Now it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֗י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

that … turned

Quote: וַ⁠יָּשׁ֨וּבוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites literally turned and faced or went in a different direction. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the same expression in 2:19. Alternate translation: [that … changed their behavior]

and whored after the Baals

Quote: וַ⁠יִּזְנ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַ⁠בְּעָלִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:17. Alternate translation: [and betrayed Yahweh by worshiping the Baals]

And they made for themselves Baal-Berith as a god

Quote: וַ⁠יָּשִׂ֧ימוּ לָ⁠הֶ֛ם בַּ֥עַל בְּרִ֖ית לֵ⁠אלֹהִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The expression Baal-Berith is the name of a false god. It means “master of the covenant.” This name also appears in 9:4 and in the form El-Berith (which means “god of the covenant”) in 9:46.

Judges 8:34

And the sons of Israel did not remember Yahweh, their God, the one having delivered them from the hand of all of their enemies from around

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֤א זָֽכְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֑ם הַ⁠מַּצִּ֥יל אוֹתָ֛⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד כָּל־אֹיְבֵי⁠הֶ֖ם מִ⁠סָּבִֽיב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Since Yahweh delivered the Israelites before they failed to remember him, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. The UST models one way to do this.

And … did not remember

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֤א זָֽכְרוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites literally did not remember who Yahweh was or what he had done for them. He means that they were not grateful to Yahweh and so did not respond the way grateful people would, with loyal devotion. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And … did not gratefully worship]

Judges 8:35

And they did not do covenant faithfulness with

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־עָשׂ֣וּ חֶ֔סֶד עִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of covenant faithfulness, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [And they did not behave loyally toward]

the house of Jerubbaal, Gideon

Quote: בֵּ֥ית יְרֻבַּ֖עַל גִּדְע֑וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term house in 8:27. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon]

the good that he did with Israel

Quote: הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of good, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the good things that he did for Israel]

Judges 9

Judges 9 Chapter Introduction

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

“upon one stone”

The author says in 9:5 that Abimelek and the men he hired brought all of his half-brothers, the other sons of Gideon, to “one stone” and killed them there. There seems to have been some symbolic significance to this action. The stone might have been a place of formal execution. Abimelek could have killed his half-brothers there to indicate that he had taken authority as king and so no threats to his rule should be allowed to exist. The stone might also have been a religious altar of some kind. Some interpreters believe that Abimelek and the leaders of Shechem were executing Gideon’s sons on a stone altar to avenge his desecration of Baal’s altar. This would explain why money from the temple of Baal-Berith paid for the action. However, since the exact purpose is unclear, it would be best to say no more about this in your translation than the original text does.

Jotham’s curse

In 9:20, Jotham, the one son of Gideon who survived Abimelek’s massacre, says, “may fire go forth from Abimelek and may it consume the lords of Shechem and Beth Millo, and may fire go forth from the lords of Shechem and from Beth Millo and may it consume Abimelek.” This was a curse. Jotham was expressing a desire for bad things to happen to the people who had murdered the sons of the man who had delivered them from the Midianites. What Jotham was ultimately wishing for was God’s justice. He wanted people who had done such bad things to have bad things happen to them. His curse was fulfilled in a literal way when Abimelek burned the lords of Shechem to death in 9:49. (See: curse, cursed, cursing)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Jotham’s parable about the trees

In 9:8–15, Gideon’s surviving son, Jotham, tells the lords of Shechem a parable. A parable is a short story that teaches something that is true. It delivers its lesson in a way that is easy to understand and hard to forget. In many cases, the events in a parable could happen, though they did not actually happen. But in this case, they could not have happened, since this parable is about trees talking to each other about appointing a king. However, either way, the events of a parable are told only to teach the lesson that the listeners are meant to learn. See the first note to 9:8 for suggestions about how to introduce and begin this parable in your translation.

Did God send an “evil spirit” to Shechem?

In 9:23, the author says that God sent a “bad spirit” that made the lords of Shechem hostile toward Abimelek. The word that the ULT translates as “bad” can also mean “evil,” depending on the context. Some versions of the Bible in various languages translate it as “evil” here. Translators may have encountered that reading. However, the context does not seem to support it. The teaching of the Bible as a whole suggests that God would not use something evil to accomplish his purposes. Also, evil spirits have rebelled against God, and so they have forfeited the right to be part of what he is doing. Moreover, the word “spirit” does not necessarily refer to a spiritual being here. It could refer instead to the attitude that Abimelek and the lords of Shechem had toward one another. This would be the same meaning as in 8:3, “their spirit abated toward him,” which means, “they no longer had a hostile attitude toward him.” So it seems appropriate to understand the author to be saying in 9:23 that God caused hostility between Abimelek and the lords of Shechem.

Why did Gaal go and stand in the gate of Shechem?

In 9:35, the author says that “Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city” of Shechem. He does not say explicitly why Gaal did this. Gaal does not seem to have known that Abimelek and his troops were nearby, since Zebul was able to convince him otherwise at first (as the next verse describes). Gaal, given his boast against Abimelek at the temple banquet, may have wanted to watch and see whether there was any danger. He may have expected to be able to see approaching troops while they were still far away and arrange a defense before they arrived. But since the author does not say explicitly why Gaal went out to the city gate, it would probably be best not to suggest any reason for this in your translation.

Why did the people of Shechem go out of their city the day after Abimelek defeated Gaal?

In 9:42, the author says that the people of Shechem went out of their city the day after Abimelek defeated Gaal, but he does not say why. In this verse, “went out” does not seem to describe a military operation, as it does in 9:39 in the case of Gaal. Instead, the people of Shechem seem to have thought mistakenly that they could let Gaal try to defeat Abimelek and become their ruler and that, if he failed, they could still serve Abimelek. So they were probably just going out to work in their fields. You may find it appropriate to use a different expression in your translation for “went out” in 9:42 than you do for that phrase in 9:39.

Judges 9:1

Now Abimelek, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֨לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֨עַל֙ שְׁכֶ֔מָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

the brothers of his mother, … the father of his mother

Quote: אֲחֵ֖י אִמּ֑⁠וֹ & אֲבִ֥י אִמּ֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for these relationships. Alternate translation: [his maternal uncles … his maternal grandfather]

Judges 9:2

Please speak in the ears of all of the lords of Shechem, ‘What is better for you, 70 men ruling over you, all of the sons of Jerubbaal, or one man ruling over you

Quote: דַּבְּרוּ־נָ֞א בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֨י כָל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֮ מַה־טּ֣וֹב לָ⁠כֶם֒ הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֨ל בָּ⁠כֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־מְשֹׁ֥ל בָּ⁠כֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [Please ask all the lords of Shechem out loud whether it is better for them to have 70 men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, ruling over them or to have one man ruling over them]

speak in the ears of all of the lords of Shechem

Quote: דַּבְּרוּ & בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֨י כָל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Abimelek is using the term ears by association to mean hearing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [speak so that all of the lords of Shechem can hear you] or [say out loud to all of the lords of Shechem]

What is better for you, 70 men ruling over you, all of the sons of Jerubbaal, or one man ruling over you

Quote: מַה־טּ֣וֹב לָ⁠כֶם֒ הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֨ל בָּ⁠כֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־מְשֹׁ֥ל בָּ⁠כֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Abimelek wants his relatives to use the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [It is certainly better for you to have one man ruling over you than to have 70 men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, ruling over you!]

I {am} your bone and your flesh

Quote: עַצְמֵ⁠כֶם וּ⁠בְשַׂרְ⁠כֶ֖ם אָנִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism

Abimelek is using the two main components of the human body, bone and flesh, to mean the whole body, and when he tells the people of Shechem that he is part of the same body with them, he means that he is their close relative. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I am your own flesh and blood] or [I am your close relative]

Judges 9:3

in the ears of

Quote: בְּ⁠אָזְנֵי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [in the hearing of] or [out loud to]

and their heart turned after Abimelek, for they said, “He {is} our brother

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֤ט לִבָּ⁠ם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ אָחִ֥י⁠נוּ הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [and when they considered, “He is our brother,” their heart turned after Abimelek]

and their heart turned after Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֤ט לִבָּ⁠ם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the heart represents the will and inclinations. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they decided to make Abimelek their king]

their heart

Quote: לִבָּ⁠ם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of heart. Alternate translation: [their hearts]

He {is} our brother

Quote: אָחִ֥י⁠נוּ הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The lords of Shechem are using the term brother to mean someone descended from the same ancestor. They do not mean that Abimelek is their literal brother, a child of the same parents. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [He is our kinsman]

He {is} our brother

Quote: אָחִ֥י⁠נוּ הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The lords of Shechem mean implicitly that they expect Abimelek to treat them better than the other sons of Gideon would because he is their relative, while the other sons are not. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [He is our kinsman, so he will treat us well]

He {is} our brother

Quote: אָחִ֥י⁠נוּ הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations

It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. The UST models one way to do that.

Judges 9:4

70 silver

Quote: שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word silver by association to mean silver shekels, a unit of weight. Alternate translation: [70 shekels of silver]

70 silver

Quote: שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight

A silver shekel weighed about 11 grams, so these 70 shekels weighed a little less than a kilogram, or almost two pounds. In your translation, you could use the ancient measurement and spell the word “shekel” the way it sounds in your language. You could also say “coins” rather than “shekels.” Alternatively, you could use the metric measurement given in the UST or another measurement that your language and culture customarily use, or you could use the ancient measurement in your translation and put a modern measurement in parentheses in the text or in a footnote. Alternate translation: [70 silver shekels] or [70 silver coins]

from the house of Baal-Berith

Quote: מִ⁠בֵּ֖יתּ בַ֣עַל בְּרִ֑ית (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the temple of Baal-Berith as if it had been a house in which that false god lived. Alternate translation: [from the temple of Baal-Berith]

worthless and reckless men

Quote: אֲנָשִׁ֤ים רֵיקִים֙ וּ⁠פֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The idea is that because these men were worthless, that is, unprincipled, they were not careful to do what was right and avoid doing what was wrong, that is, they were reckless. So Abimelek could hire them to commit murder, as the next verse describes. Your language may have a comparable expression for people whose consciences do not keep them from doing wrong. Alternate translation: [hardened criminals]

Judges 9:5

his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal

Quote: אֶת־אֶחָ֧י⁠ו בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

The author is specifying that these brothers were sons of Abimelek’s father Jerubbaal (Gideon) but not of his mother. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [his paternal half-brothers]

upon one stone

Quote: עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

It appears that killing all 70 of these men upon one stone was a symbolic action of some kind. See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of what the significance of this action might have been and for suggestions of how to represent that in your translation.

But Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, for he had hidden himself

Quote: וַ⁠יִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל הַ⁠קָּטֹ֖ן כִּ֥י נֶחְבָּֽא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, hid himself, and so he was left]

But Jotham was left

Quote: וַ⁠יִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [But Jotham survived]

Judges 9:6

and all of Beth Millo

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The expression Beth Millo could be: (1) an expression meaning “the house of Millo,” that is, the residents of a place that was described by that term, which means a fortification. This could be the same place as the “citadel” described in 9:46. These might therefore have been soldiers or military officers. Alternate translation: [and all of the officers from the citadel] (2) the name of a town near Shechem. In that case, the author may be leaving the phrase the lords of to be understood implicitly in this second instance. Alternate translation: [and all of the leaders of the nearby town of Beth Millo]

beside the oak of the pillar that {was} in Shechem

Quote: עִם־אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּ⁠שְׁכֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know what oak and pillar he is referring to. Joshua had set up the pillar under that oak there in Shechem as a witness of the covenant that the Israelites had made with Yahweh to worship him alone as their God (Joshua 24:26–27). You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [beside the oak in Shechem under which Joshua had set up a pillar]

beside the oak of the pillar that {was} in Shechem

Quote: עִם־אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּ⁠שְׁכֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Making Abimelek king next to this pillar under this oak tree was a symbolic action, given the history of the place. Since the lords of Shechem had given Abimelek money from the temple of Baal-Berith to establish himself as king, Baal-Berith was Abimelek’s patron god. So the location of this ceremony was intended to signify that, in place of their covenant with Yahweh, the people were installing a king who would lead them in the worship of Baal-Berith. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [under the patronage of Baal-Berith, beside the very same oak tree in Shechem where Joshua had set up a pillar to remind the Israelites of their covenant with Yahweh]

Judges 9:7

And they declared to Jotham

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגִּ֣דוּ לְ⁠יוֹתָ֗ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And people told Jotham about this] or [And Jotham was told about this]

And they declared to Jotham

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגִּ֣דוּ לְ⁠יוֹתָ֗ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And they declared to Jotham that the leaders of Shechem had made Abimelek their king]

on the top of Mount Gerizim

Quote: בְּ⁠רֹ֣אשׁ הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author seems to mean that Jotham stood atop a rocky crag, several hundred feet high, that overlooked Shechem, rather than on the very summit of Mount Gerizim. From there the leaders of Shechem could have heard him but he would have been safe from capture. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [on a crag high up on Mount Gerizim]

Mount Gerizim

Quote: הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Jotham choosing Mount Gerizim as the place from which to shout his message was a symbolic action. In Deuteronomy 11:29 and Deuteronomy 27:12–26, Moses had commanded the Israelites to proclaim blessings for keeping Yahweh’s law from Mount Gerizim and curses for breaking Yahweh’s law from the facing Mount Ebal. Joshua 8:32–34 records how Joshua carried out this command. So the location was a reminder of how the people of Israel would be blessed if they remained faithful to Yahweh and cursed if they did not. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [Mount Gerizim, opposite where curses had been proclaimed against unfaithfulness to Yahweh]

and he lifted his voice and cried out

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשָּׂ֥א קוֹל֖⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּקְרָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression that means that Jotham spoke very loudly. (The rocky cliffs in this area would have amplified and projected his voice.) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and in a loud voice he cried out]

Listen to me, lords of Shechem, that God may listen to you

Quote: שִׁמְע֤וּ אֵלַ⁠י֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וְ⁠יִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵי⁠כֶ֖ם אֱלֹהִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jotham is making a threat that he assumes the lords of Shechem will understand. He is implicitly threatening that God will not listen to their prayers if they do not listen to him, since God has sent him to them with a message. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [If you do not listen to me, you lords of Shechem, then God will not listen to you when you pray, because I am bringing you a message from God]

Listen … to you

Quote: שִׁמְע֤וּ & אֲלֵי⁠כֶ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

Here and through the end of Jotham’s speech in verse 20, the pronouns you and “your” are plural and the imperative verbs have plural forms because Jotham is addressing a group of people, the lords of Shechem. So use plural forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 9:8

Going, the trees went to anoint a king over them

Quote: הָל֤וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָ⁠עֵצִ֔ים לִ⁠מְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables

To make the lords of Shechem recognize that they will have much trouble because they have made Abimelek their king, Jotham tells them a story. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. You could also begin this story in the way that made-up stories usually begin in your language. Alternate translation: [Then Jotham told the lords of Shechem a story to make them realize that they would have much trouble because they had made Abimelek their king. He said, “Once upon a time, the trees went to anoint a king over them]

Going, the trees went to anoint a king over them

Quote: הָל֤וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָ⁠עֵצִ֔ים לִ⁠מְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Jotham is repeating the verb “go” (saying Going and went) in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [The trees went around looking for someone they could anoint as their king]

And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֥וּ לַ⁠זַּ֖יִת מָלְכָ֥ה עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And they asked the olive tree to reign over them]

Reign over us

Quote: מָלְכָ֥ה עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative

This is an imperative, but it communicates a respectful request rather than a command. Use a form in your language that communicates a respectful request. It may be helpful to add an expression such as “please” to make this clear. Alternate translation: [Please reign over us]

Judges 9:9

But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I discontinue my fatness, which, by it, they honor gods and men, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר לָ⁠הֶם֙ הַ⁠זַּ֔יִת הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔⁠י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛⁠י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [But the olive tree asked them whether it should discontinue its fatness, by which they honor gods and men, in order to go wave over the trees]

Should I discontinue my fatness, which, by it, they honor gods and men, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔⁠י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛⁠י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The olive tree in the story is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [I am not going to discontinue my fatness, by which they honor gods and men, in order to go wave over the trees!]

Should I discontinue my fatness

Quote: הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of fatness, you could express the same idea in another way. The tree is referring specifically to the oil that is made from its olives. Alternate translation: [Should I stop producing oil]

which, by it, they honor gods and men

Quote: אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛⁠י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [by which people honor gods and men] or [by which gods and men are honored]

gods

Quote: אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

The word translated as gods is plural in form, but it could mean either: (1) gods, as in the ULT. (2) God. Alternate translation: [God]

that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The olive tree is using the term wave to suggest implicitly that being a king over the other trees would not be as worthwhile or productive as continuing to make olives for oil. Trees stay rooted in the ground, so the olive tree is using the word wave, meaning to sway back and forth in the wind, to represent how kings go around taking care of various official matters. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 9:10

So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come, you reign over us

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֥וּ הָ⁠עֵצִ֖ים לַ⁠תְּאֵנָ֑ה לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [So the trees asked the fig tree to come and reign over them]

Come, you reign over us

Quote: לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

For emphasis, the trees are stating the pronoun you, whose meaning is already present in the verb translated as reign. The idea is that if the olive tree will not be their king, then the trees would like the fig tree to be their king. Alternate translation: [Then you be the one to reign over us]

Judges 9:11

But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I discontinue my sweetness and my good fruit, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וַ⁠תֹּ֤אמֶר לָ⁠הֶם֙ הַ⁠תְּאֵנָ֔ה הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־מָתְקִ֔⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֑ה וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [But the fig tree asked them whether it should discontinue its sweetness and its good fruit in order to go wave over the trees]

Should I discontinue my sweetness and my good fruit, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־מָתְקִ֔⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֑ה וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

See how you translated the similar question in 9:9. Alternate translation: [I am not going to discontinue my sweetness and my good fruit in order to go wave over the trees!]

my sweetness and my good fruit

Quote: אֶת־מָתְקִ֔⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of sweetness, you could express the same idea in another way. (The tree is expressing a single idea by using two phrases connected with and.) Alternate translation: [my good, sweet fruit]

that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the same expression in 9:9.

Judges 9:12

So the trees said to the vine, ‘Come, you reign over us

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֥וּ הָ⁠עֵצִ֖ים לַ⁠גָּ֑פֶן לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [So the trees asked the vine to come and reign over them]

Come, you reign over us

Quote: לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

See how you translated the same expression in 9:10. Alternate translation: [Then you be the one to reign over us]

Judges 9:13

But the vine said to them, ‘Should I discontinue my new wine, cheering gods and men, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וַ⁠תֹּ֤אמֶר לָ⁠הֶם֙ הַ⁠גֶּ֔פֶן הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔⁠י הַֽ⁠מְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [But the vine asked them whether it should discontinue its new wine, which cheers gods and men, in order to go wave over the trees]

Should I discontinue my new wine, cheering gods and men, that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: הֶ⁠חֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔⁠י הַֽ⁠מְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

See how you translated the similar question in 9:9. Alternate translation: [I am not going to discontinue my new wine, which cheers gods and men, in order to go wave over the trees!]

gods

Quote: אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

The word translated as gods is plural in form, but it could mean either: (1) gods, as in the ULT. (2) God. Alternate translation: [God]

that I should go to wave over the trees

Quote: וְ⁠הָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָ⁠נ֖וּעַ עַל־הָ⁠עֵצִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the same expression in 9:9.

Judges 9:14

So all of the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come, you reign over us

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֥וּ כָל־הָ⁠עֵצִ֖ים אֶל־הָ⁠אָטָ֑ד לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [So all of the trees asked the thornbush to come and reign over them]

all of the trees

Quote: כָל־הָ⁠עֵצִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

With the word all, Jotham is implicitly including the trees that had refused to become king. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [all of the trees, including the ones that could have become king themselves]

Come, you reign over us

Quote: לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

See how you translated the same expression in 9:10. Alternate translation: [Then you be the one to reign over us]

Judges 9:15

And the thornbush said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come, shelter in my shade. But if not, may fire go forth from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר הָ⁠אָטָד֮ אֶל־הָ⁠עֵצִים֒ אִ֡ם בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֣ת אַתֶּם֩ מֹשְׁחִ֨ים אֹתִ֤⁠י לְ⁠מֶ֨לֶךְ֙ עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֔ם בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְ⁠צִלִּ֑⁠י וְ⁠אִם־אַ֕יִן תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הָ֣⁠אָטָ֔ד וְ⁠תֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אַרְזֵ֥י הַ⁠לְּבָנֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And the thornbush told the trees that if in truth they were anointing him as king over them, then they should come and shelter in his shade. But if not, then may fire go forth from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon]

in truth

Quote: בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֣ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of truth, you could express the same idea in another way. In this context. the word translated as truth refers to faithfully fulfilling relational responsibilities towards another person. The thornbush wants to make sure that the other trees sincerely want it to be their king and that they are not anointing it simply because the other trees refused. Alternate translation: [truly] or [in good faith]

come, shelter in my shade

Quote: בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְ⁠צִלִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

In the story, the thornbush is speaking as if the other trees would literally shelter in its shade, that is, find protection there from the heat of the sun. This was an image that people in this culture used to describe coming under the protection of a ruler and accordingly accepting an obligation to obey that ruler. Isaiah 30:2, for example, speaks of the Judeans sheltering in the shadow of Egypt, meaning that they agreed to allow Pharaoh to rule them in exchange for his protection. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [then obey me as your king]

come, shelter in my shade

Quote: בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְ⁠צִלִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

Jotham’s parable is designed to make the lords of Shechem realize that they have made a great mistake by giving Abimelek the means to kill all of his brothers and then anointing him as king. One way the parable does this is by having one of its characters, the thornbush, say something that is the opposite of the way things really are. A thornbush does not create any shade in which anyone or anything can shelter. Similarly, Abimelek will not do anything worthwhile for the people of Shechem. He will only cause great trouble for them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could reflect in your translation how what the thornbush says is the opposite of the way things are. Alternate translation: [come under the shade of my tiny branches]

But if not

Quote: וְ⁠אִם־אַ֕יִן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The thornbush is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [But if you are not anointing me in truth] or [But if you are not sincerely intending to obey me as your king]

may fire go forth from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon

Quote: תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הָ֣⁠אָטָ֔ד וְ⁠תֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אַרְזֵ֥י הַ⁠לְּבָנֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The thornbush is speaking of fire as if it were a living thing that could go forth by itself. It is actually making a threat that it will start a fire if it discovers that the other trees have not anointed it king sincerely, that is, if they are not going to obey it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [then I will start a fire that will burn up even the cedars of Lebanon]

the thornbush

Quote: הָ֣⁠אָטָ֔ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

The thornbush is speaking about itself in the third person, as subjects would speak of and to a king in this culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: [me]

Judges 9:16

So now, if you have acted in truth and in integrity and made Abimelek reign, and if you have done good with Jerubbaal and with his house, and if according to the deserving of his hands you have done to him

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה אִם־בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֤ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַ⁠תַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וְ⁠אִם־טוֹבָ֤ה עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ עִם־יְרֻבַּ֣עַל וְ⁠עִם־בֵּית֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠אִם־כִּ⁠גְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖י⁠ו עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם לֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

In verses 16–19, Jotham is describing a condition in which a second event should take place only if a first event has taken place. He makes a series of “if” statements in verses 16 and 19 (suggesting in verses 17 and 18 that these statements are not actually true), and then in the second half of verse 19 he says what the lords of Shechem should do if they have done what he has described. These verses are all one long sentence. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could translate them as a series of shorter sentences. Alternate translation: [So now, suppose you have acted in truth and in integrity and made Abimelek reign. Suppose you have done good with Jerubbaal and with his house. Suppose that according to the deserving of his hands you have done to him]

So now, if you have acted

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה אִם & עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

Jotham has finished telling the story of the trees, and he is using the expression So now to introduce his explanation of the implications of the story. You could indicate this more explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Now this is how my story applies to you: if you have acted]

if you have acted in truth and in integrity and made Abimelek reign

Quote: אִם־בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֤ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַ⁠תַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of truth and integrity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [if you have acted truly and genuinely and made Abimelek reign]

if you have acted in truth and in integrity and made Abimelek reign

Quote: אִם־בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֤ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַ⁠תַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

In his explanation of the parable, Jotham carries the implications of the idea of truth one step farther than in the parable. That term refers to faithfully fulfilling relational responsibilities towards another person. In a sense, just as the trees were not doing right by the thornbush by anointing it king just because the other trees refused, so the lords of Shechem are not doing right by Abimelek by supporting his murderous plot to become king. They should have encouraged him to be honest and humble and peaceful instead. But the person they are most significantly not doing right by is Gideon. Jotham will develop this idea at length in the verses that follow. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [if you have really been fair to Gideon by making Abimelek reign]

in truth and in integrity

Quote: בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֤ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִים֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms truth and integrity mean similar things. Jotham is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [in complete sincerity]

his house

Quote: בֵּית֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, house means all the people descended from a particular person. Alternate translation: [his descendants]

according to the deserving of his hands

Quote: כִּ⁠גְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jotham is using the word hands to mean what his father Jerubbaal (Gideon) did for the Israelites, by association with the way people use their hands to do things. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [according to what his actions deserved]

Judges 9:17

that my father fought for you and threw his life in front and delivered you from the hand of Midian

Quote: אֲשֶׁר־נִלְחַ֥ם אָבִ֖⁠י עֲלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם וַ⁠יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ מִ⁠נֶּ֔גֶד וַ⁠יַּצֵּ֥ל אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד מִדְיָֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

If you have decided to translate the long sentence in verses 16–19 as a series of shorter sentences, you could make this verse a sentence of its own. Alternate translation: [Now consider how my father fought for you and threw his life in front and delivered you from the hand of Midian]

that

Quote: אֲשֶׁר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Jotham is providing background information to remind the lords of Shechem what Gideon had done for the Israelites. They already know this information, but he is bringing it their attention and emphasizing it to show that they have not treated Gideon and his family “according to the deserving of his hands,” as he said in the previous verse. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture. Alternate translation: [considering that]

and threw his life in front

Quote: וַ⁠יַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁ⁠וֹ֙ מִ⁠נֶּ֔גֶד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Jotham is using a common expression that means that Gideon risked his life by leading the armies of Israel and thus going in front of them into battle against the Midianites. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and put his life on the line] or [and risked his life]

Judges 9:18

but today you have arisen against the house of my father and have killed his sons, 70 men upon one stone, and you have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, reign over the lords of Shechem because he is your brother

Quote: וְ⁠אַתֶּ֞ם קַמְתֶּ֨ם עַל־בֵּ֤ית אָבִ⁠י֙ הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם וַ⁠תַּהַרְג֧וּ אֶת־בָּנָ֛י⁠ו שִׁבְעִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַ⁠תַּמְלִ֜יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־אֲמָת⁠וֹ֙ עַל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י אֲחִי⁠כֶ֖ם הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast

The word translated as but shows that in this verse, Jotham is drawing a contrast between the way the lords of Shechem should implicitly have treated Gideon and what they actually did to his descendants. In your translation, introduce this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Since this contrasting material is supplemental to the if-then condition that Jotham develops over the course of verses 16–19, you may want to use punctuation to set it apart in some way, such as by setting it off with dashes, as the ULT does, or by putting it in parentheses.

but today you have arisen against the house of my father and have killed his sons, 70 men upon one stone, and you have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, reign over the lords of Shechem because he is your brother

Quote: וְ⁠אַתֶּ֞ם קַמְתֶּ֨ם עַל־בֵּ֤ית אָבִ⁠י֙ הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם וַ⁠תַּהַרְג֧וּ אֶת־בָּנָ֛י⁠ו שִׁבְעִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַ⁠תַּמְלִ֜יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־אֲמָת⁠וֹ֙ עַל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י אֲחִי⁠כֶ֖ם הֽוּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

If you have decided to translate the long sentence in verses 16–19 as a series of shorter sentences, you could make this verse a sentence of its own. You may wish to state some implicit ideas explicitly for the sake of continuity. Alternate translation: [But you have not treated my father and his family fairly. Instead, today you have arisen against them and have killed his sons, 70 men upon one stone, and you have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, reign over the lords of Shechem because he is your brother]

have arisen

Quote: קַמְתֶּ֨ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Jotham is using the word arisen within a common expression in which it ordinarily describes subjects revolting against their rulers. In 8:23, Gideon refused to become king and to have his son and grandson be kings after him, so the lords of Shechem did not literally revolt against the rule of Gideon’s family. Jotham’s point may be that if anyone were to be their king, it should have been Gideon’s legal heirs (just as the olive tree, fig tree, and grapevine would have made better kings than the thornbush), so in that sense making Abimelek king was a revolt against those who should have been accepted as authorities. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [have revolted]

the house of

Quote: בֵּ֤ית (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term house in 9:16. Alternate translation: [the descendants of]

the son of his female slave

Quote: בֶּן־אֲמָת⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author says in 8:31 that Abimelek’s mother was Gideon’s “concubine.” This means that she was a legal but secondary wife whose children did not have inheritance rights. While female slaves sometimes did become the concubines of their masters, not every concubine was a female slave. Abimelek’s mother seems to have come from a family of standing in Shechem; Gideon may have married her as a concubine rather than as a full wife because she was a foreigner, from the surviving Canaanite population of Shechem. So Jotham is disparaging her by calling her a female slave. His main point seems to be that Abimelek has no rights of inheritance and thus no claim to become king. (Unfortunately Gideon suggested otherwise when he named this son Abimelek, meaning “my father is king.”) You could bring out this emphasis in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [who has no rights of inheritance and so no claim to become king as Gideon’s son]

is your brother

Quote: אֲחִי⁠כֶ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term brother in 9:3. Alternate translation: [is your kinsman]

Judges 9:19

now if you have acted in truth and in integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, rejoice in Abimelek, and may he also rejoice in you

Quote: וְ⁠אִם־בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֨ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִ֧ים עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־יְרֻבַּ֥עַל וְ⁠עִם־בֵּית֖⁠וֹ הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה שִׂמְחוּ֙ בַּ⁠אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְ⁠יִשְׂמַ֥ח גַּם־ה֖וּא בָּ⁠כֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

Jotham is concluding the long hypothetical statement he began in 9:16. He is repeating the if part of it for clarity, since he has said many other things after first stating that part. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explicitly state the implied “then” before that part of the statement. If you have been translating verses 16–19 as a series of shorter sentences, you could make this verse a sentence of its own and indicate that Jotham is introducing his conclusion here. Alternate translation: [So to conclude, if you have acted in truth and in integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelek, and may he also rejoice in you]

in truth and in integrity

Quote: בֶּ⁠אֱמֶ֨ת וּ⁠בְ⁠תָמִ֧ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

See how you translated the same expression in 9:16. Alternate translation: [in complete sincerity]

Judges 9:20

But if not, may fire go forth

Quote: וְ⁠אִם־אַ֕יִן תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

Jotham is describing a further condition in which a second event would take place if a first event had. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explicitly state the implied “then” before the second part of this statement. Alternate translation: [But if not, then may fire go forth]

But if not

Quote: וְ⁠אִם־אַ֕יִן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Jotham is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [But if you have not acted in truth and in integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day]

may fire go forth from Abimelek, and may it consume the lords of Shechem and Beth Millo, and may fire go forth from the lords of Shechem and from Beth Millo, and may it consume Abimelek

Quote: תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מֵ⁠אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְ⁠תֹאכַ֛ל אֶת־בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶ֖ם וְ⁠אֶת־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֑וֹא וְ⁠תֵצֵ֨א אֵ֜שׁ מִ⁠בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁכֶם֙ וּ⁠מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וְ⁠תֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jotham is speaking as if fire would literally go forth from Abimelek and burn up the lords of Shechem and Beth Millo and as if fire from them would also burn up Abimelek. Jotham is using fire to represent the destruction of warfare. He means that, if Abimelek and the lords of Shechem have not treated Gideon and his family right, then he hopes and expects that they will turn against each other and fight a war and destroy each other. (Part of what he said actually was fulfilled literally, when Abimelek burned the tower of Shechem, as verse 49 describes.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [may Abimelek and you lords of Shechem fight a war against each other that destroys all of you]

Judges 9:21

Then Jotham escaped and fled

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֣נָס יוֹתָ֔ם וַ⁠יִּבְרַ֖ח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

While the words escaped and fled mean similar things, the author does not seem to be using them together for emphasis (for example, to mean “hurriedly ran away”) or to express a single idea through them (for example, to mean “escaped by running away”). He seems to mean implicitly that Jotham escaped from Shechem, that is, he was able to shout his message without being captured, and then fled to the city of Beer where he was apparently safe from Abimelek. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Then Jotham escaped from Shechem and fled for safety]

from the face of

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3. Alternate translation: [away from the presence of]

his brother

Quote: אָחִֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Jotham and Abimelek had the same father but not the same mother. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [his father’s son]

Judges 9:22

Israel

Quote: יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using all of Israel to mean one part of Israel. The narrative suggests that Abimelek ruled primarily over the city of Shechem and its surrounding towns. (Recall from 1:7 that in Canaan at this time, each city and town had a ruler who had the title of “king.”) His authority and influence may have extended somewhat farther from there, through the territory of Ephraim and possibly into neighboring tribes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [that part of Israel]

Judges 9:23

Then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelek and between the lords of Shechem

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ ר֣וּחַ רָעָ֔ה בֵּ֣ין אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וּ⁠בֵ֖ין בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion of this statement in the Notes to this chapter. The word spirit could refer to: (1) the attitude that Abimelek and the lords of Shechem had towards one another. Alternate translation: [Then God caused hostility between Abimelek and the lords of Shechem] (2) a spiritual being. Alternate translation: [Then God sent a spiritual being that caused Abimelek and the lords of Shechem to fight with each other]

Then God sent

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Then. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Judges 9:24

the violence of the 70 sons of Jerubbaal to come, and their blood to put, upon Abimelek

Quote: לָ⁠ב֕וֹא חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבָּ֑עַל וְ⁠דָמָ֗⁠ם לָ⁠שׂ֞וּם עַל־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

This verse is giving the reason why God “sent a bad spirit,” as the previous verse described. It is not indicating why or how the lords of Shechem “dealt treacherously” with Abimelek. You may wish to clarify this for your readers. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [God did this so that the violence of the 70 sons of Jerubbaal would come upon, and to put their blood upon, Abimelek]

the violence of the 70 sons of Jerubbaal

Quote: חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבָּ֑עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The author is using this possessive form to describe the violence that was committed against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal, not to describe any violence that they committed. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the violence that was committed against the 70 sons of Jerubbaal] or [the violence that the 70 sons of Jerubbaal suffered]

and their blood to put, upon Abimelek their brother who killed them

Quote: וְ⁠דָמָ֗⁠ם לָ⁠שׂ֞וּם עַל־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ אֲחִי⁠הֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָרַ֣ג אוֹתָ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The expression to put the blood of one person on another means to hold responsible and punish that other person for killing the first one. This expression uses the term blood by association to mean death. Alternate translation: [and to hold their brother Abimelek, who killed them, responsible for their deaths] or [and to avenge their deaths by punishing their brother Abimelek, who killed them]

their brother … his brothers

Quote: אֲחִי⁠הֶם֙ & אֶת־אֶחָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

See how you translated the term “brother” in 9:21. Alternate translation: [their father’s son … his father’s sons]

who strengthened his hands

Quote: אֲשֶׁר־חִזְּק֥וּ אֶת־יָדָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This expression means that the lords of Shechem enabled Abimelek to do something he could not otherwise have done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who enabled him] or [who gave him the means]

Judges 9:25

against him

Quote: ל⁠וֹ֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The phrase against him could mean: (1) to the disadvantage of Abimelek, that is, discrediting his authority and undermining the stability of his rule. Alternate translation: [to his disadvantage] (2) to watch for Abimelek and try to capture him. Alternate translation: [to try to capture him]

on the tops of the hills

Quote: עַ֚ל רָאשֵׁ֣י הֶ⁠הָרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By hills, the author may mean Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. (This word can describe either hills or mountains.) The city of Shechem was in a valley between those two mountains. See how you translated the expression “on the top of Mount Gerizim” in 9:7. Alternate translation: [up high on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal]

and it was told to Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠יֻּגַּ֖ד לַ⁠אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and someone told Abimelek about this]

Judges 9:26

Gaal, … Ebed

Quote: גַּ֤עַל & עֶ֨בֶד֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Ebed is the name of a man.

with his brothers

Quote: וְ⁠אֶחָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the term brothers probably does not describe men who have the same parents. It could be referring to: (1) a band of men who traveled about with Gaal. Some of them may have been related to him, but they were not all necessarily his relatives. Alternate translation: [with a band of men] (2) men who were related to Gaal but who were not all necessarily his literal brothers. Alternate translation: [with some of his kinsmen]

Judges 9:27

And they went out

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצְא֨וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The author is using the pronoun they to mean the people of the city of Shechem. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the people of Shechem went out]

and cut off their vineyards

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּבְצְר֤וּ אֶת־כַּרְמֵי⁠הֶם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term vineyards by association to mean the grapes on the vines in the vineyards. Alternate translation: [and cut clusters of grapes off the vines in their vineyards]

and trod

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּדְרְכ֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. He means that the people of Shechem trod on the grapes that they had picked. That is, they stepped on them to squeeze the juice out of them so that they could make wine from it. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and squeezed the grapes to make wine]

and they made offerings

Quote: וַֽ⁠יַּעֲשׂ֖וּ הִלּוּלִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

Based on its one other use in Leviticus 19:24, the term translated as offerings refers to fruit that people brought into a temple and ate, or drank as juice, as part of a harvest thanksgiving celebration. Alternate translation: [and they prepared fruit offerings to give thanks for their harvest]

into} the house of their god

Quote: בֵּ֣ית אֱֽלֹֽהֵי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the temple of the god that the people of Shechem worshiped as if it were a house in which that false god lived. See how you translated the similar expression in 9:4. Alternate translation: [into the temple of their god]

Judges 9:28

Who {is} Abimelek, and who {is} Shechem, that we should serve him? {Is he} not the son of Jerubbaal, and {is not} Zebul his deputy

Quote: מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּ⁠מִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔⁠נּוּ הֲ⁠לֹ֥א בֶן־יְרֻבַּ֖עַל וּ⁠זְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gaal is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or exclamations. Alternate translation: [We should not serve Abimelek, even though he is from Shechem! After all, he is the son of Jerubbaal! And Zebul is just somebody he appointed]

Who {is} Abimelek, and who {is} Shechem, that we should serve him

Quote: מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּ⁠מִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Gaal is using the name Shechem by association to mean Abimelek, probably because Abimelek is from Shechem. Alternate translation: [Who is Abimelek? Who is this man from Shechem, that we should serve him?]

Who {is} Abimelek, and who {is} Shechem, that we should serve him

Quote: מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּ⁠מִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

The first two phrases mean basically the same thing. Gaal is referring to the same person by the names Abimelek and Shechem. However, there is a slight difference in meaning. The second phrase makes a mild concession, indicating that perhaps there is some basis to serve Abimelek, since he is from the city of Shechem and his mother is related to the people who live there. (In 9:3, the people of the city say of Abimelek, “He is our brother,” meaning “our kinsman.”) You may wish to indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: [Why should we serve Abimelek, even though he is from Shechem?]

we should serve him

Quote: נַעַבְדֶ֔⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

Gaal is using the pronoun we to refer to himself and his listeners, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction.

Is he} not the son of Jerubbaal

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֥א בֶן־יְרֻבַּ֖עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Gaal is implicitly suggesting a reason why the people of Shechem should not serve Abimelek. His point is that Abimelek is the son of somebody outside their people group, an Israelite. Gaal may be using the name Jerubbaal instead of Gideon to make a further point, that Abimelek’s father opposed the worship of Baal, while the people of Shechem are devoted to Baal. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [He is the son of Jerubbaal, an Israelite who opposed the worship of Baal]

and {is not} Zebul his deputy

Quote: וּ⁠זְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author could have indicated in 9:22, when he briefly described Abimelek’s reign, that Abimelek appointed a man named Zebul as his deputy to govern Shechem whenever he was not present there. However, the author is instead reporting what Gaal said at this festival as a way of introducing Zebul as a new participant in the story. If this would not be clear to your readers, you could explain in a footnote that Zebul was a man whom Abimelek had appointed to govern Shechem whenever he himself was away from the city.

and {is not} Zebul

Quote: וּ⁠זְבֻ֣ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Zebul is the name of a man.

Serve the men of Hamor

Quote: עִבְד֗וּ אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֤י חֲמוֹר֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

Gaal may be using the plural form men to indicate what the people of Shechem should regularly do. However, on this occasion, he means that they should serve a specific descendant of Hamor, their ancestor, instead of Abimelek. Alternate translation: [You should always be serving one of the descendants of Hamor] or [You should be serving a fellow descendant of Hamor instead]

the father of Shechem

Quote: אֲבִ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

While a man named Hamor had literally been the father of a man named Shechem (Genesis 34:2), Gaal probably means that Hamor was the ancestor of the people who lived in Shechem. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the founder of Shechem] or [the ancestor of the people of Shechem]

But why should we ourselves serve him

Quote: וּ⁠מַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥⁠נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

For emphasis, Gaal is stating a pronoun whose meaning is already present in the verb translated serve. The ULT translates this stated pronoun with the intensive pronoun ourselves. Gaal seems to be drawing an explicit contrast between the people of Shechem and Abimelek in terms of ancestry. Alternate translation: [But why should we, who are descendants of Hamor, serve Abimelek, who is an Israelite?]

But why should we ourselves serve him

Quote: וּ⁠מַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥⁠נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gaal is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [But we ourselves should not serve Abimelek!]

Judges 9:29

Now who will give this people into my hand

Quote: וּ⁠מִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֤ם הַ⁠זֶּה֙ בְּ⁠יָדִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The question who will give was a characteristic way for a Hebrew speaker to introduce a wish. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this question as a statement or exclamation expressing a wish. Alternate translation: [I wish that someone would give this people into my hand!]

And he said to Abimelek, “Increase your army and come out

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לַ⁠אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲ⁠ךָ֖ וָ⁠צֵֽאָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe

Gaal is speaking to Abimelek even though he is not present and cannot hear him. Gaal is doing this to show in a strong way how he feels about Abimelek. He is actually speaking to the people who can hear him, the others who are present at this feast. If your readers might not understand why Gaal is speaking to someone who is not present, you could translate his words as if he were speaking directly to others who are present. You could also describe what Gaal is doing here, as the UST does. Alternate translation, continuing the direct quotation: [I would fight against him and his whole army and defeat him!]

Increase your army

Quote: רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲ⁠ךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Gaal is probably not saying that Abimelek should seek a larger number of troops than are already at his disposal. He is probably saying that even if Abimelek summoned all of the men who would willingly serve in his army, he would not be afraid to fight a battle with him. (Abimelek probably ordinarily traveled with just a small number of bodyguards, and Gaal is boasting that he could defeat a much larger force than that.) You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [mobilize your forces]

Judges 9:30

the words of Gaal

Quote: אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֖י גַּ֣עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term words to represent what Gaal said by using words. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [what Gaal said]

and his nose burned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּ֖חַר אַפּֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this term in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [and he became furious]

Judges 9:31

in deceit

Quote: בְּ⁠תָרְמָ֣ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of deceit, you could express the same idea in another way. The idea is that Zebul sent the messengers openly but pretended that he was sending them for some other reason. The idea is not that Zebul sent the messengers secretly so that no one knew he had sent them. Alternate translation: [deceitfully]

Behold, … and behold

Quote: הִנֵּה֩ & וְ⁠הִנָּ֛⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this term in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 1:2. Alternate translation: [Now listen … and pay attention]

and his brothers {are} come to Shechem

Quote: וְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙ בָּאִ֣ים שְׁכֶ֔מָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in 9:26. Alternate translation: [has come to Shechem with a band of men]

the city

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠עִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Zebul’s messengers are using the term city by association to mean the people of the city. Alternate translation: [the people of the city]

Judges 9:32

So now

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

The messengers are not using the word now to mean “at this moment.” They are using the word to draw attention to the important point that follows. Alternate translation: [So this is what you should do:]

arise {… and hide

Quote: ק֣וּם & וֶ⁠אֱרֹ֖ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

While these are imperatives, the messengers are using them to communicate a recommendation from Zebul rather than a command. Translate them with a form that someone would use in your language to address a superior. Alternate translation: [I would recommend that you arise … and hide]

arise

Quote: ק֣וּם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the word arise in 4:14. While Abimelek and his troops would have to get up out of bed in order to travel to Shechem at night, the meaning is not simply that they should do that, but that they should take action to defeat the rebellion. Alternate translation: [get going] or, perhaps more deferentially, [take action]

in the field

Quote: בַּ⁠שָּׂדֶֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Since 9:36 indicates that Abimelek and his troops launched their attack from “the tops of the hills,” and the people of Shechem grew their crops in the valley between the hills, not up on the hills, the messengers are probably using the word field to mean the open area outside the city. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [in the countryside]

Judges 9:33

you shall start early and you shall rush … against you, and you shall do … your hand

Quote: תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּ⁠פָשַׁטְתָּ֣ & אֵלֶ֔י⁠ךָ וְ⁠עָשִׂ֣יתָ & יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The words you and your are singular throughout this verse because the messengers are addressing Abimelek directly. However, they are speaking of what he and his troops will do, so it may be more natural for you to use plural forms if your language marks that distinction.

he

Quote: ה֞וּא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to Gaal. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Gaal]

according to what your hand finds

Quote: כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֖ר תִּמְצָ֥א יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The messengers are using a common expression that means that Abimelek would do what the opportunity allowed and the situation directed. In other words, Zebul was not making any further recommendation about what Abimelek should do at this point but leaving it to his discretion. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [as the opportunity presents]

And it shall happen in the morning, as the sun rises, you shall start early and you shall rush against the city

Quote: וְ⁠הָיָ֤ה בַ⁠בֹּ֨קֶר֙ כִּ⁠זְרֹ֣חַ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּ⁠פָשַׁטְתָּ֣ עַל־הָ⁠עִ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

The messengers are continuing to communicate a recommendation from Zebul. Translate this using forms that someone would use in your language to address a superior. Alternate translation: [And I would recommend that in the morning, as the sun rises, you start early and rush against the city]

Judges 9:34

So … arose

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֧קָם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the similar expression in 9:32. Alternate translation: [So … got going]

and they ambushed against Shechem

Quote: וַ⁠יֶּאֶרְב֣וּ עַל־שְׁכֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The verb translated as ambushed here is the same one that was translated as “ambushers” in 9:25 and as “hide” in 9:32. Abimelek and his troops followed Zebul’s advice to hide so that they could not be seen and so that they could launch a surprise attack in the morning. Alternate translation: [and they set up an ambush against Shechem]

Judges 9:35

And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצֵא֙ גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־עֶ֔בֶד וַ⁠יַּעֲמֹ֕ד פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָ⁠עִ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion of this verse in the Notes to this chapter. Since the author does not say explicitly why Gaal stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, it would probably be best to say no more about this in your translation than the original text does.

and … arose from the ambush

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֧קָם & מִן־הַ⁠מַּאְרָֽב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

In this context, the word arose does refer literally to standing up from a sitting or lying position. Alternate translation: [and … stood up from where they had been hiding]

Judges 9:36

to Zebul

Quote: אֶל־זְבֻ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author expects readers to understand implicitly that Zebul had gone out to the city gate with Gaal. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [to Zebul, who had gone out to the gate with him]

But Zebul said to him

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָי⁠ו֙ זְבֻ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author expects readers to understand implicitly that Zebul is not sharing an honest opinion with Gaal. Zebul is trying to deceive him into thinking that Abimelek has not yet arrived, so that Gaal will not be able to prepare his defenses sufficiently. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [But Zebul said to him deceptively]

Judges 9:37

people {are} coming down

Quote: עָם֙ יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

Here the expression coming down is plural, even though the subject, people, is singular. In the previous verse, with the same subject, “coming down” was singular. This suggests that Gaal was speaking of a single group of people in the previous verse and that here he is using people in a collective sense to mean several groups of people. He is now able to distinguish the separate companies, as Abimelek’s troops get closer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you may wish to reflect this distinction in your translation. The UST models one way to do that.

the navel of the land

Quote: טַבּ֣וּר הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

This expression could be: (1) a description of some geographic feature. Alternate translation: [the center of the land] or [the crest of that hill] (2) the name of one of the hills around Shechem. Gaal could be pointing out a specific location by name, as he does later in the verse by naming a large tree. If you represent this as a name, you could translate the meaning into your own language, or you could use the words of the Hebrew text and spell them the way they sound in your language. Alternate translation: [the Navel of the Land] or [Tabbur Haarez]

the Oak of the Diviners

Quote: אֵל֥וֹן מְעוֹנְנִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

This expression could be: (1) the name of a large tree near Shechem. You could translate the meaning of this name into your own language, or you could use the words of the Hebrew text and spell them the way they sound in your language. Alternate translation: [the Fortunetellers’ Tree] or [Elon Meonenim] (2) a description of some geographic feature. Alternate translation: [that large tree over there where people tell fortunes]

Judges 9:38

Where now {is} your mouth

Quote: אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֨י⁠ךָ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Zebul is referring to the confidence that led Gaal to boast against Abimelek by association with the mouth with which Gaal made this boast. Alternate translation: [Where now is your confidence]

Where now {is} your mouth, {by} which you said

Quote: אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Zebul is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You no longer seem as confident as when you said]

by} which you said, ‘Who {is} Abimelek, that we should serve him

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [by which you asked who Abimelek was, that you should serve him]

Who {is} Abimelek, that we should serve him

Quote: מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Gaal was using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [We should not serve Abimelek!]

that we should serve him

Quote: כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

In the statement he made in 9:28, which Zebul is quoting here, Gaal was using the pronoun we to refer to himself and his listeners, so use the inclusive form of that word if your language marks that distinction. If you translate this statement as an indirect quotation, the word “you” that is equivalent to we should be plural.

Is} this not the people that you despised

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֨א זֶ֤ה הָ⁠עָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָאַ֣סְתָּה בּ֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Zebul is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [This is the people that you despised!]

Is} this not the people … with it

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֨א זֶ֤ה הָ⁠עָם֙ & בּֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Gaal is thinking of these people as a group and so he is using the singular pronoun it. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: [Are these not the people … with them]

Judges 9:39

So Gaal went out … and he fought with Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֣צֵא גַ֔עַל & וַ⁠יִּלָּ֖חֶם בַּ⁠אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, the author is using Gaal and Abimelek to represent them and their armies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [So Gaal led his soldiers into battle … against Abimelek and his soldiers]

to the face of the lords of Shechem

Quote: לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the discussion of the term face in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3. Here, the term could mean: (1) that the lords of Shechem watched as Gaal went out to fight Abimelek. They may have wanted to see whether he could fulfill the boasts he made in 9:29 when he said he wanted to be their ruler. Alternate translation: [as the lords of Shechem watched] (2) that Gaal led the lords of Shechem and their men into battle. This seems less likely, as the story only describes the people of Shechem going out of the city the next day. Alternate translation: [as the commander of the lords of Shechem and their men]

Judges 9:40

And Abimelek pursued him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּרְדְּפֵ֣⁠הוּ אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using the last thing that happened in this battle to mean everything that happened in the battle. Abimelek and his army defeated Gaal and his men, so they retreated, and Abimelek pursued them. Alternate translation: [And Abimelek routed him] or [And Abimelek defeated him so that he gave up and retreated]

wounded

Quote: חֲלָלִ֥ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The author is using the adjective wounded as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [wounded soldiers]

And … fell

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּפְּל֛וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word fell to mean ”died,” by association with the way that people fall down when they die. Alternate translation: [And … died]

up to the entrance of the gate

Quote: עַד־פֶּ֥תַח הַ⁠שָּֽׁעַר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The implication is that Gaal’s men would have been safe if they had been able to go through the gate back into the city. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [before they could get safely back inside the city gate]

Judges 9:41

in Arumah

Quote: בָּ⁠ארוּמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Arumah is the name of a town. It was about five miles away from Shechem.

and his brothers

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־אֶחָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 9:26. Alternate translation: [and his band of men]

Judges 9:42

that … went out

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֥א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

It is clear from the narrative that this action was not completed by the time it was reported to Abimelek. It was something that the people were planning to do and that was in process. It may be more natural in your language to use a different verb tense to indicate this. Alternate translation: [that … were going out]

to} the field

Quote: הַ⁠שָּׂדֶ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The author is using the word field to mean all of the cultivated land around Shechem. It may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of that word, here and in the next two verses. Alternate translation: [to the fields]

and they reported {this} to Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגִּ֖דוּ לַ⁠אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and the people reported this to Abimelek] or [and this was reported to Abimelek]

Judges 9:43

the people … the people

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֗ם & הָ⁠עָם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

In its first instance in this verse, the expression the people refers to Abimelek’s army, as in 9:34–38. In its second instance, this expression refers to the citizens of Shechem, as in 9:42. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do this.

and hid

Quote: וַ⁠יֶּאֱרֹ֖ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the word “hide” in 9:32. Alternate translation: [and set an ambush]

Judges 9:44

For Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

In this verse, the author provides fuller details about how Abimelek and his soldiers killed the people of Shechem who had gone out into the fields, as he described briefly at the end of the previous verse. The ULT indicates this with the word For. Your language may have a connecting word or phrase that you can use in your translation to indicate that this verse is providing fuller details about what the author has just said. Alternate translation: [They were able to do this because Abimelek]

And they stood

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The context indicates that the pronoun they refers to Abimelek and the soldiers who were with him in one of the three companies into which he had divided his army. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And Abimelek and the men who were with him in one company stood]

at} the entrance of the gate of the city

Quote: פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָ⁠עִ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Abimelek and one group of soldiers went to the gate of the city to keep anyone who was in the fields from getting back into the city for safety. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [at the entrance of the gate of the city to keep anyone from getting back into the city for safety]

Judges 9:45

and sowed it {with} salt

Quote: וַ⁠יִּזְרָעֶ֖⁠הָ מֶֽלַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Abimelek literally took salt and sowed it as seed that would grow up from the ground. He means that Abimelek scattered salt all over the ruins of Shechem the way people in this culture scattered seed that they were planting. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and scattered salt all over it]

and sowed it {with} salt

Quote: וַ⁠יִּזְרָעֶ֖⁠הָ מֶֽלַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Scattering salt all over the ruins of Shechem was a symbolic action. Abimelek did this to express the wish that the city would always be an uninhabited wasteland, like a salt desert. It was as if he was saying, “May no one ever live here again.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [and sowed it with salt to express the wish that it would always be an uninhabited wasteland]

Judges 9:46

the lords of the tower of Shechem

Quote: בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־שְׁכֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

Here the author is probably re-introducing participants to the story whom he has mentioned earlier. They seem to be the same people who are described in 9:6 as “Beth Millo,” officers from a military post near the city that included its defensive tower. If your language has its own way of re-introducing participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [the officers of the military post that included the tower of Shechem]

the house of

Quote: בֵּ֖ית (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 9:4. Alternate translation: [the temple of]

El-Berith

Quote: אֵ֥ל בְּרִֽית (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The expression El-Berith seems to be another name for the false god that is called Baal-Berith in 8:33 and 9:4. El-Berith means “god of the covenant,” while Baal-Berith means “master of the covenant.” So that readers will know that this is the same false god, you could use the name Baal-Berith here, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [their false god]

Judges 9:47

And it was reported to Abimelek

Quote: וַ⁠יֻּגַּ֖ד לַ⁠אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And someone reported to Abimelek]

Judges 9:48

and Abimelek took axes in his hand

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקַּח֩ אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ אֶת־הַ⁠קַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת בְּ⁠יָד֗⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

In this context, as the similar uses in 1 Samuel 14:34 and Jeremiah 38:10 show, this expression means that Abimelek brought axes with him. That is, he had his men bring as many axes with them as they could. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and Abimelek brought axes with him] or [and Abimelek had his men bring axes with them]

Judges 9:49

and they burned the citadel upon them with fire

Quote: וַ⁠יַּצִּ֧יתוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם אֶֽת־הַ⁠צְּרִ֖יחַ בָּ⁠אֵ֑שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression burned … with fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and they used them to set fire to the citadel] or [and they burned the citadel with them]

Judges 9:50

Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֥לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־תֵּבֵ֑ץ וַ⁠יִּ֥חַן בְּ⁠תֵבֵ֖ץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is leaving some information implicit that he assumes readers will understand. The people of Thebez had apparently also rebelled against Abimelek. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 9:51

all of the men and women and all of the lords of the city

Quote: כָּל־הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֣ים וְ⁠הַ⁠נָּשִׁ֗ים וְ⁠כֹל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י הָ⁠עִ֔יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [and a large number of the men and women and of the lords of the city]

Judges 9:52

and fought with it

Quote: וַ⁠יִּלָּ֖חֶם בּ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the tower, represented by the pronoun it, by association to mean the people who were in the tower. Alternate translation: [and fought with the people who were in the tower]

to burn it with fire

Quote: לְ⁠שָׂרְפ֥⁠וֹ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

See how you translated the similar expression in 9:49. Alternate translation: [to set it on fire] or [to burn it down]

Judges 9:53

one woman

Quote: אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחַ֛ת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using the phrase one woman to introduce this woman as a participant in the story. While she has only a brief role, it is an important one. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [a certain woman]

an upper millstone

Quote: פֶּ֥לַח רֶ֖כֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

A millstone was a large, flat, round stone that was used to grind grain. Two of these stones were used together, with the grain between them. The upper millstone was the top one that was rolled on the lower one to crush the grain. If your readers would not be familiar with this object, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [a heavy stone]

Judges 9:54

lest they say about me, ‘A woman killed him

Quote: פֶּן־יֹ֥אמְרוּ לִ֖⁠י אִשָּׁ֣ה הֲרָגָ֑תְ⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [lest they say about me that a woman killed me]

Judges 9:55

the men of Israel

Quote: אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will know that the people of Thebez were Canaanites and that he can therefore use the phrase the men of Israel to mean the soldiers who were fighting with Abimelek against Thebez. (Apparenly many Israelites were loyal to Abimelek, even though it was the Canaanites who lived in Shechem who first made him king on the basis that he had a Canaanite mother.) You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the Israelites who had been supporting Abimelek]

Judges 9:56

So God turned back the evil of Abimelek, which he did to his father by killing his 70 brothers

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְ⁠אָבִ֔י⁠ו לַ⁠הֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶחָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory

In this verse and the next one, the author concludes the story by explaining that God punished Abimelek and the men of Shechem for what they did to Gideon’s family. Your language may have its own way of concluding a story.

So God turned back the evil of Abimelek, which he did to his father by killing his 70 brothers

Quote: וַ⁠יָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְ⁠אָבִ֔י⁠ו לַ⁠הֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶחָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the evil that Abimelek did had literally been moving away from him and God turned it back so that it returned to him and harmed him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [So God made Abimelek experience the same kind of harm he had done to his father by killing his 70 brothers]

the evil of Abimelek, which he did to his father

Quote: אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְ⁠אָבִ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of evil, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the evil thing that Abimelek had done to his father]

Judges 9:57

And all of the evil of the men of Shechem, God turned back upon their head

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֗ת כָּל־רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם הֵשִׁ֥יב אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The expression turned back has the same meaning here as in the previous verse, except that the author speaks more fully of the evil that the men of Shechem did as if God literally made it come back and land upon their head. While he is using one part of them, their head, to represent all of them, this expression is especially apt in light of the story, in which Abimelek dies when a heavy stone lands on his head. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And God also made the people of Shechem experience painfully the same kind of harm that they had done to other people]

And all of the evil of the men of Shechem

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֗ת כָּל־רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of evil, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [And all of the evil things that the men of Shechem had done]

the men of Shechem

Quote: אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations

Here the masculine term men seems to have a generic sense. The author specifies in 9:49 that both “men and women” died when the tower of Shechem burned, so this summary reference to that punishment would include both men and women. Alternate translation: [the people of Shechem]

upon their head

Quote: בְּ⁠רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the author is referring to a group of people, if you retain this image in your translation, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of head. Alternate translation: [upon their heads]

and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, came upon them

Quote: וַ⁠תָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם קִֽלֲלַ֖ת יוֹתָ֥ם בֶּן־יְרֻבָּֽעַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the curse of Jotham literally came upon the people of Shechem. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and everything happened to them just as Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, said it would when he cursed them]

Judges 10

Judges 10 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter introduces the account of Jephthah, which continues in Chapters 11 and 12.

Literary devices that point to structure

Possessive forms

Within the list of people groups in 10:6, the author uses slightly different possessive forms to make a distinction that is significant for what happens as the book continues. He uses the name of a country or city to speak of the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab. But he describes the inhabitants of a country or cities when he speaks of the gods of “the sons of Ammon” and “the Philistines.” This is because, as the next verse indicates, it was the Ammonites and the Philistines who next conquered and oppressed the Israelites and whom the next two judges opposed. Jephthah defeated the Ammonites, as chapters 11 and 12 describe, and Samson fought against the Philistines, as chapters 13–16 describe. If possible, use slightly different possessive forms in your own translation to reflect this distinction. The UST models one way to do this.

Order of information

In 10:7, the author presents new information in a particular order for a specific reason. In the book, he relates the oppression by the Ammonites and the deliverance by Jephthah in chapters 10–12, before he describes the oppression by the Philistines and the resistance of Samson in chapters 13–16. But in this verse he is creating a special arrangement between the phrase “into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the sons of Ammon” and those next sections of the book. This arrangement is known as a chiasm. In it, the first and last parts match and the middle parts match. In other words, the author is creating this arrangement: Philistines—Ammonites (this phrase); Ammonites—Philistines (the next sections of the book). However, if it would better help your readers to recognize how this phrase introduces the following accounts of Jephthah and Samson, you could name these people groups in the order in which they feature in the narrative. You might say, in other words, “into the hand of the sons of Ammon and into the hand of the Philistines”

Judges 10:1

Tola, … Puah, … Dodo

Quote: תּוֹלָ֧ע & פּוּאָ֛ה & דּוֹד֖וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Tola, Puah, and Dodo are the names of men.

Now after Abimelek, Tola, … arose to save Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יָּקָם֩ אַחֲרֵ֨י אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ לְ⁠הוֹשִׁ֣יעַ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל תּוֹלָ֧ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the discussion of the term arose in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 5:7. Alternate translation: [Now After Abimelek, Tola … became the next person to deliver Israel]

Judges 10:2

and was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֥ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and they buried him]

Judges 10:3

Jair

Quote: יָאִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Jair is the name of a man.

Judges 10:4

riding on 30 donkeys

Quote: רֹֽכְבִים֙ עַל־שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים עֲיָרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

In this culture at this time, Jair’s sons riding on these donkeys was a symbolic action that indicated that they were young men of wealth and status. This, in turn, indicated that Jair himself was wealthy and influential. Alternate translation: [each of whom he could afford to give a donkey to ride]

they call them

Quote: לָ⁠הֶ֞ם יִקְרְא֣וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is using they to refer to people in general. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [people call them] or [they are called]

Havvoth Jair

Quote: חַוֺּ֣ת יָאִ֗יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Havvoth Jair is the name of a group of cities.

Havvoth Jair

Quote: חַוֺּ֣ת יָאִ֗יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

In your translation, you could spell this name the way it sounds in your language, the way the ULT does. However, this name means the Cities of Jair, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that in your translation instead. Alternate translation: [the Cities of Jair]

to this day

Quote: עַ֚ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By this day, the author means the time when he was writing. He and his audience knew when that was, but we are not entirely sure of it today. It may be helpful to use a general expression in your translation. Alternate translation: [at this time]

Judges 10:5

and he was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and they buried him]

Judges 10:6

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:4

in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָה֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term eyes in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:11.

the Baals and the Ashtoreths

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠בְּעָלִ֣ים וְ⁠אֶת־הָ⁠עַשְׁתָּר֡וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [many false gods and goddesses]

and the gods of Aram and the gods of Sidon and the gods of Moab and the gods of the sons of Ammon and the gods of the Philistines

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲרָם֩ וְ⁠אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֨י צִיד֜וֹן וְ⁠אֵ֣ת ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י מוֹאָ֗ב וְ⁠אֵת֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י בְנֵי־עַמּ֔וֹן וְ⁠אֵ֖ת אֱלֹהֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter for a suggestion about how to use slightly different possessive forms here in your translation to reflect a distinction that the author is making.

And they forsook Yahweh and did not serve him

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעַזְב֥וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה וְ⁠לֹ֥א עֲבָדֽוּ⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

For emphasis, the author is saying basically the same thing twice, first positively and then negatively. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these statements. Alternate translation: [And they completely stopped worshiping Yahweh]

Judges 10:7

Then the nose of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the sons of Ammon

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽ⁠יִּמְכְּרֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּ⁠בְ⁠יַ֖ד בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the expressions “the nose of Yahweh burned” and “he sold them into the hand of” in 3:8. Alternate translation: [Then Yahweh became furious with Israel, and he made them subjects of the Philistines and the Ammonites]

Then the nose of Yahweh burned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Then. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the sons of Ammon

Quote: בְּ⁠יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּ⁠בְ⁠יַ֖ד בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter of the order in which the author presents this information. Alternate translation: [into the hand of the sons of Ammon and into the hand of the Philistines]

Judges 10:8

And they shattered and crushed the sons of Israel in that year. {For} 18 years, all the sons of Israel who {were} on the other side of the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which {is} in Gilead

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַ⁠יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּ⁠שָּׁנָ֖ה הַ⁠הִ֑יא שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה שָׁנָ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּ⁠עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּ⁠גִּלְעָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

The author is describing one event before describing an event that preceded it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. The UST models one way to do this.

And they shattered and crushed the sons of Israel in that year

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַ⁠יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּ⁠שָּׁנָ֖ה הַ⁠הִ֑יא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is using the phrase in that year to mean implicitly that the Ammonites began to oppress all of the Israelites, not just the ones living east of the Jordan, as soon as Yahweh decided in his anger to punish and discipline the Israelites. If you decide to relate the events in this verse in the same order that the author does, you could indicate this explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: [Right away the Ammonites began to shatter and crush all of the Israelites]

And they shattered and crushed

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַ⁠יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the “sons of Ammon” or Ammonites, as the next verse makes clear. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the Ammonites shattered and crushed]

And they shattered and crushed

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַ⁠יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had literally been an object such as a clay jar that could be shattered or a skull that could be crushed. (The author uses the same verb for “crush” in 9:53 to describe what the millstone did to Abimelek’s skull.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And they afflicted and oppressed]

And they shattered and crushed

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַ⁠יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms shattered and crushed mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [And they severely oppressed]

For} 18 years, all the sons of Israel who {were} on the other side of the Jordan

Quote: שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה שָׁנָ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּ⁠עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [For the previous 18 years, they had oppressed all the sons of Israel who were on the other side of the Jordan]

were} on the other side of the Jordan

Quote: בְּ⁠עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠יַּרְדֵּ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is speaking from a vantage point west of the Jordan River, so the other side implicitly means the east side. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [were on the east side of the Jordan]

in the land of the Amorites

Quote: בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֖י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The author is using this possessive form to provide a more specific description of where these Israelites were living. He is referring to the land that the Israelites conquered from the Amorites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [in the land that the Israelites conquered from the Amorites]

which {is} in Gilead

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּ⁠גִּלְעָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this phrase to indicate that the land he is describing is the area that his readers probably know better as Gilead. Alternate translation: [which is now known as Gilead]

Judges 10:9

and with the house of Ephraim

Quote: וּ⁠בְ⁠בֵ֣ית אֶפְרָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is using the word house to mean all the people descended from a particular person. So by the house of Ephraim, he means all the people descended from Ephraim, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. It is not clear why he uses this expression for this tribe but not for the other two tribes he mentions. In your translation, you could speak of Ephraim the same way the author speaks of Judah and Benjamin. Alternate translation: [and with Ephraim]

and it narrowed to Israel greatly

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּ֥צֶר לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מְאֹֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 2:15. Alternate translation: [and Israel was in great distress]

and it narrowed to Israel greatly

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּ֥צֶר לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מְאֹֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion in the Introduction to Judges of the use of a person’s name to mean his descendants, and see how you translated the similar expression in 1:1. Alternate translation: [and the Israelites were in great distress]

Judges 10:10

our God

Quote: אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Although the Israelites are praying to Yahweh, they are speaking about him in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: [you, our God]

Judges 10:11-12

[GL Quote Not Found!]

Quote: וַ֥⁠יֹּאמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הֲ⁠לֹ֤א מִ⁠מִּצְרַ֨יִם֙ וּ⁠מִן־הָ֣⁠אֱמֹרִ֔י וּ⁠מִן־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן וּ⁠מִן־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ וְ⁠צִידוֹנִ֤ים וַֽ⁠עֲמָלֵק֙ וּ⁠מָע֔וֹן לָחֲצ֖וּ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֑ם וַ⁠תִּצְעֲק֣וּ אֵלַ֔⁠י וָ⁠אוֹשִׁ֥יעָ⁠ה אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם מִ⁠יָּדָֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge

In this verse and the next verse, Yahweh is asking the Israelites a long question, using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. In order to do that, you could create a verse bridge for verses 11–12. Alternate translation: [When the Egyptians and Amorites and Ammonites and Philistines and Sidonians and Amalekites and Maonites oppressed you, you cried out to me, and I saved you from their hand!]

Judges 10:12

and Maon

Quote: וּ⁠מָע֔וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Maon is the name of a people group.

from their hand

Quote: מִ⁠יָּדָֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: [from their power]

Judges 10:14

Go and cry out to the gods upon whom you have chosen. Let them save you in the time of your distress

Quote: לְכ֗וּ וְ⁠זַֽעֲקוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם בָּ֑⁠ם הֵ֛מָּה יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ לָ⁠כֶ֖ם בְּ⁠עֵ֥ת צָרַתְ⁠כֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony

Yahweh does not really want the Israelites to cry out to other gods for help. He means to communicate emphatically the opposite of the literal meaning of his words. Alternate translation: [Just try crying out to the gods you have chosen! They will not be able to save you in the time of your distress]

upon whom you have chosen

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם בָּ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [that you have chosen]

Judges 10:15

according to all of the good in your eyes

Quote: כְּ⁠כָל־הַ⁠טּ֖וֹב בְּ⁠עֵינֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the similar expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [according to everything that you judge to be good]

this day

Quote: הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Israelites are using the term day to refer to a specific time. They are not asking Yahweh to deliver them on that specific day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [at this time] or [right away]

Judges 10:16

the foreign gods

Quote: אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַ⁠נֵּכָר֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the expression foreign gods by association to mean idols that represented these gods. Alternate translation: [the idols]

And his soul wore out with the trouble of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקְצַ֥ר נַפְשׁ֖⁠וֹ בַּ⁠עֲמַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh’s soul were an item of clothing that wore out from continual use. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And Yahweh did not want the Israelites to suffer any longer]

And his soul wore out with the trouble of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקְצַ֥ר נַפְשׁ֖⁠וֹ בַּ⁠עֲמַ֥ל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of Yahweh, his soul, to mean all of him. Alternate translation: [And the trouble of Israel was too much for him to bear]

Judges 10:17

Now the sons of Ammon were summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּֽעֲקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a new event in the story. The ULT indicates this with the word Now. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Now the sons of Ammon were summoned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּֽעֲקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [Now the Ammonite commanders summoned their soldiers]

Judges 10:18

Then the people, the leaders of Gilead, said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֨וּ הָ⁠עָ֜ם שָׂרֵ֤י גִלְעָד֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

This could mean: (1) that the author is using the term people to introduce these leaders as new participants in the story. (This would be similar to the usage in 4:4, where the author describes Deborah as “a woman, a prophetess.”) Alternate translation: [Then the people who were the leaders of Gilead said] (2) that the author is describing how both the ordinary people and the leaders of Gilead met to discuss this question. Alternate translation: [Then the people and leaders of Gilead said]

Then … said, a man to his fellow

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֨וּ & אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 6:29. Alternate translation: [Then … all asked each other]

Who {is} the man who will begin to fight with the sons of Ammon

Quote: מִ֣י הָ⁠אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָחֵ֔ל לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֖ם בִּ⁠בְנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The leaders of Gilead are using a common expression to ask who should lead their army against the Ammonites. They are not asking which soldier will be the first to engage in combat with them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Who will lead our army to fight against the Ammonites?]

the head

Quote: לְ⁠רֹ֔אשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The leaders of Gilead are using the word head to mean “ruler,” not just “military commander,” as 11:11 shows, where the people make Jephthah both their “head” (ruler) and commander. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the ruler]

Judges 11

Judges 11 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The account of Jephthah continues in this chapter.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter?

The story of Jephthah defeating the Ammonites has a tragic ending. He vows that if Yahweh will give him victory, upon his return, he will sacrifice the first person who comes out of his house as a burnt offering. This person turns out to be his daughter, his only child. But he fulfills his vow anyway and sacrifices her. Part of the explanation for this is that Jephthah’s half-brothers drove him away from their home in Israel so that he had to live in Syria. The Syrians practiced human sacrifice, and Jephthah apparently came to regard it as a way of influencing a deity. The rest of the explanation is that Jephthah did not know the provisions of the law of Moses. In Leviticus 27:1–8, Yahweh tells Moses that if someone dedicates a person, he must redeem that person by paying a certain amount of silver shekels. That is what Jephthah was supposed to do. It was all right for him to devote a family member to Yahweh as long as he then redeemed that person. The author of Judges is using this story to show what happens when, as he says in 17:6 and 21:25, everyone does what is right in his own eyes, rather than what Yahweh has commanded. This supports the overall argument of the book that Israel should have a good king who makes sure that the Israelites follow the law of Moses.

Judges 11:1

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a warrior of valor, but he {was} the son of a whoring woman. Now Gilead had begotten Jephthah

Quote: וְ⁠יִפְתָּ֣ח הַ⁠גִּלְעָדִ֗י הָיָה֙ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל וְ⁠ה֖וּא בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֣ה זוֹנָ֑ה וַ⁠יּ֥וֹלֶד גִּלְעָ֖ד אֶת־יִפְתָּֽח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here and in the next two verses, the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a warrior of valor

Quote: וְ⁠יִפְתָּ֣ח הַ⁠גִּלְעָדִ֗י הָיָה֙ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using introducing Jephthah as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [Now there was a man named Jephthah, a Gileadite, who was a warrior of valor]

a warrior of valor

Quote: גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

See how you translated the same expression in 6:12. Alternate translation: [a valiant warrior]

Gilead

Quote: גִּלְעָ֖ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

Here the word Gilead is the name of a man, not the name of a region. But the word Gileadite does refer to someone who came from the region called Gilead.

Judges 11:2

And the wife of Gilead bore sons to him

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּ֧לֶד אֵֽשֶׁת־גִּלְעָ֛ד ל֖⁠וֹ בָּנִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential

The author does not say specifically whether Gilead became the father of Jephthah before or after he was married. However, the story seems to suggest that it was before and that Jephthah was somewhat older than his half-brothers, since they had to wait until they grew up to drive him away from the family. Your language may have a connecting phrase that you can use to indicate this. Alternate translation: [Later, when Gilead had a wife, she bore sons to him]

and they drove out Jephthah and said to him, “You will not inherit in the house of our father, for you are the son of another woman

Quote: וַ⁠יְגָרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־יִפְתָּ֗ח וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמְרוּ ל⁠וֹ֙ לֹֽא־תִנְחַ֣ל בְּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֔י⁠נוּ כִּ֛י בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחֶ֖רֶת אָֽתָּה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Since the sons of the wife said this to Jephthah before they drove him out, in your translation you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [and they said to Jephthah, “You will not inherit in the house of our father, for you are the son of another woman.” And they drove him out]

in the house of our father

Quote: בְּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֔י⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here, house represents the family of Gilead. (He may have died by this point, since it appears that Jephthah was a member of the household while he was alive.) Alternate translation: [as if you were a proper member of family]

in the house of our father

Quote: בְּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֔י⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive

Gilead was the father of Jephthah and his half-brothers, so it may be natural for you to use the inclusive form of our if your language marks that distinction. However, since the half-brothers are describing the house of our father to Jephthah as something that he has no place in, some languages, considering the entire phrase, might use the exclusive form.

Judges 11:3

from the face of

Quote: מִ⁠פְּנֵ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term face in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the similar expression in 2:3.

his brothers

Quote: אֶחָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

These brothers were sons of Jephthah’s father but not of his mother. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [his half-brothers]

Tob

Quote: ט֑וֹב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Tob is the name of a region. It seems to have been a part of Aram (Syria) that was near Gilead.

and they went out with him

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצְא֖וּ עִמּֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This expression means that Jephthah led these men on raids to get plunder. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they all formed a gang of bandits]

Judges 11:4

Now it happened after some days that the sons of Ammon fought with Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֖י מִ⁠יָּמִ֑ים וַ⁠יִּלָּחֲמ֥וּ בְנֵֽי־עַמּ֖וֹן עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to return to the main story after providing background information about Jephthah. This is the same event that was described in 10:17. Alternate translation: [It was some days after that when the sons of Ammon fought with Israel]

after some days

Quote: מִ⁠יָּמִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days to mean “time.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [after some time]

Judges 11:5

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֕י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a further development in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for this purpose.

Judges 11:6

Come, and you shall be a commander for us

Quote: לְכָ֕⁠ה וְ⁠הָיִ֥יתָה לָּ֖⁠נוּ לְ⁠קָצִ֑ין (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense

The elders are making a polite request of Jephthah. Translate this with a form that is suitable for a polite request in your language. Alternate translation: [Please come and be our commander]

Judges 11:7

Do you not hate me, since you drove me from the house of my father

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֤א אַתֶּם֙ שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם אוֹתִ֔⁠י וַ⁠תְּגָרְשׁ֖וּ⁠נִי מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jephthah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [It is clear that hate me, since you drove me from the house of my father!]

Do you not hate me, since you drove me from the house of my father

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֤א אַתֶּם֙ שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם אוֹתִ֔⁠י וַ⁠תְּגָרְשׁ֖וּ⁠נִי מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [You drove me from the house of my father, and that shows that you hate me!]

since you drove me from the house of my father

Quote: וַ⁠תְּגָרְשׁ֖וּ⁠נִי מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

It was Jephthah’s half-brothers, not the elders of Gilead, who drove him from the house of his father. Jephthah may mean that the elders were implicated in this action because they did nothing to help him. Alternate translation: [since you did nothing to help me when my brothers drove me from the house of my father]

from the house of my father

Quote: מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in 11:2. Alternate translation: [from my family]

So why have you come to me now, when trouble {is} to you

Quote: וּ⁠מַדּ֜וּעַ בָּאתֶ֤ם אֵלַ⁠י֙ עַ֔תָּה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֖ר צַ֥ר לָ⁠כֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jephthah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. The UST models one way to do this.

Judges 11:8

Therefore we have now returned to you

Quote: לָ⁠כֵן֙ עַתָּה֙ שַׁ֣בְנוּ אֵלֶ֔י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

The elders are using the word translated as Therefore to acknowledge the reason why they have returned to Jephthah to ask for his help. They do not mean that they have come because they hate Jephthah or because they drove him out. They mean that they have come because they have trouble. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [Yes, it is because we are in trouble that we have returned to you]

So you shall come with us and fight with the sons of Ammon, and you shall be for us the head of all of the dwellers of Gilead

Quote: וְ⁠הָלַכְתָּ֣ עִמָּ֔⁠נוּ וְ⁠נִלְחַמְתָּ֖ בִּ⁠בְנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן וְ⁠הָיִ֤יתָ לָּ֨⁠נוּ֙ לְ⁠רֹ֔אשׁ לְ⁠כֹ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֥י גִלְעָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

The elders are actually describing a condition in which a second event will take place if a first event does. Alternate translation: [Now if you come with us and fight with the sons of Ammon, then you shall be for us the head of all of the dwellers of Gilead]

the head of

Quote: לְ⁠רֹ֔אשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same term in 10:18. Alternate translation: [the ruler]

Judges 11:9

If you have brought me back to fight with the sons of Ammon and Yahweh gives them over to my face, I will be the head for you

Quote: אִם־מְשִׁיבִ֨ים אַתֶּ֤ם אוֹתִ⁠י֙ לְ⁠הִלָּחֵם֙ בִּ⁠בְנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן וְ⁠נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אוֹתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָ֑⁠י אָנֹכִ֕י אֶהְיֶ֥ה לָ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠רֹֽאשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

This could mean: (1) that Jephthah is restating the condition that the elders described in order to confirm it. Your language may have an expression that you can use to indicate this. Alternate translation: [Now let me get this straight: If you have brought me back to fight with the sons of Ammon and Yahweh gives them over to my face, I will be the head for you] (2) that Jephthah is asking the elders to confirm the description they have described. Alternate translation: [If you have brought me back to fight with the sons of Ammon and Yahweh gives them over to my face, will I really be the head for you?]

and Yahweh gives them over to my face

Quote: וְ⁠נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אוֹתָ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פָנָ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Jephthah is using this expression to mean that Yahweh would enable him to defeat the Ammonites. (Gideon used a very similar expression in 8:7 when he spoke of Yahweh “giving” Zebah and Zalmunna into his “hand.”) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and Yahweh enables me to defeat them]

the head for you

Quote: לָ⁠כֶ֖ם לְ⁠רֹֽאשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same term in the previous verse. Alternate translation: [your ruler]

Judges 11:10

May Yahweh be hearing {the things} between us if not, according to your word, thus we do

Quote: יְהוָ֗ה יִהְיֶ֤ה שֹׁמֵ֨עַ֙ בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ אִם־לֹ֥א כִ⁠דְבָרְ⁠ךָ֖ כֵּ֥ן נַעֲשֶֽׂה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula

The elders are swearing an oath by describing a condition. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put the first part of the condition (if) before the second part of the condition (the implied “then”). Alternate translation: [If we do not do according to your word, then may Yahweh be hearing the things between us]

May Yahweh be hearing {the things} between us if not, according to your word, thus we do

Quote: יְהוָ֗ה יִהְיֶ֤ה שֹׁמֵ֨עַ֙ בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ אִם־לֹ֥א כִ⁠דְבָרְ⁠ךָ֖ כֵּ֥ן נַעֲשֶֽׂה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

In this context, the idea of Yahweh hearing includes the aspect of Yahweh judging and punishing people for not doing the things he has heard them promise. Alternate translation: [If we do not do according to your word, then may Yahweh punish us for not keeping the promises he has heard us make to you]

the things} between us

Quote: בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The elders are speaking of the commitments that they and Jephthah have made to each other as if they were literally something that had taken on actual form in the space between them. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [the things that have passed between us] or [the commitments we have made to each other]

if not, according to your word, thus we do

Quote: אִם־לֹ֥א כִ⁠דְבָרְ⁠ךָ֖ כֵּ֥ן נַעֲשֶֽׂה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The elders are using the term word to represent what Jephthah has just said by using words. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [if we do not do exactly what you have said]

Judges 11:11

and the people set him over them as head and as commander. And Jephthah spoke all of his words to the face of Yahweh at Mizpah

Quote: וַ⁠יָּשִׂ֨ימוּ הָ⁠עָ֥ם אוֹת֛⁠וֹ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לְ⁠רֹ֣אשׁ וּ⁠לְ⁠קָצִ֑ין וַ⁠יְדַבֵּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֧ח אֶת־כָּל־דְּבָרָ֛י⁠ו לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בַּ⁠מִּצְפָּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

It may be that Jephthah reaffirmed the commitments that he and the elders had made to each other before he formally became the head and commander of the people. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in that order. Alternate translation: [And after Jephthah spoke all of his words to the face of Yahweh at Mizpah, the people set him over them as head and as commander]

as head and as commander

Quote: לְ⁠רֹ֣אשׁ וּ⁠לְ⁠קָצִ֑ין (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the word head in 11:8–9. Alternate translation: [not only as their military commander but also as their ruler]

all of his words

Quote: אֶת־כָּל־דְּבָרָ֛י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term words to represent something that Jephthah said by using words. It seems that he repeated at Mizpah the same thing he said to the elders in 11:9. Alternate translation: [the same thing he had said to the elders]

to the face of Yahweh

Quote: לִ⁠פְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here the word face represents the presence of a person, by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. This is probably a reference to a solemn assembly of the people, where it was understood that Yahweh would be present. Alternate translation: [in a solemn assembly of the people, where Yahweh was present]

Judges 11:12

What to me and to you, that you have come against me to fight in my land

Quote: מַה־לִּ֣⁠י וָ⁠לָ֔⁠ךְ כִּֽי־בָ֥אתָ אֵלַ֖⁠י לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֥ם בְּ⁠אַרְצִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Jephthah’s messengers are speaking on his behalf, and so they use the singular pronouns me and my. They are addressing the Ammonite king, so you is also singular. However, Jephthah is speaking as a representative of all the Israelites, and he is addressing the Ammonite king as a representative of his own people and army. So it may be more natural in your language to use the plural pronouns “us” and “our” and plural forms of you if your language marks that distinction.

What to me and to you, that you have come against me to fight in my land

Quote: מַה־לִּ֣⁠י וָ⁠לָ֔⁠ךְ כִּֽי־בָ֥אתָ אֵלַ֖⁠י לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֥ם בְּ⁠אַרְצִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jephthah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [There is nothing to me and to you, that you should come against me to fight in my land!]

What to me and to you

Quote: מַה־לִּ֣⁠י וָ⁠לָ֔⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that, in this context, inquires what quarrel the Ammonite king has with Jephthah, who represents the Israelites. The implication is that he really has no just cause to invade their land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [What quarrel is there between us] or [There is no quarrel between us]

in my land

Quote: בְּ⁠אַרְצִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

This could mean: (1) that Jephthah is objecting to the presence of the Ammonite army on Israelite territory. Alternate translation: [and have invaded my land] (2) that Jephthah is using the term land by association to mean the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: [against my people] (3) that Jephthah is saying that the Ammonite king wants to contest possession of the land. Alternate translation: [over my land]

Judges 11:13

Because Israel took my land

Quote: כִּֽי־לָקַ֨ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֶת־אַרְצִ⁠י֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The Ammonite king is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [I have come against you to fight because Israel took my land]

them

Quote: אֶתְ⁠הֶ֖ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The Ammonite king is using the plural pronoun them to refer to the areas bounded by the rivers he names. However, since he uses the singular term land to describe this entire territory, it may be more natural in your language to use a singular pronoun. Alternate translation: [it]

in peace

Quote: בְּ⁠שָׁלֽוֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [peacefully]

Judges 11:14

Then Jephthah resumed and sent messengers again

Quote: וַ⁠יּ֥וֹסֶף ע֖וֹד יִפְתָּ֑ח וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַח֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that saying both resumed and again would be to state extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you could represent just one of these terms. Alternate translation: [Then Jephthah sent messengers once again] or [Jephthah continued to send messengers]

Judges 11:15

and said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The verb said is singular. It refers to Jephthah, and it means that Jephthah said this to the king of Ammon through his messengers. However, since a group of messengers actually spoke these words to the king, it might be more natural in your language to use the pronoun “they” with a plural verb. Alternate translation: [and they said]

Thus says Jephthah: ‘Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the sons of Ammon

Quote: כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יִפְתָּ֑ח לֹֽא־לָקַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [Jephthah says that Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the sons of Ammon]

Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the sons of Ammon

Quote: לֹֽא־לָקַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jephthah recognizes that the Ammonite king is speaking of land that formerly belonged partly to Ammon and partly to Moab. It appears that at this time, the Moabites were either allies or subjects of the Ammonites, and so the Ammonite king regards the Moabites’ interests as his own. The author assumes that his readers will have this knowledge and so he does not explain it as background information. But you could indicate it in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Israel did not take any land from you Ammonites or from your allies the Moabites]

Judges 11:16

in their coming up … and he came

Quote: בַּ⁠עֲלוֹתָ֣⁠ם & וַ⁠יָּבֹ֖א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The messengers are using both plural (their) and singular (he) pronouns to refer to Israel, as a group of people and as a nation. It may be more natural in your language to use either plural or singular pronouns consistently. Alternate translation: [when they came up … and they came] or [when he came up … and he came]

Judges 11:17

saying, “Please may I pass through your land

Quote: לֵ⁠אמֹ֜ר אֶעְבְּרָה־נָּ֣א בְ⁠אַרְצֶ֗⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [asking for permission to pass through his land]

But … did not listen

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֤א שָׁמַע֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The word translated as listen here is the same one that is translated as heard in 2:2 and similar contexts. As the Introduction to Judges discusses, in these contexts the word has the specific sense of complying with what someone has said, by association with the way someone would need to hear what was said in order to obey it. Alternate translation: [But … did not consent]

And he also sent to the king of Moab

Quote: וְ⁠גַ֨ם אֶל־מֶ֧לֶךְ מוֹאָ֛ב שָׁלַ֖ח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The messengers are leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [And the Israelites also sent messengers to the king of Moab requesting safe passage through his country]

So Israel dwelled in Kadesh

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֥שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּ⁠קָדֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The messengers are leaving some information implicit that they assume the Ammonite king will understand. This information supports Jephthah’s claim that the Israelites did not take any territory from the Ammonites or their allies the Moabites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [In response, the Israelites did not try to force their way through Edom or Moab. Instead, they waited in Kadesh and considered what they should do next]

Judges 11:18

and he went from the rising of the sun to the land of Moab

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֤א מִ⁠מִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ לְ⁠אֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The messengers are describing the location of one place relative to another in the way that is characteristic of their culture. In your translation, express this in the way your culture customarily describes the location of places relative to one another. See how you translated the comparable expression in 8:11. Alternate translation: [and he traveled to the east of the land of Moab]

on the other side of the Arnon

Quote: בְּ⁠עֵ֣בֶר אַרְנ֑וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The messengers are speaking from a vantage point south of the Arnon River, since the Israelites approached it from the south on their journey from Egypt. So the other side implicitly means the north side. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. See how you translated the similar expression in 10:8. Alternate translation: [on the north side of the Arnon River]

Judges 11:19

and Israel said to him, “Please, may we pass through your land to my place

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר ל⁠וֹ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נַעְבְּרָה־נָּ֥א בְ⁠אַרְצְ⁠ךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [and Israel asked him for permission to pass through his land to his own place]

and Israel said to him, “Please, may we pass through your land to my place

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר ל⁠וֹ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נַעְבְּרָה־נָּ֥א בְ⁠אַרְצְ⁠ךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Jephthah’s messengers are speaking of Israel as if it were an individual person who could speak to Sihon. They mean that the messengers whom the Israelites sent to him spoke this message. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and the messengers said to him, “Please, may we Israelites pass through your land unto our place]

may we pass through your land to my place

Quote: נַעְבְּרָה & בְ⁠אַרְצְ⁠ךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The Israelite messengers used both plural (we) and singular (my) pronouns to refer to themselves, as a group of people and as a nation. It may be more natural in your language to use either plural or singular pronouns consistently. Alternate translation: [may we pass through your land unto our place] or [may I pass through your land unto my place]

Judges 11:20

passing through his border

Quote: עֲבֹ֣ר בִּ⁠גְבֻל֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jephthah’s messengers are using the term border by association to refer to all of Sihon’s territory. However, it is significant that they do not say “land,” as they report the Israelite messengers saying in the previous verse. The idea is that not only did Sihon not want the Israelites to walk across his land, he did not want them even to cross the border and come into any part of his territory. Alternate translation: [coming into his territory]

Judges 11:21

and they struck them

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֑וּ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 1:5. Alternate translation: [and they beat them] or [and they defeated them]

Judges 11:22

And they possessed

Quote: וַ⁠יִּ֣ירְשׁ֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

In this verse, Jephthah’s messengers are saying the same thing as in the last sentence of the previous verse. They are describing the same territory as “all the land of the Amorite.” However, they are naming the same specific borders that the Ammonite king did in 11:13 in order to establish Israel’s claim to that land. So it would be good to include this information. However, it may be clearer in your language to introduce it with a word other than And in order to show that this sentence is not saying something additional to the last sentence of the previous verse. It is repeating the meaning, although with further information. Alternate translation: [Indeed, they possessed]

all of the border of the Amorite

Quote: אֵ֖ת כָּל־גְּב֣וּל הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֑י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The messengers are using the term border by association to mean the territory that was enclosed within the borders they describe. Alternate translation: [the entire territory of those Amorites]

Judges 11:23

And now

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּ֞ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

The phrase translated as And now is an expression that was used in letters and messages of this time to introduce the main topic that the sender wished to address. If your language has a comparable expression that it uses for this same purpose, you can use it in your translation. If not, you do not have to translate this phrase explicitly; you can indicate in other ways that this is the main point that Jephthah wanted his messengers to make. Alternate translation: [Here is my main point:]

So will you possess it

Quote: וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה תִּירָשֶֽׁ⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jephthah’s messengers are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [So do not think that you can possess it!]

So will you possess it

Quote: וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה תִּירָשֶֽׁ⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

As in 11:19, the word you is singular here, and it is also singular for the rest of this speech (with one exception that these notes will indicate), because the messengers are addressing the Ammonite king. So use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 11:24

What Chemosh your god causes you to possess, will you not possess it

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֞א אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יוֹרִֽישְׁ⁠ךָ֛ כְּמ֥וֹשׁ אֱלֹהֶ֖י⁠ךָ אוֹת֥⁠וֹ תִירָ֑שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The messengers are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should just possess what Chemosh, your god, causes you to possess]

Chemosh

Quote: כְּמ֥וֹשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Chemosh is the name of a false god.

Judges 11:25

And now

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 11:23. Alternate translation: [And here is another important point:]

being better, are you being better than Balak, … Contending, did he contend with Israel, or fighting, did he fight with them

Quote: הֲ⁠ט֥וֹב טוֹב֙ אַתָּ֔ה מִ⁠בָּלָ֥ק & הֲ⁠ר֥וֹב רָב֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִם־נִלְחֹ֥ם נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The messengers are repeating forms of the verbs translated as being better, Contending, and fighting in order to intensify the ideas that they express. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [are you really better than Balak …? Did he contend at all with Israel, or did he fight with them at all?]

being better, are you being better than Balak, … Contending, did he contend with Israel, or fighting, did he fight with them

Quote: הֲ⁠ט֥וֹב טוֹב֙ אַתָּ֔ה מִ⁠בָּלָ֥ק & הֲ⁠ר֥וֹב רָב֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִם־נִלְחֹ֥ם נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The messengers are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: [you are not really better than Balak …! He did not contend at all with Israel, no, he did not fight with them at all!]

did he fight with them

Quote: נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The messengers are leaving some information implicit that they know the Ammonite king will understand. Most modern readers, however, will not have this information. It is that the land that the Israelites acquired when they defeated Sihon had previously belonged to the Moabites and Ammonites. Sihon had taken it from them. But Balak did not try to get it back. The implication is that unless the Ammonite king thinks that he is greater than Balak, he should not try to get it back either. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [did he fight with them to get back the part of that land that Sihon had earlier taken from the Moabites and Ammonites? No, and you should not either!]

Judges 11:26

and in its daughters … and in its daughters

Quote: וּ⁠בִ⁠בְנוֹתֶ֜י⁠הָ & וּ⁠בִ⁠בְנוֹתֶ֗י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 1:27. Alternate translation: [and in the surrounding villages … and in the surrounding villages]

why then did you not deliver during that time

Quote: וּ⁠מַדּ֥וּעַ לֹֽא־הִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם בָּ⁠עֵ֥ת הַ⁠הִֽיא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The messengers are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [but you did not deliver during that time!]

did you not deliver

Quote: לֹֽא־הִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The word you is plural here because the messengers are asking why none of the Ammonites tried to recapture the land during the time they are describing. If your language marks that distinction, you could use the plural form in your translation. Other languages may have other ways of indicating this. Alternate translation: [did you Ammonites not deliver]

Judges 11:27

but you are doing me wrong

Quote: וְ⁠אַתָּ֞ה עֹשֶׂ֥ה אִתִּ֛⁠י רָעָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of wrong, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [but you are doing to me what is wrong]

Judges 11:28

But … did not listen to

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔ע & אֶל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the word “listen” in 11:17. It has the same meaning here. Alternate translation: [But … did not agree not to fight after he heard]

the words of Jephthah that he sent to him

Quote: דִּבְרֵ֣י יִפְתָּ֔ח אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁלַ֖ח אֵלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term words to represent what Jephthah said by using words. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the message that Jephthah sent to him]

Judges 11:29

Then the Spirit of Yahweh was upon Jephthah

Quote: וַ⁠תְּהִ֤י עַל־יִפְתָּח֙ ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression about Othniel in 3:10. Alternate translation: [Then the Spirit of Yahweh powerfully influenced Jephthah]

and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲבֹ֥ר & וְ⁠אֶת־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה & גִלְעָ֔ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Jephthah passed through these areas to summon Israelite men to fight, as Barak did in 4:10 and Gideon did in 6:34–35. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh summoning troops to fight against the Ammonites]

Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh and said

Quote: וַ⁠יִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר לַ⁠יהוָ֖ה וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens in the story. Since the first sentence of 11:32 describes the same thing as the last sentence of 11:29, the Israelite attack against the Ammonites, this verse and the next one are describing something that happened just before that. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [But before he led that attack against the Ammonites, Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh and said]

And Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh and said

Quote: וַ⁠יִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר לַ⁠יהוָ֖ה וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The vowing and saying were not two different actions. The word vowed indicates what Jephthah was doing when he said this. Alternate translation: [And Jephthah solemnly promised Yahweh]

And Jephthah vowed a vow

Quote: וַ⁠יִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression vowed a vow contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [And Jephthah made a vow]

If giving, you will give

Quote: אִם־נָת֥וֹן תִּתֵּ֛ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Jephthah is repeating forms of the verb give in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [If in fact you give]

Judges 11:31

whoever comes out of the doors of my house to greet me

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֵצֵ֜א מִ⁠דַּלְתֵ֤י בֵיתִ⁠י֙ לִ⁠קְרָאתִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Jephthah is using one part of his house, its doors, to mean all of the house as a place for human habitation. In other words, he is specifying a person, rather than an animal that might come from a field or a stall. (See the discussion in the Introduction to this chapter of how wrong Jephthah was to offer a human sacrifice and for what purpose the author includes this account in the book of Judges.) Alternate translation: [the first member of my household who comes out to greet me]

in peace

Quote: בְ⁠שָׁל֖וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [peacefully]

Judges 11:32

Then Jephthah passed through to the sons of Ammon to fight with them

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲבֹ֥ר יִפְתָּ֛ח אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן לְ⁠הִלָּ֣חֶם בָּ֑⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

Here the author is returning to the main story after providing background information in 11:30–31. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [It was after making this vow that Jephthah passed through to the sons of Ammon to fight with them]

Judges 11:33

So the sons of Ammon were subdued from the face of the sons of Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So the sons of Israel subdued the sons of Ammon before their face]

Judges 11:34

with timbrels and with dances

Quote: בְ⁠תֻפִּ֖ים וּ⁠בִ⁠מְחֹל֑וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

Jephthah’s daughter was probably not carrying and playing several timbrels. The author may be using the plural forms timbrels and dances to indicate that she was leading a group of young women from the community who were together celebrating Jephthah’s victory. (This would be similar to what happens in 1 Samuel 18:6.) Alternate translation: [leading a group of women who were playing timbrels and dancing]

with timbrels

Quote: בְ⁠תֻפִּ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The term timbrels describes small percussion instruments. A timbrel is a hand-held drum that may also have pieces of metal around its sides that make sounds when a person shakes or hits the drum. If your readers would not be familiar with what a timbrel is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression.

And except her alone, {there was} not to him a son or daughter apart from her

Quote: וְ⁠רַק֙ הִ֣יא יְחִידָ֔ה אֵֽין־ל֥⁠וֹ מִמֶּ֛⁠נּוּ בֵּ֖ן אוֹ־בַֽת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this sentence contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [And except for her, he did not have a son or daughter] or [And he did not have a son or daughter apart from her]

Judges 11:35

that he tore his garments

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־בְּגָדָ֗י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

When Jephthah tore his garments, this was a symbolic action that expressed great distress and grief. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [that he tore his garments to show his great distress]

Causing to bow, you have caused me to bow

Quote: הַכְרֵ֣עַ הִכְרַעְתִּ֔⁠נִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Jephthah is repeating forms of the verb Causing to bow in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [You have certainly caused me to bow]

Causing to bow, you have caused me to bow

Quote: הַכְרֵ֣עַ הִכְרַעְתִּ֔⁠נִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jephthah probably does not mean that he is literally bowing down. He is speaking of his grief and distress as if those emotions were so strong that they were keeping him from standing up. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [You have brought me very low] or [You have caused me very great grief]

and you are among the ones troubling me

Quote: וְ⁠אַ֖תְּ הָיִ֣יתְ בְּ⁠עֹֽכְרָ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Jephthah may be implicitly comparing his distress at seeing his daughter with the distress that the Ammonites caused the Israelites when they invading their land. (In 11:7, Jephthah complained to the elders of Gilead that they were only seeking his help because they were in “trouble.” The author speaks similarly in 10:16 of the Ammonite invasion as “the trouble of Israel.”) You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and my distress at seeing you is as great as the distress that the Ammonites caused us]

For I have opened my mouth to Yahweh

Quote: וְ⁠אָנֹכִ֗י פָּצִ֤יתִי־פִ⁠י֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jephthah is referring to what he vowed to Yahweh, by association with the way he opened his mouth in order to speak his vow. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [For I have spoken a vow to Yahweh]

and I am not able to turn back

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָ⁠שֽׁוּב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Jephthah is speaking as if he were literally walking somewhere and could not turn back to return to where he was before he started walking. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and I am not able to break my vow]

Judges 11:36

you have opened your mouth to Yahweh

Quote: פָּצִ֤יתָה אֶת־פִּ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 11:35. Alternate translation: [you have spoken a vow to Yahweh]

according to what came forth from your mouth

Quote: כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֖ר יָצָ֣א מִ⁠פִּ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Jephthah’s daughter is referring to what he said, by association with the way it came forth from his mouth when he said it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [according to what you said]

vengeances

Quote: נְקָמ֛וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

Jephthah’s daughter is using the plural form vengeances in a context where the singular term “vengeance” would suffice. This suggests that she is using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: [great vengeance]

Judges 11:37

May this thing be done for me

Quote: יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לִּ֖⁠י הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [Please do this thing for me]

and I will go down upon the hills

Quote: וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֣י עַל־הֶֽ⁠הָרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, in Hebrew, writers and speakers generally indicated whether people were going up to a higher elevation or going down to a lower elevation when they traveled. The town of Mizpah was located at a high elevation, and Jephthah’s daughter is indicating that she would like to go down from there and wander the hills in the area. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and I will wander the hills in this area]

Judges 11:39

and he did to her his vow that he had vowed

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֣עַשׂ לָ֔⁠הּ אֶת־נִדְר֖⁠וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָדָ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and he did to her what he had vowed to do]

And she had not known a man

Quote: וְ⁠הִיא֙ לֹא־יָדְעָ֣ה אִ֔ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The author is using this expression to speak of a private matter in a delicate way. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [And she had never slept with a man] or [And she had never had sexual relations with a man]

Judges 11:40

From days to days

Quote: מִ⁠יָּמִ֣ים ׀ יָמִ֗ימָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is a common expression that means “every year.” (In this context, days in the plural means “year.” The usual word for “year” occurs at the end of the verse.) Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [Year by year] or [Every year]

Judges 12

Judges 12 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

12:1–7 Jephthah (conclusion) 12:8–10 Ibzan 12:11–12 Elon 12:13–15 Abdon

This short chapter concludes the story of Jephthah and gives brief accounts of three further judges, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.

Judges 12:1

And a man of Ephraim was summoned, and he crossed over

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵק֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶפְרַ֔יִם וַֽ⁠יַּעֲבֹ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The phrase a man of Ephraim is referring to all the fighting men of the tribe of Ephraim, not just one man. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a plural form. Alternate translation: [The men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed over]

And a man of Ephraim was summoned, and he crossed over

Quote: וַ⁠יִּצָּעֵק֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶפְרַ֔יִם וַֽ⁠יַּעֲבֹ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And the leaders of Ephraim summoned their men, and they crossed over]

and he crossed over

Quote: וַֽ⁠יַּעֲבֹ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will understand that the Ephraimites crossed over the Jordan River. Alternate translation: [and they went across the Jordan River]

northward

Quote: צָפ֑וֹנָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author is describing the Ephraimites’ travel from the perspective of their location. After crossing the Jordan River, they went northeast to Mizpah, where Jephthah was. Alternate translation: [and went to Mizpah]

with the sons of

Quote: בִּ⁠בְנֵי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of this phrase. Alternate translation: [with the descendants of]

We will burn your house over you with fire

Quote: בֵּיתְ⁠ךָ֕ נִשְׂרֹ֥ף עָלֶ֖י⁠ךָ בָּ⁠אֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression burn … with fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [We will burn down your house around you] or [We will set fire to your house with you in it]

Judges 12:2

I was a man of strife, I and my people and the sons of Ammon, exceedingly

Quote: אִ֣ישׁ רִ֗יב הָיִ֛יתִי אֲנִ֛י וְ⁠עַמִּ֥⁠י וּ⁠בְנֵֽי־עַמּ֖וֹן מְאֹ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of strife, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [I and my people were fighting a great war against the sons of Ammon]

from their hand

Quote: מִ⁠יָּדָֽ⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this meaning of the word hand. Alternate translation: [from them]

Judges 12:3

you {were} not a savior

Quote: אֵינְ⁠ךָ֣ מוֹשִׁ֗יע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of savior, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [you were not going to save me]

and I put my life in my palm

Quote: וָ⁠אָשִׂ֨ימָ⁠ה נַפְשִׁ֤⁠י בְ⁠כַפִּ⁠י֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Gideon is using a common expression to indicate that he risked his life. Alternate translation: [so I risked my life]

and crossed over against

Quote: וָֽ⁠אֶעְבְּרָ⁠ה֙ אֶל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will understand that Jephthah crossed over the Jordan River to fight the Ammonites. Alternate translation: [and crossed the Jordan River to fight]

So why have you come up to me this day to fight with me

Quote: וְ⁠לָ⁠מָ֞ה עֲלִיתֶ֥ם אֵלַ֛⁠י הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה לְ⁠הִלָּ֥חֶם בִּֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Jephthah is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a statement or exclamation. Alternate translation: [So you should not have come to fight with me today!]

Judges 12:4

And Jephthah assembled all of the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim because they said, “You, Gilead, {are} fugitives of Ephraim in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְבֹּ֤ץ יִפְתָּח֙ אֶת־כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֣י גִלְעָ֔ד וַ⁠יִּלָּ֖חֶם אֶת־אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַ⁠יַּכּוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י גִלְעָ֜ד אֶת־אֶפְרַ֗יִם כִּ֤י אָמְרוּ֙ פְּלִיטֵ֤י אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ אַתֶּ֔ם גִּלְעָ֕ד בְּ⁠ת֥וֹךְ אֶפְרַ֖יִם בְּ⁠ת֥וֹךְ מְנַשֶּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could put the last clause first in the verse, since it gives the reason for the actions that the other clauses describe. Alternate translation: [Then the men of Ephraim said, “You, Gilead, are fugitives of Ephraim in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh.” For that, Jephthah assembled all of the men of Gilead and fought with Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck Ephraim]

all of the men of Gilead

Quote: אֶת־כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֣י גִלְעָ֔ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. Alternate translation: [his entire Gileadite army]

And the men of Gilead struck

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י גִלְעָ֜ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this meaning of the word struck. Alternate translation: [And the men of Gilead attacked]

they said

Quote: אָמְרוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Since the referent for they might be unclear, you could state it explicitly. Alternate translation: [the Ephraimites had said]

in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh

Quote: בְּ⁠ת֥וֹךְ אֶפְרַ֖יִם בְּ⁠ת֥וֹךְ מְנַשֶּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The people of this culture commonly used the expression in the midst of … in the midst of to mean “in between.” The Ephraimites from the west side of the Jordan River are insulting the Gileadites by suggesting they are fugitives with no permanent territory. Alternate translation: [who live between Ephraim and Manasseh]

Judges 12:5

to Ephraim

Quote: לְ⁠אֶפְרָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the name Ephraim to mean something associated with that tribe. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: [at the place where people would cross into the territory of the tribe of Ephraim] (2) Alternate translation: [before the soldiers from the tribe of Ephraim could reach them and cross safely back over]

the fugitives of Ephraim

Quote: פְּלִיטֵ֤י אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The author is using a plural form to refer to individuals. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this with a singular form. Alternate translation: [a fugitive of Ephraim]

Judges 12:6

Please say ‘Shibboleth

Quote: אֱמָר־נָ֨א שִׁבֹּ֜לֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The word Shibboleth could mean either a stream or an ear of corn, but the meaning of the word was not important. What mattered was its pronunciation. Alternate translation: [Please say ‘Shibboleth,’” because they wanted to hear whether he could make the “sh” sound]

And at that time 42,000 from Ephraim fell

Quote: וַ⁠יִּפֹּ֞ל בָּ⁠עֵ֤ת הַ⁠הִיא֙ מֵֽ⁠אֶפְרַ֔יִם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנַ֖יִם אָֽלֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the action of falling to represent dying in battle, by association with the way soldiers fall down when they die. Alternate translation: [And at that time 42,000 from Ephraim died in battle]

Judges 12:7

and was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and his family buried him]

Judges 12:9

And 30 daughters he sent outside

Quote: וּ⁠שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים בָּנוֹת֙ שִׁלַּ֣ח הַ⁠ח֔וּצָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The expression sent outside is one that people of this culture commonly used to describe marriages outside of one’s clan. However, Israelites had to arrange marriages for their children within their own tribe. Alternate translation: [And he arranged marriages for his 30 daughters with families that were from his tribe but not part of his clan]

and 30 daughters he brought in for his sons from outside

Quote: וּ⁠שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים בָּנ֔וֹת הֵבִ֥יא לְ⁠בָנָ֖י⁠ו מִן־הַ⁠ח֑וּץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the similar expression earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: [and he arranged for his 30 sons to marry women from families that were from his tribe but not part of his clan]

Judges 12:10

and was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and his family buried him]

Judges 12:12

and was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֥ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and his family buried him]

Judges 12:13

Abdon, … Hillel

Quote: עַבְדּ֥וֹן & הִלֵּ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Abdon and Hillel are the names of men.

the Pirathonite

Quote: הַ⁠פִּרְעָתוֹנִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Pirathonite is a name for a person from the town of Pirathon.

Judges 12:14

sons of sons

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י בָנִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. The UST demonstrates how this relationship is expressed in English.

riding on 70 donkeys

Quote: רֹכְבִ֖ים עַל־שִׁבְעִ֣ים עֲיָרִ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

In this culture at this time, Abdon’s sons riding on these donkeys was a symbolic action that indicated that they were young men of wealth and status. This, in turn, indicated that Abdon himself was wealthy and influential. Alternate translation: [each of whom he could afford to give a donkey to ride]

Judges 12:15

and was buried

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקָּבֵ֤ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and his family buried him]

the Amalekite

Quote: הָ⁠עֲמָלֵקִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is using a singular noun to refer to a group. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this with a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Amalekites]

Judges 13

Judges 13 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter begins the account of Samson, which continues through Chapter 16.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Warning not to cut Samson’s hair

The angel of Yahweh gave Samson’s parents special instructions about how they were to raise the boy they would have. They were to make a Nazarite vow, a special type of vow dedicating Samson to Yahweh. Part of this vow prohibited cutting the person’s hair. The person also could not drink beer or wine or even eat grapes. Samson’s mother was to observe those prohibitions even while she was pregnant, since anything she ate or drank would also nourish the baby in her womb. (See: Nazirite, Nazirite vow and INVALID bible/kt/vow)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

The angel of Yahweh

A character whom the author calls “the angel of Yahweh” figures prominently in this chapter. See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges, and see how you translated the phrase “the angel of Yahweh” in Chapters 2, 5, and 6.

Judges 13:1

the sons of

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of this phrase. Alternate translation: [the descendants of]

evil in the eyes of Yahweh

Quote: הָ⁠רַ֖ע בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of evil, you could express the same idea in another way. See how you translated the same expression in 2:11. Alternate translation: [what Yahweh considered to be evil] or [what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment]

so Yahweh gave them into the hand of the Philistines

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֧⁠ם יְהוָ֛ה בְּ⁠יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the meaning of the phrase into the hand of.

Judges 13:2

Now there was one man from Zorah

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי֩ אִ֨ישׁ אֶחָ֧ד מִ⁠צָּרְעָ֛ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is introducing a new character to the story. Use a natural way in your language to introduce new characters in a story. Alternate translation: [Now there was a certain man from Zorah]

from the clan of the Danite

Quote: מִ⁠מִּשְׁפַּ֥חַת הַ⁠דָּנִ֖י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will understand that he is referring to the tribe of Dan as a clan because it was a small tribe. He also uses the term clan elsewhere in the book, but sometimes he also uses the term “tribe” Alternate translation: [from the tribe of Dan]

the Danite

Quote: הַ⁠דָּנִ֖י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is using a singular noun to refer to a group. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this with a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Danites]

was} barren and had not given birth

Quote: עֲקָרָ֖ה וְ⁠לֹ֥א יָלָֽדָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These phrases mean similar things. The author is using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [was unable to have children]

Judges 13:3

the angel of Yahweh

Quote: מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָ֖ה (1)

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of this phrase.

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of Behold. If you have a word you use in your language for the purpose of drawing attention to something consider using it here.

you {are} barren and have not given birth

Quote: אַתְּ־עֲקָרָה֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יָלַ֔דְתְּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

See how you translated the similar expression in 13:2.

Judges 13:4

And now

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “Now here is my main point.” See how you translated the same expression in 11:23.

Judges 13:5

And a razor will not go up on his head

Quote: וּ⁠מוֹרָה֙ לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to describe cutting the hair on a person’s head. Alternate translation: [He must never cut his hair]

And a razor will not go up on his head

Quote: וּ⁠מוֹרָה֙ לֹא־יַעֲלֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter of what Samson’s long hair symbolized.

from the womb

Quote: מִן־הַ⁠בָּ֑טֶן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term womb by association to mean “birth.” Alternate translation: [from birth]

Judges 13:6

saying

Quote: לֵ⁠אמֹר֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations

The author is using the term saying to introduce a direct quotation. In your translation, use a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [as follows:]

Judges 13:7

And he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and bear a son. And now, do not drink wine or beer, and do not eat any unclean {thing}, for the boy will be a Nazirite of God from the womb until the day of his death

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר לִ֔⁠י הִנָּ֥⁠ךְ הָרָ֖ה וְ⁠יֹלַ֣דְתְּ בֵּ֑ן וְ⁠עַתָּ֞ה אַל־תִּשְׁתִּ֣י ׀ יַ֣יִן וְ⁠שֵׁכָ֗ר וְ⁠אַל־תֹּֽאכְלִי֙ כָּל־טֻמְאָ֔ה כִּֽי־נְזִ֤יר אֱלֹהִים֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה הַ⁠נַּ֔עַר מִן־הַ⁠בֶּ֖טֶן עַד־י֥וֹם מוֹתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [And he told me that I would conceive and bear a son, and that I should not drink wine or beer or eat any unclean thing, because the boy would be a Nazirite of God from birth until the day of his death]

Judges 13:8

the one to be born

Quote: הַ⁠יּוּלָּֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the one whom my wife will bear]

Judges 13:9

And God listened to the voice of Manoah

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֥ע הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠ק֣וֹל מָנ֑וֹחַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term listened to mean that God answered the prayer, by association with the way that a person must listen to or hear a request in order to grant it. Alternate translation: [And God answered Manoah’s prayer]

And God listened to the voice of Manoah

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֥ע הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠ק֣וֹל מָנ֑וֹחַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term voice by association to mean the prayer that Manoah used his voice to speak. Alternate translation: [And God listened to Manoah’s prayer]

Judges 13:10

hurried and ran

Quote: וַ⁠תְּמַהֵר֙ & וַ⁠תָּ֖רָץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

The author is expressing a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word hurried tells in what way Manoah’s wife ran as shown by the UST.

and declared to her husband and said to him

Quote: וַ⁠תַּגֵּ֣ד לְ⁠אִישָׁ֑⁠הּ וַ⁠תֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The author is using two phrases to emphasize a single idea. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [and said excitedly to her husband]

on a day

Quote: בַ⁠יּ֖וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to refer to a day or time that their listener would recognize. Your language may have a comparable expression of its own that you can use in your translation.

Judges 13:11

this woman

Quote: הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

This was how a man in this culture would refer to his wife when speaking with another man he did not know well. In your translation, use the term for this kinship relationship that would be appropriate in your culture.

Judges 13:12

your words

Quote: דְבָרֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Manoah is using the term words by association to mean what the angel said by using words. Alternate translation: [what you have said]

may … come {to pass

Quote: יָבֹ֣א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “happen.” Alternate translation: [may … happen]

Judges 13:13

this woman

Quote: הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this in 13:11. Alternate translation: [your wife]

Judges 13:14

Of all that comes forth from the vine of wine

Quote: מִ⁠כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֩ מִ⁠גֶּ֨פֶן הַ⁠יַּ֜יִן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression comes forth from the vine of wine contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [Of all that comes from grapes]

Judges 13:15

Please let us detain you, and we will prepare

Quote: נַעְצְרָה־נָּ֣א אוֹתָ֔⁠ךְ וְ⁠נַעֲשֶׂ֥ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

Manoah is politely inviting the angel to receive his hospitality and asking him to wait while he and his wife prepare a meal. In your translation, use comparable forms for these purposes in your own language. Alternate translation: [Please be so kind as to wait while we prepare]

to your face

Quote: לְ⁠פָנֶ֖י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Here, face represents the whole person. Alternate translation: [to set before you] or [to serve you]

a kid of goats

Quote: גְּדִ֥י עִזִּֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “a young goat.” Alternate translation: [a young goat]

Judges 13:16

If you detain me

Quote: אִם־תַּעְצְרֵ֨⁠נִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact

The angel is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what the angel is saying is not certain, then you could translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: [I will wait while you prepare a meal, but]

of your bread

Quote: בְּ⁠לַחְמֶ֔⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The angel is using one kind of food, bread, to mean food in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [of your food]

For Manoah did not know

Quote: כִּ֚י לֹא־יָדַ֣ע מָנ֔וֹחַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

Here the author is using the word For to introduce an explanation of why Manoah invited the angel of Yahweh to stay for a meal even though he would not eat it. Alternate translation: [Now Manoah had invited him not knowing]

Judges 13:17

that} when your words come {to pass

Quote: כִּֽי־יָבֹ֥א דְבָרְךָ֖ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the similar expressions in 13:12. Alternate translation: [that when what you have said happens]

Judges 13:18

Why do you ask this about my name, since it {is} wonderful

Quote: לָ֥⁠מָּה זֶּ֖ה תִּשְׁאַ֣ל לִ⁠שְׁמִ֑⁠י וְ⁠הוּא־פֶ֛לִאי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The angel is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: [You should not ask about my name, because it is too wonderful for you to understand]

Judges 13:19

And he was being wonderful in doing

Quote: וּ⁠מַפְלִ֣א לַ⁠עֲשׂ֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is introducing a significant development in the story. He gives the details of it in the next verse. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event. Alternate translation: [And then the angel did an amazing thing]

And he was being wonderful in doing

Quote: וּ⁠מַפְלִ֣א לַ⁠עֲשׂ֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The author assumes that his readers will understand that he refers to the angel. Alternate translation: [And the angel was being wonderful in doing]

And he was being wonderful in doing

Quote: וּ⁠מַפְלִ֣א לַ⁠עֲשׂ֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

Here, the verb being wonderful tells in what way the angel was doing something. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this in a different way. Alternate translation: [And he was doing wondrously]

Judges 13:20

For it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי֩ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce the details of the significant development he mentioned in the previous verse. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for providing such details.

and they fell on their faces to the ground

Quote: וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ עַל־פְּנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם אָֽרְצָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

The expression fell on their faces means that Manoah and his wife intentionally got down on their knees and bowed their faces to the ground as a symbolic action. In that culture, this act was an expression of reverence and worship. It was a way that a person showed great respect and reverence for someone else. If there is a gesture with similar meaning in your culture, you could consider using it here in your translation. You could also explain the purpose of this action. Alternate translation: [and they bowed down to the ground in fear and reverence]

Judges 13:21

And the angel of Yahweh did not resume again to appear

Quote: וְ⁠לֹא־יָ֤סַף עוֹד֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠הֵרָאֹ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would not be natural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [And the angel of Yahweh did not appear again]

Judges 13:22

Dying, we shall die

Quote: מ֣וֹת נָמ֑וּת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is using repetition for emphasis. If your language uses repetition for emphasis, it would be appropriate to use it here. If not, you can use another way of emphasizing the idea. Alternate translation: [We will certainly die]

Judges 13:24

and she called his name

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression called his name contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and she called him] or [and she gave him the name]

Judges 13:25

And the Spirit of Yahweh began to agitate him

Quote: וַ⁠תָּ֨חֶל֙ ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה לְ⁠פַעֲמ֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory

Here and in the last sentence of the previous verse, the author is saying what happened at the end of the story of Samson’s birth. He leads into the stories of Samson’s young adulthood in the following chapters by saying that “the boy grew” and “Yahweh blessed him” and noting that the Spirit of Yahweh began to agitate him, that is, to make him dissatisfied with living under Philistine occupation. Your language may have its own way of bringing one part of a story to a close and introducing the next part.

Judges 14

Judges 14 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The story of Samson continues in this chapter.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text. The ULT does this with the poetry in 14:14 and 14:18.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why did Samson’s parents not want him to marry a Philistine woman?

The law of Moses forbade Israelites to marry a Canaanite or anyone from a different people group. This is why Samson’s parents did not want him to marry a Philistine woman.

How could Samson do such great feats of strength?

The author says of Samson in 14:6 and 14:19 that “the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him.” This means that Yahweh gave Samson extraordinary strength. Samson’s power was the power of Yahweh himself. He was an agent of Yahweh’s judgment against the Philistines.

Judges 14:1

from the daughters of the Philistines

Quote: מִ⁠בְּנ֥וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This expression is similar to the common use in this culture of the term “sons” to mean the members of a people group, but here it seems to have a more specific meaning. Alternate translation: [among the Philistine young women]

Judges 14:2

and declared to his father and to his mother and said

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגֵּד֙ לְ⁠אָבִ֣י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠אִמּ֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יֹּ֗אמֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations

The expression and said introduces a direct quotation. In your translation, use a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [and told his father and mother about this, saying]

And now

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּ֕ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases

As a note to 11:22 explains, the phrase And now introduces a speaker’s main point. See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: [So this is what I want you to do for me:]

get her for me for a wife

Quote: קְחוּ־אוֹתָ֥⁠הּ לִּ֖⁠י לְ⁠אִשָּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Samson assumes that his parents will know that by get her for me for a wife he means that he wants them to arrange with this woman’s family a marriage between him and this woman. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [arrange with her family a marriage between me and her]

Judges 14:3

Is there} not among the daughters of your brothers and among all of my people a woman, that you {are} going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines

Quote: הַ⁠אֵין֩ בִּ⁠בְנ֨וֹת אַחֶ֤י⁠ךָ וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַמִּ⁠י֙ אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה הוֹלֵךְ֙ לָ⁠קַ֣חַת אִשָּׁ֔ה מִ⁠פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הָ⁠עֲרֵלִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Samson’s parents are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Surely there must be a suitable woman among our own relatives or among all our people. You should not take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines!]

among the daughters of your brothers

Quote: בִּ⁠בְנ֨וֹת אַחֶ֤י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [among the young women of our own tribe]

my people

Quote: עַמִּ⁠י֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Since Samson and his father belong to the same people, it may be more natural in your language to use an inclusive plural pronoun here. Alternate translation: [our people]

a woman

Quote: אִשָּׁ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Samson’s parents assume that Samson will know that by a woman they mean a woman he could marry. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [a woman you could marry]

from the uncircumcised Philistines

Quote: מִ⁠פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הָ⁠עֲרֵלִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Samson’s father is using the word uncircumcised by association to refer to the Philistines as a group that did not worship Yahweh, since they did not practice circumcision, as Yahweh’s covenant with the Israelites required. The Philistines did not follow the law of Moses at all, and they worshiped other gods. Alternate translation: [from the Philistines, who do not worship Yahweh]

for she {is} right in my eyes

Quote: כִּֽי־הִ֖יא יָשְׁרָ֥ה בְ⁠עֵינָֽ⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of this phrase in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [for I think she is the right one for me]

Judges 14:4

But his father and his mother did not know that it {was} from Yahweh, for he {was} seeking an occasion against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines {were} ruling over Israel

Quote: וְ⁠אָבִ֨י⁠ו וְ⁠אִמּ֜⁠וֹ לֹ֣א יָדְע֗וּ כִּ֤י מֵ⁠יְהוָה֙ הִ֔יא כִּי־תֹאֲנָ֥ה הֽוּא־מְבַקֵּ֖שׁ מִ⁠פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וּ⁠בָ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים מֹשְׁלִ֥ים בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Now at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel, and Yahweh was seeking an occasion against them. That was why this happened. But his father and mother did not realize that]

For at that time the Philistines {were} ruling over Israel

Quote: וּ⁠בָ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים מֹשְׁלִ֥ים בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Judges 14:5

and behold

Quote: וְ⁠הִנֵּה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of behold. If you have a word you use in your language for the purpose of drawing attention to something consider using it here.

a young lion of lions

Quote: כְּפִ֣יר אֲרָי֔וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

This possessive form is similar in meaning to the expression “a kid of goats” in 6:19. See how you translated that expression. Alternate translation: [a lion in the prime of its youth]

was} roaring to meet him

Quote: שֹׁאֵ֖ג לִ⁠קְרָאתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

While the author says that both Samson and his parents went to Timnah, he uses the singular pronoun him here. The implication is that Samson was walking somewhere alone at this point. You could indicate that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [roared and attacked Samson as he was walking alone]

Judges 14:6

Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him

Quote: וַ⁠תִּצְלַ֨ח עָלָ֜י⁠ו ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This expression indicates that the Spirit of Yahweh empowered Samson. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [Then the Spirit of Yahweh filled him] or [Then the Spirit of Yahweh came and empowered him]

and he tore it as the tearing of a kid, and {there was} not anything in his hand

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְשַׁסְּעֵ֨⁠הוּ֙ כְּ⁠שַׁסַּ֣ע הַ⁠גְּדִ֔י וּ⁠מְא֖וּמָה אֵ֣ין בְּ⁠יָד֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

In the second clause, the author provides background information to help readers appreciate what a feat of strength and courage this was. You may find it more natural to provide the background information first. Alternate translation: [and even though he was bare-handed, he tore it as easily as he could have torn a young goat]

Judges 14:7

and she was right in the eyes of Samson

Quote: וַ⁠תִּישַׁ֖ר בְּ⁠עֵינֵ֥י שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the expression in the eyes of in 14:3. Alternate translation: [and Samson thought that she was the right one for him]

Judges 14:9

and going, he walked, and eating, he walked

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֤לֶךְ הָלוֹךְ֙ וְ⁠אָכֹ֔ל וַ⁠יֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The author is repeating the verb walked to indicate that Samson did not stop to eat the honey but instead ate it as he continued on his way. Alternate translation: [and he kept walking, eating as he went]

Judges 14:10

to the woman

Quote: אֶל־הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

When the author says that Samson’s father went and met with the woman, he means by association that he met with her family. Alternate translation: [to speak with the woman’s family]

and Samson made a feast there, for thus the young men would do

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֨עַשׂ שָׁ֤ם שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה כִּ֛י כֵּ֥ן יַעֲשׂ֖וּ הַ⁠בַּחוּרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [and since it was customary for young men who were getting married to host a feast, that is what Samson did]

Judges 14:11

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֖י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

in their seeing him

Quote: כִּ⁠רְאוֹתָ֣⁠ם אוֹת֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The phrase in their seeing him could mean: (1) that the young Philistine men provided 30 companions for Samson when they saw that he had not brought any young men to accompany him. Alternate translation: [when they saw that he had not brought any young men to accompany him] (2) that they did this for their own safety when they saw how strong and powerful Samson was. Alternate translation: [when they saw how strong and powerful he was]

that they took 30 companions, and they were with him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְחוּ֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים מֵֽרֵעִ֔ים וַ⁠יִּהְי֖וּ אִתּֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for the relationship between a man who is getting married and the other men who accompany him. Alternate translation: [that they provided 30 of their own young men to be his bridegroom’s party]

Judges 14:12

If declaring, you declare it to me {during} the seven days of the feast and you find {it

Quote: אִם־הַגֵּ֣ד תַּגִּידוּ֩ אוֹתָ֨⁠הּ לִ֜⁠י שִׁבְעַ֨ת יְמֵ֤י הַ⁠מִּשְׁתֶּה֙ וּ⁠מְצָאתֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Samson is describing one event before describing another event that would have to precede it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [If you are able to figure it out and tell me the answer during the seven days of the feast]

If declaring, you declare it

Quote: אִם־הַגֵּ֣ד תַּגִּידוּ֩ אוֹתָ֨⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Samson is repeating forms of the verb declare in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [If in fact you are able to declare it]

Judges 14:14

for} three days

Quote: שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The implication is that the Philistine young men tried for three days to solve the riddle and then gave up and forgot about it until the end of the feast. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [for three days, so they gave up and forgot about it until the end of the feast]

Judges 14:15

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new development in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

on the seventh day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֗י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that his readers will know that by saying on the seventh day he means the last day of the feast, when the Philistine young men would have to give Samson many expensive garments if they could not solve the riddle. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [on the last day of the feast, when they would have to give Samson many expensive garments if they could not solve the riddle]

to the wife of Samson, “… your husband

Quote: לְ⁠אֵֽשֶׁת־שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ & אֶת־אִישֵׁ֗⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

In this culture, people would speak of a woman who was engaged to a man as his wife, and they would speak of a man who was engaged to a woman as her husband, even before the two were yet married. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [to the fiancée of Samson … your fiancé]

we burn you and the house of your father with fire

Quote: נִשְׂרֹ֥ף אוֹתָ֛⁠ךְ וְ⁠אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אָבִ֖י⁠ךְ בָּ⁠אֵ֑שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression we burn you and the house of your father with fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [we burn you to death you and the house of your father]

and the house of your father

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אָבִ֖י⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [and your whole extended family]

Did you invite us to dispossess us? {Is it} not {so

Quote: הַ⁠לְ⁠יָרְשֵׁ֕⁠נוּ קְרָאתֶ֥ם לָ֖⁠נוּ הֲ⁠לֹֽא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The Philistine young men are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [It certainly seems as if you invited us here to rob us!]

Judges 14:16

And the wife of Samson wept on him

Quote: וַ⁠תֵּבְךְּ֩ אֵ֨שֶׁת שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן עָלָ֗י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

While it is likely that Samson’s wife may have literally wept on him, throwing herself on him, sobbing, so that her tears fell on him, this expression is speaking of her weeping as if it had literally been a burden that was heavy and wearying for Samson to carry. Alternate translation: [And Samson’s wife wore him out with her weeping]

to the sons of my people

Quote: לִ⁠בְנֵ֣י עַמִּ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the similar expression “the daughters of the Philistines” in 14:1. The meaning of sons here does not seem to be as general as the use of that word to describe the members of a people group. Alternate translation: [to the young Philistine men at our wedding feast]

so will I tell {it} to you

Quote: וְ⁠לָ֥⁠ךְ אַגִּֽיד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Samson is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [so I certainly will not tell it to you!]

Judges 14:17

for} the seven days {during} which the feast was to them

Quote: שִׁבְעַ֣ת הַ⁠יָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הָיָ֥ה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠מִּשְׁתֶּ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Since the author says in 14:15 that it was only on the “seventh day” of the feast that the Philistine young men came to Samson’s bride and threatened her, he is apparently using the whole period here, seven days, to represent the time that remained in that period. Alternate translation: [for the remainder of the seven days during which they held their feast]

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new development in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

that he declared {it} to her, for she had pressed him

Quote: וַ⁠יַּגֶּד־לָ⁠הּ֙ כִּ֣י הֱצִיקַ֔תְ⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [that, because she had pressed him, he declared it to her]

Judges 14:18

came in

Quote: יָבֹ֣א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go

In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of came. Alternate translation: [went down]

What {is} sweeter than honey? And what {is} stronger than a lion

Quote: מַה־מָּת֣וֹק מִ⁠דְּבַ֔שׁ וּ⁠מֶ֥ה עַ֖ז מֵ⁠אֲרִ֑י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The Philistine young men are using the question form to give the answer to Samson’s riddle triumphantly. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Nothing is sweeter than honey, and nothing is stronger than a lion!]

If you had not plowed with my heifer

Quote: לוּלֵא֙ חֲרַשְׁתֶּ֣ם בְּ⁠עֶגְלָתִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Samson is speaking as if the Philistine young men had literally plowed with a heifer that he owned. He is using the heifer to represent his wife, with the suggestion that they had no business using her in the way they did. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [If you had not gotten the answer from my wife]

Judges 14:19

And the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him

Quote: וַ⁠תִּצְלַ֨ח עָלָ֜י⁠ו ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 14:6. Alternate translation: [And the Spirit of Yahweh came and empowered him]

and he struck

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֥ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the discussion of the term struck in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: [and he killed]

And his nose burned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּ֣חַר אַפּ֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is speaking as if Samson’s nose had literally burned. The Introduction to Judges discusses this usage. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And he became extremely angry]

and he went up {to} the house of his father

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֖עַל בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽי⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that Samson did not officially marry the Philistine woman, but instead returned to the house of his father. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he did not officially marry the woman, but instead returned to the house of his father]

Judges 14:20

And the wife of Samson became to his companion who had accompanied him

Quote: וַ⁠תְּהִ֖י אֵ֣שֶׁת שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן לְ⁠מֵ֣רֵעֵ֔⁠הוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רֵעָ֖ה לֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Since the author speaks of this companion in the singular and adds a descriptive phrase about him, he must have had a special role in the bridegroom’s party. Your language may have its own term or expression for this role. Alternate translation: [And the woman’s father gave her to Samson’s best man to be his wife instead]

Judges 15

Judges 15 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The account of Samson continues in this chapter.

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 15:16.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Samson’s strength

The phrase “the Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon Samson” means the same thing in 15:14 as in 14:6 and 14:19. The author is saying once again that Yahweh gave Samson extraordinary strength to be the agent of his judgment against the Philistines.

Judges 15:1

And it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֨י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

in the days of

Quote: בִּ⁠ימֵ֣י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the word days by association to mean ”time.” Alternate translation: [at the time of]

with a kid of goats

Quote: בִּ⁠גְדִ֣י עִזִּ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Bringing a kid of goats was a symbolic action that showed Samson wanted to reconcile with his wife. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [with a young goat as a gift to show he was no longer angry]

with a kid of goats

Quote: בִּ⁠גְדִ֣י עִזִּ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 6:19.

I will go in to my wife, to the chamber

Quote: אָבֹ֥אָה אֶל־אִשְׁתִּ֖⁠י הֶ⁠חָ֑דְרָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

Samson is speaking in a polite way about a private or uncomfortable matter. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [I would like to sleep with my bride] or [I would like to make the marriage official by consummating it]

my wife

Quote: אִשְׁתִּ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

In this culture, people would speak of a woman who was engaged to a man as his wife, and they would speak of a man who was engaged to a woman as her husband, even before the two were yet married. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [my fiancée]

Judges 15:2

Saying, I said that hating, you hated her

Quote: אָמֹ֤ר אָמַ֨רְתִּי֙ כִּי־שָׂנֹ֣א שְׂנֵאתָ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The father is repeating forms of the verbs say and hate in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [I said to myself that you truly hated her]

Is not her younger sister better than she

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֨א אֲחֹתָ֤⁠הּ הַ⁠קְּטַנָּה֙ טוֹבָ֣ה מִמֶּ֔⁠נָּה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The father is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Her younger sister is certainly better than she is!]

Judges 15:3

to them

Quote: לָ⁠הֶם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun them refers to the extended family present. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [to his wife’s family]

regarding the Philistines when I do harm to them

Quote: מִ⁠פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים כִּֽי־עֹשֶׂ֥ה אֲנִ֛י עִמָּ֖⁠ם רָעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Samson is speaking about the Philistines in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: [regarding you Philistines when I do harm to you]

when I do harm to them

Quote: כִּֽי־עֹשֶׂ֥ה אֲנִ֛י עִמָּ֖⁠ם רָעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of harm, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [when I harm them]

Judges 15:4

foxes

Quote: שׁוּעָלִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

A fox is a small wild dog. If your readers would not be familiar with what a fox is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [coyotes] or [wild dogs]

and he turned tail to tail, and he put one torch between two of the tails, in the middle

Quote: וַ⁠יֶּ֤פֶן זָנָב֙ אֶל־זָנָ֔ב וַ⁠יָּ֨שֶׂם לַפִּ֥יד אֶחָ֛ד בֵּין־שְׁנֵ֥י הַ⁠זְּנָב֖וֹת בַּ⁠תָּֽוֶךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that the reader will know that Samson tied the foxes’ tails together in pairs. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he tied the foxes’ tails together in pairs, and he put one torch between each pair of tails]

Judges 15:5

and sent {them

Quote: וַ⁠יְשַׁלַּ֖ח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun them refers to the foxes with torches tied to their tails. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and sent the foxes with burning torches]

Judges 15:6

the Philistines

Quote: פְלִשְׁתִּים֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that the reader will know that by the Philistines, he means the leaders of the Philistines. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the leaders of the Philistines]

And they said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֗וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And people told them] or [And they were told]

the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he took his wife

Quote: חֲתַ֣ן הַ⁠תִּמְנִ֔י כִּ֚י לָקַ֣ח אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [who was engaged to marry the daughter of the Timnite, because her father took her]

the Timnite

Quote: הַ⁠תִּמְנִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Timnite is the name for a person from the town of Timnah. Alternate translation: [that man from Timnah]

and burned her and her father with fire

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ אוֹתָ֛⁠הּ וְ⁠אֶת־אָבִ֖י⁠הָ בָּ⁠אֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression burned … with fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and burned her and her father to death] or [and killed her and her father by setting them on fire]

Judges 15:7

If you have done like this, then if I avenge

Quote: אִֽם־תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ⁠ן כָּ⁠זֹ֑את כִּ֛י אִם־נִקַּ֥מְתִּי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact

Samson is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, then you could translate this as a confident statement. Alternate translation: [Since you have done such a thing, I am entitled to avenge myself]

then afterward I will stop

Quote: וְ⁠אַחַ֥ר אֶחְדָּֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Samson assumes that the Philistines will understand that he means he will stop fighting once he has avenged himself because he feels that will make them even. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [then that will make us even, so I will stop fighting]

Judges 15:8

Then he struck them leg on thigh

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֨ךְ אוֹתָ֥⁠ם שׁ֛וֹק עַל־יָרֵ֖ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean to kill opponents violently. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [Then he tore them limb from limb]

Etam

Quote: עֵיטָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Etam is the name of a place.

Judges 15:9

in Lehi

Quote: בַּ⁠לֶּֽחִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Lehi is the name of a place. It is a shortened form of Ramath Lehi. The author explains the origin of this name in 15:17.

Judges 15:11

Do you not know that the Philistines are ruling over us? So what is this you have done to us

Quote: הֲ⁠לֹ֤א יָדַ֨עְתָּ֙ כִּֽי־מֹשְׁלִ֥ים בָּ֨⁠נוּ֙ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּ⁠מַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֑⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The men of Judah are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You must know that the Philistines are ruling over us! What you have done to us is terrible!]

Judges 15:12

into the hand of the Philistines

Quote: בְּ⁠יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the meaning of the phrase into the hand of.

that you will not strike me

Quote: פֶּֽן־תִּפְגְּע֥וּ⁠ן בִּ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Samson is implicitly seeking assurance that the men of Judah will not strike him in such a way as to kill him. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation, as the UST does, if that would be helpful to your readers.

Judges 15:13

but binding, we will bind you … but putting to death, we will not put you to death

Quote: כִּֽי־אָסֹ֤ר נֶֽאֱסָרְ⁠ךָ֙ & וְ⁠הָמֵ֖ת לֹ֣א נְמִיתֶ֑⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The men of Judah are repeating forms of the verbs bind and put to death in order to intensify the ideas that they express. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [we will definitely bind you … but we will certainly not put you to death]

Then they bound him with two new ropes

Quote: וַ⁠יַּאַסְרֻ֗⁠הוּ בִּ⁠שְׁנַ֨יִם֙ עֲבֹתִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that the men of Judah used new ropes because they were strong and not worn out. The next verse indicates that they used one rope for Samson’s hands and another for his arms. Alternate translation: [Then they tied his hands together with one new, strong rope and they tied his arms together with another new, strong rope]

Judges 15:14

Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him

Quote: וַ⁠תִּצְלַ֨ח עָלָ֜י⁠ו ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֗ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 14:6.

and the ropes that {were} on his arms became like flax that they burn with fire

Quote: וַ⁠תִּהְיֶ֨ינָה הָ⁠עֲבֹתִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־זְרוֹעוֹתָ֗י⁠ו כַּ⁠פִּשְׁתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֔שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as flax breaks easily when people burn it with fire, so the ropes on Samson’s arms broke easily. That was because the Spirit of Yahweh made him very strong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [and he became so strong that he was able to break the ropes that were on his arms as easily as flax breaks when people burn it]

that they burn with fire

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֔שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression burn with fire contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [that they burn]

that they burn

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is using they to refer to people in general. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that people burn]

and his bonds melted from on his hands

Quote: וַ⁠יִּמַּ֥סּוּ אֱסוּרָ֖י⁠ו מֵ⁠עַ֥ל יָדָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if these bonds literally melted. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and he was able to break the rope that bound his hands so easily that it seemed to melt away]

Judges 15:15

and he stretched out his hand and took it

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֤ח יָד⁠וֹ֙ וַ⁠יִּקָּחֶ֔⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [and he took it]

Judges 15:16

With the jawbone of a donkey, a heap, two heaps

Quote: בִּ⁠לְחִ֣י הַ⁠חֲמ֔וֹר חֲמ֖וֹר חֲמֹרָתָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

Samson is using words with similar sounds for poetic effect. In Hebrew, the word for donkey sounds similar to the word for heap. You may be able to reproduce this effect in your language. Alternate translation: [With the jawbone of an ass, a mass, two masses]

a heap, two heaps

Quote: חֲמ֖וֹר חֲמֹרָתָ֑יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

In order to make an emphatic statement, Samson is naming a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increasing that number by one. This was a common device in Hebrew poetry. If a speaker of your language would not do this, in your translation you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [I have killed enough men to make an enormous heap]

Judges 15:17

Ramath Lehi

Quote: רָ֥מַת לֶֽחִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

Ramath Lehi is the name of a place. It is the full name of the place that is called “Lehi” in 15:9. The ULT has spelled out this name using English letters so that readers will know how it sounds. However, it means “The Throwing of the Jawbone”; the author is explaining how the place got its name. In your translation, you could spell this name the way it sounds in your language but then add an explanation of its meaning. Alternate translation: [Ramath Lehi, which means “The Throwing of the Jawbone”]

Judges 15:18

You have given this great salvation by the hand of your servant

Quote: אַתָּה֙ נָתַ֣תָּ בְ⁠יַֽד־עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֔ אֶת־הַ⁠תְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַ⁠גְּדֹלָ֖ה הַ⁠זֹּ֑את (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of salvation, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [You have enabled your servant to do this great deed to help save your people]

by the hand of your servant

Quote: בְ⁠יַֽד־עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֔ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

Samson is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: [by my hand]

and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised

Quote: וְ⁠עַתָּה֙ אָמ֣וּת בַּ⁠צָּמָ֔א וְ⁠נָפַלְתִּ֖י בְּ⁠יַ֥ד הָ⁠עֲרֵלִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Samson is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [and now I do not want to die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised!]

into the hand of the uncircumcised

Quote: בְּ⁠יַ֥ד הָ⁠עֲרֵלִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Samson is using the word uncircumcised by association to mean the Philistines, who did not practice circumcision. Alternate translation: [into the hand of the Philistines]

Judges 15:19

and his spirit returned

Quote: וַ⁠תָּ֥שָׁב רוּח֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Samson’s spirit had literally left his body and then returned. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and his energy returned]

he called its name

Quote: קָרָ֣א שְׁמָ֗⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression called its name contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [he named it]

En-Hakkore

Quote: עֵ֤ין הַקּוֹרֵא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate

The word En-Hakkore is the name of a place. It means “The Spring of the Caller.” Samson gave it this name because Yahweh provided this spring when he called out to him. In your translation, you could spell this name the way it sounds in your language but then add an explanation of its meaning. Alternate translation: [En-Hakkore, which means “The Spring of the Caller”]

to this day

Quote: עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that the reader will understand that by day, he means the time at which he is writing. You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [at the present time]

Judges 15:20

in the days of the Philistines

Quote: בִּ⁠ימֵ֥י פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days to refer by association to the time period when the Philistines ruled over Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning in another way. Alternate translation: [during the time when the Philistines ruled over Israel]

Judges 16

Judges 16 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

The account of Samson concludes in this chapter.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why did Samson wear his hair long in seven locks?

In 16:13, Samson speaks of the “seven locks of my head,” meaning the seven braids of his long hair. In Numbers 6:5, the law of Moses forbade Nazirites to cut their hair. Samson kept his hair long because he was a Nazirite. The law of Moses did not specify that Nazirites needed to wear their hair in seven locks or braids. But Samson was doing that as a symbolic action that represented his dedication to God. The number seven symbolized completeness, so the seven braids could have represented the perfection of God or the complete devotion that the Nazirite vow entailed. However, it would not be appropriate to explain the significance of this action in your translation by having Samson say something such as “the seven braids that show I am dedicated to God.” That is the secret that Samson is trying to keep from Delilah. Though he eventually divulges it, he does not do so when he first mentions the seven braids of his hair. But you might put something about this in a footnote if that would be helpful for your readers.

Judges 16:1

and he went in to her

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֖א אֵלֶֽי⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The author is speaking in a polite way about a private matter. Your language may have a similar expression that you can use in your translation or you could express the meaning plainly as in the UST. Alternate translation: [and he had sexual relations with her]

Judges 16:2

And it was told} to the Gazites, saying

Quote: לַֽ⁠עַזָּתִ֣ים ׀ לֵ⁠אמֹ֗ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants

Ancient translations of the book of Judges all have the words And it was told. The text does not make sense without them. So it appears that these words dropped out of the Hebrew text during the process of copying and transmission. Modern versions of the Bible include them or the equivalent, and we recommend that you do the same in your translation. If your language does not use passive verbal forms, you could express this idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And the Gazites learned]

So they encircled

Quote: וַ⁠יָּסֹ֛בּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [So they encircled the house that Samson was in]

Judges 16:3

to the head of the hill

Quote: אֶל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָ⁠הָ֔ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The author is speaking of the hill as if it were a living thing that could have a head. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly as in the UST.

Judges 16:4

Now it happened

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, and her name {was} Delilah

Quote: וַ⁠יֶּאֱהַ֥ב אִשָּׁ֖ה בְּ⁠נַ֣חַל שֹׂרֵ֑ק וּ⁠שְׁמָ֖⁠הּ דְּלִילָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to introduce Delilah as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation.

Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines came up to her

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲל֨וּ אֵלֶ֜י⁠הָ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion in the Introduction to this chapter for an explanation of the author’s use of the words up and “down” with descriptions of travel. Alternate translation: [And the lords of the Philistines came to her]

And we ourselves will give to you, a man

Quote: וַ⁠אֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙ נִתַּן־לָ֔⁠ךְ אִ֕ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The Philistine lords are using a common expression to mean that each one of them will give Delilah the amount specified. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And each one of us will give you]

1,100 silver

Quote: אֶ֥לֶף וּ⁠מֵאָ֖ה כָּֽסֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The lords are leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context, as in the UST, if that would be clearer in your language.

1,100 silver

Quote: אֶ֥לֶף וּ⁠מֵאָ֖ה כָּֽסֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

It is not clear why the Philistine lords offer to give Delilah 1,100 silver pieces each. Usually people offer a large, round number such as 1,000. Some interpreters suggest that in this culture, adding 100 to a number was a way of specifying exactly that amount and no less. See the similar instance in 20:35. Alternate translation: [no less than 1,000 pieces of silver]

Judges 16:7

If they bind me

Quote: אִם־יַאַסְרֻ֗⁠נִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Here the author is not using they to refer to specific people. Use an expression for this that would be natural in your language. Alternate translation: [If anyone binds me] or [If I am bound]

that have not been dried

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־חֹרָ֑בוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that no one has dried]

and I will be like one of man

Quote: וְ⁠הָיִ֖יתִי כְּ⁠אַחַ֥ד הָ⁠אָדָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Samson is using a common expression to mean he would become as weak as an ordinary person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, here and in the rest of the chapter. Alternate translation: [and I will have no more strength than anyone else]

Judges 16:8

that had not been dried

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־חֹרָ֑בוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that no one had dried]

Judges 16:9

The Philistines {are} upon you, Samson

Quote: פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים עָלֶ֖י⁠ךָ שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Delilah is using a common expression to mean that the Philistines are approaching to attack. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [The Philistines are coming to attack you, Samson]

just as a string of flax is broken in its touching fire

Quote: כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִנָּתֵ֤ק פְּתִֽיל־הַ⁠נְּעֹ֨רֶת֙ בַּ⁠הֲרִיח֣⁠וֹ אֵ֔שׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as fire has no difficulty causing a string made of flax to break, so Samson remained strong enough to break the cords very easily. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [as easily as a string of flax breaks when it touches fire]

So his strength was not known

Quote: וְ⁠לֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖ע כֹּחֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So no one discovered the source of his strength]

Judges 16:10

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the term Behold.

Judges 16:11

If binding, they bind me

Quote: אִם־אָס֤וֹר יַאַסְר֨וּ⁠נִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

Samson is repeating forms of the verb bind in order to intensify the idea that he is expressing. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [If in fact they bind me]

work has not been done

Quote: לֹֽא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה & מְלָאכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [no one has done work]

Judges 16:12

like thread

Quote: כַּ⁠חֽוּט (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as thread breaks easily, so Samson broke these ropes very easily. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly as in the UST.

Judges 16:13

If you weave the seven locks of my head with the warp

Quote: אִם־תַּאַרְגִ֗י אֶת־שֶׁ֛בַע מַחְלְפ֥וֹת רֹאשִׁ֖⁠י עִם־הַ⁠מַּסָּֽכֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Samson is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It is likely that Samson used the same expression as on the previous two occasions. Alternate translation: [If you weave the seven locks of my head with the warp, then I will weaken and I will be like one of man]

the seven locks of my head

Quote: אֶת־שֶׁ֛בַע מַחְלְפ֥וֹת רֹאשִׁ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Samson is using the word head by association to mean the hair on his head. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the seven locks of my hair]

the seven locks of my head

Quote: אֶת־שֶׁ֛בַע מַחְלְפ֥וֹת רֹאשִׁ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter of the reason why Samson kept his hair long and wore it in seven locks or braids.

with the warp

Quote: עִם־הַ⁠מַּסָּֽכֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

A warp is a set of threads running lengthwise on a loom for weaving cloth. If your readers would not be familiar with what a warp is, in your translation you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [the threads on your loom]

Judges 16:15

How do you say, ‘I love you,’ yet your heart {is} not with me

Quote: אֵ֚יךְ תֹּאמַ֣ר אֲהַבְתִּ֔י⁠ךְ וְ⁠לִבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אֵ֣ין אִתִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Delilah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You say, ‘I love you,’ but your heart is not with me!]

How do you say, ‘I love you,’ yet your heart {is} not with me

Quote: אֵ֚יךְ תֹּאמַ֣ר אֲהַבְתִּ֔י⁠ךְ וְ⁠לִבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אֵ֣ין אִתִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [How can you say that you love me when your heart is not with me] or [You say that you love me, but your heart is not with me!]

yet your heart {is} not with me

Quote: וְ⁠לִבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אֵ֣ין אִתִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Here the heart represents a person’s inner thoughts and emotions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [yet you have not shared your innermost secrets with me]

Judges 16:16

she pressed him with her words all of the days and she urged him

Quote: הֵצִ֨יקָה לּ֧⁠וֹ בִ⁠דְבָרֶ֛י⁠הָ כָּל־הַ⁠יָּמִ֖ים וַ⁠תְּאַֽלֲצֵ֑⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms pressed and urged mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [she pressed him continually with her words all of the days]

she pressed him with her words

Quote: הֵצִ֨יקָה לּ֧⁠וֹ בִ⁠דְבָרֶ֛י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Delilah could have physically pressed against Samson with her words. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [she kept asking him persistently]

with her words

Quote: בִ⁠דְבָרֶ֛י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term words by association to mean what Delilah said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [by what she said]

and his soul wore out to death

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקְצַ֥ר נַפְשׁ֖⁠וֹ לָ⁠מֽוּת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of Samson, his soul, to mean all of him in the act of wearing out from continual pestering. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and he wore out to death]

and his soul wore out to death

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקְצַ֥ר נַפְשׁ֖⁠וֹ לָ⁠מֽוּת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [and he became so worn out that he could not stand it any longer]

Judges 16:17

all of his heart

Quote: אֶת־כָּל־לִבּ֗⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in 16:15. Alternate translation: [everything about his innermost secret, the source of his strength]

A razor has not gone up on my head

Quote: מוֹרָה֙ לֹֽא־עָלָ֣ה עַל־רֹאשִׁ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the similar expression in 13:5. Alternate translation: [I have never cut my hair]

from the womb of my mother

Quote: מִ⁠בֶּ֣טֶן אִמִּ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Samson is using the term womb by association to mean birth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [since I was born]

I were shaved

Quote: גֻּלַּ֨חְתִּי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [If someone shaved off my hair]

then my strength would turn from me

Quote: וְ⁠סָ֣ר מִמֶּ֣⁠נִּי כֹחִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

Samson is speaking of his strength as if it were a living thing that could turn away and leave him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly as in the UST.

Judges 16:19

and she shaved

Quote: וַ⁠תְּגַלַּ֕ח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Since the author says that Delilah called to a man, it appears that he was the one who shaved Samson’s hair while she held him quietly on her knees. So the author is using one person who was involved in the process of shaving Samson’s hair, Delilah, to represent everyone who was involved. But since the man himself apparently did the shaving, it may be more natural in your language to use a pronoun here that represents him. Alternate translation: [and he shaved]

Judges 16:20

I will go out like time upon time, and I will shake myself

Quote: אֵצֵ֞א כְּ⁠פַ֤עַם בְּ⁠פַ֨עַם֙ וְ⁠אִנָּעֵ֔ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

Samson is describing one event before describing another event that would precede it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [I will shake myself and go out like time upon time]

like time upon time

Quote: כְּ⁠פַ֤עַם בְּ⁠פַ֨עַם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Samson is using a common expression to mean that he would do what he had done previously. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [like all the other times] or [as I did before]

and I will shake myself

Quote: וְ⁠אִנָּעֵ֔ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

Samson seems to be saying that he will shake himself free from bonds of some kind. This suggests implicitly that Delilah or the man who shaved Samson also bound him in some way while he was still sleeping. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and I will shake myself free of these bonds that someone has put on me]

Yahweh had turned from upon him

Quote: יְהוָ֖ה סָ֥ר מֵ⁠עָלָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Yahweh had physically turned away from Samson. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Yahweh was no longer giving him great strength]

Judges 16:21

with bronze fetters

Quote: בַּֽ⁠נְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual

The Hebrew text uses a dual form to describe these fetters. If your language does not use that form, you can use an equivalent expression that conveys the same meaning. Alternate translation: [with a pair of bronze fetters]

Judges 16:23

to sacrifice a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and for celebration

Quote: לִ⁠זְבֹּ֧חַ זֶֽבַח־גָּד֛וֹל לְ⁠דָג֥וֹן אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֖ם וּ⁠לְ⁠שִׂמְחָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

It may be more natural in your language to put the information about the celebration before the information about the sacrifice, since celebrating the capture of Samson provided the occasion for the sacrifice. Alternate translation: [to celebrate by sacrificing a great sacrifice to Dagon their god]

to sacrifice a great sacrifice

Quote: לִ⁠זְבֹּ֧חַ זֶֽבַח־גָּד֛וֹל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [to offer a great sacrifice]

and for celebration

Quote: וּ⁠לְ⁠שִׂמְחָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of celebration, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and to celebrate]

Our god has given into our hand Samson, our enemies

Quote: נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּ⁠יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ אֵ֖ת שִׁמְשׁ֥וֹן אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

It may be more natural in your language to put your translation of the phrase our enemies with the information about Samson. Alternate translation: [Our god has given our enemy Samson into our hand]

Our god has given into our hand

Quote: נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּ⁠יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this phrase.

our enemies

Quote: אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

The Philistines are using the plural form enemies in a context where one enemy, Samson, seems to be in view. This suggests that they are using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the meaning in another way. Alternate translation: [our great enemy]

Judges 16:24

and they praised their god, for they said, “Our god has given into our hand our enemy and the devastator of our land, and who multiplied our slain

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְהַלְל֖וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמְר֗וּ נָתַ֨ן אֱלֹהֵ֤י⁠נוּ בְ⁠יָדֵ֨⁠נוּ֙ אֶת־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔⁠נוּ וְ⁠אֵת֙ מַחֲרִ֣יב אַרְצֵ֔⁠נוּ וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִרְבָּ֖ה אֶת־חֲלָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [and they said, “Our god has given into our hand our enemy and the devastator of our land, who multiplied our slain,” so they praised their god]

our enemy and the devastator of our land

Quote: אֶת־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔⁠נוּ וְ⁠אֵת֙ מַחֲרִ֣יב אַרְצֵ֔⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

The people are expressing a single idea by using two phrases connected with and. The phrase about Samson being a devastator tells in what way he was their enemy. Alternate translation: [our enemy who devastated our land]

and who multiplied our slain

Quote: וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִרְבָּ֖ה אֶת־חֲלָלֵֽי⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The Philistines are using the adjective slain as a noun to mean people who have been killed. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can use a different form of the same root. Alternate translation: [who slew so many of our people]

Judges 16:25

And it happened

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְהִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

when their heart {was} good

Quote: כי טוב לִבָּ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression to mean that the Philistines were beginning to become drunk from drinking wine. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when they were feeling giddy from the wine they were drinking]

So they called for Samson from the house of prisoners, and he caused laughter to their faces. And they made him stand between the columns

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֨וּ לְ⁠שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית ה⁠אסירים וַ⁠יְצַחֵק֙ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠יַּעֲמִ֥ידוּ אוֹת֖⁠וֹ בֵּ֥ין הָ⁠עַמּוּדִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

The author is describing one event before describing another event that preceded it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [So they called for Samson from the house of prisoners and made him stand between the columns, and he caused laughter to their faces]

Judges 16:26

upon which the house is set

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַ⁠בַּ֖יִת נָכ֣וֹן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that support the house]

the house

Quote: הַ⁠בַּ֖יִת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Samson is speaking as if the temple of Dagon were actually a house in which he lived. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, here and in the rest of the chapter. Alternate translation: [this temple]

Judges 16:27

Now the house was full {of} men and women

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠בַּ֗יִת מָלֵ֤א הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁים֙ וְ⁠הַ⁠נָּשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

watching to laughing of Samson

Quote: הָ⁠רֹאִ֖ים בִּ⁠שְׂח֥וֹק שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The author is using the possessive expression laughing of Samson not to describe Samson himself laughing, but the Philistines laughing as they were watching him. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [who laughed at Samson when they saw him]

Judges 16:28

remember me

Quote: זָכְרֵ֣⁠נִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Samson is using a common expression to mean that he wants Yahweh to help him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [help me]

so I may avenge myself {with} one vengeance against the Philistines for my two eyes

Quote: וְ⁠אִנָּקְמָ֧ה נְקַם־אַחַ֛ת מִ⁠שְּׁתֵ֥י עֵינַ֖⁠י מִ⁠פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

Samson is contrasting one act of vengeance with his two eyes, but it might seem that the expression avenge … with one vengeance contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [so I may avenge myself against the Philistines for both of my eyes at once]

Judges 16:29

upon which the house was set

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר הַ⁠בַּ֨יִת֙ נָכ֣וֹן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that supported the house]

Judges 16:30

My soul shall die with the Philistines

Quote: תָּמ֣וֹת נַפְשִׁ⁠י֮ עִם־פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

Samson is using one part of himself, his soul, to mean all of himself in the act of dying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I shall die with the Philistines]

Judges 16:31

Then his brothers and all of the house of his father went down

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּרְד֨וּ אֶחָ֜י⁠ו וְ⁠כָל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִי⁠הוּ֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [Then his brothers and all of the house of his father went down to Gaza to retrieve Samson’s body]

between Zorah and between Eshtaol

Quote: בֵּ֤ין צָרְעָה֙ וּ⁠בֵ֣ין אֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

See how you translated the names Zorah and Eshtaol in 13:25 and translate them that way here and in Chapter 18, where they occur several times.

Judges 17

Judges 17 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter begins the final section of the book of Judges. In this section, the author describes the atrocities and chaos that characterized the nation in the absence of a godly leader. Many of the judges had been godly leaders who made sure that the people of Israel obeyed Yahweh. But since they were all individuals whom God raised up at specific times, there was not a continuity of godly leadership. As the author says earlier in the book, “when Yahweh raised up for them judges, then Yahweh was with the judge and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all of the days of the judge. … But it happened, at the death of the judge, they turned and acted corruptly more than their fathers, to walk after other gods, to serve them, and to bow down to them. They did not drop {any} of their deeds or {any} of their stubborn ways” (2:18–19). So in this section, the author is showing how important and helpful it would have been to have a continuity of godly leadership such as a line of good kings would provide. A godly leader would guide the people in the true worship of Yahweh and ensure justice and righteousness. This was fulfilled partially by David, and it has now been fulfilled definitively by God’s Messianic king, Jesus.

In this chapter and the next one, the author describes how idolatry took root in Israel, in the additional territory that the tribe of Dan conquered for itself.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Idols and figures

The law of Moses forbade the Israelites to make any idols. While the instructions Yahweh gave Moses for the tabernacle included making metal figures, the Israelites were not to make any figures that represented gods that they would worship. This practice was common in Canaan, and it shows the influence the Israelites allowed these people to have on them. Micah’s mother should not have had an image made out of silver, and Micah should not have set it up as an idol and gotten a priest to serve at the shrine where he put it. (See: INVALID bible/kt/idol)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“an idol and a cast image”

The author speaks of what Micah’s mother had a refiner make from her silver as “an idol and a cast image.” Some interpreters understand this to be two things, while other interpreters understand it to be one thing. Like many languages, Hebrew sometimes expresses a single idea by using two words connected with “and.” If that is what the author is doing here, he means that this was a cast image that served as an idol. In 18:20, he speaks simply of “the idol” apparently to mean the same thing as “an idol and a molded image” in 18:14. That suggests that the phrase “an idol and a cast image” does mean a cast image that served as an idol or an idol that was made by casting an image. In your translation, you may wish to use a phrase such as “a molded idol” as the UST does. (See: Hendiadys)

Judges 17:1

Now there was a man from the hill country of Ephraim, and his name {was} Micah

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְהִי־אִ֥ישׁ מֵֽ⁠הַר־אֶפְרָ֖יִם וּ⁠שְׁמ֥⁠וֹ מִיכָֽיְהוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this sentence to introduce Micah as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation.

Judges 17:2

The 1,100 silver

Quote: אֶלֶף֩ וּ⁠מֵאָ֨ה הַ⁠כֶּ֜סֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

See how you translated the same number in 16:5.

was taken from you

Quote: לֻֽקַּֽח־לָ֗⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [someone took from you]

and you swore

Quote: וְאַ֤תְּ אָלִית֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Micah is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and you swore a curse on whoever took it]

and also you spoke in my ears

Quote: וְ⁠גַם֙ אָמַ֣רְתְּ בְּ⁠אָזְנַ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Micah is using the term ears by association to mean that he heard what his mother said. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [and I also heard what you said]

behold

Quote: הִנֵּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, Micah is using the word Behold to call attention to what he is about to say. Alternate translation: [Listen]

Blessed {be} my son by Yahweh

Quote: בָּר֥וּךְ בְּנִ֖⁠י לַ⁠יהוָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-blessing

The mother is speaking a blessing. She is saying something that she hopes will cause good and beneficial things to happen to her son. In your translation, use a form that people would recognize as a blessing in your language. You might express this as a prayer, if that would be more natural in your language. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh bless my son]

Blessed {be} my son by Yahweh

Quote: בָּר֥וּךְ בְּנִ֖⁠י לַ⁠יהוָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

The mother is speaking about her son in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the second person. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh bless you, my son]

Judges 17:3

Consecrating, I consecrate the silver to Yahweh

Quote: הַקְדֵּ֣שׁ הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי אֶת־הַ⁠כֶּסֶף֩ לַ⁠יהוָ֨ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The mother is repeating forms of the verb consecrate in order to intensify her expression of the idea that it conveys. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [I sincerely consecrate the silver to Yahweh]

from my hand to my son

Quote: מִ⁠יָּדִ֜⁠י לִ⁠בְנִ֗⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The mother is using one part of herself, her hand, to mean all of herself in the act of giving. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I hereby give it to my son]

an idol and a molded image

Quote: פֶּ֣סֶל וּ⁠מַסֵּכָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

See the discussion of this phrase in the Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: [a cast metal idol]

I return it to you

Quote: אֲשִׁיבֶ֥⁠נּוּ לָֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun it refers to the silver from which the idol would be made. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [I return that much of the silver to you]

Judges 17:4

200 silver

Quote: מָאתַ֨יִם כֶּ֜סֶף (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [200 pieces of silver]

and she gave it

Quote: וַ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֣⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun it refers to the 200 pieces of silver. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and she gave that silver]

into} an idol and a molded image

Quote: פֶּ֣סֶל וּ⁠מַסֵּכָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

See how you translated the same expression in 17:3.

Judges 17:5

And the man Micah

Quote: וְ⁠הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ מִיכָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to reintroduce Micah as the leading participant in the next part of this story. If your language has its own way of reintroducing participants, you can use it here in your translation.

was} a house of gods

Quote: בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking about the shrine where Micah kept his idols as if it were a house in which the gods lived whom these idols represented. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [was a shrine where he kept idols]

and teraphim

Quote: וּ⁠תְרָפִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown

The term teraphim describes small idols that people kept in their homes. If your readers would not be familiar with what these were, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [domestic deities]

and he filled the hand of one of his sons

Quote: וַ⁠יְמַלֵּ֗א אֶת־יַ֤ד אַחַד֙ מִ⁠בָּנָ֔י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that Micah appointed his son as a priest. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and he chose one of his sons to serve at the shrine]

Judges 17:6

In those days

Quote: בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [At that time]

A man

Quote: אִ֛ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations

Here the masculine term man has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: [Each person]

the right in his eyes

Quote: הַ⁠יָּשָׁ֥ר בְּ⁠עֵינָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The author is using the adjective right as a noun to mean what a person considers to be right. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [what he thought was right]

the right in his eyes

Quote: הַ⁠יָּשָׁ֥ר בְּ⁠עֵינָ֖י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, here the author is using the term eyes by association to mean what a person thinks or believes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [what he thought was right]

Judges 17:7

Now there was a young man from Bethlehem {in} Judah, from the clan of Judah. Now he was a Levite, and he was sojourning there

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי־נַ֗עַר מִ⁠בֵּ֥ית לֶ֨חֶם֙ יְהוּדָ֔ה מִ⁠מִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת יְהוּדָ֑ה וְ⁠ה֥וּא לֵוִ֖י וְ⁠ה֥וּא גָֽר־שָֽׁם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this sentence to introduce a young Levite as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation.

from the clan of Judah

Quote: מִ⁠מִּשְׁפַּ֖חַת יְהוּדָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term clan by association to mean the territory assigned to the clans of Judah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [from the land assigned to the clans of Judah]

Judges 17:8

to sojourn in where he might find

Quote: לָ⁠ג֖וּר בַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִמְצָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the Levite was trying to find a place to live and work. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to find a place to live and work]

Judges 17:10

for a father

Quote: לְ⁠אָ֣ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

Micah is speaking as if the Levite would become his actual father. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [as my spiritual advisor]

ten silver

Quote: עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת כֶּ֨סֶף֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

Micah is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context, as the UST does, if that would be clearer in your language.

for the days

Quote: לַ⁠יָּמִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

In Hebrew, the plural of days can mean a year. That is the meaning in this context. Alternate translation: [each year]

Judges 17:11

and the young man became to him like one from his sons

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִ֤י הַ⁠נַּ֨עַר֙ ל֔⁠וֹ כְּ⁠אַחַ֖ד מִ⁠בָּנָֽי⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as a father feels great affection toward his sons, so this Levite became very dear to Micah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [and the young man became very dear to him, as if he were one of his sons]

Judges 17:12

And Micah filled the hand of the Levite

Quote: וַ⁠יְמַלֵּ֤א מִיכָה֙ אֶת־יַ֣ד הַ⁠לֵּוִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 17:5.

Judges 17:13

Now I know that Yahweh will be good to me, because the Levite is to me for a priest

Quote: עַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּֽי־יֵיטִ֥יב יְהוָ֖ה לִ֑⁠י כִּ֧י הָיָה־לִ֛⁠י הַ⁠לֵּוִ֖י לְ⁠כֹהֵֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Because the Levite has become my priest, now I know that Yahweh will be good to me]

Judges 18

Judges 18 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, the author continues to describe how idolatry took root in Israel, in the additional territory that the tribe of Dan conquered for itself.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

The conquest of Laish by soldiers from the tribe of Dan

While the author does not say specifically that it was not right for the tribe of Dan to kill all the inhabitants of the city of Laish and take their territory, he indicates this implicitly. He notes that they were Sidonians, not Canaanites such as Yahweh had told the Israelites to drive out, and that they were living peacefully, not posing any threat. The Israelites had been given exceptional instructions to kill all of the Canaanites. Most interpreters believe that this was so that the Canaanites would not influence the Israelites to follow their practices, which were very wicked and destructive. But Yahweh did not tell the Israelites to kill all the people from other groups. So readers are meant to understand implicitly that the soldiers from Dan committed an atrocity against the people of Laish. The author is presenting this as evidence that if Israel had a godly king, he would maintain order and justice throughout the land, protect vulnerable people, and lead Israel away from idolatry and toward proper worship and obedience of Yahweh.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“an idol and a cast image”

See the discussion of this phrase, which occurs several times in this chapter, in the Introduction to Chapter 17.

Judges 18:1

In those days

Quote: בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days by association to mean a particular time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language as in the UST.

Now in those days

Quote: וּ⁠בַ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֗ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is using this phrase to introduce background information that will help readers understand what happens next in the story. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

the tribe of the Danite {was} seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell, for one had not fallen to it up to that day in the midst of the tribes of Israel for an inheritance

Quote: שֵׁ֣בֶט הַ⁠דָּנִ֞י מְבַקֶּשׁ־ל֤⁠וֹ נַֽחֲלָה֙ לָ⁠שֶׁ֔בֶת כִּי֩ לֹֽא־נָ֨פְלָה לּ֜⁠וֹ עַד־הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֛וּא בְּ⁠תוֹךְ־שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּ⁠נַחֲלָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [because the tribe of the Danite had not received an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, it was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell]

the Danite

Quote: הַ⁠דָּנִ֞י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific Danite. He means the people of the tribe of Dan in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Danites]

an inheritance to dwell

Quote: נַֽחֲלָה֙ לָ⁠שֶׁ֔בֶת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term inheritance by association to mean a lasting possession that would be passed down to future generations. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [a lasting possession of territory in which they could live]

one had not fallen to it

Quote: לֹֽא־נָ֨פְלָה לּ֜⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that no territory had been assigned to the tribe. The word fallen suggests assignment by lot. In actuality, the Danites had failed to conquer enough of the territory that had been assigned to them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly in light of the historical context. Alternate translation: [they had not secured a sufficient one]

for an inheritance

Quote: בְּ⁠נַחֲלָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can leave it out, since the word inheritance already occurs earlier in the verse.

Judges 18:2

men from their borders

Quote: מִ⁠קְצוֹתָ⁠ם֩ אֲנָשִׁ֨ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of their territory, its borders, to mean their whole territory. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [men from their territory]

sons of valor

Quote: בְּנֵי־חַ֜יִל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, in certain contexts, the biblical text uses the expression sons of to mean that people are characterized by a particular quality. That is the case here. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [valiant warriors]

to spy on the land and to examine it

Quote: לְ⁠רַגֵּ֤ל אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ וּ⁠לְ⁠חָקְרָ֔⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms spy on and examine mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [to explore the land thoroughly]

And they said to them

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵ⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the leaders of the tribe of Dan, and the pronoun them refers to the five men. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the leaders of Dan said to these five men]

there

Quote: שָֽׁם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun there refers to the hill country of Ephraim. The next verse shows that the men were near but not in the house of Micah. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [in that area]

Judges 18:3

and they recognized the voice of the young man, the Levite

Quote: וְ⁠הֵ֣מָּה הִכִּ֔ירוּ אֶת־ק֥וֹל הַ⁠נַּ֖עַר הַ⁠לֵּוִ֑י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that by voice he does not mean that the men knew who the Levite was from his individual voice. Rather, he is referring to the accent with which the Levite spoke. They recognized that he was from their area in Israel, since Zorah and Eshtaol were near Bethlehem. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and they recognized from the Levite’s accent that this young man was from their area of the country] or [and they recognized from the Levite’s accent, that this young man, was from]

And what {is} to you here

Quote: וּ⁠מַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֥ פֹֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The men are using a common expression of their culture to ask what means and possessions the young man has. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And how are you making your living]

Judges 18:4

Like this and like this

Quote: כָּ⁠זֹ֣ה וְ⁠כָ⁠זֶ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The Levite is using a common expression of his culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [This is exactly what]

Judges 18:5

Please inquire of God that we may know, will our way prosper, upon which we {are} going

Quote: שְׁאַל־נָ֣א בֵ⁠אלֹהִ֑ים וְ⁠נֵ֣דְעָ֔ה הֲ⁠תַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֵּ֔⁠נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנַ֖חְנוּ הֹלְכִ֥ים עָלֶֽי⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations

The men word their inquiry as if they were asking their question directly of God. It may be natural in your language to make this a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: [Please ask God for us something that we would like to know: ‘Will our way prosper, upon which we are going’]

will our way prosper, upon which we {are} going

Quote: הֲ⁠תַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֵּ֔⁠נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנַ֖חְנוּ הֹלְכִ֥ים עָלֶֽי⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

In some languages, this may appear to be a quotation within a quotation, which the language would not use. If that is the case for your language, you could express this more indirectly. Alternate translation: [whether the way upon which we are going will prosper]

will our way prosper, upon which we {are} going

Quote: הֲ⁠תַצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכֵּ֔⁠נוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנַ֖חְנוּ הֹלְכִ֥ים עָלֶֽי⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The men are speaking of their way as if it were a living thing that could prosper. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [will we succeed in what we are trying to do]

Judges 18:6

in peace

Quote: לְ⁠שָׁל֑וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [confidently]

your way upon which you are going is before Yahweh

Quote: נֹ֣כַח יְהוָ֔ה דַּרְכְּ⁠כֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Levite is using the term before by association to mean that Yahweh would watch over them, since they would be in front of him where he could see them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [Yahweh will watch over you on your way]

Judges 18:7

in security

Quote: לָ֠⁠בֶטַח (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of security, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [securely]

according to the manner of the Sidonians

Quote: כְּ⁠מִשְׁפַּ֨ט צִדֹנִ֜ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that the Sidonians were merchants who made their living peacefully through commerce. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [making their living peacefully through commerce as the Sidonians do]

reposing and being secure

Quote: שֹׁקֵ֣ט ׀ וּ⁠בֹטֵ֗חַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word secure tells in what way they were reposing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning with an equivalent phrase that does not use and. Alternate translation: [securely reposing]

And no one possessing restraint {was} humiliating {for} a thing in the land

Quote: וְ⁠אֵין־מַכְלִ֨ים דָּבָ֤ר בָּ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ יוֹרֵ֣שׁ עֶ֔צֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that the expression possessing restraint refers to a leader who would control what people could do and that the word humiliating means that such a leader would oppress the people so that they had a poor quality of life. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And no tyrant was oppressing them in any way]

and no thing {was} to them with man

Quote: וְ⁠דָבָ֥ר אֵין־לָ⁠הֶ֖ם עִם־אָדָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the people of Laish had no alliances with nearby cities or people groups. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they did not interact with others] or [and they had no alliances with nearby cities or people groups]

Judges 18:8

their brothers

Quote: אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if these fellow members of the tribe of Dan were actual brothers of the men who had spied on the land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their fellow tribesmen]

What you

Quote: מָ֥ה אַתֶּֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The men are leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [What did you find]

Judges 18:9

Arise

Quote: ק֚וּמָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of Arise.

and behold

Quote: וְ⁠הִנֵּ֥ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The five men are using the word behold to call attention to and emphasize what they are about to say. See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this word. Alternate translation: [and indeed]

And {are} you being silent

Quote: וְ⁠אַתֶּ֣ם מַחְשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The men are speaking as if being silent were the same thing as not taking action. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And are you not taking action?]

And {are} you being silent

Quote: וְ⁠אַתֶּ֣ם מַחְשִׁ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The men are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should not be silent!] or [You should really take action!]

Judges 18:10

at} two hands

Quote: יָדַ֔יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term hands to mean the sides or extent of the land, by association with the way that people’s hands are at their sides. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [from one side to the other]

God has given it into your hand

Quote: נְתָנָ֥⁠הּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture

The men are using the past tense to describe something that they believe will happen in the future in order to show that they are confident the event will happen. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense. Alternate translation: [God will give it into your hand] or [God clearly intends to give it into your hand]

God has given it into your hand

Quote: נְתָנָ֥⁠הּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּ⁠יֶדְ⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase into your hand.

no lack {is} there of any thing that {is} on the earth

Quote: אֵֽין־שָׁ֣ם מַחְס֔וֹר כָּל־דָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּ⁠אָֽרֶץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The men are making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [there is abundant provision for human needs]

Judges 18:11

from the clan of the Danite

Quote: מִ⁠מִּשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַ⁠דָּנִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term clan by association to mean the territory assigned to the clans of Dan. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [from the territory assigned to the tribe of Dan]

girded {with} weapons of war

Quote: חָג֖וּר כְּלֵ֥י מִלְחָמָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [carrying weapons to use in battle]

Judges 18:12

Mahaneh Dan

Quote: מַחֲנֵה־דָ֗ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The word Mahaneh Dan is the name of a place. As the context suggests, it means “Camp of Dan.” You may wish to indicate that in a footnote.

Judges 18:14

answered and said

Quote: וַֽ⁠יַּעֲנ֞וּ & וַ⁠יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word answered tells in what regard they said this. They were not answering a question but speaking in light of the situation. Alternate translation: [remarked]

their brothers

Quote: אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if these fellow members of the tribe of Dan were the actual brothers of the five men. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their kinsmen]

Do you know that in these houses {are} an ephod and teraphim and an idol and a molded image

Quote: הַ⁠יְדַעְתֶּ֗ם כִּ֠י יֵ֣שׁ בַּ⁠בָּתִּ֤ים הָ⁠אֵ֨לֶּה֙ אֵפ֣וֹד וּ⁠תְרָפִ֔ים וּ⁠פֶ֖סֶל וּ⁠מַסֵּכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The men are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should know that these houses contain an ephod and teraphim and an idol and a molded image!]

in these houses

Quote: בַּ⁠בָּתִּ֤ים הָ⁠אֵ֨לֶּה֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The plural term houses suggests that the phrase “the house of Micah,” which the author uses several times in this chapter and the previous one, actually refers to a compound on which there were several houses. The reference to “the house of the young man” in the next verse supports this understanding. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [in this compound] or [in this complex of houses]

and an idol and a molded image

Quote: וּ⁠פֶ֖סֶל וּ⁠מַסֵּכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

See how you translated the same expression in 17:3. Alternate translation: [and a cast metal idol]

Judges 18:15

and they asked of him concerning peace

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁאֲלוּ־ל֖⁠וֹ לְ⁠שָׁלֽוֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Since the word peace was a greeting in this culture, that could be the meaning here. Alternate translation: [and they asked about his welfare] or [and they greeted him]

Judges 18:16

girded with weapons of war

Quote: חֲגוּרִים֙ כְּלֵ֣י מִלְחַמְתָּ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

See how you translated the same expression in 18:11.

Judges 18:17

the idol and the ephod and the teraphim and the molded image

Quote: אֶת־הַ⁠פֶּ֨סֶל֙ וְ⁠אֶת־הָ֣⁠אֵפ֔וֹד וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠תְּרָפִ֖ים וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠מַּסֵּכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

While in this instance the terms idol and molded image do not occur together, the author nevertheless seems to be using them together to mean one thing, as in 17:3 and several other places. See the discussion in the Introduction to this chapter. Alternate translation: [the cast metal idol and the ephod and the teraphim]

girded {with} weapons of war

Quote: הֶ⁠חָג֖וּר כְּלֵ֥י הַ⁠מִּלְחָמָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

See how you translated the same expression in 18:11.

Judges 18:18

And these entered

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֗לֶּה בָּ֚אוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun these refers to the five men who had previously spied on the land. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the five spies entered]

the idol, the ephod and the teraphim and the molded image

Quote: אֶת־פֶּ֣סֶל הָ⁠אֵפ֔וֹד וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠תְּרָפִ֖ים וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠מַּסֵּכָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

See how you translated the similar expression in 18:17. Alternate translation: [the cast metal idol and the ephod and the teraphim]

What {are} you doing

Quote: מָ֥ה אַתֶּ֖ם עֹשִֽׂים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The priest is using the question form to rebuke the five men. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [You should not be doing that!]

Judges 18:19

Be quiet! Put your hand over your mouth

Quote: הַחֲרֵ֜שׁ שִֽׂים־יָדְ⁠ךָ֤ עַל־פִּ֨י⁠ךָ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms Be quiet and Put your hand over your mouth mean similar things. The men are using the two terms together for emphasis. They are emphasizing specifically that the Levite should not express any objections to what they are doing. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [Keep completely silent!]

Put your hand over your mouth

Quote: שִֽׂים־יָדְ⁠ךָ֤ עַל־פִּ֨י⁠ךָ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The men are speaking as if the priest would actually cover his mouth to keep from speaking. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Do not say anything]

for a father

Quote: לְ⁠אָ֣ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The men are speaking as if the priest would become their actual father. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression in 17:10. Alternate translation: [as our spiritual advisor]

Is} the good your being a priest for the house of one man or your being a priest for a tribe and for a clan in Israel

Quote: הֲ⁠ט֣וֹב ׀ הֱיוֹתְ⁠ךָ֣ כֹהֵ֗ן לְ⁠בֵית֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד א֚וֹ הֱיוֹתְ⁠ךָ֣ כֹהֵ֔ן לְ⁠שֵׁ֥בֶט וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּחָ֖ה בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The men are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Surely it would be better for you to be a priest for a tribe and clan in Israel than for the house of one man!]

Is} the good

Quote: הֲ⁠ט֣וֹב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The men are using the adjective good as a noun to mean what would be better. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can use this adjective in such a way that it is not a noun. It may be natural in some languages to use the comparative form where Hebrew uses the positive form. Alternate translation: [What would be good for you] or [What would be better for you]

for the house of one man

Quote: לְ⁠בֵית֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The men are using the term house by association to mean household. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [one man’s household]

for a tribe and for a clan in Israel

Quote: לְ⁠שֵׁ֥בֶט וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּחָ֖ה בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms tribe and clan mean similar things. The men are using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [for an entire Israelite tribe]

Judges 18:20

And the heart of the priest was good

Quote: וַ⁠יִּיטַב֙ לֵ֣ב הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the priest was pleased to accept this offer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the priest was pleased to accept this offer]

and he went in the midst of the people

Quote: וַ⁠יָּבֹ֖א בְּ⁠קֶ֥רֶב הָ⁠עָֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that by the people, he implicitly means the group of Danites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and he joined the group of Danites]

Judges 18:21

And they put the children and the livestock and the wealth to their faces

Quote: וַ⁠יָּשִׂ֨ימוּ אֶת־הַ⁠טַּ֧ף וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠מִּקְנֶ֛ה וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠כְּבוּדָּ֖ה לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will understand that the Danites put these vulnerable people and valuable possessions in front of them because they expected Micah and his neighbors to pursue them. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And they put their children, cattle, and valuable possessions in front of their soldiers, expecting that Micah and his neighbors would pursue them from behind]

Judges 18:23

And they called to the sons of Dan, and they turned their faces and they said

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְאוּ֙ אֶל־בְּנֵי־דָ֔ן וַ⁠יַּסֵּ֖בּוּ פְּנֵי⁠הֶ֑ם וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they in the first instance refers to Micah and his neighbors, and it refers in the second two instances to the Danites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And Micah and his neighbors called to the Danites, and the Danites turned their faces and said]

What to you, that you have assembled yourself

Quote: מַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֖ כִּ֥י נִזְעָֽקְתָּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The Danites are using a common expression of their culture to ask Micah what reason he has for assembling a group of men to pursue them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [For what reason have you assembled yourself]

What to you, that you have assembled yourself

Quote: מַה־לְּ⁠ךָ֖ כִּ֥י נִזְעָֽקְתָּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

Since the Danites are asking about a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of yourself. Alternate translation: [For what reason have you assembled yourselves]

Judges 18:24

is} still to me? So what

Quote: לִּ֣⁠י ע֑וֹד וּ⁠מַה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Micah is using a common expression of his culture to suggest that nothing of value remains to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And what do I have left]

is} still to me? So what

Quote: לִּ֣⁠י ע֑וֹד וּ⁠מַה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Micah is using the question form to express his distress. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [And I have absolutely nothing left!] or [And you have left me with nothing!]

is} still to me? So what

Quote: לִּ֣⁠י ע֑וֹד וּ⁠מַה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

Micah is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [And compared with what you took, what I have left is of little value]

So what is this, you say to me, ‘What to you

Quote: וּ⁠מַה־זֶּ֛ה תֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלַ֖⁠י מַה־לָּֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [So what is this, that you ask me why these men and I have assembled ourselves]

So what is this, you say to me, ‘What to you

Quote: וּ⁠מַה־זֶּ֛ה תֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלַ֖⁠י מַה־לָּֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Micah is using a common expression of his culture, what is this, to protest that the Danites’ question is unfair and has an obvious answer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [So how dare you ask me, ‘What to you?’]

So what is this, you say to me, ‘What to you

Quote: וּ⁠מַה־זֶּ֛ה תֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלַ֖⁠י מַה־לָּֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

Micah is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [So it is very inappropriate for you to ask me, ‘What to you?’!]

What to you

Quote: מַה־לָּֽ⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

Micah is repeating part of the question that the Danites asked him in the previous verse. See how you translated the expression “What to you” there. Alternate translation: [For what reason?]

Judges 18:25

You should not make your voice heard among us

Quote: אַל־תַּשְׁמַ֥ע קוֹלְ⁠ךָ֖ עִמָּ֑⁠נוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Danites are using the term voice by association to mean speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [You should not say anything more to us]

men bitter of soul

Quote: אֲנָשִׁים֙ מָ֣רֵי נֶ֔פֶשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The Danites are speaking as if these men actually had souls that were bitter. They mean that these men were easily provoked to violence. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [violent men]

and you gather your soul and the soul of your house

Quote: וְ⁠אָסַפְתָּ֥ה נַפְשְׁ⁠ךָ֖ וְ⁠נֶ֥פֶשׁ בֵּיתֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The Danites are using a common expression of their culture to mean that Micah and the people of his household would lose their lives. (While the first instance of soul in this verse refers to the character of the Danite men, in these further instances soul means “life.”) If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and you lose your life and the life of your house]

and the soul of your house

Quote: וְ⁠נֶ֥פֶשׁ בֵּיתֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns

The Danites are using the singular term soul to mean the lives of all the members of Micah’s household. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a plural form. Alternate translation: [and the lives of your household members who are here]

and the soul of your house

Quote: וְ⁠נֶ֥פֶשׁ בֵּיתֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Danites are using the term house by association to mean household. The context suggests that many of Micah’s household members, both family and servants, were among the men he gathered to pursue the Danites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [and the life of your household]

Judges 18:26

And the sons of Dan went on their way, for Micah perceived that they were stronger than him

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּלְכ֥וּ בְנֵי־דָ֖ן לְ⁠דַרְכָּ֑⁠ם וַ⁠יַּ֣רְא מִיכָ֗ה כִּי־חֲזָקִ֥ים הֵ֨מָּה֙ מִמֶּ֔⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Since Micah realized that the Danites were stronger than he was, they were able to go on their way]

Judges 18:27

reposing and being secure

Quote: שֹׁקֵ֣ט וּ⁠בֹטֵ֔חַ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

See how you translated the same expression in 18:7.

to the mouth of the sword

Quote: לְ⁠פִי־חָ֑רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 1:8.

Judges 18:28

And there was not a deliverer, for it was far from Sidon and no thing {was} to them with man

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֨ין מַצִּ֜יל כִּ֧י רְֽחוֹקָה־הִ֣יא מִ⁠צִּיד֗וֹן וְ⁠דָבָ֤ר אֵין־לָ⁠הֶם֙ עִם־אָדָ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Since the city was far from Sidon and it had no alliances with nearby cities or people groups, there was no one to rescue them]

and no thing {was} to them with man

Quote: וְ⁠דָבָ֤ר אֵין־לָ⁠הֶם֙ עִם־אָדָ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 18:7.

Now it {was} in the valley that {is} to Beth Rehob

Quote: וְ⁠הִ֕יא בָּ⁠עֵ֖מֶק אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְ⁠בֵית־רְח֑וֹב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information to help readers recognize where Laish was located. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Judges 18:29

And they called the name of the city Dan

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֤וּ שֵׁם־הָ⁠עִיר֙ דָּ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that this expression contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [And they named the city Dan]

their father Dan

Quote: דָּ֣ן אֲבִי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if Dan were the actual father of these people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their ancestor Dan]

who was born to Israel

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוּלַּ֖ד לְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [whom Israel fathered]

at the first

Quote: לָ⁠רִאשֹׁנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The author is using the adjective first as a noun to mean the earlier time. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this so that this adjective is not a noun or use an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [in the first place] or [originally]

Judges 18:30

And the sons of Dan raised up the idol for themselves

Quote: וַ⁠יָּקִ֧ימוּ לָ⁠הֶ֛ם בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן אֶת־הַ⁠פָּ֑סֶל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the Danites set up the idol for worship. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the Danites set up the idol as an object of worship]

the Danite

Quote: הַ⁠דָּנִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific Danite. He means the tribe of Dan in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Danites]

the exile of the land

Quote: גְּל֥וֹת הָ⁠אָֽרֶץ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term land by association to mean the people who lived in the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the exile of the people who lived in that land]

Judges 18:31

the house of God

Quote: בֵּית־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the tabernacle as if it were a house in which God lived. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the tabernacle]

Judges 19

Judges 19 Chapter Introduction

Structure and formatting

In this chapter, the author begins to tell a story that provides further evidence of the benefits of Israel having a godly king. He describes an outrageous crime that Israelite men in the city of Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin committed against a helpless person.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why did the Levite push his concubine out to the mob?

This chapter describes how a mob of men in the city of Gibeah wanted to rape a Levite man who was staying in the city overnight. While the men were going to use sex as a weapon, what they intended was ultimately a crime of power and violence. The Levite believed they were going to kill him (see 20:5). So to save his own life, he pushed his concubine out to the mob, and they raped and killed her. The author describes this crime as further evidence that Israel needed a godly king who would maintain order and justice and protect vulnerable people. The author is not presenting what the Levite did, or what his host offered to do (surrendering his daughter and the Levite’s concubine to the mob), as exemplary. The Bible is not saying through this story that a sexual crime against a woman is not as bad as a sexual crime against a man. It is not saying that men may or should sacrifice family members in order to save their own lives. The example that the Bible presents for us to imitate is that of Jesus, who sacrificed himself in order to save others.

Why did the Levite cut up the dead body of his concubine?

The author describes in 19:29 how the Levite brought the body of his murdered concubine home and cut it into twelve pieces and sent the pieces throughout the land of Israel. He probably had messengers carry pieces through the territory of each of the twelve tribes and explain what had happened. Cutting the woman’s body into twelve pieces was a symbolic action that called for collective vengeance by all twelve tribes of Israel. The implicit message was that this outrageous crime had defiled the entire land and that the Israelites corporately had a responsibility to cleanse the land by executing justice on the perpetrators. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action in your translation. You might say, for example, “and he cut her body into twelve pieces, one to send to each tribe of Israel to call for collective vengeance.”

Judges 19:1

Now it happened

Quote: וַ⁠יְהִי֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent

The author is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

a man, a Levite

Quote: אִ֣ישׁ לֵוִ֗י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to introduce the Levite as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [there was a certain Levite]

in the flanks of the hill country of Ephraim

Quote: בְּ⁠יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַר־אֶפְרַ֔יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the hill country were a living creature with flanks. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim]

a woman, a concubine

Quote: אִשָּׁ֣ה פִילֶ֔גֶשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to introduce the concubine as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [a woman to be his concubine]

Judges 19:2

But … whored against him

Quote: וַ⁠תִּזְנֶ֤ה עָלָי⁠ו֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The expression that the ULT translates as whored against him could also mean that the man’s concubine became angry with him because of something that he did. Many versions translate it that way. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of ULT. Alternate translation: [became angry with him]

days

Quote: יָמִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days by association to mean a period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [for some time]

Judges 19:3

to speak to her heart

Quote: לְ⁠דַבֵּ֤ר עַל־לִבָּ⁠הּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the Levite wanted to speak tenderly to his concubine to persuade her to return. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to speak tenderly to her]

Judges 19:4

his father-in-law

Quote: חֹֽתְנ⁠וֹ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. If so, use the term your language uses to express this relationship. The UST and ULT demonstrate different ways this relationship is expressed in English.

And they ate and they drank and they lodged there

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאכְלוּ֙ וַ⁠יִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַ⁠יָּלִ֖ינוּ שָֽׁם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

While the pronoun they probably refers in its first two instances to the Levite, his concubine, his servant, and his father-in-law, in the third instance, it may not include the father-in-law. Since he already lived in the house, the author may not be saying that he was among those who lodged or stayed overnight there. Your language might naturally indicate this distinction in some way.

Judges 19:5

on the fourth day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הָ⁠רְבִיעִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [on day four]

his son-in-law

Quote: חֲתָנ֗⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship

Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: [the husband of his daughter]

Strengthen your heart

Quote: סְעָ֧ד לִבְּ⁠ךָ֛ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The father is using one part of his son-in-law, his heart, to mean all of him. The suggestion is that he would not only be strengthened physically by the food, he would also be cheered up. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Refresh yourself]

with} a piece of bread

Quote: פַּת־לֶ֖חֶם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

The father is using the courteous language of hospitality. He is intentionally understating what he has to offer and what would be involved in entertaining his guests. You may be able to express this in terms of the hospitality conventions of your own language and culture. Alternate translation: [with a bite to eat]

Judges 19:6

and may your heart be good

Quote: וְ⁠יִטַ֥ב לִבֶּֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The father is using a common expression of his culture to mean that he wanted the Levite to enjoy himself. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and enjoy yourself]

Judges 19:8

on the fifth day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠חֲמִישִׁי֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [on day five]

Please strengthen your heart

Quote: סְעָד־נָא֙ לְבָ֣בְ⁠ךָ֔ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 19:5.

So they lingered until the declining of the day, and the two of them ate

Quote: וְ⁠הִֽתְמַהְמְה֖וּ עַד־נְט֣וֹת הַ⁠יּ֑וֹם וַ⁠יֹּאכְל֖וּ שְׁנֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

The author is describing one event before describing another event that preceded it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened. Alternate translation: [So the two of them ate, and they lingered until the declining of the day]

the declining of the day

Quote: נְט֣וֹת הַ⁠יּ֑וֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author says that the day was declining by association to mean that the sun was going down. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the sun began to go down]

and the two of them ate

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּאכְל֖וּ שְׁנֵי⁠הֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that this means the Levite and his father-in-law ate together. He does not mean that the concubine and the servant went without food, but he is focusing on the hospitality that the father-in-law extended and the Levite accepted. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and the Levite and his father-in-law ate together]

Judges 19:9

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּ֣ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of Behold.

the day has subsided toward evening

Quote: רָפָ֨ה הַ⁠יּ֜וֹם לַ⁠עֲרֹ֗ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The father-in-law says that the day has subsided by association to mean that the sun has gone down. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the sun has gone down]

the declining of the day

Quote: חֲנ֤וֹת הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 19:8.

and may your heart be good

Quote: וְ⁠יִיטַ֣ב לְבָבֶ֔⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated the same expression in 19:6.

Then you shall get up early tomorrow to your road, and you shall go to your tent

Quote: וְ⁠הִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֤ם מָחָר֙ לְ⁠דַרְכְּ⁠כֶ֔ם וְ⁠הָלַכְתָּ֖ לְ⁠אֹהָלֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The word you is plural in you shall get up and your road because the father is speaking to the whole group, and it is singular in you shall go and your tent because he is speaking just to the Levite. Use the appropriate forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Judges 19:10

it {is} Jerusalem

Quote: הִ֖יא יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information to help readers recognize that the city he calls Jebus is the one they know as Jerusalem. In your translation, present this background information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Judges 19:11

and the day had gone down greatly

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם רַ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term day by association to mean the sun. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [and the sun had nearly set]

the Jebusite

Quote: הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific Jebusite. He means the Jebusite people in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [the Jebusites]

Judges 19:12

a city of a foreigner

Quote: עִ֣יר נָכְרִ֔י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The Levite is not referring to a specific foreigner. He means foreigners in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [a city of foreigners]

from the sons of Israel

Quote: מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase sons of. Alternate translation: [from the descendants of Israel]

Judges 19:14

And the sun went down on them near Gibeah

Quote: וַ⁠תָּבֹ֤א לָ⁠הֶם֙ הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ אֵ֥צֶל הַ⁠גִּבְעָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the sun set while they were traveling near Gibeah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And they were near Gibeah when the sun set]

Judges 19:15

and they sat down in the open area of the city

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ בִּ⁠רְח֣וֹב הָ⁠עִ֔יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

Sitting in the open area was a symbolic action that showed they were looking for lodging. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: [and they sat down in the city square to show that they needed a place to stay]

Judges 19:17

And he lifted his eyes

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשָּׂ֣א עֵינָ֗י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the old man looked at something. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And he looked up]

Where are you going and from where are you coming

Quote: אָ֥נָה תֵלֵ֖ךְ וּ⁠מֵ⁠אַ֥יִן תָּבֽוֹא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events

The author is describing one event before describing another event that preceded it. In your translation, you may wish to relate these events in the order in which they happened as in the UST.

Judges 19:18

to the flanks of the hill country of Ephraim

Quote: עַד־יַרְכְּתֵ֣י הַר־אֶפְרַיִם֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the same expression in 19:1.

and I {am} going {to} the house of Yahweh

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־בֵּ֤ית יְהוָה֙ אֲנִ֣י הֹלֵ֔ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will infer that the Levite had made a vow to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh at the tabernacle if he was successful in bringing back his concubine. So while the Levite says that ultimately he is heading back home to the hill country of Ephraim, he is indicating that he will be going to Shiloh first. (He may be saying this in case the old man is God-fearing and this would be an additional incentive for him to provide hospitality.) You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [and before returning home I will be going to the tabernacle to offer a thanksgiving sacrifice]

and I {am} going {to} the house of Yahweh

Quote: וְ⁠אֶת־בֵּ֤ית יְהוָה֙ אֲנִ֣י הֹלֵ֔ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The Levite is speaking of the tabernacle as if it were a house in which Yahweh lived. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and I am going to the tabernacle]

Judges 19:19

But there is even straw and even fodder for our donkeys, and there is even bread and wine for me and for your maidservant and for the young man with your servants. {There is} no need of anything

Quote: וְ⁠גַם־תֶּ֤בֶן גַּם־מִסְפּוֹא֙ יֵ֣שׁ לַ⁠חֲמוֹרֵ֔י⁠נוּ וְ֠⁠גַם לֶ֣חֶם וָ⁠יַ֤יִן יֶשׁ־לִ⁠י֙ וְ⁠לַֽ⁠אֲמָתֶ֔⁠ךָ וְ⁠לַ⁠נַּ֖עַר עִם־עֲבָדֶ֑י⁠ךָ אֵ֥ין מַחְס֖וֹר כָּל־דָּבָֽר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness

The Levite is using the courteous language of hospitality. Although he has sat in the open square to show that he needs lodging, he is intentionally understating his needs in order to show that he does not wish to impose too much on this potential host. You may be able to express this in terms of the hospitality conventions of your own language and culture.

and for your maidservant … with your servants

Quote: וְ⁠לַֽ⁠אֲמָתֶ֔⁠ךָ & עִם־עֲבָדֶ֑י⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person

The Levite is humbly and politely speaking about himself and his concubine in the third person as the servants of their potential host. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: [and for my concubine … who is with us]

Judges 19:20

Peace to you

Quote: שָׁל֣וֹם לָ֔⁠ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The old man is using a common expression of his culture to mean that he will attend to the welfare of the Levite. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I will attend to your welfare]

to you! … your need {… you must not lodge

Quote: לָ֔⁠ךְ & מַחְסוֹרְ⁠ךָ֖ & אַל־תָּלַֽן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular

The words you and your are singular in all instances because the old man is speaking directly to the Levite. So use singular forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

all of your need {is} upon me

Quote: כָּל־מַחְסוֹרְ⁠ךָ֖ עָלָ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The old man is using a common expression of his culture to mean that he will provide everything that the Levite needs. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I will provide everything that you need]

Judges 19:21

So he brought him into his house

Quote: וַ⁠יְבִיאֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠בֵית֔⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one part of the group, the Levite (him), to mean all of them. Your language might naturally convey this meaning with a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: [So he brought them into his house]

and he mixed for the donkeys

Quote: ויבול לַ⁠חֲמוֹרִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and he mixed fodder for the donkeys and gave it to them]

and they washed their feet

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּרְחֲצוּ֙ רַגְלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one thing that guests in this culture did to to settle in for the night at the old man’s house, washing the dust of travel off their feet, to mean everything they did for that purpose. Your language may have an expression for this that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [and they made themselves at home]

Judges 19:22

They were making their heart good

Quote: הֵמָּה֮ מֵיטִיבִ֣ים אֶת־לִבָּ⁠ם֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the old man and his guests were enjoying themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [They were enjoying themselves]

men of sons of wickedness

Quote: אַנְשֵׁ֣י בְנֵֽי־בְלִיַּ֗עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

As the Introduction to Judges explains, the phrase sons of can be used to refer to people who have a particular characteristic. Here the phrase men of sons of wickedness refers to men who were wicked. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: [men who were very wicked]

the master of the house

Quote: בַּ֣עַל הַ⁠בַּ֤יִת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that this man owned the house. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the owner of the house]

that we may know him

Quote: וְ⁠נֵדָעֶֽ⁠נּוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The men are using a common expression of their culture to mean that they want to have sexual relations with this man. The context indicates that this would be forcible and without consent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [so we can rape him]

Judges 19:23

my brothers

Quote: אַחַ֖⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The old man is speaking to these men as if they were his brothers. He is appealing to them as fellow members of the community. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [my fellow townsmen]

After that this man has come into my house

Quote: אַ֠חֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֞א הָ⁠אִ֤ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אַל־בֵּיתִ֔⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The old man assumes that the men of Gibeah will understand from this phrase that the old man considers the Levite, as a guest in his home, to be under his protection. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Since this man is a guest under my protection]

Judges 19:24

and you may humble them

Quote: וְ⁠עַנּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

The old man is describing sexual assault, but he does not wish to speak about it directly. Your language may have a similar indirect expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: [and you may have your way with them]

the good in your eyes

Quote: הַ⁠טּ֖וֹב בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠כֶ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 17:6.

Judges 19:25

And they knew her and they abused her

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּדְע֣וּ א֠וֹתָ⁠הּ וַ⁠יִּֽתְעַלְּלוּ־בָ֤⁠הּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word knew, referring to sexual relations, tells in what way they abused her. Alternate translation: [And they sexually abused her]

at the rising of the dawn

Quote: כַּ⁠עֲל֥וֹת הַ⁠שָּֽׁחַר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term dawn by association to mean the sun. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [as the sun was rising]

Judges 19:26

And the woman came

Quote: וַ⁠תָּבֹ֥א הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [And the woman came back to the house]

at the turning of the morning

Quote: לִ⁠פְנ֣וֹת הַ⁠בֹּ֑קֶר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to describe morning as the time when this night was turning into day. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [at daybreak]

until the light

Quote: עַד־הָ⁠אֽוֹר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [and she lay there until it became light]

Judges 19:28

But {there was} no answering

Quote: וְ⁠אֵ֣ין עֹנֶ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that this means the woman was dead. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [But she did not answer, because she had died]

Arise

Quote: ק֥וּמִי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this word under the heading “arose.” See how you translated this word in Joshua 1:02.

Judges 19:29

and he cut her to her bones, into 12 pieces

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְנַתְּחֶ֨⁠הָ֙ לַ⁠עֲצָמֶ֔י⁠הָ לִ⁠שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר נְתָחִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction

See the Notes to this chapter for a discussion of why the Levite cut up the body of his murdered concubine and for a suggestion of what you might say here in your translation.

and he sent her

Quote: וַֽ⁠יְשַׁלְּחֶ֔⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun her refers to the pieces of the woman’s body. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and he sent the pieces of her body]

into all of the border of Israel

Quote: בְּ⁠כֹ֖ל גְּב֥וּל יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term border by association to mean the territory of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [throughout the territory of Israel]

Judges 19:30

everyone was seeing, and he said

Quote: כָל־הָ⁠רֹאֶ֗ה וְ⁠אָמַר֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to each person who saw the pieces of the woman’s body. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [everyone who saw this said]

Like this has not been done and has not been seen

Quote: לֹֽא־נִהְיְתָ֤ה וְ⁠לֹֽא־נִרְאֲתָה֙ כָּ⁠זֹ֔את (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [No one has ever done or seen anything like this]

from the day of the coming up of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt

Quote: לְ⁠מִ⁠יּ֞וֹם עֲל֤וֹת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵ⁠אֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term day by association to mean the time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [since the time when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt]

Set for yourselves upon it

Quote: שִֽׂימוּ־לָ⁠כֶ֥ם עָלֶ֖י⁠הָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the people should think carefully about what had happened. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Think carefully about what has happened]

Judges 20

Judges 20 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, the author continues the story he began in Chapter 19 which provides evidence of the benefits of Israel having a godly king in the future. He tells how the Benjaminites refused to surrender the men who had committed the outrageous crime and how the Israelites fought a very destructive war against them to purge Israel from the guilt and defilement of this crime.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why does the Levite say that the “lords of Gibeah” encircled the house?

As the Levite is giving an account of the crime to the Israelite assembly, he says that “the lords of Gibeah arose against me, and they encircled the house at night against me” (20:5). He probably does not mean that the legal rulers of the city of Gibeah did this, even though he is using the same term that the author uses for such rulers several times in Chapter 9 when he speaks of the “lords of Shechem.” (The phrase “the lords of the Philistines,” which occurs several times in Chapter 16, uses a different term for “lords,” but it has the same meaning.) Rather, the Levite probably means that the wicked men who surrounded the house where he was staying could do whatever they wanted in the city and no one could stop them. It was as if they actually were the “lords” of the city. The UST models one way to convey this meaning.

Why does the Levite say that the men of Gibeah intended to “kill” him?

The wicked men in Gibeah shout in 19:22 to those inside the house that they want to “know” the Levite, that is, to assault him sexually. When the Levite gives an account of their crime in 20:5, he says that they intended to kill him. He probably says this because he recognizes that while the men were going to use sex as a weapon, they intended to commit a crime of power and violence that would likely have involved killing him in the end. That is what they did to his concubine. The UST models one way to convey this meaning.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“drawing a sword”

Several times in this chapter, the author describes men as “drawing a sword.” He is using one thing that a skilled fighter would learn to do to represent all the things that such a fighter would do. The meaning is that such men were experienced soldiers. Use a word or phrase in your translation that would convey that meaning. (See: Synecdoche)

Judges 20:1

Then all of the sons of Israel came forth, and the congregation was assembled as one man, from Dan and unto Beersheba and the land of Gilead, to Yahweh at Mizpah

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצְאוּ֮ כָּל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַ⁠תִּקָּהֵ֨ל הָ⁠עֵדָ֜ה כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֗ד לְ⁠מִ⁠דָּן֙ וְ⁠עַד־בְּאֵ֣ר שֶׁ֔בַע וְ⁠אֶ֖רֶץ הַ⁠גִּלְעָ֑ד אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה הַ⁠מִּצְפָּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

It may be more natural in your language to put the information about where the Israelites came from with the statement that they came forth. Alternate translation: [Then all of the sons of Israel came forth, from Dan and unto Beersheba and the land of Gilead, and the congregation was assembled as one man to Yahweh at Mizpah]

Then all of the sons of Israel came forth

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּצְאוּ֮ כָּל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [Then a great number of Israelites gathered]

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase sons of. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Israel]

and the congregation was assembled

Quote: וַ⁠תִּקָּהֵ֨ל הָ⁠עֵדָ֜ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and the congregation assembled]

as one man

Quote: כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֗ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

The point of this comparison is that just as one person acts with single intention, so the Israelites who gathered all had the same intention, to punish the outrageous act that they had heard about. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [with the same intention]

Judges 20:2

drawing a sword

Quote: שֹׁ֥לֵֽף חָֽרֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

See the discussion of this phrase in the Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: [skilled in warfare]

the cornerstones of

Quote: פִּנּ֣וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the leaders of the people as if they were cornerstones. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning using an equivalent expression or you could state the meaning plainly as in the UST.

Judges 20:3

Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up {to} Mizpah

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֔ן כִּֽי־עָל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will recognize that he means the Benjaminites heard about this assembly but did not join it. This indicates that they were going to defend the men of Gibeah rather than join in punishing them. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Now the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah, but they did not join the assembly, because they were going to defend rather than punish men from their own tribe]

And the sons of Israel said

Quote: וַ⁠יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that the Israelites were speaking to the Levite. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And the sons of Israel said to the Levite]

Judges 20:4

So the man, the Levite, the husband of the murdered woman, answered

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֜עַן הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠לֵּוִ֗י אִ֛ישׁ הָ⁠אִשָּׁ֥ה הַ⁠נִּרְצָחָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants

The author is using this phrase to remind readers who this person is. If your language has its own way of reminding readers about participants, you can use it here in your translation.

answered and said

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֜עַן & וַ⁠יֹּאמַ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word answered tells in what way the Levite said this. Alternate translation: [replied]

Judges 20:5

the lords of Gibeah

Quote: בַּעֲלֵ֣י הַ⁠גִּבְעָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author says in 19:22 that “men of the city” who were “sons of wickedness” were the ones who encircled the house. See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter for an explanation of why the Levite says that it was the lords of Gibeah who did this.

Me, they intended to kill

Quote: אוֹתִ⁠י֙ דִּמּ֣וּ לַ⁠הֲרֹ֔ג (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See the discussion in the Notes to this chapter of why the Levite says that the men of Gibeah intended to kill him rather than that they intended to assault him sexually.

they humbled

Quote: עִנּ֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism

See how you translated the same expression in 19:24.

Judges 20:6

into every field of the inheritance of Israel

Quote: בְּ⁠כָל־שְׂדֵ֖ה נַחֲלַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche

The author is using one kind of the land, a field, to mean land of all kinds. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [into every part of the inheritance of Israel]

the inheritance of Israel

Quote: נַחֲלַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term “inheritance” in 18:1. Alternate translation: [the territory of Israel]

lewdness and outrage

Quote: זִמָּ֥ה וּ⁠נְבָלָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms lewdness and outrage mean similar things. The Levite is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [a terrible outrage]

Judges 20:7

Behold

Quote: הִנֵּ֥ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this word.

a word and advice

Quote: דָּבָ֥ר וְ⁠עֵצָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word advice tells what kind of word is needed. Alternate translation: [a word of advice]

a word and advice

Quote: דָּבָ֥ר וְ⁠עֵצָ֖ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The Levite is using the term word to represent counsel that the assembled Israelites would give by using words. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [some wise counsel]

Judges 20:8

as one man

Quote: כְּ⁠אִ֥ישׁ אֶחָ֖ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

See how you translated the same expression in 20:1.

We will not go back, a man to his tent, and we will not return, a man to his house

Quote: לֹ֤א נֵלֵךְ֙ אִ֣ישׁ לְ⁠אָהֳל֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נָס֖וּר אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠בֵיתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [None of us will return home]

We will not go back, a man to his tent, and we will not return, a man to his house

Quote: לֹ֤א נֵלֵךְ֙ אִ֣ישׁ לְ⁠אָהֳל֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠לֹ֥א נָס֖וּר אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠בֵיתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [None of us will return home until we have dealt with this matter]

Judges 20:9

against it by lot

Quote: עָלֶ֖י⁠הָ בְּ⁠גוֹרָֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [we should choose an army of soldiers by lot to attack it]

Judges 20:10

ten men of a hundred from all of the tribes of Israel, and a hundred from a thousand, and a thousand from a myriad

Quote: עֲשָׂרָה֩ אֲנָשִׁ֨ים לַ⁠מֵּאָ֜ה לְ⁠כֹ֣ל ׀ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּ⁠מֵאָ֤ה לָ⁠אֶ֨לֶף֙ וְ⁠אֶ֣לֶף לָ⁠רְבָבָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

These three phrases mean similar things. The people are using them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [one tenth of all of our men]

for the people

Quote: לָ⁠עָ֑ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that in this context, the term people refers to the army that would attack Gibeah. The author uses the term in this way frequently in the rest of the chapter. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [for the army]

to do at their coming to Gibeah in Benjamin according to all of the outrage that it did in Israel

Quote: לַ⁠עֲשׂ֗וֹת לְ⁠בוֹאָ⁠ם֙ לְ⁠גֶ֣בַע בִּנְיָמִ֔ן כְּ⁠כָל־הַ֨⁠נְּבָלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure

It may be more natural in your language to put the information about what the army would do with the information about when they would do it. Alternate translation: [so that when they come to Gibeah in Benjamin, they can do to it what it deserves for all of the outrage that it did in Israel]

Judges 20:11

So every man of Israel was gathered

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּֽאָסֵ֞ף כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is using an overstatement to emphasize how many Israelite men came. Not literally every man came, but a very large number did. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [So a great number of Israelite men were gathered]

So every man of Israel was gathered

Quote: וַ⁠יֵּֽאָסֵ֞ף כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [So every man of Israel gathered]

as one man, associates

Quote: כְּ⁠אִ֥ישׁ אֶחָ֖ד חֲבֵרִֽים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms as one man and associates mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [in complete unity of purpose]

as one man

Quote: כְּ⁠אִ֥ישׁ אֶחָ֖ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile

See how you translated the same expression in 20:1.

Judges 20:12

of the tribes of Benjamin

Quote: שִׁבְטֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that he is using the word tribes to mean the different clans within the tribe of Benjamin. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the clans of Benjamin]

What is this evil that has been done among you

Quote: מָ֚ה הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִהְיְתָ֖ה בָּ⁠כֶֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The Israelites are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [A terrible evil has been done among you!]

Judges 20:13

the men, the sons of wickedness

Quote: אֶת־הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֨ים בְּנֵֽי־בְלִיַּ֜עַל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated a similar expression in 19:22.

so that we may burn up evil from Israel

Quote: וּ⁠נְבַעֲרָ֥ה רָעָ֖ה מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The Israelites are speaking of purging their land from the defilement that this evil had caused as if they were going to burn up the evil. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [so that we may purge the land of Israel from the defilement of this evil]

to listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel

Quote: לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֕עַ בְּ⁠ק֖וֹל אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֥ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term voice by association to mean what the Israelites were saying. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [to do what their brothers, the sons of Israel, were telling them to do]

their brothers, the sons of Israel

Quote: אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֥ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the other Israelites as if they were the actual brothers of the Benjaminites. He is using the term to mean descendants of the same ancestor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [their fellow Israelites]

Judges 20:14

from the cities

Quote: מִן־הֶ⁠עָרִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [from the other cities in their tribal territory]

Judges 20:15

on that day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֤וֹם הַ⁠הוּא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

This probably took more than a single day. The author seems to be using the term day by association to mean a particular time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [at that time]

chosen men

Quote: אִ֥ישׁ בָּחֽוּר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that these men were specially selected because they were the best soldiers. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [elite troops]

Judges 20:16

impeded in his right hand

Quote: אִטֵּ֖ר יַד־יְמִינ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the similar expression in 3:15. Alternate translation: [who were left-handed]

each of them slinging with a stone at a hair and he would not miss

Quote: כָּל־זֶ֗ה קֹלֵ֧עַ בָּ⁠אֶ֛בֶן אֶל־הַֽ⁠שַּׂעֲרָ֖ה וְ⁠לֹ֥א יַחֲטִֽא (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is using an overstatement to emphasize how accurate these soldiers were with their slings. In your translation, you could keep the image but show that it is a comparison. Alternate translation: [who were so accurate with a sling that it seemed they could even aim at a hair and not miss]

Judges 20:18

Judah at the start

Quote: יְהוּדָ֥ה בַ⁠תְּחִלָּֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [The soldiers from the tribe of Judah should go up at the start]

Judah

Quote: יְהוּדָ֥ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the section titled “name of tribe, city, or kingdom representing its people” in the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of how the word Judah is being used here. The UST expresses how the word Judah is being used here.

Judges 20:21

and they destroyed down to the ground 22,000 men from Israel

Quote: וַ⁠יַּשְׁחִ֨יתוּ בְ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל & שְׁנַ֨יִם וְ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֥ים אֶ֛לֶף אִ֖ישׁ אָֽרְצָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that they killed all of these men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and they killed a full 22,000 Israelite men]

Judges 20:22

at the place where they had arrayed there

Quote: בַּ⁠מָּק֕וֹם אֲשֶׁר־עָ֥רְכוּ שָׁ֖ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression where they had arrayed there contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it. Alternate translation: [where they had arrayed]

on the first day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֥וֹם הָ⁠רִאשֽׁוֹן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [on day one] or [the day before]

Judges 20:23

For the sons of Israel had gone up and wept to the face of Yahweh

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲל֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַ⁠יִּבְכּ֣וּ לִ⁠פְנֵֽי־יְהוָה֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is providing background information to help readers understand the reasons for what he said in the previous verse. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

For the sons of Israel had gone up

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲל֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. The meaning is clarified in 20:26–27. Alternate translation: [For the sons of Israel had gone up to Bethel]

to the face of Yahweh

Quote: לִ⁠פְנֵֽי־יְהוָה֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

As the Introduction to Judges discusses, here the author is using the term face to mean “presence,” by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [in the presence of Yahweh]

Shall I resume to approach to battle with the sons of Benjamin, my brother

Quote: הַ⁠אוֹסִ֗יף לָ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁת֙ לַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֔ה עִם־בְּנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן אָחִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

The Israelites are speaking as if they and the Benjaminites were individuals who were brothers. It may be more natural in your language to use plural forms here. Alternate translation: [Should we resume to approach to battle with the sons of Benjamin, our brothers]

my brother

Quote: אָחִ֑⁠י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The Israelites are speaking of the tribe of Benjamin as if it were their actual brother. They mean it is descended from the same ancestor as their tribes. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [our fellow Israelites]

Judges 20:24

on the second day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִֽי (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [on day two]

Judges 20:25

on the second day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִי֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

See how you translated this expression in 20:24.

and they destroyed to the ground

Quote: וַ⁠יַּשְׁחִיתוּ֩ & אָ֑רְצָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this expression in 20:21.

Judges 20:26

Then all of the sons of Israel went up, and all of the people

Quote: וַ⁠יַּעֲל֣וּ כָל־בְּנֵי֩ יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל וְ⁠כָל־הָ⁠עָ֜ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will know that by all of the sons of Israel, in this context, he means the army, and that by all of the people he means the other Israelites who were there. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [Then the whole army and all of the other Israelites who were there went up]

Judges 20:27

Then the sons of Israel inquired of Yahweh, for the Box of the Covenant of God {was} there in those days

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׁאֲל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּֽ⁠יהוָ֑ה וְ⁠שָׁ֗ם אֲרוֹן֙ בְּרִ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּ⁠יָּמִ֖ים הָ⁠הֵֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Then, because the Box of the Covenant of God was there in those days, the sons of Israel inquired of Yahweh]

in those days

Quote: בַּ⁠יָּמִ֖ים הָ⁠הֵֽם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term days by association to mean a particular time, since time is made up of days. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language as in the UST.

Judges 20:28

was} standing to the face of it

Quote: עֹמֵ֣ד ׀ לְ⁠פָנָ֗י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that Phinehas was serving as priest at the tabernacle where the Box of the Covenant was. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [was serving as a priest at the tabernacle where it was]

in those days

Quote: בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵם֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated the same expression in 20:27.

Shall I resume again to go out to battle with the sons of Benjamin, my brother, or shall I stop

Quote: הַ⁠אוֹסִ֨ף ע֜וֹד לָ⁠צֵ֧את לַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֛ה עִם־בְּנֵֽי־בִנְיָמִ֥ן אָחִ֖⁠י אִם־אֶחְדָּ֑ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification

See how you translated the similar expression in 20:23. Alternate translation: [Should we resume again to go out to battle with the sons of Benjamin, our fellow Israelites, or should we stop]

I will give him into your hand

Quote: אֶתְּנֶ֥⁠נּוּ בְ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

Yahweh is using the pronoun him to refer to the sons of Benjamin, about whom the Israelites are asking. It may be more natural in your language to use a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: [I will give them into your hand]

I will give him into your hand

Quote: אֶתְּנֶ֥⁠נּוּ בְ⁠יָדֶֽ⁠ךָ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase into your hand.

Judges 20:30

on the third day

Quote: בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁלִישִׁ֑י (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [on day three] or [for yet another day]

as time upon time

Quote: כְּ⁠פַ֥עַם בְּ⁠פָֽעַם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that they did this the same way they had done it the previous times. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [as they had done the previous times]

Judges 20:31

They were drawn from the city

Quote: הָנְתְּק֖וּ מִן־הָ⁠עִ֑יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [The Israelites drew them away from the city]

slain

Quote: חֲלָלִ֜ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [whom they killed]

as time upon time

Quote: כְּ⁠פַ֣עַם ׀ בְּ⁠פַ֗עַם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this expression in 20:30.

about 30 men of Israel

Quote: כִּ⁠שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [They killed about 30 men of Israel]

Judges 20:32

They {are} being beaten

Quote: נִגָּפִ֥ים הֵ֛ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [We are beating them]

as at the first

Quote: כְּ⁠בָ⁠רִאשֹׁנָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj

The author is using the adjective first as a noun to mean the first battle. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [as in the first battle]

and let us draw him

Quote: וּֽ⁠נְתַקְּנֻ֔⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun him refers to the army of Benjamin. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [and let us draw their army]

Judges 20:33

And the ambush of Israel gushed from his place

Quote: וְ⁠אֹרֵ֧ב יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מֵגִ֥יחַ מִ⁠מְּקֹמ֖⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the Israelite soldiers who were hiding in ambush as if they had been water that gushed out. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And the ambush of Israel rushed out of its place] or [And the Israelite soldiers rushed out from their hiding place]

from Maareh Gibeah

Quote: מִ⁠מַּֽעֲרֵה־גָֽבַע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names

The words Maareh Gibeah could be a description rather than a name. Alternate translation: [from the fields around Gibeah]

Judges 20:34

chosen from all of Israel

Quote: בָּחוּר֙ מִ⁠כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [whom the Israelites had chosen as the best of all their soldiers]

and the battle {was} heavy

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֖ה כָּבֵ֑דָה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the battle as if it were a heavy physical thing that was weighing down the soldiers or that was hard for them to carry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and the fighting was intense]

But they did not know

Quote: וְ⁠הֵם֙ לֹ֣א יָדְע֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the Benjaminites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [But the Benjaminites did not know]

that harm {was} touching upon them

Quote: כִּֽי־נֹגַ֥עַת עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הָ⁠רָעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the Benjaminite soldiers were just about to experience great harm. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [that they were about to be destroyed]

Judges 20:35

25,100 men

Quote: עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה אֶ֛לֶף וּ⁠מֵאָ֖ה אִ֑ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [They killed 25,100 men]

25,100 men

Quote: עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה אֶ֛לֶף וּ⁠מֵאָ֖ה אִ֑ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers

See how you translated the similar instances in 16:5 and 17:2 of large numbers with 100 added. Alternate translation: [no less than 25,000 men]

Judges 20:36

they were defeated

Quote: נִגָּ֑פוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [the other Israelites had defeated them]

For the men of Israel had given place to Benjamin because they were confident in the ambush that they had set against Gibeah

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֨וּ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל מָקוֹם֙ לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֔ן כִּ֤י בָֽטְחוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣⁠אֹרֵ֔ב אֲשֶׁר שָׂ֖מוּ אֶל־הַ⁠גִּבְעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Because they were confident in the ambush that they had set against Gibeah, the men of Israel had given place to Benjamin]

For the men of Israel had given place to Benjamin

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֨וּ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל מָקוֹם֙ לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֔ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that the Israelites deliberately retreated in order to draw the Benjaminites away from Gibeah. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [For the men of Israel had deliberately retreated before Benjamin]

Judges 20:37

hurried and spread out

Quote: הֵחִ֔ישׁוּ וַֽ⁠יִּפְשְׁט֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with and. The word hurried tells in what way they spread out. Alternate translation: [hurriedly spread out]

and struck all of the city to the mouth of the sword

Quote: וַ⁠יַּ֥ךְ אֶת־כָּל־הָ⁠עִ֖יר לְ⁠פִי־חָֽרֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase struck … to the mouth of the sword. Alternate translation: [and killed all the people who lived in the city]

Judges 20:38

Now a sign was to the men of Israel with the ambush

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠מּוֹעֵ֗ד הָיָ֛ה לְ⁠אִ֥ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עִם־הָ⁠אֹרֵ֑ב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author is introducing background information that will help readers understand in more detail what happens in this battle. In your translation, introduce this information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

Now a sign was to the men of Israel with the ambush, “Make great” for them sending up a signal of smoke from the city

Quote: וְ⁠הַ⁠מּוֹעֵ֗ד הָיָ֛ה לְ⁠אִ֥ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עִם־הָ⁠אֹרֵ֑ב הֶ֕רֶב לְ⁠הַעֲלוֹתָ֛⁠ם מַשְׂאַ֥ת הֶ⁠עָשָׁ֖ן מִן־הָ⁠עִֽיר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations

The author is presenting as a direct quotation what the main body of the army told the ambush to do as a sign. It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. Alternate translation: [Now the men of Israel and the ambush had agreed on a sign: the ambush would send up a great column of smoke from the city]

Make great” for them sending up a signal of smoke from the city

Quote: הֶ֕רֶב לְ⁠הַעֲלוֹתָ֛⁠ם מַשְׂאַ֥ת הֶ⁠עָשָׁ֖ן מִן־הָ⁠עִֽיר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two expressions. The words Make great tell in what way they should be sending up the signal of smoke. If you combine these expressions, you could present all of this as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: [“Send up a great column of smoke from the city”]

for them sending up a signal of smoke from the city

Quote: לְ⁠הַעֲלוֹתָ֛⁠ם מַשְׂאַ֥ת הֶ⁠עָשָׁ֖ן מִן־הָ⁠עִֽיר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means that the men of Israel had agreed with the ambush that they should do this once they had captured the city. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [for them sending up a signal of smoke from the city once they had captured it]

Judges 20:39

when the men of Israel retreated from the battle

Quote: וַ⁠יַּהֲפֹ֥ךְ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations

If you retained the direct quotation in the previous verse, you could continue it here. Alternate translation: [once we have drawn the Benjaminite soldiers away from the city and you have entered it and captured it.”]

when the men of Israel retreated from the battle

Quote: וַ⁠יַּהֲפֹ֥ךְ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

If you changed the quotation in the previous verse to an indirect quotation, you can supply some further words here from the context if that would be clearer in your language. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [The ambush was to do that once they had captured the city after the men of Israel had retreated from the battle and drawn the Benjaminite soldiers away]

they said

Quote: אָמְר֔וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers to the Benjaminites. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the Benjaminites said]

being beaten, he {is} being beaten

Quote: נִגּ֨וֹף נִגָּ֥ף הוּא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The Benjaminites are repeating the verb beaten in order to intensify their expression of the idea that it conveys. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the intensification. Alternate translation: [they are being completely beaten]

being beaten, he {is} being beaten

Quote: נִגּ֨וֹף נִגָּ֥ף הוּא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun he refers to the men of Israel. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the men of Israel are being completely beaten]

being beaten, he {is} being beaten

Quote: נִגּ֨וֹף נִגָּ֥ף הוּא֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [we are completely beating the men of Israel]

as {in} the first battle

Quote: כַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֖ה הָ⁠רִאשֹׁנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal

If your language does not use this type of number, you could use a different type of number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: [as in battle one] or [as in the earlier battle]

Judges 20:40

the whole of the city

Quote: כְלִיל־הָ⁠עִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term city by association to mean the smoke from the burning city. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [smoke from the whole of the city]

the whole of the city

Quote: כְלִיל־הָ⁠עִ֖יר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole

The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: [smoke from many parts of the city]

Judges 20:41

And a man of Israel turned

Quote: וְ⁠אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָפַ֔ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific man. He means the Israelite men in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. [And the Israelite soldiers turned around]

And a man of Israel turned

Quote: וְ⁠אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָפַ֔ךְ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

By turned, the author is implying that the soldiers turned around to attack the Benjaminites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [And the Israelite soldiers turned around to attack the Benjaminites]

and a man of Benjamin was alarmed

Quote: וַ⁠יִּבָּהֵ֖ל אִ֣ישׁ בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific man. He means the Benjamite men in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. [and the men of Benjamin were alarmed]

and a man of Benjamin was alarmed, for he saw that harm had touched upon him

Quote: וַ⁠יִּבָּהֵ֖ל אִ֣ישׁ בִּנְיָמִ֑ן כִּ֣י רָאָ֔ה כִּֽי־נָגְעָ֥ה עָלָ֖י⁠ו הָ⁠רָעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [and because he saw that harm had touched upon him, a man of Benjamin was alarmed]

and a man of Benjamin was alarmed

Quote: וַ⁠יִּבָּהֵ֖ל אִ֣ישׁ בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean that each of the Benjaminite soldiers was alarmed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and each the Benjaminite soldiers was alarmed] or [and all of the Benjaminite soldiers were alarmed]

and a man of Benjamin was alarmed

Quote: וַ⁠יִּבָּהֵ֖ל אִ֣ישׁ בִּנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [and this alarmed each of the Benjaminite soldiers] or [and this alarmed all of the Benjaminite soldiers]

he saw that harm had touched upon him

Quote: רָאָ֔ה כִּֽי־נָגְעָ֥ה עָלָ֖י⁠ו הָ⁠רָעָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See how you translated this expression in 20:34. Alternate translation: [each one realized that he was about to be destroyed] or [they realized that they were about to be destroyed]

Judges 20:42

overtook him

Quote: הִדְבִּיקָ֑תְ⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun him refers to the army of Benjamin. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [overtook the Benjaminite army]

and {those} who {were} from the cities

Quote: וַ⁠אֲשֶׁר֙ מֵ⁠הֶ֣⁠עָרִ֔ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

The author is using the plural form cities in a context where the singular term “city” would suffice. This suggests that he may be using the plural form for emphasis. Your language may use plural forms in the same way. If not, you could express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [and those who were coming out of the city, where the Benjaminites could no longer find refuge]

were} destroying him in the midst of him

Quote: מַשְׁחִיתִ֥ים אוֹת֖⁠וֹ בְּ⁠תוֹכֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun him refers in the first instance to the Benjaminite army, and it refers in the second instance to the Israelite army. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers and to express the meaning more naturally. Alternate translation: [were destroying the Benjaminites, who were now in the midst of the Israelite army]

Judges 20:43

They surrounded Benjamin

Quote: כִּתְּר֤וּ אֶת־בִּנְיָמִן֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun They refers to the Israelite soldiers. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [The Israelite soldiers surrounded the Benjaminites]

they caused to pursue

Quote: הִרְדִיפֻ֔⁠הוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author seems to mean implicitly that the Israelite soldiers encouraged one another to pursue the Benjaminites who were trying to escape. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [they encouraged one another to pursue the fleeing Benjaminites]

from the rising of the sun

Quote: מִ⁠מִּזְרַח־שָֽׁמֶשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term rising of the sun by association to mean the east, since that is where the sun rises. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [east of the city]

Judges 20:44

And they fell from Benjamin, 18,000 men

Quote: וַֽ⁠יִּפְּלוּ֙ מִ⁠בִּנְיָמִ֔ן שְׁמֹנָֽה־עָשָׂ֥ר אֶ֖לֶף אִ֑ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term fell to mean that these men were killed in the battle, by association with the way they fell to the ground when they died. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [And 18,000 Benjaminite men were killed in the battle]

Judges 20:45

And they turned and fled … And they gleaned

Quote: וַ⁠יִּפְנ֞וּ וַ⁠יָּנֻ֤סוּ & וַ⁠יְעֹֽלְלֻ֨⁠הוּ֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The first they refers to the remaining Benjaminite soldiers, while the second they refers to the Israelite soldiers. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the remaining Benjaminite soldiers turned and fled … And the Israelite soldiers gleaned]

And they gleaned along the pathways 5,000 men

Quote: וַ⁠יְעֹֽלְלֻ֨⁠הוּ֙ בַּֽ⁠מְסִלּ֔וֹת חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if these men were leftover crops that the Israelite soldiers gleaned. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: [And they picked off another 5,000 men along the pathways] or [And they killed another 5,000 men along the pathways as they were trying to flee]

And they pursued closely after him unto Gidom, and they struck from him 2,000 men

Quote: וַ⁠יַּדְבִּ֤יקוּ אַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ עַד־גִּדְעֹ֔ם וַ⁠יַּכּ֥וּ מִמֶּ֖⁠נּוּ אַלְפַּ֥יִם אִֽישׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns

The pronoun they refers in both instances to the Israelite soldiers, and the pronoun him refers in both instances to the remaining Benjaminite soldiers. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And the Israelite soldiers pursued closely after the remaining Benjaminites unto Gidom, and the Israelites killed 2,000 more of the Benjaminites]

and they struck

Quote: וַ⁠יַּכּ֥וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

Here, the word struck means “killed” as expressed in the UST. See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of this word.

Judges 20:46

all of the fallen ones from Benjamin

Quote: כָל־הַ⁠נֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים מִ⁠בִּנְיָמִ֗ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term fallen ones by association to mean those who were killed in battle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [all of the Benjaminites who were killed]

Judges 20:48

returned to the sons of Benjamin

Quote: שָׁ֣בוּ אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י בִנְיָמִן֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author means implicitly that the Israelite soldiers turned from pursuing the Benjaminite soldiers to attacking all the other people of the tribe of Benjamin. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [attacked all the other people of the tribe of Benjamin]

from a city of entirety to cattle to everything found

Quote: מֵ⁠עִ֤יר מְתֹם֙ עַד־בְּהֵמָ֔ה עַ֖ד כָּל־הַ⁠נִּמְצָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession

The author is using the possessive form a city of entirety to mean “an entire city.” It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [destroying entire cities, including the animals and everything else in them]

from a city of entirety to cattle to everything found

Quote: מֵ⁠עִ֤יר מְתֹם֙ עַד־בְּהֵמָ֔ה עַ֖ד כָּל־הַ⁠נִּמְצָ֑א (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations

The phrase translated as from a city of entirety could also be translated as “from the city of man.” If that is the translation, then the author would be using the masculine term “man” in a generic sense that would include both men and women. Alternate translation: [destroying all of the people and animals and everything else in the city]

everything found. … all of the cities found

Quote: כָּל־הַ⁠נִּמְצָ֑א & כָּל־הֶ⁠עָרִ֥ים הַ⁠נִּמְצָא֖וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [everything that they found … all of the cities that they found]

to everything found. … all of the cities found

Quote: עַ֖ד כָּל־הַ⁠נִּמְצָ֑א & כָּל־הֶ⁠עָרִ֥ים הַ⁠נִּמְצָא֖וֹת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using the term found in a way characteristic of his language and culture to mean that these things and cities could be found, that is, that they were there. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and everything else that was there … all of the cities that were there]

they sent into fire

Quote: שִׁלְּח֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the Israelites had actually sent these cities into fire. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they set on fire] or [they burned down]

Judges 21

Judges 21 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

In this chapter, the author concludes the story he began in Chapter 19 by showing the benefits of Israel having a godly king. He tells how the Israelites realized that they had gone too far in destroying the Benjaminites and how they resorted to further violence and deceit in order to provide wives for the surviving Benjaminites so that they could continue their family lines. The implied information in 21:5 is that the Israelites thought that if they killed all the people of that city except its young women, they could give them as wives to the surviving men from the tribe of Benjamin.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Sin and immorality

At the end of Judges, there is much sin and immorality. The people are doing wrong and are trying to fix their wrongs by doing more evil things. The period of the Judges is typified by this final account and summarized by the author’s closing statement, “A man did the right in his eyes” (ULT), which means that “everyone did what they thought they should do” (UST). The book of Judges ends this way in order to lead into the following part of the biblical narrative, which describes how God chose David to be a godly king of the Israelite people. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and evil, wicked, unpleasant and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness)

Judges 21:1

Now a man of Israel had sworn at Mizpah, saying, “A man from us shall not give his daughter to Benjamin for a wife

Quote: וְ⁠אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נִשְׁבַּ֥ע בַּ⁠מִּצְפָּ֖ה לֵ⁠אמֹ֑ר אִ֣ישׁ מִמֶּ֔⁠נּוּ לֹא־יִתֵּ֥ן בִּתּ֛⁠וֹ לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֖ן לְ⁠אִשָּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

The author provides this background information about to help readers understand what happens next. The UST shows that this verse is background information by putting parenthesis around this verse. Use the natural form in your language for expressing background information.

Now a man of Israel

Quote: וְ⁠אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific man. He means the Israelite men in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [Now the Israelite men]

to Benjamin

Quote: לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֖ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term Benjamin by association to mean the men of that tribe. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [to any man from the tribe of Benjamin]

Judges 21:2

And they lifted their voice

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֣וּ קוֹלָ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if a voice were something that could be physically lifted. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And they cried out loudly]

to the face of God

Quote: לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the meaning of the phrase to the face of. Alternate translation: [before God] or [before God’s sacred tent]

And they lifted their voice and wept

Quote: וַ⁠יִּשְׂא֣וּ קוֹלָ֔⁠ם וַ⁠יִּבְכּ֖וּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys

This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with “and.” The phrase lifted their voice tells in what way they wept. Alternate translation: [And they wept loudly]

and wept a great weeping

Quote: וַ⁠יִּבְכּ֖וּ בְּכִ֥י גָדֽוֹל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry

For emphasis, the author is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of showing the emphasis. Alternate translation: [and wept very greatly]

Judges 21:3

Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, should this be in Israel, to be missing today one tribe from Israel

Quote: לָ⁠מָ֗ה יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הָ֥יְתָה זֹּ֖את בְּ⁠יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְ⁠הִפָּקֵ֥ד הַ⁠יּ֛וֹם מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שֵׁ֥בֶט אֶחָֽד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion

The Israelites are using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: [Yahweh, God of Israel, this should not be in Israel, to be missing today one tribe from Israel!]

to be missing

Quote: לְ⁠הִפָּקֵ֥ד (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [that we should have lost]

Judges 21:5

the sons of Israel

Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase sons of. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Israel]

Dying, he shall be caused to die

Quote: מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication

The oath repeats forms of the verb die in order to intensify the expression of that idea. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the intensification. Alternate translation: [He shall certainly be caused to die]

Dying, he shall be caused to die

Quote: מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [We shall certainly put him to death]

Judges 21:6

Benjamin, his brother

Quote: בִּנְיָמִ֖ן אָחִ֑י⁠ו (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking of the tribe of Benjamin as if it were the actual brother of the sons of Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the men of the tribe of Benjamin, their fellow Israelites]

has been hewn

Quote: נִגְדַּ֥ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [we have hewn]

has been hewn

Quote: נִגְדַּ֥ע (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The Israelites are speaking as if their people group were a forest and the tribe of Benjamin were a tree that had been hewn or cut down and removed from it. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [is missing]

Judges 21:7

for the remaining ones

Quote: לַ⁠נּוֹתָרִ֖ים (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [for the remaining men of the tribe of Benjamin]

Judges 21:8

And behold

Quote: וְ֠⁠הִנֵּה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the word behold.

a man had not come to the camp

Quote: לֹ֣א בָא־אִ֧ישׁ אֶל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶ֛ה (1)

Alternate translation: [no man had come to the camp]

Judges 21:10

to the mouth of the sword

Quote: לְ⁠פִי־חֶ֔רֶב (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

See the Introduction to Judges for a discussion of the phrase mouth of the sword.

Judges 21:11

and every woman having known the lying of a male

Quote: וְ⁠כָל־אִשָּׁ֛ה יֹדַ֥עַת מִשְׁכַּב־זָכָ֖ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean a woman who had had sexual relations with a man. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and every woman who has had sexual relations with a man]

you shall devote

Quote: תַּחֲרִֽימוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

See how you translated the similar expression in 1:17. Alternate translation: [you shall destroy completely]

Judges 21:12

a virgin

Quote: בְתוּלָ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The author is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [each of whom was a virgin]

who had not known a man by the lying of a male

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יָדְעָ֛ה אִ֖ישׁ לְ⁠מִשְׁכַּ֣ב זָכָ֑ר (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is using a common expression of his culture to mean women who had never had sexual relations with men. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [who had never had sexual relations with a man]

to the camp {at} Shiloh, which was in the land of Canaan

Quote: אֶל־הַֽ⁠מַּחֲנֶה֙ שִׁלֹ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the term land of Canaan by association to mean the west side of the Jordan River. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [across the Jordan River to the camp at Shiloh]

Judges 21:13

and they called out peace to them

Quote: וַ⁠יִּקְרְא֥וּ לָ⁠הֶ֖ם שָׁלֽוֹם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and they called out to them that they wanted to have peaceful relations with them]

Judges 21:15

And the people repented itself for Benjamin, for Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel

Quote: וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֥ם נִחָ֖ם לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֑ן כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה פֶּ֖רֶץ בְּ⁠שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [And because Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel, the people repented itself for Benjamin]

for Yahweh had made a breach in the tribes of Israel

Quote: כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה פֶּ֖רֶץ בְּ⁠שִׁבְטֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The author is speaking as if the tribes of Israel were a wall and Yahweh had made a breach or hole in it by removing the tribe of Benjamin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for Yahweh had removed one of the tribes from Israel]

Judges 21:16

a woman has been destroyed from Benjamin

Quote: נִשְׁמְדָ֥ה מִ⁠בִּנְיָמִ֖ן אִשָּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The author is not referring to a specific woman. He means women in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: [the women have been destroyed from Benjamin]

since a woman has been destroyed from Benjamin

Quote: כִּֽי־נִשְׁמְדָ֥ה מִ⁠בִּנְיָמִ֖ן אִשָּֽׁה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [since we have destroyed all the women of the tribe of Benjamin]

Judges 21:17

A possession of the escapee of Benjamin, so a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel

Quote: יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת פְּלֵיטָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֑ן וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִמָּחֶ֥ה שֵׁ֖בֶט מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [So a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel, a possession for the escapee of Benjamin]

A possession of the escapee of Benjamin

Quote: יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת פְּלֵיטָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis

The elders are leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [We must provide a possession for the escapee of Benjamin]

A possession of the escapee of Benjamin

Quote: יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת פְּלֵיטָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun

The elders are not referring to a specific escapee. They mean all of the men from the tribe of Benjamin who have escaped slaughter. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form or an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [We must provide a possession for the escapees of Benjamin] or [We must provide a possession for the men of the tribe of Benjamin who have escaped]

A possession of the escapee of Benjamin

Quote: יְרֻשַּׁ֥ת פְּלֵיטָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִ֑ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of possession, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [We must provide wives for the remaining Benjaminites to possess]

so a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִמָּחֶ֥ה שֵׁ֖בֶט מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [so that we will not have wiped out a tribe from Israel]

so a tribe will not be wiped out from Israel

Quote: וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִמָּחֶ֥ה שֵׁ֖בֶט מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The elders are speaking as if the tribe were something that could be wiped out or erased. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [so that one of the Israelite tribes does not cease to exist]

Judges 21:18

Cursed {is} the one giving

Quote: אָר֕וּר נֹתֵ֥ן (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to specify an agent, the context suggests that this would be Yahweh. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh curse the one giving]

Judges 21:19

from days to days

Quote: מִ⁠יָּמִ֣ים ׀ יָמִ֗ימָ⁠ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural

In Hebrew, the plural of days can mean a year. That is the meaning in this context. Alternate translation: [from year to year] or [each year]

That {is} from the north to Bethel, from the rising of the sun to the road going up from Bethel {to} Shechem and from the south to Lebonah

Quote: אֲשֶׁ֞ר מִ⁠צְּפ֤וֹנָ⁠ה לְ⁠בֵֽית־אֵל֙ מִזְרְחָ֣⁠ה הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ לִ⁠מְסִלָּ֔ה הָ⁠עֹלָ֥ה מִ⁠בֵּֽית־אֵ֖ל שְׁכֶ֑מָ⁠ה וּ⁠מִ⁠נֶּ֖גֶב לִ⁠לְבוֹנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background

In order to his readers understand the background, the author is informing his readers of the location of Shiloh. In your translation, present this background information in a way that would be natural in your own language and culture.

is} from the north to Bethel

Quote: מִ⁠צְּפ֤וֹנָ⁠ה לְ⁠בֵֽית־אֵל֙ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is speaking of the location of one place relative to another in the way that is characteristic of his culture. In your translation, indicate this relative location in the way that is characteristic of your culture. Alternate translation: [is to the north of Bethel]

from the rising of the sun to the road

Quote: מִזְרְחָ֣⁠ה הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ לִ⁠מְסִלָּ֔ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the phrase the rising of the sun by association to mean the east, since the sun rises in the east. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [to the east of the road]

and from the south to Lebonah

Quote: וּ⁠מִ⁠נֶּ֖גֶב לִ⁠לְבוֹנָֽה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom

The author is speaking of the location of one place relative to another in the way that is characteristic of his culture. In your translation, indicate this relative location in the way that is characteristic of your culture. Alternate translation: [and to the south of Lebonah]

Judges 21:21

if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances

Quote: אִם־יֵ֨צְא֥וּ בְנוֹת־שִׁילוֹ֮ לָ⁠ח֣וּל בַּ⁠מְּחֹלוֹת֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact

The elders are speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but they know that this is going to happen. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, then you could translate this as a confident statement. Alternate translation: [when the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances]

the daughters of Shiloh

Quote: בְנוֹת־שִׁילוֹ֮ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

The elders are speaking of these young women as if they were the daughters of the city itself. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the young women who live in Shiloh]

to dance in the dances

Quote: לָ⁠ח֣וּל בַּ⁠מְּחֹלוֹת֒ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo

It might seem that the expression to dance in the dances contains extra information that would be unnatural to express in your language. If so, you can shorten it as in the UST.

Judges 21:22

that we will say to them, ‘Grant us them, for we did not take, a man his wife, in the battle. For you have not given to them at {this} time, {that} you should be guilty

Quote: וְ⁠אָמַ֤רְנוּ אֲלֵי⁠הֶם֙ חָנּ֣וּ⁠נוּ אוֹתָ֔⁠ם כִּ֣י לֹ֥א לָקַ֛חְנוּ אִ֥ישׁ אִשְׁתּ֖⁠וֹ בַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֑ה כִּ֣י לֹ֥א אַתֶּ֛ם נְתַתֶּ֥ם לָ⁠הֶ֖ם כָּ⁠עֵ֥ת תֶּאְשָֽׁמוּ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: [that we will ask them to grant them to us since we did not take, a man his wife, in the battle. We will tell them that they will not be guilty, since they have not given to them at this time]

Grant us them, for we did not take, a man his wife, in the battle

Quote: חָנּ֣וּ⁠נוּ אוֹתָ֔⁠ם כִּ֣י לֹ֥א לָקַ֛חְנוּ אִ֥ישׁ אִשְׁתּ֖⁠וֹ בַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [Since we did not take, a man his wife, in the battle, grant us them]

we did not take, a man his wife, in the battle

Quote: לֹ֥א לָקַ֛חְנוּ אִ֥ישׁ אִשְׁתּ֖⁠וֹ בַּ⁠מִּלְחָמָ֑ה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The elders assume that the men of Shiloh will understand that they mean that when they fought against the tribe of Benjamin, they did not take any Benjaminite women as captives (with a view towards them eventually becoming their wives). The implication is that as a result, there are no women left from that tribe to become wives of the surviving Benjaminites. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [when we fought against the tribe of Benjamin, we did not take any women from that tribe as captives whom we might now give to the Benjaminites, so there will not be enough wives for the surviving Benjaminites without your daughters and sisters]

Judges 21:23

to their inheritance

Quote: אֶל־נַ֣חֲלָתָ֔⁠ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term inheritance in 18:1. Alternate translation: [to their territory]

Judges 21:24

Then the sons of Israel disbursed themselves from there at that time, a man to his tribe and to his clan, and they went away from there, a man to his inheritance

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְהַלְּכ֨וּ מִ⁠שָּׁ֤ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בָּ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠שִׁבְט֖⁠וֹ וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑⁠וֹ וַ⁠יֵּצְא֣וּ מִ⁠שָּׁ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לְ⁠נַחֲלָתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory

Here the author is saying what happened at the end of the story of the civil war between Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes. Your language may have its own way of presenting information to bring a story to a close.

Then the sons of Israel disbursed themselves from there at that time, a man to his tribe and to his clan, and they went away from there, a man to his inheritance

Quote: וַ⁠יִּתְהַלְּכ֨וּ מִ⁠שָּׁ֤ם בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בָּ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠שִׁבְט֖⁠וֹ וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑⁠וֹ וַ⁠יֵּצְא֣וּ מִ⁠שָּׁ֔ם אִ֖ישׁ לְ⁠נַחֲלָתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [Then all the Israelites left and went back to their tribal territories]

from there

Quote: מִ⁠שָּׁ֤ם (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit

The author assumes that readers will understand that there means the place where they had gathered to discuss what to do about wives for Benjamin. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [from the place where they had gathered]

to his tribe and to his clan

Quote: לְ⁠שִׁבְט֖⁠וֹ וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

The author is using the terms tribe and clan by association to mean the territory where each tribe and clan lived. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [to the territory of his tribe and of his clan]

to his tribe and to his clan

Quote: לְ⁠שִׁבְט֖⁠וֹ וּ⁠לְ⁠מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet

The terms tribe and clan mean similar things. The author is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [to his tribal territory]

to his inheritance

Quote: לְ⁠נַחֲלָתֽ⁠וֹ (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor

See how you translated the term inheritance in 18:1. Alternate translation: [to his territory]

Judges 21:25

A man did the right in his eyes

Quote: אִ֛ישׁ הַ⁠יָּשָׁ֥ר בְּ⁠עֵינָ֖י⁠ו יַעֲשֶֽׂה (1)
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy

See how you translated this sentence in 17:6.