See in Reader
589 KiB
589 KiB
Reference ID Tags SupportReference Quote Occurrence Note front:intro v8pn 0 # Introduction to Judges\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of Judges\n\n1. History of the judges of Israel (1:1–16:31)\n * Introduction (1:1–3:6)\n * Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar (3:7–31)\n * Deborah and Barak (4:1–5:31)\n * Gideon (6:1–8:35)\n * Abimelech, Tola, and Jair (9:1–10:5)\n * Jephthah (10:6–12:7)\n * Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (12:8–15)\n * Samson (13:1–16:31)\n1. The account of Micah and his idols (17:1–18:31)\n1. The account of Gibeah; the other Israelites take revenge (19:1–21:25)\n\n### What is the Book of Judges about?\n\nThe Book of Judges tells of events that occurred after the Israelites settled in the Promised Land. The events in this book happened over a period of about 150 years.\n\nThis 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.\n\nAfter that judge died, the Israelites would start sinning again. So this pattern of events would repeat.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThis book traditionally has the title “Judges” because it gives accounts of some of the main leaders or judges in Israel before there were any kings over the people. Unless there are good reasons for following the title in other Bible versions, the translator should probably use the title “Judges” or a title such as “The Book about the Leaders in Israel.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### What kind of leaders were the judges?\n\nThese were men and women whom God chose to help the Israelites defeat their enemies. After defeating their enemies, 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.\n\n### What kind of society was Israel during the time of the judges?\n\nDuring this time, the twelve tribes of Israel were independent of one another. They were not a unified nation with one ruler. The tribes would sometimes help each other when enemies were threatening them.\n\nThese tribes were descended from the same ancestors: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They shared in the same covenant with Yahweh.\n\n### What spiritual struggles did Israel experience during the time of the judges?\n\nDuring this time, Israel struggled to remain faithful to Yahweh. The best judges encouraged Israel to be faithful to him, but some of the judges failed to do so. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]]) 1:intro a4am 0 # Judges 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\n- Verses 1–10: Judah conquers its assigned territory\n- Verses 11–16: Caleb and Othniel conquer Debir (Kiriath Sepher)\n- Verses 12–21: Judah and Simeon conquer territory but leave some hostile nations\n- Verses 22–29: Ephraim and Manasseh conquer territory but leave some hostile nations\n- Verses 30–36: Zebulin, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan conquer territory but leave some hostile nations\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Cutting off the thumbs and big toes of captured enemies\n\nIn [1:7](../01/07.md), 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. This is an example of irony in the book of Judges, in which the punishment fits the crime. (See the discussion in the General Introduction.)\n\n### Complete destruction of a city and its people\n\nIn [1:17](../01/17.md), 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](../deu/07/01.md) 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](../01/17.md) 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.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Names of people groups, cities, and Israelite tribes meaning their people or armies\n\nIn this chapter, the author and characters often 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](../01/01.md) 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](../01/01.md), “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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])\n\n### Generic nouns\n\nIn 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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun]]) 1:1 j001 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֗י 1 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. 1:1 j002 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 See the discussion of the phrase **the sons of Israel** in the Introduction to Judges. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” 1:1 j003 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה 1 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 General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “What tribe will go up” 1:1 c92j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive לָּ֧נוּ 1 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. 1:1 j231 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י & בּֽוֹ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, 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” 1:2 c4zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יְהוּדָ֣ה 1 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” 1:2 j004 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הִנֵּ֛ה 1 Yahweh is using the term **Behold**, which literally means “Look,” to focus his listeners’ attention on what he is about to say. 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” 1:2 j005 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ בְּיָדֽוֹ 1 Here, 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” 1:3 j006 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָה֩ לְשִׁמְע֨וֹן & וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אִתּ֖וֹ שִׁמְעֽוֹן 1 The author is speaking of the tribes of Judah and Simeon as if they were individual people who could speak with each another. 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” 1:3 k7aq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָחִ֜יו 1 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” or “their fellow Israelites” 1:3 j007 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go עֲלֵ֧ה אִתִּ֣י 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “Come” instead of **Go**. Alternate translation: “Come with me” 1:3 j008 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בַּֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י 1 See how you translated this same expression in [1:1](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “against the Canaanites who live there” 1:3 j009 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהָלַכְתִּ֧י גַם־אֲנִ֛י אִתְּךָ֖ בְּגוֹרָלֶ֑ךָ 1 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 who live there” 1:4 ku4h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיַּ֣עַל יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 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” 1:4 j010 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּתֵּ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־הַכְּנַעֲנִ֥י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֖י בְּיָדָ֑ם 1 Here, **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” 1:4 j011 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּכּ֣וּם 1 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. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “And … they beat” or “And … they defeated” 1:4 c9xq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּבֶ֔זֶק 1 **Bezek** is the name of a city in the territory in Canaan that was allotted to the tribe of Judah. 1:4 n19d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אֲלָפִ֖ים 1 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” 1:5 j012 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַֽ֠יִּמְצְאוּ 1 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” 1:5 w88l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֥י בֶ֨זֶק֙ 1 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. 1:5 i3pn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיִּֽלָּחֲמ֖וּ בּ֑וֹ 1 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” 1:5 j013 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיַּכּ֕וּ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י וְאֶת־הַפְּרִזִּֽי 1 See how you translated the word **struck** in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “And they killed many Canaanite and Perizzite soldiers” 1:6 j014 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אֶת־בְּהֹנ֥וֹת יָדָ֖יו וְרַגְלָֽיו 1 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” or “his thumbs and his big toes” 1:7 es2p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers שִׁבְעִ֣ים ׀ מְלָכִ֡ים 1 This could be an approximate number, chosen for its symbolic significance. Alternate translation: “dozens of kings” 1:7 j015 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מְלָכִ֡ים 1 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” 1:7 t5fd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩ יְדֵיהֶ֨ם וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֜ם מְקֻצָּצִ֗ים 1 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 General 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” 1:7 g0oe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis הָי֤וּ מְלַקְּטִים֙ תַּ֣חַת שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י 1 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” 1:7 p5cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָי֤וּ מְלַקְּטִים֙ תַּ֣חַת שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י 1 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 servile 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” 1:8 j016 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֙ 1 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” 1:8 j017 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֙ 1 As in [1:4](../01/04.md), the author is using the name **Judah** to represent the entire combined army. Alternate translation: “the armies of the tribes of Judah and Simeon” 1:8 hh58 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּ אוֹתָ֔הּ 1 Here, **Jerusalem** represents the people of that city. Alternate translation: “against the people who lived in Jerusalem and captured that city” 1:8 j018 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּכּ֖וּהָ 1 The author is speaking of the people who lived in the city of Jerusalem by association with the city itself, represented 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” 1:8 j019 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיַּכּ֖וּהָ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב 1 The author is speaking of **the sword** as if it were 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. An idea implicit in this personification is that when a sword eats, it devours everything. So this expression means “they struck it to the degree that the sword devours,” that is, they killed everyone who lived in the city. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And they completely destroyed the population” 1:8 j021 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶת־הָעִ֖יר שִׁלְּח֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ 1 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” 1:9 cs3t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 See how you translated this expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “the armies of the tribes of Judah and Simeon” 1:9 x4ew rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְהַשְּׁפֵלָֽה 1 The word **Shephelah** is the name of a region with 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” 1:10 j022 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יְהוּדָ֗ה 1 See how you translated the term “Judah” in [1:4](../01/04.md) and the expression “the sons of Judah” in [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “the combined army” 1:10 ax37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְשֵׁם־חֶבְר֥וֹן לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַ֣ת אַרְבַּ֑ע 1 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” 1:10 j023 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וַיַּכּ֛וּ אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֥י וְאֶת־אֲחִימַ֖ן וְאֶת־תַּלְמָֽי 1 **Sheshai**, **Ahiman**, and **Talmai** are the names of three clans that lived in and around the city of Hebron. 1:10 edk7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיַּכּ֛וּ אֶת־שֵׁשַׁ֥י וְאֶת־אֲחִימַ֖ן וְאֶת־תַּלְמָֽי 1 The author is using the names of these clans to refer by association to their armies. Alternate translation: “And they defeated the armies of the clans of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai” 1:11 j024 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ 1 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” 1:11 lh59 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְשֵׁם־דְּבִ֥יר לְפָנִ֖ים קִרְיַת־סֵֽפֶר 1 See how you translated the similar sentence in the previous verse. 1:11 j025 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names דְּבִ֑יר 1 The word **Debir** is the name of a city in the territory that Joshua assigned to the tribe of Judah. 1:12 j026 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֹּ֣אמֶר כָּלֵ֔ב 1 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” 1:12 e7kf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁר־יַכֶּ֥ה אֶת־קִרְיַת־סֵ֖פֶר וּלְכָדָ֑הּ 1 Caleb is using the name **Kiriath Sepher** to refer by association to the people who live in that city. Alternate translation: “Whoever defeats the people of Kiriath Sepher and captures their city” 1:12 n39v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־עַכְסָ֥ה 1 The word **Aksah** is the name of a woman. 1:13 xa4b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל בֶּן־קְנַ֔ז 1 The words **Othniel** and **Kenaz** are the names of men. 1:14 j027 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיְהִ֣י 1 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. 1:14 j028 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּבוֹאָ֗הּ 1 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” 1:14 u3cc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַתְּסִיתֵ֨הוּ֙ לִשְׁא֤וֹל & הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה\n 1 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” 1:14 j029 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מֵֽאֵת־אָבִ֨יהָ֙ הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה 1 The author has a particular **field** in view. The narrative suggests implicitly 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” 1:14 j030 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מַה־לָּֽךְ 1 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 would you like me to do for you?” 1:15 j031 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative הָֽבָה 1 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” 1:15 j032 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְרָכָ֗ה 1 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” 1:15 j033 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense וְנָתַתָּ֥ה לִ֖י 1 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” 1:15 j034 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם & אֵ֚ת גֻּלֹּ֣ת עִלִּ֔ית וְאֵ֖ת גֻּלֹּ֥ת תַּחְתִּֽית 1 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” 1:15 j035 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo גֻּלֹּ֣ת מָ֑יִם 1 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” 1:16 j036 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וּבְנֵ֣י קֵינִי֩ 1 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. 1:16 j037 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְנֵ֣י 1 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” 1:16 fqe9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names קֵינִי֩ 1 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” 1:16 x6ei rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship חֹתֵ֨ן מֹשֶׁ֜ה 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “the father of Moses’ wife” 1:16 a29w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵעִ֤יר הַתְּמָרִים֙ 1 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” 1:16 j038 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 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](../01/01.md). Alternate translation: “the people of Judah” 1:16 u7t8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עֲרָ֑ד 1 The word **Arad** is the name of a city. 1:16 j039 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב 1 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” 1:16 j040 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶת־הָעָֽם 1 The author implicitly means **the people** 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” 1:17 e48a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ יְהוּדָה֙ אֶת־שִׁמְע֣וֹן אָחִ֔יו 1 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,” 1:17 nd84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names צְפַ֑ת 1 The word **Zephath** is the name of a city. 1:17 j041 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת־שֵׁם־הָעִ֖יר 1 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” 1:17 iy2d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names חָרְמָֽה 1 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 General Notes to this chapter for a further discussion. 1:18 j042 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יְהוּדָה֙ 1 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” 1:18 j043 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־עַזָּ֣ה & וְאֶֽת־אַשְׁקְל֖וֹן & וְאֶת־עֶקְר֖וֹן 1 The words **Gaza**, **Ashkelon**, and **Ekron** are the names of cities. 1:19 j044 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיְהִ֤י 1 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](../01/19.md). 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. 1:19 vtq2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְהוָה֙ אֶתּ־יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 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” 1:19 j045 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶתּ־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖רֶשׁ 1 The author is using the name **Judah** by association to mean the army that belonged to the tribe of Judah. See how you translated the same expression in [1:2](../01/02.md). Alternate translation: “the army of the tribe of Judah and it possessed” 1:19 j046 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רֶ֥כֶב בַּרְזֶ֖ל 1 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 by association 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” 1:20 ys79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ 1 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](../num/14/24.md) and Joshua had confirmed this in [Joshua 14:6–15](../jos/14/06.md), the leaders of Judah confirmed this again when they conquered their assigned territory. Alternate translation: “But the leaders of the tribe of Judah gave” 1:20 eml1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶת־שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י הָעֲנָֽק 1 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](../01/10.md).) If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the three clans descended from Anak” 1:20 tyj7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הָעֲנָֽק 1 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” 1:21 j047 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִי֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם & וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב הַיְבוּסִ֜י 1 The 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 dwelt” 1:21 j048 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן & אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י בִנְיָמִן֙ 1 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” 1:21 l6aj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה 1 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” 1:22 da33 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵית־יוֹסֵ֛ף 1 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” 1:22 j049 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽיהוָ֖ה עִמָּֽם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:19](../01/19.md). Alternate translation: “and Yahweh helped them” 1:23 j050 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵית־יוֹסֵ֖ף 1 See how you translated the expression **the house of Joseph** in the previous verse. 1:23 vx3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְשֵׁם־הָעִ֥יר לְפָנִ֖ים לֽוּז 1 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” 1:23 j051 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לֽוּז 1 The word **Luz** is the name of a city. 1:24 j052 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּ עִמְּךָ֖ חָֽסֶד 1 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” 1:25 dj1j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־הָעִ֖יר לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב 1 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” 1:25 ncm9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־הָעִ֖יר לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:8](../01/08.md). Alternate translation: “and they killed everyone they could in the city” 1:26 ym4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:21](../01/21.md). Alternate translation: “right up to this time” 1:27 j053 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן 1 The author is using the name **Beth Shan** by association to mean the people who lived in that city. He is doing the same thing for the other four cities he names in this verse. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in the city of Beth Shan” 1:27 va98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־בֵּית־שְׁאָ֣ן & וְאֶת־תַּעְנַ֣ךְ & ד֜וֹר & יִבְלְעָם֙ & מְגִדּ֖וֹ 1 The words **Beth Shan**, **Taanach**, **Dor**, **Ibleam**, and **Megiddo** are the names of cities. 1:27 j054 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶת־בְּנוֹתֶיהָ֮ 1 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” 1:28 m64k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חָזַ֣ק יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י לָמַ֑ס 1 The author is using the name **Israel** by association to mean the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites became strong and they put the Canaanites to forced labor” 1:29 ek8n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, the author is using the name of the tribe of **Ephraim** by association to mean the people and especially the army of that tribe. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly, here and in the similar instances in the rest of the chapter. Alternate translation: “And the people of Ephraim” or “And the army of Ephraim” 1:29 u8mq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּגָ֑זֶר 1 The word **Gezer** is the name of a city. 1:30 j055 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names קִטְר֔וֹן & נַהֲלֹ֑ל 1 The words **Kitron** and **Nahalol** are the names of cities. 1:31 b612 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עַכּ֔וֹ & צִיד֑וֹן וְאֶת־אַחְלָ֤ב וְאֶת־אַכְזִיב֙ וְאֶת־חֶלְבָּ֔ה וְאֶת־אֲפִ֖יק וְאֶת־רְחֹֽב 1 The words **Akko**, **Sidon**, **Ahlab**, **Akzib**, **Heblah**, **Aphek**, and **Rehob** are the names of cities. 1:33 d9v1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בֵֽית־שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ & בֵית־עֲנָ֔ת 1 The words **Beth Shemesh** and **Beth Anath** are the names of cities. 1:34 j057 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּ הָאֱמֹרִ֛י אֶת־בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן הָהָ֑רָה כִּי־לֹ֥א נְתָנ֖וֹ לָרֶ֥דֶת לָעֵֽמֶק 1 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” 1:34 j058 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֶת־בְּנֵי־דָ֖ן 1 See how you translated the expression “the sons of Judah” in [1:16](../01/16.md). Alternate translation: “the people of Dan” 1:34 j059 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֥א נְתָנ֖וֹ 1 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” 1:35 j060 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיּ֤וֹאֶל הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת בְּהַר־חֶ֔רֶס בְּאַיָּל֖וֹן וּבְשַֽׁעַלְבִ֑ים 1 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” 1:35 qwt2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּהַר־חֶ֔רֶס 1 **Mount Heres** is the name of a large hill on which the city of Aijalon was built. 1:35 cw8t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּאַיָּל֖וֹן וּבְשַֽׁעַלְבִ֑ים 1 The words **Aijalon** and **Shaalbim** are the names of cities. 1:35 x276 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתִּכְבַּד֙ יַ֣ד בֵּית־יוֹסֵ֔ף 1 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” 1:35 uvw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּית־יוֹסֵ֔ף 1 See how you translated the phrase **the house of Joseph** in [1:22](../01/22.md). Alternate translation: “the descendants of Joseph” 1:35 qdbi rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּהְי֖וּ לָמַֽס 1 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” 1:36 j061 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וּגְבוּל֙ הָאֱמֹרִ֔י 1 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. 1:36 g7nx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate מִֽמַּעֲלֵ֖ה עַקְרַבִּ֑ים 1 **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. The word translated as **ascent** may be part of this name. 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” 1:36 qr2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵהַסֶּ֖לַע 1 The word translated as **cliff** could be the name of a place. Alternate translation: “from Sela” 2:intro mf6a 0 # Judges 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n- Verses 1–5: The angel of Yahweh appears to the Israelites at Bokim\n- Verses 6–10: Review: the Israelites worshiped and obeyed Yahweh during the lifetimes of Joshua and the elders\n- Verses 11–23: The Israelites disobeyed Yahweh and worshiped other gods afterwards, so Yahweh let other nations conquer them\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Joshua reappears in the story after it tells how he died\n\nIn 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.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Metaphor\n\nIn 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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])\n\n### Symbolic action\n\nIn 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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-symaction]]) 2:1 tt9y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מַלְאַךְ־יְהוָ֛ה 1 The phrase **the angel of Yahweh** could mean: (1) “an angel who represented Yahweh” or “a messenger who served Yahweh.” (2) Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to the Israelites. Either one of these meanings would explain the angel’s use of “I” as if Yahweh himself was talking. In your translation, use the words you have already been using for “angel” and “Yahweh” in the phrase **the angel of Yahweh**. This will allow for different interpretations of that phrase. Alternate translation: “And an angel from Yahweh” or “And an angel sent by Yahweh” or “And Yahweh, who looked like an angel,” 2:1 x66i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַבֹּכִ֑ים 1 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](../02/05.md), 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. 2:1 te37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֹּאמֶר֩ 1 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,” 2:1 im2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense אַעֲלֶ֨ה אֶתְכֶ֜ם 1 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” 2:1 ha9u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם 1 As the General 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” 2:1 j062 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וָאֹמַ֕ר לֹֽא־אָפֵ֧ר בְּרִיתִ֛י אִתְּכֶ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם 1 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” 2:2 j063 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹֽא־תִכְרְת֤וּ בְרִית֙ לְיֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם תִּתֹּצ֑וּן 1 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” 2:2 gob6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹֽא־שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥ם בְּקֹלִ֖י 1 As the General Introduction to Judges discusses, here the word **heard** has the specific sense of “obeyed.” Alternate translation: “But you have not obeyed my voice” 2:2 syq4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹֽא־שְׁמַעְתֶּ֥ם בְּקֹלִ֖י 1 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” 2:2 w8ys rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־זֹּ֥את עֲשִׂיתֶֽם 1 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!” 2:3 kdq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְגַ֣ם אָמַ֔רְתִּי לֹֽא־אֲגָרֵ֥שׁ אוֹתָ֖ם מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְצִדִּ֔ים וֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. (See the next note for another way to do this.) 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” 2:3 j064 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְגַ֣ם אָמַ֔רְתִּי 1 The angel, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, assumes that the Israelites will know when he **also said** this. In [Numbers 33:55](../num/33/55.md), 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](../jos/23/12.md), 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, 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” 2:3 j065 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְצִדִּ֔ים 1 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” 2:3 plg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהָי֤וּ לָכֶם֙ לְצִדִּ֔ים 1 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” 2:3 b6w1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם יִהְי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ 1 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” 2:4 j066 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיְהִ֗י 1 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. 2:4 j067 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּֽוּ 1 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” 2:4 j068 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּֽוּ 1 The author is speaking as 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” 2:4 f5v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֶת־קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּֽוּ 1 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” 2:5 j069 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַֽיִּקְרְא֛וּ שֵֽׁם־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בֹּכִ֑ים 1 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. 2:5 j070 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַֽיִּקְרְא֛וּ שֵֽׁם־הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא 1 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](../01/17.md). Alternate translation: “So they called that place” 2:6 u1xb rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיֵּלְכ֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל 1 Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens next in the story. See the discussion of this in the General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “Now after Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel had gone” 2:6 i12e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִ֥ישׁ לְנַחֲלָת֖וֹ 1 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” 2:7 kcc2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיַּעַבְד֤וּ הָעָם֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה 1 If you decided to translate [2:6](../02/06.md) 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” 2:7 ydz9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֑עַ וְכֹ֣ל ׀ יְמֵ֣י הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים 1 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” 2:7 qml9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּ יָמִים֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשׁ֔וּעַ 1 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” 2:7 vx72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns אֵ֣ת כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה & הַגָּד֔וֹל 1 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” 2:8 ii19 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיָּ֛מָת יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ בִּן־נ֖וּן עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֑ה 1 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” 2:8 k12w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names נ֖וּן 1 The word **Nun** is the name of a man, the father of **Joshua**. 2:8 xfn6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בֶּן־מֵאָ֥ה וָעֶ֖שֶׂר שָׁנִֽים 1 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” 2:9 j233 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּ אוֹתוֹ֙ 1 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” 2:9 j071 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּקְבְּר֤וּ אוֹתוֹ֙ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “And he was buried” 2:9 yk2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּתִמְנַת־חֶ֖רֶס & גָּֽעַשׁ 1 The words **Timnath Heres** are the name of an area, and the word **Gaash** is the name of a mountain. 2:10 j072 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְגַם֙ כָּל־הַדּ֣וֹר הַה֔וּא נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל־אֲבוֹתָ֑יו 1 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” 2:10 r6cs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְגַם֙ & נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל־אֲבוֹתָ֑יו 1 The author is using the term **fathers** to mean “ancestors.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And … also joined its ancestors in death” 2:10 umh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְגַם֙ & נֶאֶסְפ֖וּ אֶל־אֲבוֹתָ֑יו 1 The author is using this expression 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” 2:10 j073 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא־יָֽדְעוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וְגַם֙ אֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 2:10 j074 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה 1 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](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “the deeds” 2:11 j075 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֶת־הָרַ֖ע 1 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” 2:11 yhh4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה 1 The author is using the term **eyes** by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in Yahweh’s judgment” 2:11 gx61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־הַבְּעָלִֽים 1 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” 2:12 n4xl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֵּלְכ֞וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י ׀ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים 1 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” 2:12 w9r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם 1 As the General 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” 2:13 ddu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְלָעַשְׁתָּרֽוֹת 1 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” 2:14 j076 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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: “in his anger” 2:14 r6xm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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” 2:14 bjf9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַֽיִּתְּנֵם֙ בְּיַד־שֹׁסִ֔ים 1 Here, **hand** represents the power 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 he gave plunderers power over them” 2:14 v1ki rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֞ם בְּיַ֤ד אֽוֹיְבֵיהֶם֙ מִסָּבִ֔יב 1 The author is speaking as if Yahweh had literally **sold** the Israelites as slaves to the hostile nations around them. (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.) 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” 2:14 j077 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹֽא־יָכְל֣וּ ע֔וֹד לַעֲמֹ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י אוֹיְבֵיהֶֽם 1 The author is speaking as if the Israelites could literally not **stand** up in the presence of their **enemies**. (As the Introduction to Joshua 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” 2:15 b13p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַד־יְהוָה֙ הָיְתָה־בָּ֣ם 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh used his power against them” 2:15 j078 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה וְכַאֲשֶׁ֛ר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה לָהֶ֑ם 1 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” 2:15 n59g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֵּ֥צֶר לָהֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד 1 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” 2:16 t2b3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּ֥קֶם יְהוָ֖ה שֹֽׁפְטִ֑ים 1 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” 2:16 myh2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיַּ֖ד שֹׁסֵיהֶֽם 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from the plunderers who had been too strong for them to resist” 2:17 p49i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְגַ֤ם אֶל־שֹֽׁפְטֵיהֶם֙ לֹ֣א שָׁמֵ֔עוּ & לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ מִצְוֺת־יְהוָ֖ה 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:2](../02/02.md). Alternate translation: “But they would not even obey their judges … to obey the commands of Yahweh” 2:17 dv8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זָנ֗וּ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים 1 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: Alternate translation: “they betrayed Yahweh by worshiping other gods” 2:17 j079 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor סָ֣רוּ מַהֵ֗ר מִן־הַדֶּ֜רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָלְכ֧וּ אֲבוֹתָ֛ם 1 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” 2:18 j080 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וְכִֽי־הֵקִ֨ים יְהוָ֥ה ׀ לָהֶם֮ שֹֽׁפְטִים֒ & כִּֽי־יִנָּחֵ֤ם יְהוָה֙ מִנַּֽאֲקָתָ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֥י לֹחֲצֵיהֶ֖ם וְדֹחֲקֵיהֶֽם 1 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” 2:18 eau5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֵקִ֨ים יְהוָ֥ה ׀ לָהֶם֮ שֹֽׁפְטִים֒ 1 See how you translated the expression **raised up** in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “Yahweh provided judges for them” 2:18 hz8j rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְהֽוֹשִׁיעָם֙ 1 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” 2:18 ql9k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיַּ֣ד אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם 1 See how you translated the word **hand** in [2:26](../02/26.md). Alternate translation: “from the power of their enemies” 2:18 j2rk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י הַשּׁוֹפֵ֑ט 1 See how you translated the word **days** in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “throughout the lifetime of that judge” 2:19 q63w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יָשֻׁ֨בוּ֙ 1 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” 2:19 kid3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לָלֶ֗כֶת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים 1 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” 2:19 lq1a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹ֤א הִפִּ֨ילוּ֙ 1 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” 2:19 j081 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִמַּ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּמִדַּרְכָּ֖ם הַקָּשָֽׁה 1 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” 2:19 j082 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet מִמַּ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּמִדַּרְכָּ֖ם\n 1 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. 2:20 b7rk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “So Yahweh became furious with Israel” 2:20 j083 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ לְקוֹלִֽי 1 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](../02/17.md). Alternate translation: “and they have not obeyed what I commanded” 2:22 j084 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations לְמַ֛עַן נַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖ם אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל הֲשֹׁמְרִ֣ים הֵם֩ אֶת־דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר שָׁמְר֥וּ אֲבוֹתָ֖ם אִם־לֹֽא 1 It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here, that is, to translate this as if Yahweh were asking himself a direct question. Alternate translation: “for the testing of Israel by them. Will they be keeping the way of Yahweh, to walk in them as that their fathers kept {them}, or not?” 2:22 n194 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲשֹׁמְרִ֣ים הֵם֩ אֶת־דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗ם 1 See how you translated the similar expression with **way** and **walk** in [2:17](../02/17.md). Alternate translation: “are they living in the manner that Yahweh wishes, obeying his commandments” 2:22 j085 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אֶת־דֶּ֨רֶךְ יְהוָ֜ה 1 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” 2:22 j086 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֗ם 1 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](../02/17.md). It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “to walk in his commandments” or “to obey his commandments” 2:23 b618 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם בְּיַד־יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power 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 he did not give Joshua power over them” 2:23 j087 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְלֹ֥א נְתָנָ֖ם בְּיַד־יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ 1 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” 3:intro k35h 0 # Judges 3 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n- Verses 1–8: The Israelites lived with other nations and worshiped their gods\n- Verses 9–11: God sent Othniel to rescue Israel from Aram\n- Verses 12–30: God sent Ehud to rescue Israel from Moab\n- Verse 31: God sent Shamgar to rescue Israel from the Philistines\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Yahweh allowed other nations to conquer Israel\n\nAs [3:5–8](../03/05.md) 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: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n### The carved images at Gilgal\n\nBiblical scholars are not entirely sure what the “carved images” mentioned in [3:19](../03/19.md) 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](../jos/04/20.md). 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.”\n\n### Irony and divine judgment\n\nIn [3:22](../03/22.md), the author uses an expression that could mean that when Ehud stabbed King Eglon in the stomach, Eglon’s bowels discharged from the force and shock of the sword thrust. In [3:24](../03/24.md), Eglon’s servants wait a long time before checking on him, because they think Eglon is relieving himself. This gives Ehud the opportunity to escape. This would be a further instance of irony in the book of Judges, in which the punishment in some way fits the crime. 3:1 j088 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וְאֵ֤לֶּה הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִנִּ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה לְנַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖ם אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֵ֚ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יָדְע֔וּ אֵ֖ת כָּל־מִלְחֲמ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן 1 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” 3:1 w2is rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְאֵ֤לֶּה הַגּוֹיִם֙ 1 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. 3:2 j089 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֹ֥א יְדָעֽוּם 1 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” 3:3 j090 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔י וְהַ֣חִוִּ֔י 1 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” 3:3 upq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵהַר֙ בַּ֣עַל חֶרְמ֔וֹן 1 **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. 3:4 f89f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations הֲיִשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה אֶת־אֲבוֹתָ֖ם בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה 1 It may be more natural in your language to have a direct quotation here. Alternate translation: “to know, ‘Will they hear the commandments of Yahweh, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses?’” 3:4 ybw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲיִשְׁמְעוּ֙ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:2](../02/02.md). Alternate translation: “whether they would obey” 3:4 j091 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry אֶת־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה אֶת־אֲבוֹתָ֖ם 1 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” 3:4 j092 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּיַד־מֹשֶֽׁה 1 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” 3:5 j093 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑י הַחִתִּ֤י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי 1 See how you translated the similar list of people groups in [3:3](../03/03.md). Alternate translation: “the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites” 3:6 j094 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּקְח֨וּ אֶת־בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֤ם לָהֶם֙ לְנָשִׁ֔ים וְאֶת־בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם נָתְנ֣וּ לִבְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּעַבְד֖וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם 1 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” 3:7 j095 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֶת־הָרַע֙ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil” or “things that were evil” 3:7 p6m5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “in Yahweh’s judgment” 3:7 j096 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־הַבְּעָלִ֖ים וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹת 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “many false gods and goddesses” 3:8 j097 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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. 3:8 yg7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh became furious with Israel” 3:8 gwp8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֗ם בְּיַד֙ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “and he made them subjects of” 3:8 b1vl rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names כּוּשַׁ֣ן רִשְׁעָתַ֔יִם 1 The word **Cushan-Rishathaim** is the name of a man. 3:8 a27l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֲרַ֣ם נַהֲרָ֑יִם 1 The word **Aram Naharaim** is the name of a country. 3:9 vg5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּ֨קֶם יְהוָ֥ה מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “and Yahweh provided a savior” or “and Yahweh provided someone to deliver” 3:10 j098 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַתְּהִ֨י עָלָ֥יו רֽוּחַ־יְהוָה֮ 1 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” 3:10 k8cd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיֵּצֵא֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה 1 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” 3:10 f953 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּתֵּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ אֶת־כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:4](../01/04.md). Alternate translation: “and Yahweh gave him the power to defeat Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Aram” 3:10 l4lh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיִּתֵּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ אֶת־כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם 1 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” 3:10 j099 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתָּ֣עָז יָד֔וֹ עַ֖ל כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתָֽיִם 1 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” 3:11 svg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה 1 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” 3:12 l914 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md) and [3:7](../03/07.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” 3:12 j100 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיְחַזֵּ֨ק יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־עֶגְל֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֛ל כִּֽי־עָשׂ֥וּ אֶת־הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה 1 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” 3:12 s1wn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיְחַזֵּ֨ק יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־עֶגְל֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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” 3:12 z23q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־עֶגְל֤וֹן 1 The word **Eglon** is the name of a man. 3:13 j101 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֶּאֱסֹ֣ף אֵלָ֔יו אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן וַעֲמָלֵ֑ק 1 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” 3:13 rp3h rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־עִ֥יר הַתְּמָרִֽים 1 See how you translated this name in [1:16](../01/16.md). Alternate translation: “Jericho” 3:15 zn6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּקֶם֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָהֶ֜ם מוֹשִׁ֗יעַ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “and Yahweh provided a savior for them” or “and Yahweh provided someone to deliver them” 3:15 jja5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־אֵה֤וּד בֶּן־גֵּרָא֙ 1 The words **Ehud** and **Gera** are the names of men. 3:15 w4sk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אִ֥ישׁ אִטֵּ֖ר יַד־יְמִינ֑וֹ 1 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” 3:15 j102 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיִּשְׁלְח֨וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל בְּיָדוֹ֙ מִנְחָ֔ה 1 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” 3:16 j103 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וְלָ֛הּ שְׁנֵ֥י פֵי֖וֹת 1 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” 3:16 fm5l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance גֹּ֣מֶד אָרְכָּ֑הּ 1 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” 3:17 k42d rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְעֶגְל֕וֹן\n 1 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. 3:18 j104 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיְשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם 1 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” 3:18 jss1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַֽיְהִי֙ 1 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. 3:19 j105 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְה֣וּא שָׁ֗ב 1 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” 3:19 q56y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown הַפְּסִילִים֙ 1 See the General 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. 3:19 j106 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֹּ֕אמֶר 1 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” 3:19 j107 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns דְּבַר־סֵ֥תֶר לִ֛י אֵלֶ֖יךָ 1 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, as in the UST: “I have something secret to tell you” 3:19 j108 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הָ֔ס 1 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.’” 3:20 j109 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֵה֣וּד ׀ בָּ֣א אֵלָ֗יו וְהֽוּא־יֹ֠שֵׁב בַּעֲלִיַּ֨ת הַמְּקֵרָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ 1 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” 3:20 j110 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְהֽוּא־יֹ֠שֵׁב 1 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. 3:20 f67g rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בַּעֲלִיַּ֨ת הַמְּקֵרָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ 1 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” 3:20 p7ft rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיָּ֖קָם 1 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” 3:21 j111 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיִּתְקָעֶ֖הָ בְּבִטְנֽוֹ 1 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” 3:22 j112 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיִּסְגֹּ֤ר הַחֵ֨לֶב֙ בְּעַ֣ד הַלַּ֔הַב כִּ֣י לֹ֥א שָׁלַ֛ף הַחֶ֖רֶב מִבִּטְנ֑וֹ 1 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 enclosed around the handle” 3:22 k49p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וַיֵּצֵ֖א הַֽפַּרְשְׁדֹֽנָה 1 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 General 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” 3:23 djg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown הַֽמִּסְדְּר֑וֹנָה 1 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” 3:24 j113 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְה֤וּא יָצָא֙ וַעֲבָדָ֣יו בָּ֔אוּ 1 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” 3:24 j114 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּרְא֕וּ וְהִנֵּ֛ה דַּלְת֥וֹת הָעֲלִיָּ֖ה נְעֻל֑וֹת 1 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” 3:24 j115 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive דַּלְת֥וֹת הָעֲלִיָּ֖ה נְעֻל֑וֹת 1 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” 3:24 z2qt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism מֵסִ֥יךְ ה֛וּא אֶת־רַגְלָ֖יו 1 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 relieving himself” 3:24 j116 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בַּחֲדַ֥ר הַמְּקֵרָֽה 1 See how you translated the expression “the upper room of coolness” in [3:20](../03/20.md). 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. 3:25 d7zv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַד־בּ֔וֹשׁ 1 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](../03/19.md) 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” 3:25 e1jf rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־הַמַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙ 1 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, as in the UST: “the key” 3:25 j117 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְהִנֵּה֙ אֲדֹ֣נֵיהֶ֔ם נֹפֵ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה מֵֽת 1 While Eglon did fall **to the ground** when Ehud stabbed him, since he had stood up to receive the message from God, the phrase **fallen dead** actually means that he became dead, as the author’s use of the same phrase in 4:22 indicates. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this without using the verb “fall.” Alternate translation: “and they found their lord on the floor, dead” 3:26 r2ig rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure וְאֵה֥וּד נִמְלַ֖ט עַ֣ד הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑ם 1 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” 3:26 j118 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־הַפְּסִילִ֔ים 1 See how you translated the same expression in [3:19](../03/19.md). 3:26 x36q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַשְּׂעִירָֽתָה 1 The word **Seirah** is the name of a city. 3:27 j119 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּתְקַ֥ע בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר 1 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. 3:27 j120 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר 1 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” 3:28 i3vy rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ רִדְפ֣וּ אַחֲרַ֔י כִּֽי־נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֧ה אֶת־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם 1 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. 3:28 k9q1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 1 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. It might say something like this: “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.” 3:28 j121 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אֶת־אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם & בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם 1 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**.) 3:28 ax6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh has given you the power to conquer your enemies, Moab” 3:28 uf81 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־מוֹאָ֖ב 1 The author is using the name **Moab** by association to mean the people of Moab and specifically their army. Alternate translation: “the Moabite army” 3:29 jjy8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־מוֹאָ֜ב 1 See how you translated as **Moab** in [3:28](../03/28.md). Alternate translation: “the Moabite army” 3:30 ch1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַתִּכָּנַ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא תַּ֖חַת יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 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” 3:30 par9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתִּכָּנַ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא תַּ֖חַת יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person or nation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “So Moab was subdued on that day under the power of Israel” or “So Israel used the power that God gave it that day to subdue Moab” 3:30 j122 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתִּכָּנַ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא תַּ֖חַת יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל\n 1 The author is using the names **Moab** and **Israel** by association to mean the people of those nations, and specifically their armies. Alternate translation: “So the army of Israel defeated the army of Moab that day” 3:30 w1xr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “And there were no more wars for 80 years” 3:31 j123 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאַחֲרָ֤יו 1 The pronoun **him** refers to Ehud. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “And after Ehud” 3:31 xdh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names שַׁמְגַּ֣ר בֶּן־עֲנָ֔ת 1 The words **Shamgar** and **Anath** are the names of men. 3:31 j124 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun בְּמַלְמַ֖ד הַבָּקָ֑ר 1 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” 3:31 z3lr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְּמַלְמַ֖ד הַבָּקָ֑ר 1 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” 4:intro pjw5 0 # Judges 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n### The place of this story in the book\n\nTo 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.\n\n### The ending of the story\n\nIn 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.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### How had Yahweh already begun to fight Sisera before the Israelites attacked?\n\nIn [4:14](../04/14.md), 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](../05/04.md)) that when Yahweh marched out, “dark clouds dripped down water” and “the earth shook” (perhaps a reference to thunder). She speaks in [5:21](../05/21.md) 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.\n\n### “Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman”\n\nWhen 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](../04/08.md)). 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. 4:1 aq65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” 4:1 jogu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure וְאֵה֖וּד מֵֽת 1 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. 4:2 yji4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּמְכְּרֵ֣ם יְהוָ֗ה בְּיַד֙ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “So Yahweh made them subjects of” 4:2 i943 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names יָבִ֣ין & סִֽיסְרָ֔א 1 The words **Jabin** and **Sisera** are the names of men. 4:2 j125 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנַ֔עַן 1 **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” 4:2 fk1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּחָצ֑וֹר & בַּחֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִֽם 1 The words **Hazor** and **Harosheth Haggoyim** are the names of cities. 4:2 j126 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate בַּחֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִֽם 1 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” 4:3 j127 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns כִּ֠י תְּשַׁ֨ע מֵא֤וֹת רֶֽכֶב־בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ 1 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” 4:3 ftq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רֶֽכֶב־בַּרְזֶל֙ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:19](../01/19.md). Alternate translation: “chariots fitted out with iron” 4:3 acp7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּחָזְקָ֖ה 1 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” 4:4 e7xn rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants וּדְבוֹרָה֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה נְבִיאָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת לַפִּיד֑וֹת הִ֛יא שֹׁפְטָ֥ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא 1 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” 4:4 nnu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּדְבוֹרָה֙ & לַפִּיד֑וֹת 1 The word **Deborah** is the name of a woman, and the word **Lappidoth** is the name of a man. 4:5 j128 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction יוֹשֶׁ֨בֶת 1 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” 4:5 uy3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names תֹּ֜מֶר דְּבוֹרָ֗ה 1 The phrase **the Palm Tree of Deborah** is the name of a tree. 4:5 j129 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַיַּעֲל֥וּ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of **came**. Alternate translation: “and … went up” 4:5 j130 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לַמִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 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” 4:6 ehp5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לְבָרָ֣ק בֶּן־אֲבִינֹ֔עַם & בְּהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר 1 The words **Barak** and **Abinoam** are the names of men, and the word **Tabor** is the name of a mountain. 4:6 j131 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הֲלֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּמִבְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן 1 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?” 4:6 j132 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּמִבְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן 1 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, 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.’” 4:6 j133 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ 1 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” 4:6 j134 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ 1 Here **10,000** may be an approximate number or a customary way of saying “very many.” Alternate translation: “a large army of men” 4:7 rm5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וּמָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜יךָ & וּנְתַתִּ֖יהוּ בְּיָדֶֽךָ 1 In this verse, Deborah is continuing to tell Barak what Yahweh has commanded him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “He will draw out to you … and he will give him into your hand” 4:7 hl3v rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry וּמָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜יךָ 1 As discussed in a note to [4:6](../04/06.md), 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” 4:7 sue6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names קִישׁ֗וֹן 1 The word **Kishon** is the name of a river. 4:7 j135 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּנְתַתִּ֖יהוּ בְּיָדֶֽךָ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power 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 I will give you the power to conquer him” 4:8 j136 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖י וְהָלָ֑כְתִּי וְאִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖י לֹ֥א אֵלֵֽךְ 1 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.” 4:8 j137 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖י וְהָלָ֑כְתִּי וְאִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖י לֹ֥א אֵלֵֽךְ 1 These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Barak is using repetition for emphasis, making the statement first positively and then negatively. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. (If you keep both phrases in your translation, it may be more natural for you to put the negative phrase before the positive phrase, as in the UST.) Alternate translation: “I will only go if you go with me” 4:8 j138 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go אִם־תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖י & וְאִם־לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖י 1 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” 4:9 j139 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הָלֹ֧ךְ אֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֗ךְ 1 Deborah is repeating 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” 4:9 j140 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לֹ֨א תִֽהְיֶ֜ה תִּֽפְאַרְתְּךָ֗ 1 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” 4:9 y6ww rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עַל־הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתָּ֣ה הוֹלֵ֔ךְ 1 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” 4:9 v8ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּ֣י בְֽיַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה יִמְכֹּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָ֑א 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “for Yahweh will give a woman the opportunity and power to kill Sisera” 4:9 j141 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתָּ֧קָם דְּבוֹרָ֛ה 1 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. Alternate translation: “Then Deborah got ready” 4:10 j234 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־זְבוּלֻ֤ן וְאֶת־נַפְתָּלִי֙ 1 The author is using the names **Zebulun** and **Naphtali** by association to mean the fighting men who belonged to those tribes. Alternate translation: “the fighting men from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali” 4:10 g69f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אַלְפֵ֖י אִ֑ישׁ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [4:6](../04/06.md). Alternate translation: “a large army of men” 4:10 j142 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּרַגְלָ֔יו 1 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” 4:11 wq16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְחֶ֤בֶר הַקֵּינִי֙ 1 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. 4:11 fty7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְחֶ֤בֶר & מִקַּ֔יִן & חֹבָ֖ב & בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֖ים 1 The words **Heber**, **Kain**, and **Hobab** are the names of men, and the word **Zaanannim** is the name of a place. 4:11 aup8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִקַּ֔יִן 1 The author is referring to the people group of the Kenites (described in \\[1:16\\](../01/16.md)) 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” 4:11 jez1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֑ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:16](../01/16.md). Alternate translation: “the father of Moses’ wife” 4:11 j143 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיֵּ֣ט אָהֳל֔וֹ 1 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](../04/17.md) 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” 4:12 rkt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לְסִֽיסְרָ֑א 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “And Sisera was told” 4:13 r3xw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֔ל 1 See how you translated the same expression in [4:3](../04/03.md). Alternate translation: “chariots fitted out with iron” 4:14 j144 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֗וּם 1 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” 4:14 j145 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֤ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָא֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has given you the power to conquer Sisera” 4:14 pb3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֤ה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָא֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ 1 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” 4:14 r1ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֥א יְהוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א לְפָנֶ֑יךָ 1 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!” 4:14 fv1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַעֲשֶׂ֧רֶת אֲלָפִ֛ים אִ֖ישׁ אַחֲרָֽיו 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [4:10](../04/10.md). Alternate translation: “with 10,000 men under his command” 4:15 t5qj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וַיָּ֣הָם יְ֠הוָה אֶת־סִֽיסְרָ֨א וְאֶת־כָּל־הָרֶ֧כֶב וְאֶת־כָּל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה לְפִי־חֶ֖רֶב לִפְנֵ֣י בָרָ֑ק 1 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” 4:15 e862 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְפִי־חֶ֖רֶב 1 See how you translated the similar expression in in [1:8](../01/08.md) and [1:25](../01/25.md). 4:15 j146 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיָּ֥נָס בְּרַגְלָֽיו 1 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” 4:16 qj43 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וּבָרָ֗ק 1 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” 4:16 j147 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וַיִּפֹּ֞ל כָּל־מַחֲנֵ֤ה סִֽיסְרָא֙ לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב לֹ֥א נִשְׁאַ֖ר עַד־אֶחָֽד 1 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” 4:16 j148 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּפֹּ֞ל 1 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” 4:16 x3gk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification לְפִי־חֶ֔רֶב 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. 4:17 h17w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo נָ֣ס בְּרַגְלָ֔יו 1 See how you translated the same expression in [4:15](../04/15.md). Alternate translation: “ran away” 4:17 mp3u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names יָעֵ֔ל 1 The word **Jael** is the name of a woman. 4:17 uzpx rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background כִּ֣י שָׁל֗וֹם בֵּ֚ין יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־ חָצ֔וֹר וּבֵ֕ין בֵּ֖ית חֶ֥בֶר הַקֵּינִֽי 1 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. 4:17 s2ne rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּבֵ֕ין בֵּ֖ית חֶ֥בֶר הַקֵּינִֽי 1 The author is using the term **house** to mean an entire household living together. Alternate translation: “and the extended family of Heber the Kenite” 4:18 j149 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative סוּרָ֧ה 1 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” 4:18 k8b1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit סוּרָ֧ה 1 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” 4:18 u5k9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בַּשְּׂמִיכָֽה 1 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” 4:19 j150 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result הַשְׁקִינִי־נָ֥א מְעַט־מַ֖יִם כִּ֣י צָמֵ֑אתִי 1 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. 4:19 j151 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־נֹ֧אוד הֶחָלָ֛ב 1 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” 4:20 j152 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ וְאָמַ֛ר הֲיֵֽשׁ־פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ אָֽיִן 1 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” 4:20 j153 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ וְאָמַ֛ר 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **asks** indicates that what this person **says** will be a question. If it would be clearer in your language, you can express the same meaning with only one of these words. Alternate translation: “asks you” or “says to you” 4:21 ctd6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־יְתַ֨ד הָאֹ֜הֶל & אֶת־הַמַּקֶּ֣בֶת 1 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” 4:21 j154 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְהֽוּא־נִרְדָּ֥ם וַיָּ֖עַף 1 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. 4:21 j155 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וְהֽוּא־נִרְדָּ֥ם וַיָּ֖עַף 1 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” 4:22 j156 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַתֵּצֵ֤א יָעֵל֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of **came**. Alternate translation: “and Jael came out to meet him” 4:22 j157 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom סִֽיסְרָא֙ נֹפֵ֣ל מֵ֔ת 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [3:25](../03/25.md). Alternate translation: “and he found Sisera dead” 4:23 j158 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא 1 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” 4:23 dc2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory וַיַּכְנַ֤ע אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא אֵ֖ת יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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. 4:23 xzh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיַּכְנַ֤ע אֱלֹהִים֙ & אֵ֖ת יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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. 4:24 j159 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication וַתֵּ֜לֶךְ יַ֤ד בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְקָשָׁ֔ה 1 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” 4:24 y25t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתֵּ֜לֶךְ יַ֤ד בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְקָשָׁ֔ה 1 Here, **hand** 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: “So the Israelites became more and more powerful in their opposition to Jabin” 4:24 j160 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָ֑עַן & יָבִ֥ין מֶֽלֶךְ־כְּנָֽעַן 1 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. 4:24 zcb9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הִכְרִ֔יתוּ אֵ֖ת יָבִ֥ין 1 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” 5:intro jgd9 0 # Judges 5 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, the author presents a song that Deborah and Barak sang to celebrate the victory that Yahweh enabled them to win over Sisera.\n\nSome 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.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### How were the Israelites able to fight against Sisera if they had no weapons?\n\nIn [5:8](../05/08.md), 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](../04/02.md) 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. This would be another example of irony in the book of Judges: Jabin supplied the people he had conquered with the weapons that they needed to defeat him and regain their freedom.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Hebrew poetry\n\nExcept 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 the first one, not saying something different. For example, in [5:2](../05/02.md) you might say, “For the loosening of long hair in Israel, yes, for the volunteering of the people.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])\n\n### Deborah and Barak singing this song together\n\nWhile the author says in [5:1](../05/01.md) 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](../05/12.md) Barak sang “awake, Deborah” and Deborah responded “Arise, Barak.”\n\nHebrew 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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youcrowd]])\n- In [5:3](../05/03.md), 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](../ezk/33/32.md).) So it is perhaps more likely that Deborah sang “I will make music” and Barak sang “let me sing.”\n- Deborah is speaking of herself as “I” in [5:7](../05/07.md), so it would be appropriate to use feminine forms there.\n- It has been suggested that [5:9](../05/09.md), 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.\n- Barak is probably referring to himself as “me” in [5:13](../05/13.md), since he was the one who led the Israelite army “against the warriors” of Sisera.\n- Barak seems to be speaking in [5:15](../05/15.md), “my princes 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.\n- It has been suggested that in [5:21](../05/21.md), 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. 5:1 w7ex rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא 1 The author is referring to the same phrase in [4:23](../04/23.md). He may not mean that Deborah and Barak sang this song on the actual day on which the Israelites defeated the forces of King Jabin. The word **day** may refer to a more general time. Alternate translation: “at the time when the Israelites defeated the forces of King Jabin” 5:1 j161 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations לֵאמֹֽר 1 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: “the following song” 5:2 j162 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks בִּפְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם 1 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. 5:2 j163 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism בִּפְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּהִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם 1 As the following notes explain, these two phrases mean similar things. See the General Notes to this chapter for a discussion of how to translate such similar phrases throughout this song. 5:2 j164 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction בִּפְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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” 5:2 j165 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry בִּפְרֹ֤עַ פְּרָעוֹת֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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” 5:2 s181 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּהִתְנַדֵּ֖ב עָ֑ם 1 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” 5:2 j166 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular בָּרֲכ֖וּ 1 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. 5:3 hs8j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe שִׁמְע֣וּ מְלָכִ֔ים הַאֲזִ֖ינוּ רֹֽזְנִ֑ים 1 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](../05/10.md) 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!” 5:3 j167 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אָֽנֹכִ֗י לַֽיהוָה֙ אָנֹכִ֣י אָשִׁ֔ירָה אֲזַמֵּ֕ר 1 If your language marks first-person singular pronouns or verbs for gender, see the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter for a suggestion of how to mark the instances of **I** here. 5:3 j168 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-sentencetypes אָשִׁ֔ירָה 1 The speaker here is not asking permission. He is using a particular type of sentence to encourage himself to do something. If your language does not use this type of sentence, in your translation you can use an equivalent form. Alternate translation: “I certainly should sing” 5:4 f5pu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יְהוָ֗ה בְּצֵאתְךָ֤ מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ בְּצַעְדְּךָ֙ מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה אֱד֔וֹם 1 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” 5:4 vj7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה אֱד֔וֹם 1 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” 5:4 hw54 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶ֣רֶץ רָעָ֔שָׁה גַּם־שָׁמַ֖יִם נָטָ֑פוּ גַּם־עָבִ֖ים נָ֥טְפוּ מָֽיִם 1 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” 5:5 p4qp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָרִ֥ים נָזְל֖וּ 1 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, [5:21](../05/21.md).) 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” 5:5 wuf5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זֶ֣ה סִינַ֔י מִפְּנֵ֕י יְהוָ֖ה 1 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](../exo/19/16.md), 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” 5:6 rw34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism בִּימֵ֞י שַׁמְגַּ֤ר בֶּן־עֲנָת֙ בִּימֵ֣י יָעֵ֔ל 1 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” 5:6 ki5e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָדְל֖וּ אֳרָח֑וֹת 1 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” 5:6 i6j5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהֹלְכֵ֣י נְתִיב֔וֹת יֵלְכ֕וּ אֳרָח֖וֹת עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת 1 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” 5:7 j170 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication חָדְל֧וּ פְרָז֛וֹן בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חָדֵ֑לּוּ עַ֤ד שַׁקַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁקַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 5:7 j169 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָדְל֧וּ פְרָז֛וֹן בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חָדֵ֑לּוּ 1 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” 5:7 j171 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל & בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 5:7 j172 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עַ֤ד שַׁקַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁקַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 5:7 n27x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שַׁקַּ֨מְתִּי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה שַׁקַּ֥מְתִּי אֵ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 5:8 mxk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns יִבְחַר֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים 1 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” 5:8 duj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אָ֖ז לָחֶ֣ם שְׁעָרִ֑ים 1 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” 5:8 j173 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָרֹ֔מַח בְּאַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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!” 5:8 dl2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָרֹ֔מַח בְּאַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 5:8 v83h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָרֹ֔מַח 1 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” 5:8 j174 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָרֹ֔מַח 1 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” 5:8 j175 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מָגֵ֤ן אִם־יֵֽרָאֶה֙ וָרֹ֔מַח 1 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” 5:9 u5zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לִבִּי֙ לְחוֹקְקֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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” 5:9 j176 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular בָּרֲכ֖וּ 1 As in [5:2](../05/02.md), the imperative verb **bless** is plural here, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. 5:10 j177 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit רֹכְבֵי֩ אֲתֹנ֨וֹת צְחֹר֜וֹת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י עַל־מִדִּ֛ין וְהֹלְכֵ֥י עַל־דֶּ֖רֶךְ 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of the apparent change of setting in [5:10–11](../05/10.md), 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. 5:10 dt2p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism רֹכְבֵי֩ אֲתֹנ֨וֹת צְחֹר֜וֹת יֹשְׁבֵ֧י עַל־מִדִּ֛ין וְהֹלְכֵ֥י עַל־דֶּ֖רֶךְ 1 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” 5:10 vf24 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מִדִּ֛ין 1 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” 5:11 j178 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מִקּ֣וֹל מְחַֽצְצִ֗ים בֵּ֚ין מַשְׁאַבִּ֔ים שָׁ֤ם יְתַנּוּ֙ צִדְק֣וֹת יְהוָ֔ה צִדְקֹ֥ת פִּרְזֹנ֖וֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 In some languages, the meaning here may be clearer with a passive verb than with the indefinite pronoun **they**. Alternate translation: “The righteousness of Yahweh and the righteousness of his peasantry in Israel will be celebrated at the watering places by the voice of the singers” 5:11 j179 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִקּ֣וֹל מְחַֽצְצִ֗ים 1 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” 5:11 v4bj rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns מִקּ֣וֹל מְחַֽצְצִ֗ים 1 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” 5:11 j180 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy צִדְק֣וֹת יְהוָ֔ה צִדְקֹ֥ת פִּרְזֹנ֖וֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 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” 5:11 f6il rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יָרְד֥וּ לַשְּׁעָרִ֖ים 1 The song is using one part of cities, their **gates**, to mean entire cities. See how you translated the same expression in [5:8](../05/08.md). Alternate translation: “returned to live in the cities that their enemies had conquered” 5:12 de7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor עוּרִ֤י עוּרִי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה ע֥וּרִי ע֖וּרִי דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר 1 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 General 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!” 5:12 j181 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication עוּרִ֤י עוּרִי֙ דְּבוֹרָ֔ה ע֥וּרִי ע֖וּרִי דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר 1 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!” 5:12 j182 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry דַּבְּרִי־שִׁ֑יר 1 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” 5:12 j183 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֥וּם 1 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 General Notes to this chapter), and it could be intentionally reminiscent of [4:14](../04/14.md), where she used the same expression to tell him that it was time to attack Sisera. See how you translated the expression there. 5:12 j184 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry וּֽשֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְךָ֖ 1 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” 5:12 j185 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וּֽשֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְךָ֖ 1 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” 5:12 j186 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּֽשֲׁבֵ֥ה שֶׁבְיְךָ֖ 1 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” 5:13 j187 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יְרַ֣ד שָׂרִ֔יד לְאַדִּירִ֖ים עָ֑ם יְהוָ֕ה יְרַד־לִ֖י 1 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” 5:13 j188 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession יְרַ֣ד שָׂרִ֔יד לְאַדִּירִ֖ים 1 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” 5:13 tle3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לִ֖י 1 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](../05/07.md) and probably did in [5:9](../05/09.md) as well. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “to me, Barak” 5:14 j189 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מִנִּ֣י אֶפְרַ֗יִם שָׁרְשָׁם֙ בַּעֲמָלֵ֔ק אַחֲרֶ֥יךָ בִנְיָמִ֖ין בַּֽעֲמָמֶ֑יךָ & וּמִ֨זְּבוּלֻ֔ן מֹשְׁכִ֖ים בְּשֵׁ֥בֶט סֹפֵֽר 1 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” 5:14 e478 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִנִּ֣י אֶפְרַ֗יִם שָׁרְשָׁם֙ בַּעֲמָלֵ֔ק 1 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” 5:14 k3ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe אַחֲרֶ֥יךָ בִנְיָמִ֖ין בַּֽעֲמָמֶ֑יךָ 1 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](../05/09.md) 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” 5:14 j190 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר יָֽרְדוּ֙ מְחֹ֣קְקִ֔ים 1 The song is using these **commanders** to men 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” 5:14 yna1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר 1 The word **Machir** is the name of a man, the son of Manasseh. 5:14 j191 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִנִּ֣י מָכִ֗יר 1 The name **Machir** could mean: (1) by association, the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: “from the tribe of Manasseh” (2) the descendants of Machir, who formed one part of the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: “from the clan of Machir” 5:14 rl91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וּמִ֨זְּבוּלֻ֔ן מֹשְׁכִ֖ים בְּשֵׁ֥בֶט סֹפֵֽר 1 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” 5:15 ruv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְשָׂרַ֤י בְּיִשָּׂשכָר֙ עִם־דְּבֹרָ֔ה\n 1 Here again the song is using part of an army, its **princes** or 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” 5:15 j192 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְיִשָּׂשכָר֙ כֵּ֣ן בָּרָ֔ק 1 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](../1ki/22/04.md).) 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” 5:15 z2wa rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns בָּעֵ֖מֶק שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרַגְלָ֑יו 1 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](../04/10.md). 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” 5:15 j193 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בָּעֵ֖מֶק שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרַגְלָ֑יו 1 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](../04/14.md) 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” 5:15 j194 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בִּפְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן 1 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” 5:15 sdi1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor גְּדֹלִ֖ים חִקְקֵי־לֵֽב 1 Here the **heart** represents the thoughts and intentions. The song is speaking as if the people of Reuben needed to look around inside their hearts to find out what they should do. The word translated as **resolutions** 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” 5:16 j195 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion לָ֣מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים 1 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!” 5:16 j196 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe לָ֣מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים 1 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 was more important to listen to the piping for the flocks” 5:16 j197 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular לָ֣מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם 1 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. 5:16 j198 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים 1 The song is implicitly making a comparison that it expects listeners to recognize. When Barak summoned the Israelites in [4:10](../04/10.md), it is likely that he blew a shofar (ram’s horn), as Ehud did in [3:27](../03/27.md). 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?” 5:16 jg14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לִפְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן גְּדוֹלִ֖ים חִקְרֵי־לֵֽב 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. 5:17 pg1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy גִּלְעָ֗ד 1 The song is using the name **Gildead** 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” 5:17 wy1c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense וְדָ֕ן לָ֥מָּה יָג֖וּר אֳנִיּ֑וֹת 1 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?” 5:17 l6vz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְדָ֕ן לָ֥מָּה יָג֖וּר אֳנִיּ֑וֹת 1 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!” 5:17 q466 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense אָשֵׁ֗ר יָשַׁב֙ לְח֣וֹף יַמִּ֔ים וְעַ֥ל מִפְרָצָ֖יו יִשְׁכּֽוֹן 1 Here the song is first using the past tense to describe action in the past (**abode**) and then the present tense to describe habitual action (**stays**). Like the tribe of Dan, the tribe of Asher was devoted to maritime pursuits, and its men did not leave them to join in the battle against Sisera. In your translation, you could use the past tense in both clauses, or you could indicate that the habitual action was the reason for the past action. Alternate translation: “Asher abode at the coast of the seas, yes, he stayed among his harbors” or “Asher abode at the coast of the seas, for he stays among his harbors” 5:18 j199 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns זְבֻל֗וּן עַ֣ם חֵרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֛וֹ לָמ֖וּת 1 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” 5:18 j200 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor זְבֻל֗וּן עַ֣ם חֵרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֛וֹ לָמ֖וּת 1 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” 5:18 j201 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְנַפְתָּלִ֑י עַ֖ל מְרוֹמֵ֥י שָׂדֶֽה 1 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” 5:19 j202 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בָּ֤אוּ מְלָכִים֙ נִלְחָ֔מוּ אָ֤ז נִלְחֲמוּ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן 1 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](../04/02.md)), 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” 5:19 klr4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בָּ֤אוּ מְלָכִים֙ & מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן 1 The song is using these **Kings** to mean 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” 5:19 qh9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נִלְחָ֔מוּ & נִלְחֲמוּ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י כְנַ֔עַן 1 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” 5:19 bwx4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּתַעְנַ֖ךְ & מְגִדּ֑וֹ 1 See how you translated the names of the cities of **Taanach** and **Megiddo** in [1:27](../01/27.md). 5:19 j203 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-metonymy מֵ֣י מְגִדּ֑וֹ 1 Here the song is referring to the Kishon River as **the waters of Megiddo** by association with the fact that the river flows past the city of Megiddo, or 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](../05/21.md). Alternate translation: “the Kishon River” 5:19 jn5l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בֶּ֥צַע כֶּ֖סֶף לֹ֥א לָקָֽחוּ 1 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” 5:19 j204 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בֶּ֥צַע כֶּ֖סֶף לֹ֥א לָקָֽחוּ 1 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” 5:20 uwf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification מִן־שָׁמַ֖יִם נִלְחָ֑מוּ הַכּֽוֹכָבִים֙ מִמְּסִלּוֹתָ֔ם נִלְחֲמ֖וּ עִם־סִיסְרָֽא 1 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” 5:21 yn1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns גְּרָפָ֔ם 1 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” 5:21 j205 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns נַ֥חַל קְדוּמִ֖ים 1 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 river” 5:21 j206 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נַ֥חַל קְדוּמִ֖ים 1 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” 5:21 je12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche תִּדְרְכִ֥י נַפְשִׁ֖י עֹֽז 1 The singer, who is probably Barak at this point (see the General Notes 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” 5:22 wx9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אָ֥ז הָלְמ֖וּ עִקְּבֵי־ס֑וּס מִֽדַּהֲר֖וֹת דַּהֲר֥וֹת אַבִּירָֽיו 1 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” 5:22 j207 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns הָלְמ֖וּ עִקְּבֵי־ס֑וּס 1 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” 5:22 n754 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication מִֽדַּהֲר֖וֹת דַּהֲר֥וֹת אַבִּירָֽיו 1 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” 5:22 j208 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj אַבִּירָֽיו 1 The song is using the adjective **mighty** as a noun to mean a certain kind of horse. 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” 5:23 j209 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes א֣וֹרוּ מֵר֗וֹז אָמַר֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָ֨אוּ֙ לְעֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְעֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּגִּבּוֹרִֽים 1 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” 5:23 cdl6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵר֗וֹז 1 The word **Meroz** is the name of a city. It was probably along the route that Sisera’s army took when fleeing from the battlefield, and the people of the city could have blocked their way so that the Israelites could have kept many more of the enemy soldiers from escaping. 5:23 j211 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ כִּ֤י לֹֽא־בָ֨אוּ֙ לְעֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְעֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּגִּבּוֹרִֽים 1 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” 5:23 j210 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication אֹ֥רוּ אָר֖וֹר 1 The song is repeating 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” 5:23 j212 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism לְעֶזְרַ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה לְעֶזְרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה בַּגִּבּוֹרִֽים 1 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” 5:24 j213 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִנָּשִׁ֔ים יָעֵ֕ל אֵ֖שֶׁת חֶ֣בֶר הַקֵּינִ֑י מִנָּשִׁ֥ים בָּאֹ֖הֶל תְּבֹרָֽךְ 1 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” 5:24 j214 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִנָּשִׁ֔ים & מִנָּשִׁ֥ים בָּאֹ֖הֶל תְּבֹרָֽךְ 1 This 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, yes, she is the most blessed of all the women who live in a tent” 5:24 j215 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism תְּבֹרַךְ֙ מִנָּשִׁ֔ים & מִנָּשִׁ֥ים בָּאֹ֖הֶל תְּבֹרָֽךְ 1 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” 5:25 j216 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns מַ֥יִם שָׁאַ֖ל חָלָ֣ב נָתָ֑נָה 1 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” 5:25 j217 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction בְּסֵ֥פֶל אַדִּירִ֖ים הִקְרִ֥יבָה חֶמְאָֽה 1 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” 5:25 viu5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּסֵ֥פֶל אַדִּירִ֖ים 1 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” 5:26 k8d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns תִּשְׁלַ֔חְנָה 1 The pronoun **they** refers to Jael’s hands. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Her hands reached out” 5:26 j232 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תִּשְׁלַ֔חְנָה 1 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” 5:26 j235 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit יָדָהּ֙ 1 The context indicates that the word **hand** here means Jael’s left hand. Alternate translation: “her left hand” 5:26 j218 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מָחֲקָ֣ה רֹאשׁ֔וֹ וּמָחֲצָ֥ה וְחָלְפָ֖ה רַקָּתֽוֹ 1 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” 5:27 j219 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּ֣ין רַגְלֶ֔יהָ כָּרַ֥ע 1 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” 5:27 j220 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy נָפַ֖ל שָׁכָ֑ב 1 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](../04/16.md), 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” 5:27 j221 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism בֵּ֤ין רַגְלֶ֨יהָ֙ כָּרַ֣ע נָפָ֔ל בַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרַ֔ע שָׁ֖ם נָפַ֥ל שָׁדֽוּד 1 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. 5:27 ezv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive שָׁדֽוּד 1 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. Alternate translation: “She had destroyed him” 5:28 j222 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּוֹ֙ לָב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽיו 1 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” 5:28 k2dy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּוֹ֙ לָב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽיו 1 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?” 5:28 mw4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מַדּ֗וּעַ בֹּשֵׁ֤שׁ רִכְבּוֹ֙ לָב֔וֹא מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽיו 1 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?” 5:28 j223 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מַדּ֣וּעַ אֶֽחֱר֔וּ פַּעֲמֵ֖י מַרְכְּבוֹתָֽיו 1 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?” 5:29 xa2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חַכְמ֥וֹת שָׂרוֹתֶ֖יהָ 1 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” 5:29 mw32 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אַף־הִ֕יא תָּשִׁ֥יב אֲמָרֶ֖יהָ לָֽהּ 1 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” 5:30 j224 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes הֲלֹ֨א יִמְצְא֜וּ יְחַלְּק֣וּ שָׁלָ֗ל רַ֤חַם רַחֲמָתַ֨יִם֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ גֶּ֔בֶר שְׁלַ֤ל צְבָעִים֙ לְסִ֣יסְרָ֔א שְׁלַ֥ל צְבָעִ֖ים רִקְמָ֑ה צֶ֥בַע רִקְמָתַ֖יִם לְצַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל 1 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” 5:30 l98i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֨א יִמְצְא֜וּ יְחַלְּק֣וּ שָׁלָ֗ל 1 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” 5:30 j225 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְרֹ֣אשׁ גֶּ֔בֶר 1 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” 5:30 j226 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְסִ֣יסְרָ֔א 1 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” 5:30 p9nz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys צְבָעִ֖ים רִקְמָ֑ה 1 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” 5:30 j227 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לְצַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל 1 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” 5:30 j228 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche לְצַוְּארֵ֥י שָׁלָֽל 1 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” 5:31 j229 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person וְאֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו 1 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” 5:31 bi4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כְּצֵ֥את הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ בִּגְבֻרָת֑וֹ 1 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” 5:31 j230 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks כְּצֵ֥את הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ בִּגְבֻרָת֑וֹ 1 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. 5:31 q1yt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “After this, there were no more wars for 40 years” 6:intro p5sj 0 # Judges 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter tells the first part of the story of the next judge, Gideon. That story continues in Chapters 7 and 8.\n\n### Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### The angel of Yahweh\n\nIn 6:11–12 and 6:21, the author uses a special phrase, “the angel of Yahweh.” (He uses an equivalent expression, “the angel of God,” in 6:20.) This could mean “an angel who represented Yahweh,” or it could refer to Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to Gideon. Either one of these meanings would explain the author’s use of the name “Yahweh” for this same figure in 6:14 and 6:16. the angel’s use of “I” in those verses as if Yahweh himself was talking. See the notes to these verses for suggestions about how to translate this expression.\n\n\n\n 6:1 ht3z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” 6:1 l9nl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּתְּנֵ֧ם יְהוָ֛ה בְּיַד 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “so Yahweh made them subject to” 6:2 bs4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתָּ֥עָז יַד־מִדְיָ֖ן עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 Here, **hand** represents the power of a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “So Israel was under the power of Midian” 6:2 pl5z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵ֨י מִדְיָ֜ן 1 Here the word **face** represents the presence of a person or group, by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: “Because of the presence of the Midianites” or “Because the Midianites kept coming to attack Israel” 6:3 j236 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְהָיָ֖ה 1 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. 6:3 j237 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־זָרַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 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” 6:3 j238 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns עָלָֽיו 1 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” 6:5 ra2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְלָהֶ֥ם וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖ם אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר 1 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” 6:5 j239 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ בָאָ֖רֶץ לְשַׁחֲתָֽהּ 1 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” 6:6 j240 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּדַּ֧ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מְאֹ֖ד מִפְּנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֑ן 1 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” 6:7 j241 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֕י 1 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. 6:8 j242 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants אִ֥ישׁ נָבִ֖יא 1 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” 6:8 j243 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כֹּה־אָמַ֥ר יְהוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אָנֹכִ֞י הֶעֱלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וָאֹצִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים 1 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” 6:8 j244 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism אָנֹכִ֞י הֶעֱלֵ֤יתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וָאֹצִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים 1 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” 6:8 j245 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶתְכֶם֙ 1 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” 6:8 h336 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים 1 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” 6:9 ue1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיַּ֣ד מִצְרַ֔יִם וּמִיַּ֖ד כָּל־לֹחֲצֵיכֶ֑ם 1 In both instances, the word **hand** 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: “from the power of Egypt and from the power of all of your oppressors” 6:10 j246 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָכֶ֗ם אֲנִי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם לֹ֤א תִֽירְאוּ֙ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יוֹשְׁבִ֣ים בְּאַרְצָ֑ם וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּקוֹלִֽי 1 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.” 6:10 j247 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּקוֹלִֽי 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:2](../02/02.md). Alternate translation: “But you have not obeyed my voice” 6:10 ne4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּקוֹלִֽי 1 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” 6:11 sex8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיָּבֹ֞א 1 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. 6:11 j248 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֗ה 1 See how you translated the phrase **the angel of Yahweh** in [2:1](../02/01.md). Alternate translation: “Yahweh, who looked like an angel” 6:11 r6sg rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּעָפְרָ֔ה & הָֽעֶזְרִ֑י 1 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. 6:11 j249 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants וְגִדְע֣וֹן בְּנ֗וֹ 1 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,” 6:11 j250 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵ֥י מִדְיָֽן 1 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” 6:12 j251 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person יְהוָ֥ה עִמְּךָ֖ 1 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. 6:12 j252 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns גִּבּ֥וֹר הֶחָֽיִל 1 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” 6:13 in9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י וְיֵ֤שׁ יְהוָה֙ עִמָּ֔נוּ וְלָ֥מָּה מְצָאַ֖תְנוּ כָּל־זֹ֑את וְאַיֵּ֣ה כָֽל־נִפְלְאֹתָ֡יו אֲשֶׁר֩ סִפְּרוּ־לָ֨נוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֜ינוּ לֵאמֹ֗ר הֲלֹ֤א מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם֙ הֶעֱלָ֣נוּ יְהוָ֔ה 1 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!’” 6:13 as35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י 1 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. 6:13 j253 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive עִמָּ֔נוּ & מְצָאַ֖תְנוּ & לָ֨נוּ & הֶעֱלָ֣נוּ & וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖נוּ 1 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. 6:13 j254 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲבוֹתֵ֜ינוּ 1 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” 6:13 j255 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לֵאמֹ֗ר הֲלֹ֤א מִמִּצְרַ֨יִם֙ הֶעֱלָ֣נוּ יְהוָ֔ה 1 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” 6:13 e2k9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖נוּ בְּכַף־מִדְיָֽן 1 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” 6:14 kx2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִכַּ֣ף מִדְיָ֑ן 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “from the power of Midian” 6:14 zs9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֖א שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ 1 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!” 6:15 w5e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness בִּ֣י אֲדֹנָ֔י 1 See how you translated this same phrase in [6:13](../06/13.md). 6:15 wn75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמָּ֥ה אוֹשִׁ֖יעַ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 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!” 6:15 gpv8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers אַלְפִּי֙ 1 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” 6:15 gp6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj הַדַּ֣ל בִּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה וְאָנֹכִ֥י הַצָּעִ֖יר 1 Gideon is using the adjectives **weak** and **young** as a 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” 6:16 p1xa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כִּ֥י אֶהְיֶ֖ה עִמָּ֑ךְ 1 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” 6:16 fhe8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן כְּאִ֥ישׁ אֶחָֽד 1 This is a common expression that refers to an entire group gathered together, as the similar uses in [20:1](../20/01.md), [20:8](../20/08.md), [20:11](../20/11.md), and [Nehemiah 8:1](../neh/08/01.md) show. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the entire army of Midian at once” 6:17 j256 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אִם & מָצָ֥אתִי חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ 1 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” 6:17 j257 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִם & מָצָ֥אתִי חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ 1 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” 6:19 j258 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom גְּדִֽי־עִזִּים֙ 1 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” 6:19 kmz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume וְאֵיפַת־קֶ֣מַח 1 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” 6:20 u9cs rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants מַלְאַ֣ךְ הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים 1 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. Alternate translation: “the angel of Yahweh” 6:21 j259 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַתַּ֨עַל הָאֵ֜שׁ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of **came**. Alternate translation: “and fire went up” 6:21 j260 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵעֵינָֽיו 1 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” 6:22 x6iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיַּ֣רְא גִּדְע֔וֹן 1 The author is using the term **saw** by association to mean “recognized.” Alternate translation: “And Gideon recognized” 6:22 j261 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֤ן רָאִ֨יתִי֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים 1 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” 6:22 l2pp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה 1 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” 6:22 c1kt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom פָּנִ֖ים אֶל־פָּנִֽים 1 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” 6:23 b3ha rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֹּ֨אמֶר ל֧וֹ יְהוָ֛ה 1 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” 6:23 j262 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns שָׁל֥וֹם לְךָ֖ 1 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” 6:24 s81y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עַ֚ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה 1 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” 6:24 j263 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יְהוָ֖ה שָׁל֑וֹם 1 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” 6:25 j264 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִי֮ 1 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. 6:25 j265 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֶת־פַּר־הַשּׁוֹר֙ 1 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](../06/19.md). Alternate translation: “the young ox” 6:25 j266 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal וּפַ֥ר הַשֵּׁנִ֖י שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים 1 If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “and his other bullock, the one that is seven years old” 6:26 tj4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַ֣ל רֹ֧אשׁ הַמָּע֛וֹז הַזֶּ֖ה 1 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” 6:26 gvr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּמַּֽעֲרָכָ֑ה 1 This phrase probably refers to Yahweh’s command to the Israelites in [Exodus 20:25](../20/25.md) 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” 6:26 j267 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־הַפָּ֣ר הַשֵּׁנִ֔י וְהַעֲלִ֣יתָ עוֹלָ֔ה 1 As the previous verse describes, this **second bull** was seven years old, and as [6:1](../06/01.md) describes, God had punished the Israelites for their unfaithfulness and disobedience by allowing the Midianites to oppress them for seven years. 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” 6:26 j268 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בַּעֲצֵ֥י הָאֲשֵׁרָ֖ה 1 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” 6:27 j269 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־בֵּ֨ית אָבִ֜יו 1 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” 6:27 j270 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations וְאֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעִ֛יר 1 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” 6:28 j271 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּשְׁכִּ֜ימוּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י הָעִיר֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְהִנֵּ֤ה 1 The author is not saying that the **men of the city** got up earlier than usual because of what Gideon had done. The expression **arose early** can refer, in context such as this one, to the first thing that happens at the start of a day . If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “As soon as the men of the city got up in the morning, they noticed that” 6:28 i5zb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְהִנֵּ֤ה נֻתַּץ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח הַבַּ֔עַל וְהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֖יו כֹּרָ֑תָה וְאֵת֙ הַפָּ֣ר הַשֵּׁנִ֔י הֹֽעֲלָ֔ה עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַבָּנֽוּי 1 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, and built an altar and offered the second bullock on it ” 6:29 j272 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔הוּ 1 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” 6:29 j273 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַיְבַקְשׁ֔וּ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ 1 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” 6:30 j274 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result הוֹצֵ֥א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֖ וְיָמֹ֑ת כִּ֤י נָתַץ֙ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֣ח הַבַּ֔עַל וְכִ֥י כָרַ֖ת הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָֽיו 1 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” 6:30 r7h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיָמֹ֑ת 1 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” 6:31 j275 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֲשֶׁר־עָמְד֨וּ עָלָ֜יו 1 This is a common expression that describes these people oppposing 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 they were in opposition **against** each other. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “who were arguing with him” 6:31 jw4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַאַתֶּ֣ם ׀ תְּרִיב֣וּן לַבַּ֗עַל אִם־אַתֶּם֙ תּוֹשִׁיע֣וּן אוֹת֔וֹ 1 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!” 6:31 j276 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֥יב ל֛וֹ יוּמַ֖ת 1 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” 6:31 j277 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis עַד־הַבֹּ֑קֶר 1 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” 6:32 j4wi rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names יְרֻבַּ֣עַל 1 The word **Jerubbaal** is another name by which Gideon became known. It means “may Baal contend.” 6:32 q44c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks לֵאמֹ֑ר יָ֤רֶב בּוֹ֙ הַבַּ֔עַל כִּ֥י נָתַ֖ץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽוֹ 1 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” 6:33 ual5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וְכָל־מִדְיָ֧ן וַעֲמָלֵ֛ק וּבְנֵי־קֶ֖דֶם נֶאֶסְפ֣וּ יַחְדָּ֑ו 1 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. 6:33 eu5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיַּעַבְר֥וּ 1 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: “text” 6:34 d9eb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה לָבְשָׁ֖ה אֶת־גִּדְע֑וֹן 1 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” 6:35 sy9t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification ה֖וּא 1 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” 6:35 j278 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ לִקְרָאתָֽם 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “came” instead of **went**. Alternate translation: “and they came up to meet them” 6:35 qb25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ לִקְרָאתָֽם 1 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**. As [7:9](../07/09.md) indicates, 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” 6:36 j279 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אִם־יֶשְׁךָ֞ מוֹשִׁ֧יעַ בְּיָדִ֛י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 1 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” 6:37 uf1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־גִּזַּ֥ת הַצֶּ֖מֶר 1 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” 6:37 s8ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְעַל־כָּל־הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ חֹ֔רֶב 1 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” 6:38 j280 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּשְׁכֵּם֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת 1 While the expression **arose early** can refer to the first thing a person does at the start of a day, in this context it seems to have a more literal meaning. The author seems to be saying that Gideon got up as soon as it was light enough for him to see clearly whether the fleece was wet. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Gideon got up as soon as it was light” 6:38 ub6l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּ֤מֶץ טַל֙ מִן־הַגִּזָּ֔ה מְל֥וֹא הַסֵּ֖פֶל מָֽיִם 1 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. 6:39 j281 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַאֲדַבְּרָ֖ה אַ֣ךְ הַפָּ֑עַם אֲנַסֶּ֤ה נָּא־רַק־הַפַּ֨עַם֙ 1 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: “just one more time … just one more time” 6:39 j282 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns יְהִי & חֹ֤רֶב אֶל־הַגִּזָּה֙ לְבַדָּ֔הּ 1 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](../06/37.md). Alternate translation: “may only the fleece be dry” 6:40 j283 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַיְהִי־חֹ֤רֶב אֶל־הַגִּזָּה֙ לְבַדָּ֔הּ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “For only the fleece was dry” 7:intro q545 0 # Judges 7 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Gideon, which began in chapter 6, continues in this chapter.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Why does the barley loaf represent Gideon?\n\nIn [7:13](../07/13.md), a Midianite solider 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](../06/06.md) states, the Midianites had reduced the Israelites to poverty. In [6:11](../06/11.md), 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.\n\n### Mount Gilead\n\nIn [7:3](../07/03.md), 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.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “into their hand”/“into your hand” (plural “you”)\n\nIn 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: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns]])\n\n\n\n 7:1 q9lu rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names חֲרֹ֑ד & הַמּוֹרֶ֖ה 1 The word **Harod** is the name of a spring. It means “trembling,” and it probably got this name because, as [7:3](../07/03.md) describes, all the soldiers who were “afraid and trembling” were dismissed from Gideon’s army there. The word **Moreh** is the name of a hill. 7:2 ja78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִתִּתִּ֥י אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן בְּיָדָ֑ם 1 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” 7:2 j284 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בְּיָדָ֑ם 1 As the General 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” 7:2 ww36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יָדִ֖י הוֹשִׁ֥יעָה לִּֽי 1 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” 7:3 j285 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes קְרָ֨א & בְּאָזְנֵ֤י הָעָם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מִֽי־יָרֵ֣א וְחָרֵ֔ד יָשֹׁ֥ב וְיִצְפֹּ֖ר מֵהַ֣ר הַגִּלְעָ֑ד 1 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” 7:3 ahw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche בְּאָזְנֵ֤י הָעָם֙ 1 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” 7:3 gt6x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet יָרֵ֣א וְחָרֵ֔ד 1 The terms **afraid** and **trembling** mean similar things. Yahweh wants Gideon to use 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: “is trembling with fear” or “is very afraid” 7:3 iup9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵהַ֣ר הַגִּלְעָ֑ד 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter for a suggestion of how to translate this name in this context. 7:3 wn6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נִשְׁאָֽרוּ 1 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” 7:4 j286 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ לְךָ֖ שָׁ֑ם 1 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” 7:4 t9yd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ לְךָ֖ 1 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” 7:4 j287 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וְהָיָ֡ה אֲשֶׁר֩ אֹמַ֨ר אֵלֶ֜יךָ זֶ֣ה ׀ יֵלֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֗ךְ ה֚וּא יֵלֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֔ךְ וְכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַ֜ר אֵלֶ֗יךָ זֶ֚ה לֹא־יֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֔ךְ ה֖וּא לֹ֥א יֵלֵֽךְ 1 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” 7:5 iem1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַיּ֥וֹרֶד אֶת־הָעָ֖ם 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “took” instead of **brought**. Alternate translation: “So he took the people down” 7:5 w69s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִכְרַ֥ע עַל־בִּרְכָּ֖יו לִשְׁתּֽוֹת 1 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” 7:5 j288 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo יִכְרַ֥ע עַל־בִּרְכָּ֖יו 1 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” 7:6 j289 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בְּיָדָם֙ אֶל־פִּיהֶ֔ם 1 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” 7:6 j290 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns כָּרְע֥וּ עַל־בִּרְכֵיהֶ֖ם 1 See how you translated the similar expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “knelt down” 7:7 j291 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events אוֹשִׁ֣יעַ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְנָתַתִּ֥י אֶת־מִדְיָ֖ן בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ 1 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” 7:7 gk97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular אֶתְכֶ֔ם 1 The word **you** is plural here. Yahweh is speaking to 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” 7:7 j292 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְכָל־הָעָ֔ם יֵלְכ֖וּ 1 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” 7:8 j293 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בְּיָדָ֜ם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [7:6](../07/06.md). Alternate translation: “into their hands” 7:8 u2nh rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וְאֵ֣ת שׁוֹפְרֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם 1 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” 7:8 j294 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 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” 7:8 j295 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וּמַחֲנֵ֣ה מִדְיָ֔ן הָ֥יָה ל֖וֹ מִתַּ֥חַת בָּעֵֽמֶק 1 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. 7:9 j296 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֖וּם 1 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](../04/14.md). Alternate translation: “Get going” 7:9 u84q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy רֵ֣ד בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה כִּ֥י נְתַתִּ֖יו בְּיָדֶֽךָ 1 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” 7:9 j297 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture נְתַתִּ֖יו בְּיָדֶֽךָ 1 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” 7:10 u4w3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּפֻרָ֥ה 1 The word **Purah** is the name of a man. 7:11 j99j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche תֶּחֱזַ֣קְנָה יָדֶ֔יךָ 1 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” 7:11 j298 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive אֶל־קְצֵ֥ה הַחֲמֻשִׁ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה 1 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” 7:12 r5ww rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כָּאַרְבֶּ֖ה לָרֹ֑ב 1 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” 7:12 zt6w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶם֙ אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֔ר 1 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” 7:12 j299 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כַּח֛וֹל שֶׁעַל־שְׂפַ֥ת הַיָּ֖ם לָרֹֽב 1 The point of this comparison is that just as **the grains of sand on the seashore** 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. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “There was a huge number of them, as there is a huge number of grains of sand along the edge of the sea” 7:13 j300 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo חֲל֣וֹם חָלַ֗מְתִּי 1 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” 7:14 j301 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיַּ֨עַן רֵעֵ֤הוּ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ 1 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” 7:14 j302 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions אֵ֣ין זֹ֔את בִּלְתִּ֗י אִם־חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן 1 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” 7:14 j303 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֵ֣ין זֹ֔את בִּלְתִּ֗י אִם־חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן 1 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” 7:14 yg52 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן 1 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” 7:14 j304 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit גִּדְע֥וֹן בֶּן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 1 See the discussion in the General 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” 7:15 j305 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּשְׁתָּ֑חוּ 1 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” 7:15 j306 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיָּ֨שָׁב֙ 1 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” 7:15 j307 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result ק֔וּמוּ כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה בְּיֶדְכֶ֖ם אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֥ה מִדְיָֽן 1 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” 7:15 j308 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֔וּמוּ 1 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](../07/09.md). See how you translated it there. Alternate translation: “Let’s get going!” 7:15 j309 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular ק֔וּמוּ & בְּיֶדְכֶ֖ם 1 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. 7:18 j310 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַיהוָ֥ה וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן 1 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” 7:18 j311 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַיהוָ֥ה וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן 1 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. 7:19 j312 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication אַ֛ךְ הָקֵ֥ם הֵקִ֖ימוּ אֶת־הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים 1 The author is repeating 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” 7:19 j323 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אַ֛ךְ & הֵקִ֖ימוּ אֶת־הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֑ים וַֽיִּתְקְעוּ֙ בַּשּׁ֣וֹפָר֔וֹת 1 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” 7:20 zfw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy חֶ֥רֶב לַֽיהוָ֖ה וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן 1 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” 7:21 j314 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה 1 The author is using the word **camp** by association to mean the soldiers in the camp. Alternate translation: “the soldiers in the camp” 7:22 j315 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיָּ֣שֶׂם יְהוָ֗ה אֵ֣ת חֶ֥רֶב אִ֛ישׁ בְּרֵעֵ֖הוּ 1 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. 7:22 j316 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיָּ֨נָס הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֜ה 1 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” 7:22 rv5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בֵּ֤ית הַשִּׁטָּה֙ צְֽרֵרָ֔תָה & אָבֵ֥ל מְחוֹלָ֖ה & טַבָּֽת 1 The terms **Beth Shittah**, **Zererah**, **Abel Meholah**, and **Tabbath** are the names of towns. 7:23 u5e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּצָּעֵ֧ק אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִנַּפְתָּלִ֥י וּמִן־אָשֵׁ֖ר וּמִן־כָּל־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה 1 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” 7:23 j317 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וַיִּצָּעֵ֧ק אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל 1 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” 7:24 j318 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go רְד֞וּ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “Go” instead of **Come**. Alternate translation: “Go down” 7:24 u7ze rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־הַמַּ֔יִם עַ֛ד בֵּ֥ית בָּרָ֖ה וְאֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן 1 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” 7:24 js9y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בֵּ֥ית בָּרָ֖ה 1 The term **Beth Barah** is the name of a town. 7:24 j319 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּצָּעֵ֞ק כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ 1 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” 7:24 j320 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּצָּעֵ֞ק כָּל־אִ֤ישׁ אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ 1 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” 7:25 rvj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־עֹרֵ֣ב וְאֶת־זְאֵ֗ב 1 The words **Oreb** and **Zeeb** are the names of men. 7:25 hn84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּצוּר־עוֹרֵב֙ & בְיֶֽקֶב־זְאֵ֔ב 1 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” 7:25 j321 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns וְרֹאשׁ־עֹרֵ֣ב וּזְאֵ֔ב 1 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 … the heads of Oreb and Zeeb” 7:25 j322 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶל־גִּדְע֔וֹן מֵעֵ֖בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּֽן 1 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](../08/04.md) 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” 8:intro zh95 0 # Judges 8 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe account of Gideon concludes in this chapter.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### The tower in Penuel\n\nAncient 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.\n\n### Why did Gideon kill the men of Penuel?\n\nIt 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 Peniel. 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.\n\n### Why did Gideon tell his son Jether to kill the Midianite kings?\n\nIn 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](../08/03.md)), 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](../1ki/02/29.md).) 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.”\n 8:1 sea3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֔נוּ לְבִלְתִּי֙ קְרֹ֣אות לָ֔נוּ כִּ֥י הָלַ֖כְתָּ לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם בְּמִדְיָ֑ן 1 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!” 8:1 whc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּחָזְקָֽה 1 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” 8:2 wpi2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מֶה־עָשִׂ֥יתִי עַתָּ֖ה כָּכֶ֑ם הֲל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב עֹלְל֥וֹת אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִבְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר 1 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!” 8:2 i6yr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֲל֗וֹא ט֛וֹב עֹלְל֥וֹת אֶפְרַ֖יִם מִבְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר 1 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” 8:2 i323 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִבְצִ֥יר אֲבִיעֶֽזֶר 1 Gideon is using the name of his clan, **Abiezer** by association to mean himself. Alternate translation: “than the grapes I have harvested” 8:3 bi55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־יָּכֹ֖לְתִּי עֲשׂ֣וֹת כָּכֶ֑ם 1 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!” 8:3 riv2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָ֗ז רָפְתָ֤ה רוּחָם֙ מֵֽעָלָ֔יו 1 The author is speaking as if **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” 8:3 j324 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּדַבְּר֖וֹ הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה 1 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” 8:4 j325 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיָּבֹ֥א גִדְע֖וֹן הַיַּרְדֵּ֑נָה עֹבֵ֣ר ה֗וּא וּשְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ עֲיֵפִ֖ים וְרֹדְפִֽים 1 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](../07/24.md) and that the events of [7:25–8:3](../07/25.md) 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” 8:4 j326 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְרֹדְפִֽים 1 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” 8:5 j327 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche כִּכְּר֣וֹת לֶ֔חֶם לָעָ֖ם 1 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” 8:5 j328 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּרַגְלָ֑י 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [4:10](../04/10.md). Alternate translation: “to the men who are under my command” 8:5 j329 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names זֶ֥בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֖ע 1 The words **Zeba** and **Zalmunna** are the names of men. 8:6 l71p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֠כַף זֶ֧בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֛ע עַתָּ֖ה בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ כִּֽי־נִתֵּ֥ן לִֽצְבָאֲךָ֖ לָֽחֶם 1 The princes 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!” 8:6 aw3g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הֲ֠כַף זֶ֧בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֛ע עַתָּ֖ה בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ 1 The princes of Succoth are referring by association to Gideon and his men having captured Zebah and Zalmunna. While the source and meaning of this expression are not entirely clear, 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” 8:6 bn4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns הֲ֠כַף 1 Since princes 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” 8:8 ikw7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names פְּנוּאֵ֔ל 1 The word **Penuel** is the name of a town. 8:9 y4qf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּשׁוּבִ֣י בְשָׁל֔וֹם 1 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” 8:10 j330 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וְזֶ֨בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֜ע בַּקַּרְקֹ֗ר 1 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. 8:10 vw38 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בַּקַּרְקֹ֗ר 1 The word **Karkor** is the name of a town. 8:10 j331 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּמַחֲנֵיהֶ֤ם & מַחֲנֵ֣ה בְנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם 1 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: “their soldiers … the army of the sons of the east” 8:10 p2iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְהַנֹּ֣פְלִ֔ים 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [3:25](../03/25.md). Alternate translation: “and the ones who had died” 8:10 mz6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִ֖ישׁ שֹׁ֥לֵֽף חָֽרֶב 1 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: “fighting men” or “soldiers” 8:11 j332 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive הַשְּׁכוּנֵ֣י בָֽאֳהָלִ֔ים 1 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” 8:11 j333 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִקֶּ֥דֶם לְנֹ֖בַח וְיָגְבֳּהָ֑ה 1 The author does not mean that Gideon traveled **from** the east **to** Nobah and Jogbehah. He is using a characteristic expression to describe the location of one place relative to two other places. He means that from where Gideon was along this road, if one went **to Jobah and Jogbehah**, one would approach those towns **from the east**. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “to the east of Nobah and Jogbehah” 8:11 jbu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לְנֹ֖בַח וְיָגְבֳּהָ֑ה 1 The words **Nobah** and **Jogbehah** are the names of towns. 8:11 j335 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הָ֥יָה בֶֽטַח 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **security**, you could express the same idea in another way. Here, as in [8:10](../08/10.md), the author is using the word **camp** to mean the soldiers in the camp. Alternate translation: “And he struck the camp while the soldiers were feeling secure” 8:11 j334 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וְהַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הָ֥יָה בֶֽטַח 1 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” 8:12 j337 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְכָל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הֶחֱרִֽיד 1 The author is speaking by association of how Gideon made the Midianite army **tremble** fear to mean that the army panicked and fled. Alternate translation: “And he threw the entire army into a panic” 8:12 j336 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וְכָל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה הֶחֱרִֽיד 1 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. 8:13 w217 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מִֽלְמַעֲלֵ֖ה הֶחָֽרֶס 1 The word **Heres** is the name of a road that passes between two mountains. Alternate translation: "through Heres Pass" 8:14 a6z2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֑הוּ 1 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” 8:14 l2rr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב אֵלָ֜יו אֶת־שָׂרֵ֤י סֻכּוֹת֙ וְאֶת־זְקֵנֶ֔יהָ 1 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 princes of Succoth and its elders” 8:15 j338 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go וַיָּבֹא֙ 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “came” instead of **went**. Alternate translation: “Then he came” 8:15 j339 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes חֵרַפְתֶּ֨ם אוֹתִ֜י לֵאמֹ֗ר הֲ֠כַף זֶ֣בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע עַתָּה֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ כִּ֥י נִתֵּ֛ן לַאֲנָשֶׁ֥יךָ הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים לָֽחֶם 1 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!” 8:15 bnf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲ֠כַף זֶ֣בַח וְצַלְמֻנָּ֤ע עַתָּה֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ כִּ֥י נִתֵּ֛ן לַאֲנָשֶׁ֥יךָ הַיְּעֵפִ֖ים לָֽחֶם 1 If you retain the quotation within the quotation, see how you translated this question in [8:6](../08/06.md). Alternate translation: “The palm of Zebah and Zalmunna is not now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men!” 8:16 ct8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־זִקְנֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר וְאֶת־קוֹצֵ֥י הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר וְאֶת־הַֽבַּרְקֳנִ֑ים 1 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” 8:16 vr3e rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants וַיֹּ֣דַע 1 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](../08/07.md). 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” 8:17 j340 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאֶת־מִגְדַּ֥ל פְּנוּאֵ֖ל נָתָ֑ץ וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעִֽיר 1 See the General 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” 8:18 j341 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background אֵיפֹה֙ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲרַגְתֶּ֖ם בְּתָב֑וֹר 1 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 forces invaded Israel and killed 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.” 8:18 j342 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אֵיפֹה֙ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲרַגְתֶּ֖ם בְּתָב֑וֹר 1 This could mean: (1) 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](../gen/04/09.md)). Alternate translation: “I am going to hold you accountable for the men whom you killed at Tabor” (2) 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?” 8:18 j343 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָּמ֣וֹךָ כְמוֹהֶ֔ם אֶחָ֕ד כְּתֹ֖אַר בְּנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ 1 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.” 8:18 q1pd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּנֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ 1 By the expression **the king**, Zebah and Zalmunna could mean: (1) 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](../08/20.md) indicates. Alternate translation: “your sons right there” (2) a person of regal bearing and presence in general. Alternate translation: “the sons of a king” 8:19 j344 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אַחַ֥י בְּנֵֽי־אִמִּ֖י הֵ֑ם 1 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” 8:19 jb1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula חַי־יְהוָ֗ה 1 Gideon is using this expression to guarantee that what he is about to say is true. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You can also state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Before Yahweh, I solemnly swear that” 8:20 j345 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לְיֶ֣תֶר בְּכוֹר֔וֹ ק֖וּם הֲרֹ֣ג אוֹתָ֑ם 1 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 General Notes to this chapter for a discussion of the possibilities and for suggestions of how to translate what Gideon told Jether. 8:20 xg9f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לְיֶ֣תֶר 1 The word **Jether** is the name of a man. 8:20 j346 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֖וּם 1 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” 8:21 j347 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֤וּם & וַיָּ֣קָם גִּדְע֗וֹן 1 See how you translated the word “Arise” in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Go ahead … So Gideon took action” 8:21 j348 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-proverbs כִּ֥י כָאִ֖ישׁ גְּבוּרָת֑וֹ 1 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” 8:21 j349 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks כִּ֥י כָאִ֖ישׁ גְּבוּרָת֑וֹ 1 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. 8:21 eu98 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown אֶת־הַשַּׂ֣הֲרֹנִ֔ים 1 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. 8:22 j350 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 By **the men of Israel**, the author seems implicitly to mean Gideon’s soldiers. What Gideon says to these men in [8:24](../08/24.md) suggests this. Alternate translation: “Gideon’s soldiers” 8:22 j351 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship מְשָׁל־בָּ֨נוּ֙ גַּם־אַתָּ֔ה גַּם־בִּנְךָ֖ גַּ֣ם בֶּן־בְּנֶ֑ךָ 1 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” 8:23 j352 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹֽא־יִמְשֹׁ֥ל בְּנִ֖י בָּכֶ֑ם 1 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” 8:24 j353 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness אֶשְׁאֲלָ֤ה מִכֶּם֙ שְׁאֵלָ֔ה 1 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” 8:24 j354 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun אִ֖ישׁ 1 Gideon is not referring to a specific **man**. He means each man in the army. Alternate translation: “each one of you” 8:24 c2b3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background כִּֽי־נִזְמֵ֤י זָהָב֙ לָהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים הֵֽם 1 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. 8:24 ra0c rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result כִּֽי־נִזְמֵ֤י זָהָב֙ לָהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י יִשְׁמְעֵאלִ֖ים הֵֽם 1 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” 8:25 j355 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication נָת֣וֹן נִתֵּ֑ן 1 The men are repeating 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!” 8:25 j356 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun וַיַּשְׁלִ֣יכוּ & אִ֖ישׁ 1 As in the previous verse, this is not referring to a specific **man**. Alternate translation: “and each man threw” 8:26 j357 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶ֥לֶף וּשְׁבַע־מֵא֖וֹת זָהָ֑ב 1 The author is using the word **gold** by association to mean golden shekels, a unit of weight. Alternate translation: “1,700 shekels of gold” 8:26 28qb rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight אֶ֥לֶף וּשְׁבַע־מֵא֖וֹת זָהָ֑ב 1 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. 8:26 w5mz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown הַשַּׂהֲרֹנִ֨ים 1 The word translated as **ornaments** is the same word as in [8:21](../08/21.md), so it appears that these kings wore crescent-shaped decorations made of gold as their camels did. See how you translated the word there. 8:26 rc47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וְהַנְּטִפ֜וֹת & הָ֣עֲנָק֔וֹת 1 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” 8:27 awh9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיַּעַשׂ֩ אוֹת֨וֹ גִדְע֜וֹן לְאֵפ֗וֹד 1 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” 8:27 tyw2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּזְנ֧וּ כָֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אַחֲרָ֖יו 1 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](../02/17.md). Alternate translation: Alternate translation: “and all of Israel betrayed Yahweh by worshiping this ephod as if it were a god” 8:27 bbx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיְהִ֛י לְגִדְע֥וֹן וּלְבֵית֖וֹ לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ 1 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](../02/03.md). Alternate translation: “and this led to the ruin of Gideon and his house” 8:27 i29y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְגִדְע֥וֹן וּלְבֵית֖וֹ 1 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” 8:28 j358 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory וַיִּכָּנַ֣ע מִדְיָ֗ן לִפְנֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 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. 8:28 wui8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּכָּנַ֣ע מִדְיָ֗ן 1 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” 8:28 u2ar rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹ֥א יָסְפ֖וּ לָשֵׂ֣את רֹאשָׁ֑ם 1 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” 8:28 j359 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns רֹאשָׁ֑ם 1 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” 8:28 un4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֛רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “And there were no more wars for 40 years” 8:28 j360 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּימֵ֥י גִדְעֽוֹן 1 See how you translated the word **days** in [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “throughout the lifetime of Gideon” 8:29 z3sb rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ יְרֻבַּ֥עַל בֶּן־יוֹאָ֖שׁ 1 As [6:32](../06/32.md) and [7:1](../07/01.md) 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” 8:30 j361 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וּלְגִדְע֗וֹן הָיוּ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑וֹ כִּֽי־נָשִׁ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת הָ֥יוּ לֽוֹ 1 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. 8:30 j362 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וּלְגִדְע֗וֹן הָיוּ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑וֹ כִּֽי־נָשִׁ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת הָ֥יוּ לֽוֹ 1 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” 8:30 j363 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship בָּנִ֔ים יֹצְאֵ֖י יְרֵכ֑וֹ 1 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” 8:31 j364 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 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. 8:31 j365 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 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’” 8:32 i3jl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּשֵׂיבָ֣ה טוֹבָ֑ה 1 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” 8:32 w8yg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּקָּבֵ֗ר 1 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” 8:33 be44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֗י 1 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. 8:33 l1r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּשׁ֨וּבוּ֙ 1 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](../02/19.md). Alternate translation: “that … changed their behavior” 8:33 gh13 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּזְנ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַבְּעָלִ֑ים 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:17](../02/17.md). Alternate translation: “and betrayed Yahweh by worshiping the Baals” 8:33 ce8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וַיָּשִׂ֧ימוּ לָהֶ֛ם בַּ֥עַל בְּרִ֖ית לֵאלֹהִֽים 1 The expression **Baal-Berith** is the name of a false god. It means “master of the covenant.” This name also appears in [9:4](../09/04.md) and in the form El-Berith (which means “god of the covenant”) in [9:46](../09/46.md). 8:34 j366 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וְלֹ֤א זָֽכְרוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם הַמַּצִּ֥יל אוֹתָ֛ם מִיַּ֥ד כָּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם מִסָּבִֽיב 1 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. 8:34 j367 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹ֤א זָֽכְרוּ֙ 1 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” 8:35 j368 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְלֹֽא־עָשׂ֣וּ חֶ֔סֶד עִם 1 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” 8:35 svf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּ֥ית יְרֻבַּ֖עַל גִּדְע֑וֹן 1 See how you translated the term **house** in [8:27](../08/27.md). Alternate translation: “the descendants of Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon” 8:35 j369 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 9:intro zl19 0 # Judges 9 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### “upon one stone”\n\nThe 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.\n\n### Jotham’s curse\n\nIn 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: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/curse]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Jotham’s parable about the trees\n\nIn 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.\n\n### Did God send an “evil spirit” to Shechem?\n\nIn [9:23](../09/23.md), 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](../08/03.md), “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.\n\n### Why did Gaal go and stand in the gate of Shechem? \n\nIn [9:35](../09/35.md), 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.\n\n### Why did the people of Shechem go out of their city the day after Abimelek defeated Gaal?\n\nIn 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.\n 9:1 j370 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֨עַל֙ שְׁכֶ֔מָה 1 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. 9:1 j371 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אֲחֵ֖י אִמּ֑וֹ & אֲבִ֥י אִמּ֖וֹ 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for these relationships. Alternate translation: “his maternal uncles … his maternal grandfather” 9:2 gfl5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes דַּבְּרוּ־נָ֞א בְּאָזְנֵ֨י כָל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֮ מַה־טּ֣וֹב לָכֶם֒ הַמְשֹׁ֨ל בָּכֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־מְשֹׁ֥ל בָּכֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד 1 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.” 9:2 j372 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy דַּבְּרוּ & בְּאָזְנֵ֨י כָל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֮ 1 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 “please say out loud to all of the lords of Shechem” 9:2 j373 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־טּ֣וֹב לָכֶם֒ הַמְשֹׁ֨ל בָּכֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־מְשֹׁ֥ל בָּכֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד 1 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!” 9:2 e38y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism עַצְמֵכֶם וּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם אָנִֽי 1 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” 9:3 ie29 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בְּאָזְנֵי֙ 1 See how you translated the same expression in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “in the hearing of” or “out loud to” 9:3 j374 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיֵּ֤ט לִבָּם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא 1 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” 9:3 ubh9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיֵּ֤ט לִבָּם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ 1 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” 9:3 j375 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns לִבָּם֙ 1 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” 9:3 j376 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא 1 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” 9:3 j377 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא 1 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” 9:3 j378 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא 1 It may be more natural in your language to have an indirect quotation here. The UST models one way to do that. 9:4 j379 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף 1 The author is using the word **silver** by association to mean silver shekels, a unit of weight. Alternate translation: “70 shekels of silver” 9:4 yf3w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף 1 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” 9:4 yf44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִבֵּ֖יתּ בַ֣עַל בְּרִ֑ית 1 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” 9:4 mi77 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys אֲנָשִׁ֤ים רֵיקִים֙ וּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים 1 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” 9:5 ilv2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אֶת־אֶחָ֧יו בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל 1 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” 9:5 jer7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת 1 It appears that killing all **70** of these men **upon one stone** was a symbolic action of some kind. See the General 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. 9:5 j380 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל הַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּ֥י נֶחְבָּֽא 1 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” 9:5 j381 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם 1 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” 9:6 up6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וְכָל־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא 1 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](../09/46.md). 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 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” 9:6 j382 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עִם־אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׁכֶֽם 1 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](../jos/24/26.md)). 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” 9:6 j383 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction עִם־אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׁכֶֽם 1 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” 9:7 ksz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ לְיוֹתָ֗ם 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “And Jotham was told about this” 9:7 j384 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ לְיוֹתָ֗ם 1 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” 9:7 j385 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים 1 The author seems to mean implicitly not that Jotham stood on the very summit of Mount Gerizim but atop a rocky crag, several hundred feet high, that overlooked Shechem. 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” 9:7 z9vx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים 1 The word **Gerizim** is the name of a mountain. 9:7 j386 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים 1 Jotham choosing **Mount Gerizim** as the place from which to shout his message was a symbolic action. In [Deuteronomy 11:29](../deu/11/29.md) and [Deuteronomy 27:12–26](../deu/27/12.md), 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](../jos/08/32.md) 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, where curses had been proclaimed against unfaithfulness to Yahweh” 9:7 d3ws rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּשָּׂ֥א קוֹל֖וֹ 1 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 he shouted very loudly” 9:7 j387 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit שִׁמְע֤וּ אֵלַי֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם אֱלֹהִֽים 1 Jotham is implicitly making a threat that he assumes the lords of Shechem will understand. The implication of the threat is that God has sent Jotham 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” 9:7 j388 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular שִׁמְע֤וּ & אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם 1 Here and through the end of Jotham’s speech in verse 20, the pronouns **you** and “your” and are plural and 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. 9:8 p19p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables הָל֤וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָעֵצִ֔ים לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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” 9:8 j389 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הָל֤וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָעֵצִ֔ים לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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” 9:8 j390 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ לַזַּ֖יִת מָלְכָ֥ה עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:8 ai6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative מָלְכָ֥ה עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:9 j391 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַזַּ֔יִת הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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.” 9:9 q6h3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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!” 9:9 q6h4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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!” 9:9 v5cc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔י 1 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” 9:9 b42t rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “by which gods and men are honored” 9:9 ctc8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural אֱלֹהִ֖ים 1 The word translated as **gods** is plural in form, but it could mean: (1) gods, as in the ULT. (2) God. Alternate translation: “God” 9:9 a9cy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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. 9:10 j392 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַתְּאֵנָ֑ה לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:10 j393 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:11 df3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַתְּאֵנָ֔ה הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־מָתְקִ֔י וְאֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֑ה וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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.” 9:11 bi3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־מָתְקִ֔י וְאֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֑ה וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 See how you translated the similar question in [9:9](../09/09.md). Alternate translation: “I am not going to discontinue my sweetness and my good fruit in order to go wave over the trees!” 9:11 jkz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֶת־מָתְקִ֔י וְאֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֑ה 1 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” 9:11 j394 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:9](../09/09.md). 9:12 j395 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַגָּ֑פֶן לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:12 j396 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:10](../09/10.md). Alternate translation: “Then you be the one to reign over us” 9:13 j397 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 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.” 9:13 i2y3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֶחֳדַ֨לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 See how you translated the similar question in [9:9](../09/09.md). Alternate translation: “I am not going to discontinue my new wine, which cheers gods and men, in order to go wave over the trees!” 9:13 j398 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural אֱלֹהִ֖ים 1 The word translated as **gods** is plural in form, but it could mean: (1) gods, as in the ULT. (2) God. Alternate translation: “God” 9:13 j399 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:9](../09/09.md). 9:14 j400 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ כָל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֶל־הָאָטָ֑ד לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־עָלֵֽינוּ 1 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” 9:14 j401 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit כָל־הָעֵצִ֖ים 1 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” 9:14 j402 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־עָלֵֽינוּ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:10](../09/10.md). Alternate translation: “Then you be the one to reign over us” 9:15 g1p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes 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 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 might fire go forth from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.” 9:15 cm8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת 1 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” 9:15 j403 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְצִלִּ֑י 1 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](../isa/30/02.md), 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” 9:15 j404 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְצִלִּ֑י 1 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” 9:15 hvs5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאִם־אַ֕יִן 1 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” 9:15 j405 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הָ֣אָטָ֔ד וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אַרְזֵ֥י הַלְּבָנֽוֹן 1 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” 9:15 xn44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הָ֣אָטָ֔ד 1 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” 9:16 j406 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical וְעַתָּ֗ה אִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וְאִם־טוֹבָ֤ה עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ עִם־יְרֻבַּ֣עַל וְעִם־בֵּית֔וֹ וְאִם־כִּגְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖יו עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם לֽוֹ 1 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 Jerubaal and with his house. Suppose that according to the deserving of his hands you have done to him.” 9:16 ayq2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְעַתָּ֗ה אִם & עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם 1 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” 9:16 j407 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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” 9:16 j408 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys אִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1 Jotham is expressing a single idea by using two phrases connected with **and**. Alternate translation: “if you have acted truly and genuinely by making Abimelek reign” 9:16 j409 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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” 9:16 j410 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ 1 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: “with complete sincerity” 9:16 nu7n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּית֔וֹ 1 Here, **house** means all the people descended from a particular person. Alternate translation: “his descendants” 9:16 j411 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כִּגְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖יו 1 Jotham is using the word **hands** to mean to what his father **Jerubaal** (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” 9:17 x8ae rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical אֲשֶׁר־נִלְחַ֥ם אָבִ֖י עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִיַּ֥ד מִדְיָֽן 1 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.” 9:17 fpm7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background אֲשֶׁר 1 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” 9:17 j412 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד 1 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” 9:18 j413 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast 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 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. 9:18 j414 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical 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 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.” 9:18 cr5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom קַמְתֶּ֨ם 1 Jotham is using the word **arisen** within a common expression in which it ordinarily describes subjects revolting against their rulers. In [8:23](../08/23.md), 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” 9:18 i5zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּ֤ית 1 See how you translated the term **house** in [9:16](../09/16.md). Alternate translation: “the descendants of” 9:18 c154 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בֶּן־אֲמָתוֹ֙ 1 The author says in [8:31](../08/31.md) 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” 9:18 j415 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲחִיכֶ֖ם 1 See how you translated the term **brother** in [9:3](../09/03.md). Alternate translation: “is your kinsman” 9:19 cwl5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical וְאִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת וּבְתָמִ֧ים עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־יְרֻבַּ֥עַל וְעִם־בֵּית֖וֹ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה שִׂמְחוּ֙ בַּאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְיִשְׂמַ֥ח גַּם־ה֖וּא בָּכֶֽם 1 Jotham is concluding the long hypothetical statement he began in [9:16](../09/16.md). 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” 9:19 r5ce rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת וּבְתָמִ֧ים & בֵּית֖וֹ 1 See how you translated these expressions in [9:16](../09/16.md). Alternate translation: “with complete sincerity … his descendants” 9:20 rv9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical וְאִם־אַ֕יִן תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ 1 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” 9:20 j416 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְאִם־אַ֕יִן 1 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” 9:20 g8i6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מֵאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְתֹאכַ֛ל אֶת־בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶ֖ם וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֑וֹא וְתֵצֵ֨א אֵ֜שׁ מִבַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁכֶם֙ וּמִבֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 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” 9:21 j417 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיָּ֣נָס יוֹתָ֔ם וַיִּבְרַ֖ח 1 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 captures, 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” 9:21 pan4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּאֵ֑רָה 1 The word **Beer** is the name of a city. 9:21 j418 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵ֖י 1 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. Alternate translation: “from the presence of” or “where he was safe from” 9:21 j419 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אָחִֽיו 1 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” 9:22 j420 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 1 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](../01/07.md) 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” 9:23 bv9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ ר֣וּחַ רָעָ֔ה בֵּ֣ין אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וּבֵ֖ין בַּעֲלֵ֣י 1 The word **spirit** could refer to: (1) the attitude that Abimelek and the lords of Shechem had towards one another. This would be the same meaning as in [8:3](../08/03.md), “their spirit abated toward him,” which means, “they no longer had a hostile attitude toward him.” 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” 9:23 j421 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ 1 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. 9:24 xf1e rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לָב֕וֹא חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבָּ֑עַל וְדָמָ֗ם לָשׂ֞וּם עַל־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ 1 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” 9:24 j422 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבָּ֑עַל 1 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” 9:24 j423 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְדָמָ֗ם לָשׂ֞וּם עַל־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ אֲחִיהֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָרַ֣ג אוֹתָ֔ם 1 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” 9:24 j424 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אֲחִיהֶם֙ & אֶחָֽיו 1 See how you translated the term “brother” in [9:21](../09/21.md). Alternate translation: “their father’s son … his father’s sons” 9:24 j425 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֲשֶׁר־חִזְּק֥וּ אֶת־יָדָ֖יו 1 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” 9:25 b7tx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לוֹ֩ 1 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” 9:25 j426 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַ֚ל רָאשֵׁ֣י הֶהָרִ֔ים 1 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](../09/07.md). Alternate translation: “up high on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal” 9:25 pd3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 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” 9:26 r2ue rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names גַּ֤עַל & עֶ֨בֶד֙ 1 9:26 j427 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶחָ֔יו 1 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” 9:27 i6sf rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֵּצְא֨וּ 1 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” 9:27 j428 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַֽיִּבְצְר֤וּ אֶת־כַּרְמֵיהֶם֙ 1 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” 9:27 r8w9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַֽיִּדְרְכ֔וּ 1 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” 9:27 j429 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ הִלּוּלִ֑ים 1 Based on its one other use in [Leviticus 19:24](../lev/19/24.md), 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” 9:27 d9l2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּ֣ית אֱֽלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם 1 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](../09/04.md). Alternate translation: “into the temple of their god” 9:28 w9hj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּמִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ הֲלֹ֥א בֶן־יְרֻבַּ֖עַל וּזְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑וֹ 1 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.” 9:28 j430 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּמִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ 1 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?” 9:28 dfp7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּמִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ 1 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](../09/03.md), 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?” 9:28 j431 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ 1 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. 9:28 a6ws rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הֲלֹ֥א בֶן־יְרֻבַּ֖עַל 1 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” 9:28 j432 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants וּזְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑וֹ עִבְד֗וּ אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֤י חֲמוֹר֙ 1 The author could have indicated in [9:22](../09/22.md), when he briefly described Abimelek’s reign, that Abimelek appointed a man named Zebul as his **deputy** to govern Shechem when 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 this as background information. Alternate translation: “and is not Zebul his deputy?’ (Abimelek had appointed a man named Zebul to govern Shechem when he was not present there.) ‘Serve the men of Hamor” 9:28 b36z rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּזְבֻ֣ל 1 The word **Zebul** is the name of a man. 9:28 j433 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural עִבְד֗וּ אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֤י חֲמוֹר֙ 1 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” 9:28 rq5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲבִ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם 1 While a man named **Hamor** had literally been the **father** of a man named **Shechem** ([Genesis 34:2](../gen/34/02.md)), 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” 9:28 j434 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וּמַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ 1 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?” 9:28 ju72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ 1 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!” 9:29 v1e2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן אֶת־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדִ֔י 1 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!” 9:29 j435 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן אֶת־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדִ֔י 1 Here, **hand** represents the power that one person has over another person or over a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I wish that someone would give me power over this people!” or “I wish that someone would make me the ruler of this people!” 9:29 j436 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ לַאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲךָ֖ וָצֵֽאָה 1 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!” 9:29 j437 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲךָ֖ 1 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” 9:30 a53k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֖י גַּ֣עַל 1 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” 9:30 u13b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּ֖חַר אַפּֽוֹ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “and he became furious” 9:31 u898 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּתָרְמָ֣ה 1 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” 9:31 j438 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶחָיו֙ בָּאִ֣ים שְׁכֶ֔מָה 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [9:26](../09/26.md). Alternate translation: “has come to Shechem with a band of men” 9:31 gvg1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־הָעִ֖יר 1 Zebul’s messengers are using the term **city** by association to mean the people of the city. Alternate translation: “the people of the city” 9:32 j18v rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְעַתָּה֙ 1 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:” 9:32 j439 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-imperative ק֣וּם & וֶאֱרֹ֖ב 1 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” 9:32 j440 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom ק֣וּם 1 See how you translated this word in [4:14](../04/14.md). 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” 9:32 mrh8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וֶאֱרֹ֖ב בַּשָּׂדֶֽה 1 The verb translated as **hide** here is the same one that was translated as “ambushers” in [9:25](../09/25.md). The implicit idea is that Abimelek and his troops will hide not just so that they cannot be seen, but so that they can launch a surprise attack in the morning. You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and set an ambush in the field” 9:32 j441 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בַּשָּׂדֶֽה 1 Since [9:36](../09/36.md) 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” 9:33 j442 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative וְהָיָ֤ה בַבֹּ֨קֶר֙ & תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣ עַל־הָעִ֑יר & וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ 1 The messengers are using verb forms that could make a future statement in order to keep conveying a recommendation from Zebul. As in the previous verse, translate them with a form that someone would use in your language to address a superior. Alternate translation: “That way, in the morning … you will be able to start early and rush against the city … and you will be able to do to him” 9:33 j443 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣ & אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ & יָדֶֽךָ 1 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. 9:33 j444 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns ה֞וּא 1 The pronoun **he** refers to Gaal. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Gaal” 9:33 k1f3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר תִּמְצָ֥א יָדֶֽךָ 1 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” 9:34 be8t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּ֧קָם 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [9:32](../09/32.md). Alternate translation: “So … got going” 9:34 j445 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֶּאֶרְב֣וּ עַל־שְׁכֶ֔ם 1 The verb translated as **ambushed** here is the same one that was translated as “ambushers” in [9:25](../09/25.md) and as “hide” in [9:32](../09/32.md). 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” 9:35 j446 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֵּצֵא֙ גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־עֶ֔בֶד וַיַּעֲמֹ֕ד פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר 1 See the discussion of this verse in the General 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. 9:35 j447 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּ֧קָם & מִן־הַמַּאְרָֽב 1 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” 9:36 j448 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אֶל־זְבֻ֔ל 1 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” 9:36 gz9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ זְבֻ֔ל 1 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” 9:37 j449 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural עָם֙ יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים 1 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. 9:37 j450 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate טַבּ֣וּר הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 This expression could be: (2) a description of some geographic feature. Alternate translation: “the center of the land” or “the crest of that hill” (1) 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” 9:37 j451 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate אֵל֥וֹן מְעוֹנְנִֽים 1 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” 9:38 j452 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֨יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 1 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 the confidence that led you to say, ‘Who {is} Abimelek, that we should serve him?’” 9:38 qap7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֨יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 1 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, ‘Who {is} Abimelek, that we should serve him?’” 9:38 j453 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 1 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” 9:38 fub2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 1 If you translated the similar expression in [9:28](../09/28.md) as a statement or an exclamation, you could do the same thing here. Alternate translation: “We should not serve Abimelek!” 9:38 j454 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ 1 In the statement he made in [9:28](../09/28.md), 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. 9:38 qdj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֨א זֶ֤ה הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָאַ֣סְתָּה 1 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: “This is the people that you despised!” 9:38 j455 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בּֽוֹ 1 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: “with them” 9:39 j456 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיֵּ֣צֵא גַ֔עַל & וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 As the General Introduction to Judges discuss, 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” 9:39 j457 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לִפְנֵ֖י בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם 1 This 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](../09/29.md) 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” 9:40 j458 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ 1 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” 9:40 j459 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj חֲלָלִ֥ים 1 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” 9:40 p7lv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ 1 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” 9:40 j460 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַד־פֶּ֥תַח הַשָּֽׁעַר 1 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” 9:41 y21z rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בָּארוּמָ֑ה 1 The word **Arumah** is the name of a town. It was about five miles away from Shechem. 9:41 j461 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֶת־אֶחָ֖יו 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:26](../09/26.md). Alternate translation: “and his band of men” 9:42 j462 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense וַיֵּצֵ֥א 1 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” 9:42 j463 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה 1 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” 9:42 em2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ 1 The pronoun **they** is indefinite here; it does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “and this was reported to Abimelek” 9:43 j464 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הָעָ֗ם & הָעָם֙ 1 In its first instance in this verse, the expression **the people** refers to Abimelek’s army, as in [9:34–38](../09/34.md). In its second instance, this expression refers to the citizens of Shechem, as in [9:42](../09/42.md). You could indicate this explicitly in your translation if that would be helpful to your readers. The UST models one way to do this. 9:43 e8ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֶּאֱרֹ֖ב 1 See how you translated the word “hide” in [9:32](../09/32.md). Alternate translation: “and set an ambush” 9:44 j465 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ 1 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” 9:44 h6g9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ 1 The context indicates that the pronoun **they** refers 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” 9:44 a246 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר 1 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” 9:45 j466 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ מֶֽלַח 1 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” 9:45 t928 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ מֶֽלַח 1 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” 9:46 j467 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־שְׁכֶ֑ם 1 These are probably old participants in the story, that is, people whom the author has mentioned earlier. They seem to be the same people who are described in [9:6](../09/06.md) as “Beth Millo,” officers from a military post near the city that included its defensive tower. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you can use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: “the officers of the military post that included the tower of Shechem” 9:46 lty1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּ֖ית 1 See how you translated the same expression in [9:4](../09/04.md). Alternate translation: “the temple of” 9:46 kw6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֵ֥ל בְּרִֽית 1 The expression **El-Berith** seems to be another name for the false god that is called Baal-Berith in [8:33](../08/33.md) and [9:4](../09/04.md). 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” 9:47 hnv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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” 9:48 h1s8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names צַלְמ֗וֹן 1 The word **Zalmon** is the name of a mountain near Shechem. 9:48 j468 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיִּקַּח֩ אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ אֶת־הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת בְּיָד֗וֹ 1 In this context, as the similar uses in [1 Samuel 14:34](../1sa/14/34.md) and [Jeremiah 38:10](../jer/38/10.md) 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” 9:49 thc7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיַּצִּ֧יתוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אֶֽת־הַצְּרִ֖יחַ בָּאֵ֑שׁ 1 This could mean: (1) that Abimelek and his men burned the citadel by means of the branches. Alternate translation: “and they used them to burn the citadel with fire” (2) that the flames from the branches went up and burned the walls and tower of the citadel. Alternate translation: “and they burned with fire the citadel that was above the branches” 9:49 j469 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיַּצִּ֧יתוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אֶֽת־הַצְּרִ֖יחַ בָּאֵ֑שׁ 1 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” 9:50 nyj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־תֵּבֵ֑ץ וַיִּ֥חַן בְּתֵבֵ֖ץ 1 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. 9:50 j8hf rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names תֵּבֵ֑ץ 1 The word **Thebez** is the name of a town. 9:51 j470 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים וְהַנָּשִׁ֗ים וְכֹל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר 1 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” 9:52 jgq2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בּ֑וֹ 1 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” 9:52 j471 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ בָאֵֽשׁ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [9:49](../09/49.md). Alternate translation: “to set it on fire” or “to burn it down” 9:53 j472 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחַ֛ת 1 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” 9:53 z9j6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown פֶּ֥לַח רֶ֖כֶב 1 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” 9:54 j473 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes פֶּן־יֹ֥אמְרוּ לִ֖י אִשָּׁ֣ה הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ 1 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” 9:55 j474 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 1 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” 9:56 j475 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory וַיָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְאָבִ֔יו לַהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶחָֽיו 1 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. 9:56 j476 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1 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 other people” 9:56 j477 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְאָבִ֔יו 1 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” 9:57 fx65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאֵ֗ת כָּל־רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם הֵשִׁ֥יב אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּרֹאשָׁ֑ם 1 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” 9:57 j478 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְאֵ֗ת כָּל־רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם 1 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” 9:57 j479 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם 1 Here the masculine term **men** seems to have a generic sense. The author specifies in [9:49](../09/49.md) 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” 9:57 j480 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בְּרֹאשָׁ֑ם 1 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” 9:57 hua1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַתָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קִֽלֲלַ֖ת יוֹתָ֥ם בֶּן־יְרֻבָּֽעַל 1 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” 10:intro zqn2 0 # Judges 10 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter introduces the account of Jephthah, which continues in Chapters 11 and 12.\n\n### Literary devices that point to structure\n\nPossessive forms\n\nWithin the list of people groups in [10:6](../10/06.md), 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.\n\nOrder of information\n\nIn [10:7](../10/07.md), 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”\n 10:1 g7ww rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names תּוֹלָ֧ע & פּוּאָ֛ה & דּוֹד֖וֹ & בְּשָׁמִ֖יר 1 The words **Tola**, **Puah**, and **Dodo** are the names of men, and the word **Shamir** is the name of a town. 10:1 lxh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּקָם֩ & לְהוֹשִׁ֣יעַ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל 1 As in [5:7](../05/07.md), the author is using the expression **arose** to mean that Tola took on a particular role. See how you translated the expression there. Alternate translation: “Now … became the next deliverer of Israel” 10:2 unp5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּקָּבֵ֥ר 1 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” 10:3 m9uk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names יָאִ֖יר 1 The word **Jair** is the name of a man. 10:3 fmn8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּ֣קָם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [10:2](../10/02.md). Alternate translation: “And … became the next deliverer” 10:4 i1hv rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction רֹֽכְבִים֙ עַל־שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים עֲיָרִ֔ים 1 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” 10:4 j482 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לָהֶ֞ם יִקְרְא֣וּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the immediate context. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “they are called” 10:4 vb1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names חַוֺּ֣ת יָאִ֗יר 1 **Havvoth Jair** is the name of a group of cities. 10:4 j483 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate חַוֺּ֣ת יָאִ֗יר 1 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” 10:4 h644 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַ֚ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה 1 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” 10:5 t8ka rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר 1 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” 10:5 s19j rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּקָמֽוֹן 1 The word **Kamon** is the name of a town. 10:6 ki1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָרַע֮ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָה֒ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” 10:6 p7j4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names אֶת־הַבְּעָלִ֣ים וְאֶת־הָעַשְׁתָּר֡וֹת 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “many false gods and goddesses” 10:6 j484 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession וְאֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲרָם֩ וְאֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֨י צִיד֜וֹן וְאֵ֣ת ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י מוֹאָ֗ב וְאֵת֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י בְנֵי־עַמּ֔וֹן וְאֵ֖ת אֱלֹהֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים 1 See the discussion in the General 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. 10:6 r515 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וַיַּעַזְב֥וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א עֲבָדֽוּהוּ 1 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” 10:7 f4v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵם֙ בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּבְיַ֖ד בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן 1 See how you translated the expressions “the nose of Yahweh burned” and “he sold them into the hand of” in [3:8](../03/08.md). Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh became furious with Israel, and he made them subjects of the Philistines and the Ammonites” 10:7 zf61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיִּֽחַר־אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה 1 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. 10:7 j485 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּבְיַ֖ד בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן 1 See the discussion of this phrase in the General Notes to this chapter. Alternate translation: “into the hand of the sons of Ammon and into the hand of the Philistines” 10:8 j486 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וַֽיִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַיְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הַהִ֑יא שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה שָׁנָ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הָאֱמֹרִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּגִּלְעָֽד 1 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. 10:8 q2ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַֽיִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַיְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הַהִ֑יא 1 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” 10:8 j487 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַֽיִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַיְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ 1 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” 10:8 j488 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַֽיִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַיְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ 1 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](../09/53.md) 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” 10:8 psa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet וַֽיִּרְעֲצ֤וּ וַיְרֹֽצְצוּ֙ 1 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” 10:8 j489 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה שָׁנָ֗ה אֶֽת־כָּל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן 1 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” 10:8 msz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן 1 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” 10:8 j490 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הָאֱמֹרִ֖י 1 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” 10:8 b5w4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּגִּלְעָֽד 1 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” 10:9 nt9c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְבֵ֣ית אֶפְרָ֑יִם 1 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” 10:9 gl3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַתֵּ֥צֶר לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מְאֹֽד 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:15](../02/15.md). Alternate translation: “and the Israelites were in great distress” 10:10 t38a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ 1 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” 10:11 lf73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge 1 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. You might have Yahweh say something like this: “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!” 10:12 w39a rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּמָע֔וֹן 1 The word **Maon** is the name of a people group. 10:12 e4ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיָּדָֽם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [2:14](../02/14.md). Alternate translation: “from their power” 10:14 j491 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony לְכ֗וּ וְזַֽעֲקוּ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם בָּ֑ם הֵ֛מָּה יוֹשִׁ֥יעוּ לָכֶ֖ם בְּעֵ֥ת צָרַתְכֶֽם 1 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: “Since you have chosen other gods, you have no right to cry out to me to save you in your time of distress!” 10:14 ng7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם בָּ֑ם 1 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” 10:15 j492 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כְּכָל־הַטּ֖וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “according to everything that you judge to be good” 10:15 j493 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה 1 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” 10:16 i218 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־אֱלֹהֵ֤י הַנֵּכָר֙ 1 The author is using the expression **foreign gods** by association to mean idols that represented these gods. Alternate translation: “the idols” 10:16 m6hd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche נַפְשׁ֖וֹ 1 The author is using one part of Yahweh, his **soul**, to mean all of him. Alternate translation: “he” 10:17 j494 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיִּצָּֽעֲקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן 1 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. 10:17 j495 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּצָּֽעֲקוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן 1 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” 10:18 j496 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ הָעָ֜ם שָׂרֵ֤י גִלְעָד֙ 1 This could mean: (1) that the author is using the term **people** to introduce these **princes** as new participants in the story. (This would be similar to the usage in [4:4](../04/04.md), 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 **princes** of Gilead met to discuss this question. Alternate translation: “Then the people and princes of Gilead said” 10:18 j497 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ & אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔הוּ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [6:29](../06/29.md). Alternate translation: “Then … all asked each other” 10:18 j3k2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִ֣י הָאִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָחֵ֔ל לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם בִּבְנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן 1 The princes 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?” 10:18 j498 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְרֹ֔אשׁ 1 The princes of Gilead are using the word **head** to mean “ruler,” not just “military commander,” as [11:11](../11/11.md) 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” 11:intro q7si 0 # Judges 11 General Notes\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe account of Jephthah continues in this chapter.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Why did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter?\n\nThe 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](../lev/27/01.md), 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](../17/06.md) and [21:25](../21/25.md), 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.\n\n\n\n 11:1 j499 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְיִפְתָּ֣ח הַגִּלְעָדִ֗י הָיָה֙ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל וְה֖וּא בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֣ה זוֹנָ֑ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד גִּלְעָ֖ד אֶת־יִפְתָּֽח 1 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. 11:1 j500 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants וְיִפְתָּ֣ח הַגִּלְעָדִ֗י הָיָה֙ גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל 1 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” 11:1 j501 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns גִּבּ֣וֹר חַ֔יִל 1 See how you translated the same expression in [6:12](../06/12.md). Alternate translation: “a valiant warrior” 11:1 yk6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names גִּלְעָ֖ד 1 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. 11:2 r35b rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential וַתֵּ֧לֶד אֵֽשֶׁת־גִּלְעָ֛ד ל֖וֹ בָּנִ֑ים 1 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” 11:2 j502 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וַיְגָרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־יִפְתָּ֗ח וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לוֹ֙ לֹֽא־תִנְחַ֣ל בְּבֵית־אָבִ֔ינוּ כִּ֛י בֶּן־אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחֶ֖רֶת אָֽתָּה 1 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” 11:2 j503 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּבֵית־אָבִ֔ינוּ 1 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” 11:2 j504 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive בְּבֵית־אָבִ֔ינוּ 1 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. 11:3 j505 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפְּנֵ֣י אֶחָ֔יו 1 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. Alternate translation: “from the presence of his brothers” 11:3 j506 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אֶחָ֔יו 1 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” 11:3 aw1r rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names ט֑וֹב 1 The word **Tob** is the name of a region. It seems to have been a part of Aram (Syria) that was near Gilead. 11:3 f5ze rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיֵּצְא֖וּ עִמּֽוֹ 1 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” 11:4 s6ku rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֖י מִיָּמִ֑ים וַיִּלָּחֲמ֥וּ בְנֵֽי־עַמּ֖וֹן עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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](../10/17.md). Alternate translation: “It was some days after that when the sons of Ammon fought with Israel” 11:4 cn67 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִיָּמִ֑ים 1 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” 11:5 j507 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֕י 1 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. 11:6 b37n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-declarative לְכָ֕ה וְהָיִ֥יתָה לָּ֖נוּ לְקָצִ֑ין 1 The elders are using an imperative followed by a verb form that could make future statement in order to make a polite request of Jephthah. You can translate this with a form that is suitable for a polite request in your language. Alternate translation: “Please come and be our commander” 11:7 j508 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֤א אַתֶּם֙ שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם אוֹתִ֔י וַתְּגָרְשׁ֖וּנִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑י 1 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!” 11:7 j509 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result הֲלֹ֤א אַתֶּם֙ שְׂנֵאתֶ֣ם אוֹתִ֔י וַתְּגָרְשׁ֖וּנִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑י 1 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!” 11:7 j510 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַתְּגָרְשׁ֖וּנִי מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑י 1 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” 11:7 f7vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑י 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [11:2](../11/02.md). Alternate translation: “from my family” 11:7 j511 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַדּ֜וּעַ בָּאתֶ֤ם אֵלַי֙ עַ֔תָּה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צַ֥ר לָכֶֽם 1 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. 11:8 ph3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result לָכֵן֙ עַתָּה֙ שַׁ֣בְנוּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ 1 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” 11:8 uem9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical וְהָלַכְתָּ֣ עִמָּ֔נוּ וְנִלְחַמְתָּ֖ בִּבְנֵ֣י עַמּ֑וֹן וְהָיִ֤יתָ לָּ֨נוּ֙ לְרֹ֔אשׁ לְכֹ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֥י גִלְעָֽד 1 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” 11:8 j512 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְרֹ֔אשׁ 1 See how you translated the same term in [10:18](../10/18.md). Alternate translation: “the ruler” 11:9 j513 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical אִם־מְשִׁיבִ֨ים אַתֶּ֤ם אוֹתִי֙ לְהִלָּחֵם֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן וְנָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אוֹתָ֖ם לְפָנָ֑י אָנֹכִ֕י אֶהְיֶ֥ה לָכֶ֖ם לְרֹֽאשׁ 1 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?” 11:9 j514 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְנָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה אוֹתָ֖ם לְפָנָ֑י 1 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](../08/07.md) 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” 11:9 j515 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לָכֶ֖ם לְרֹֽאשׁ 1 See how you translated the same term in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “your ruler” 11:10 j516 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-oathformula יְהוָ֗ה יִהְיֶ֤ה שֹׁמֵ֨עַ֙ בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔ינוּ אִם־לֹ֥א כִדְבָרְךָ֖ כֵּ֥ן נַעֲשֶֽׂה 1 Following the custom of their culture, the elders are swearing an oath by stating the first part of a condition (“if”) but not the second part (“then”). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explicitly state the second part of this condition. (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” 11:10 j517 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בֵּֽינוֹתֵ֔ינוּ 1 Here the term **between** is not a preposition but a substantive. 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” 11:10 j518 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אִם־לֹ֥א כִדְבָרְךָ֖ כֵּ֥ן נַעֲשֶֽׂה 1 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” 11:11 j519 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּ הָעָ֥ם אוֹת֛וֹ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם לְרֹ֣אשׁ וּלְקָצִ֑ין וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֧ח אֶת־כָּל־דְּבָרָ֛יו לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בַּמִּצְפָּֽה 1 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” 11:11 hf4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְרֹ֣אשׁ וּלְקָצִ֑ין 1 See how you translated the word **head** in [11:8–9](../11/08.md). Alternate translation: “not only as their military commander but also as their ruler” 11:11 w6mk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶת־כָּל־דְּבָרָ֛יו 1 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](../11/09.md). Alternate translation: “the same thing he had said to the elders” 11:11 v6uq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה 1 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” 11:12 su7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מַה־לִּ֣י וָלָ֔ךְ כִּֽי־בָ֥אתָ אֵלַ֖י לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם בְּאַרְצִֽי 1 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. 11:12 j520 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־לִּ֣י וָלָ֔ךְ כִּֽי־בָ֥אתָ אֵלַ֖י לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם בְּאַרְצִֽי 1 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!” 11:12 ybt9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מַה־לִּ֣י וָלָ֔ךְ 1 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 …!” 11:12 hwk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּאַרְצִֽי 1 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” 11:13 j521 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis כִּֽי־לָקַ֨ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֶת־אַרְצִי֙ 1 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” 11:13 qdz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מֵאַרְנ֥וֹן & הַיַּבֹּ֖ק 1 The words **Arnon** and **Jabbok** are the names of rivers. 11:13 ps71 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֶתְהֶ֖ן 1 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” 11:13 tsw4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְּשָׁלֽוֹם 1 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” 11:14 j522 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיּ֥וֹסֶף ע֖וֹד יִפְתָּ֑ח וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים 1 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 represent just one of these terms. Alternate translation: “Then Jephthah sent messengers once again” or “Jephthah continued to send messengers” 11:15 i4ns rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֹּ֣אמֶר 1 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” 11:15 j523 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יִפְתָּ֑ח לֹֽא־לָקַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב וְאֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן 1 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” 11:15 j524 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit לֹֽא־לָקַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב וְאֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן 1 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” 11:16 j525 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns בַּעֲלוֹתָ֣ם & וַיָּבֹ֖א 1 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” 11:17 j526 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes לֵאמֹ֜ר אֶעְבְּרָה־נָּ֣א בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ 1 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” 11:17 v8aa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹ֤א שָׁמַע֙ 1 The word translated as **listen** here is the same one that is translated as **heard** in [2:2](../02/02.md) and similar contexts. As the General 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” 11:17 q2mz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis וְגַ֨ם אֶל־מֶ֧לֶךְ מוֹאָ֛ב שָׁלַ֖ח 1 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” 11:17 x2ue rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּקָדֵֽשׁ 1 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” 11:18 el82 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיָּבֹ֤א מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ לְאֶ֣רֶץ מוֹאָ֔ב 1 The messengers do not mean that the Israelites traveled **from** the place where the sun rises, that is, somewhere in the east, **to** the land of Moab. They are using a characteristic expression to describe the location of one place relative to another place. They mean that from where the Israelites went in the wilderness, if one went **to the land of Moab** from there, one would approach it **from the rising of the sun**, that is, from the east. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. See how you translated the similar expression in [8:11](../08/11.md). Alternate translation: “and he traveled to the east of the land of Moab” 11:18 j527 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בְּעֵ֣בֶר אַרְנ֑וֹן 1 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](../10/08.md). Alternate translation: “on the north side of the Arnon River” 11:19 msq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נַעְבְּרָה־נָּ֥א בְאַרְצְךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽי 1 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 its place” 11:19 ur8x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל נַעְבְּרָה־נָּ֥א בְאַרְצְךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽי 1 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 send 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’” 11:19 j528 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns נַעְבְּרָה & בְאַרְצְךָ֖ עַד־מְקוֹמִֽי 1 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” 11:20 ew16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy עֲבֹ֣ר בִּגְבֻל֔וֹ 1 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” 11:20 mn9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names בְּיָ֑הְצָה 1 The word **Jahaz** is the name of a town. 11:21 vp7w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּכּ֑וּם 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:5](../01/05.md). Alternate translation: “and they beat them” or “and they defeated them” 11:22 ce2e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism וַיִּ֣ירְשׁ֔וּ 1 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](../11/13.md) 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” 11:22 j529 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֵ֖ת כָּל־גְּב֣וּל הָאֱמֹרִ֑י 1 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” 11:23 v22e rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases וְעַתָּ֞ה 1 The phrase translated as **And now** is an expression that was used letters and messages of this time to introduce the main business 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:” 11:23 ru3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּירָשֶֽׁנּוּ 1 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!” 11:23 j530 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּירָשֶֽׁנּוּ 1 As in [11:19](../11/19.md), 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. 11:24 nr59 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֞א אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר יוֹרִֽישְׁךָ֛ כְּמ֥וֹשׁ אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ אוֹת֥וֹ תִירָ֑שׁ 1 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” 11:24 z3zh rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names כְּמ֥וֹשׁ 1 The word **Chemosh** is the name of a false god. 11:25 k8y5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְעַתָּ֗ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [11:23](../11/23.md). Alternate translation: “And here is another important point:” 11:25 giw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הֲט֥וֹב טוֹב֙ אַתָּ֔ה מִבָּלָ֥ק & הֲר֥וֹב רָב֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִם־נִלְחֹ֥ם נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽם 1 The messengers are repeating 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?” 11:25 wln3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲט֥וֹב טוֹב֙ אַתָּ֔ה מִבָּלָ֥ק & הֲר֥וֹב רָב֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אִם־נִלְחֹ֥ם נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽם 1 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!” 11:25 fk7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מִבָּלָ֥ק & צִפּ֖וֹר 1 The words **Balak** and **Zippor** are the names of men. 11:25 j531 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit נִלְחַ֖ם בָּֽם 1 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!” 11:26 j532 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבִבְנוֹתֶ֜יהָ & וּבִבְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:27](../01/27.md). Alternate translation: “and in the surrounding villages … and in the surrounding villages” 11:26 c2xi rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names וּבְעַרְע֣וֹר 1 The word **Aroer** is the name of a city. 11:26 h61t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַדּ֥וּעַ לֹֽא־הִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא 1 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!” 11:26 pu9w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular לֹֽא־הִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם 1 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” 11:27 aei3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְאַתָּ֞ה עֹשֶׂ֥ה אִתִּ֛י רָעָ֖ה 1 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” 11:28 j533 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְלֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔ע 1 See how you translated the word “listen” in [11:17](../11/17.md). It has the same meaning here. Alternate translation: “But … did not agree not to fight after he heard” 11:28 j534 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy דִּבְרֵ֣י יִפְתָּ֔ח אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׁלַ֖ח אֵלָֽיו 1 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” 11:29 j535 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַתְּהִ֤י עַל־יִפְתָּח֙ ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֔ה 1 See how you translated the similar expression about Othniel in [3:10](../03/10.md). Alternate translation: “Then the Spirit of Yahweh powerfully influenced Jephthah” 11:29 dq1c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר אֶת־הַגִּלְעָ֖ד וְאֶת־מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה 1 The author means implicitly that Jephthah **passed through** these areas to summon Israelite men to fight, as Barak did in [4:10](../04/10.md) and Gideon did in [6:34–35](../06/0341.md). 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” 11:30 j536 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר לַיהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר 1 Here the author is providing background information to help readers understand what happens in the story. Since the first sentence of [11:32](../11/32.md) describes the same thing as the last sentence of [11:29](../11/29.md), 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” 11:30 j537 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys וַיִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר לַיהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר 1 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” 11:30 j538 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיִּדַּ֨ר יִפְתָּ֥ח נֶ֛דֶר 1 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” 11:30 j539 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication אִם־נָת֥וֹן תִּתֵּ֛ן 1 Jephthah is repeating 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” 11:31 kh4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֵצֵ֜א מִדַּלְתֵ֤י בֵיתִי֙ לִקְרָאתִ֔י 1 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 General Notes 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” 11:31 j540 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns בְשָׁל֖וֹם 1 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” 11:32 wr1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וַיַּעֲבֹ֥ר יִפְתָּ֛ח אֶל־בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן לְהִלָּ֣חֶם בָּ֑ם 1 Here the author is returning to the main story after providing background information in [11:30–31](../11/30.md). 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” 11:33 pfq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names מִנִּ֜ית & אָבֵ֣ל כְּרָמִ֔ים 1 The terms **Minnith** and **Abel Keramim** are the names of cities. 11:33 i18j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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” 11:33 j541 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַיִּכָּֽנְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 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. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “So the sons of Ammon could not stand against the sons of Israel” or “So the sons of Ammon had to act humbly in the presence of the sons of Israel” 11:34 j542 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural בְתֻפִּ֖ים וּבִמְחֹל֑וֹת 1 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](../1sa/18/06.md).) Alternate translation: “leading a group of women who were playing timbrels and dancing” 11:34 ng9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown בְתֻפִּ֖ים 1 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. 11:34 j543 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וְרַק֙ הִ֣יא יְחִידָ֔ה אֵֽין־ל֥וֹ מִמֶּ֛נּוּ בֵּ֖ן אוֹ־בַֽת 1 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” 11:35 md3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־בְּגָדָ֗יו 1 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” 11:35 qi6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication הַכְרֵ֣עַ הִכְרַעְתִּ֔נִי 1 Jephthah is repeating 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” 11:35 puu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַכְרֵ֣עַ הִכְרַעְתִּ֔נִי 1 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” 11:35 dvs5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאַ֖תְּ הָיִ֣יתְ בְּעֹֽכְרָ֑י 1 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](../11/07.md), 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](../10/16.md) 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” 11:35 j544 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְאָנֹכִ֗י פָּצִ֤יתִי־פִי֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה 1 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” 11:35 gvy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְלֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָשֽׁוּב 1 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” 11:36 j545 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פָּצִ֤יתָה אֶת־פִּ֨יךָ֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [11:35](../11/35.md). Alternate translation: “you have spoken a vow to Yahweh” 11:36 j546 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר יָצָ֣א מִפִּ֑יךָ 1 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” 11:36 e6gu rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-plural נְקָמ֛וֹת 1 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” 11:37 hj6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לִּ֖י הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה 1 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” 11:37 dh7s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְיָרַדְתִּ֣י עַל־הֶֽהָרִ֔ים 1 As the General 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” 11:39 j547 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיַּ֣עַשׂ לָ֔הּ אֶת־נִדְר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָדָ֑ר 1 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” 11:39 n4my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism וְהִיא֙ לֹא־יָדְעָ֣ה אִ֔ישׁ 1 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” 11:40 s739 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִיָּמִ֣ים ׀ יָמִ֗ימָה 1 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” 12:intro p8zn 0 # Judges 12 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\nThis chapter tells the stories of the following judges:\n12:1–7 Jephthah (conclusion)\n12:8–10 Ibzan\n12:11–12 Elon\n12:13– 15 Abdon\n\n\n\n 12:1 a1b2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-collectivenouns And a man of Ephraim was summoned, and he crossed over 1 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” 12:1 c3d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive And a man of Ephraim was summoned, and he crossed over 1 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” 12:1 e5f6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit and he crossed over 1 The author assumes that his readers will understand that the Ephraimites **crossed over** the Jordan River. Alternate translation: “and they crossed the Jordan River” 12:1 g7h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit northward 1 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 Mizpeh” 12:1 l2m3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo We will burn your house over you with fire 1 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” 12:2 n4p5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns I was a man of strife, I and my people and the sons of Ammon, exceedingly 1 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” 12:3 s8t9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns you {were} not a savior 1 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” 12:3 u1v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom and I put my life in my palm 1 This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “I risked my life.” Alternate translation: “so I risked my life” 12:3 w3x4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit and crossed over against 1 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” 12:3 c9d1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion So why have you come up to me this day to fight with me? 1 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!” 12:4 j548 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result 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.” 1 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.” 12:4 g4h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole all the men of Gilead 1 The author is making an overstatement for emphasis. Alternate translation: “his entire Gileadite army” 12:4 l8m9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns they said 1 Since the referent for **they** might be unclear, you could state it explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Ephraimites had said” 12:4 n1p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Gilead 1 The Ephraimites are using the name of the region to refer to the people from that region. Alternate translation: “you Gileadites” 12:4 q3r4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh 1 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” 12:5 j549 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to Ephraim 1 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” 12:5 s5t6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-collectivenouns the fugitives of Ephraim 1 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” 12:6 u7v8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Please say ‘Shibboleth.’ 1 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” 12:6 w9x1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy fell 1 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: “died” 12:7 y2z3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive and was buried 1 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” 12:8 a4b5 translate-names Ibzan 1 The word **Ibzan** is the name of a man. 12:9 e8f9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And 30 daughters he sent outside 1 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” 12:9 g1h2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom and 30 daughters he brought in for his sons from outside 1 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” 12:10 j3k4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive and was buried 1 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” 12:11 l5m6 translate-names Elon 1 The word **Elon** is the name of a man. 12:12 n7p8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive and was buried 1 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” 12:12 q9r1 translate-names Aijalon 1 The word **Aijalon** is the name of a town. 12:13 s2t3 translate-names Abdon & Hillel 1 The words **Abdon** and **Hillel** are the names of men. 12:13 u4v5 translate-names Pirathonite 1 The word **Pirathonite** is a name for a person from the town of Pirathon. 12:14 w6x7 translate-kinship sons of sons 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “grandsons” 12:14 y8z9 translate-symaction riding on 70 donkeys 1 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” 12:15 j574 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive and was buried 1 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” 12:15 j575 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the Amalekite 1 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” 13:intro eu67 0 # Judges 13 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter begins the account of Samson, which continues through Chapter 16.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Warning not to cut Samson’s hair\n\nThe 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: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/nazirite]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]])\n\n\n\n 13:1 j576 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns evil in the eyes of Yahweh 1 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](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what Yahweh considered to be evil” or “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” 13:2 j577 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants Now there was one man from Zorah 1 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” 13:2 j578 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zorah & Manoah 1 The word **Zorah** is the name of a town. The word **Manoah** is the name of a man. 13:2 j579 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit from the clan of the Danite 1 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” 13:2 j9k1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the Danite 1 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” 13:2 j580 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet {was} barren and had not given birth 1 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” 13:3 j581 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet you {are} barren and have not given birth 1 See how you translated the similar expression in [13:2](../13/02.md). 13:4 q6r7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And now 1 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](../11/23.md). 13:5 j582 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And a razor will not go up on his head 1 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” 13:5 j583 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the womb 1 The author is using the term **womb** by association to mean “birth.” Alternate translation: “from birth” 13:6 j584 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations saying 1 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” 13:7 a2d3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes 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.’ 1 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.” 13:8 y5z6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the one to be born 1 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” 13:9 a7b8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy And God listened to the voice of Manoah 1 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” 13:9 j585 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy And God listened to the voice of Manoah 1 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” 13:10 j586 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys hurried and ran 1 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**. Alternate translation: “ran quickly” 13:10 j587 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet and declared to her husband and said to him 1 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” 13:10 j6k7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom on a day 1 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. Alternate translation: “the other day” 13:11 j588 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship this woman 1 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. Alternate translation: “my wife” 13:12 j589 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy your words 1 Manoah is using the term **words** by association to mean what the angel said by using words. Alternate translation: “what you have said” 13:12 j590 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom come to pass 1 This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “happen.” Alternate translation: “happen” 13:13 j591 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom this woman 1 See how you translated this in [13:11](../13/11.md). Alternate translation: “your wife” 13:14 j592 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo Of all that comes forth from the vine of wine 1 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: “grapes” 13:15 j593 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness Please let us detain you, and we will prepare 1 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” 13:15 j594 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche to your face 1 Here, **face** represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “to set before you” or “to serve you” 13:15 j595 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom a kid of goats 1 This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean “a young goat.” Alternate translation: “a young goat” 13:16 j596 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact If you detain me 1 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” 13:16 j597 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche your bread 1 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: “your food” 13:16 j598 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result For Manoah did not know that he {was} the angel of Yahweh 1 The author is giving the reason why Manoah invited the angel of Yahweh to stay for a meal even though the angel would not eat a meal. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could provide the reason at the time when Manoah makes his invitation. You could say in verse 15, “And Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, not realizing who he was” 13:17 j599 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy when your words come {to pass} 1 See how you translated the similar expressions in [13:12](../13/12.md). Alternate translation: “when what you have said happens” 13:18 j600 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why do you ask this about my name, since it {is} wonderful? 1 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.” 13:19 j601 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns And he was being wonderful in doing 1 The author assumes that his readers will understand that **he** refers to the angel. Alternate translation: “And the angel was being wonderful in doing” 13:19 j602 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys And he was being wonderful in doing 1 The author is using two phrases together to expresses a single idea. The phrase **being wonderful** tells in what way the angel was **doing** something. Alternate translation: “And he was doing something amazing” 13:19 j603 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent And he was being wonderful in doing 1 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 something amazing” 13:20 j604 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent For it happened 1 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. Alternate translation: “And this is what he did” 13:20 j605 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction and they fell on their faces to the ground 1 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” 13:22 j606 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication Dying, we shall die 1 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” 13:24 j607 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo and she called his name 1 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 named him” 13:25 a1c2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-endofstory And the Spirit of Yahweh began to agitate him 1 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. 14:intro cl2d 0 # Judges 14 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe story of Samson continues in this chapter.\n\nSome 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.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Intermarriage\n\nThe 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.\n\n\n\n 14:1 k3p9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Timnah 1 The word **Timnah** is the name of a town. 14:1 m2q4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom from the daughters of the Philistines 1 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” 14:2 r7s1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations and declared to his father and to his mother and said 1 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” 14:2 k0rl rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases And now 1 See how you translated the phrase **And now**, which introduces someone’s main point, in [11:22](../11/22.md). Alternate translation: “So this is what I want you to do for me:” 14:2 z9a3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit get her for me for a wife 1 Samson assumes that his parents will know that by **get her for me for a wife** he means that he wants them to arrange between him and this woman with her family a marriage. 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” 14:3 b7c1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion {Is there} not among the daughters of your brothers or among all of my people a woman, that you {are} going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines? 1 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!” 14:3 d4e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship the daughters of your brothers 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “the young women of our own tribe” 14:3 f2g6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns my people 1 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” 14:3 h5j8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a woman 1 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” 14:3 k7l9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the uncircumcised Philistines 1 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” 14:4 m9n1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result 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 1 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.” 14:4 p2r3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background For at that time the Philistines {were} ruling over Israel 1 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. 14:5 s5t7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession a young lion of lions 1 This possessive form is similar in meaning to the expression “a kid of goats” in [6:19](../06/19.md). See how you translated that expression. Alternate translation: “a lion in the prime of its youth” 14:5 u8v1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit {was} roaring to meet him 1 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” 14:6 w3x5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him 1 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” 14:6 y7z9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/ writing-background and he tore it as the tearing of a kid, and {there was} not anything in his hand 1 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: “even though he was bare-handed, he tore it as easily as he could have torn a young goat” 14:9 a2b4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication and going, he walked, and eating, he walked 1 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” 14:10 pv0s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy אֶל־הָאִשָּׁ֑ה 1 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” 14:10 c6d8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result and Samson made a feast there, for thus the young men would do 1 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” 14:11 e9f1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent And it happened 1 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. 14:11 g3h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit in their seeing him 1 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 a bridegroom’s party with him. Alternate translation: “when they saw that he had not brought a bridegroom’s party with 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” 14:11 j7k9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship that they took 30 companions, and they were with him 1 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” 14:12 m2n4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events If declaring, you declare it to me {during} the seven days of the feast and you find {it} 1 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” 14:12 p6r8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication If declaring, you declare it 1 Samson is repeating 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” 14:14 s9t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit {for} three days 1 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” 14:15 u3v5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent And it happened 1 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. 14:15 w7x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit on the seventh day 1 The author assumes that his readers will know that by **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: “the last day of the feast, when they would have to give Samson many expensive garments if they could not solve the riddle” 14:15 y2z4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship to the wife of Samson & your husband 1 In this culture, engagement was tantamount to marriage, so 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 though the two were not yet married. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “to the fiancée of Samson … your fiancé” 14:15 a6b8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo we burn you and the house of your father with fire 1 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 to death you and the house of your father” 14:15 j608 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship and the house of your father 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “and your whole extended family” 14:15 e3f5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did you invite us to dispossess us? {Is it} not {so}? 1 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!” 14:16 g7h9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor wept upon him 1 While it is likely that Samson’s **wife** may have literally **wept upon 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: “wore him out with her weeping” 14:16 j2k4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to the sons of my people 1 See how you translated the similar expression “the daughters of the Philistines” in [14:1](./01.md). 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” 14:16 m6n8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion so will I tell {it} to you? 1 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!” 14:17 p9r1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche {for} the seven days {during} which the feast was to them 1 Since the author says in [14:15](./15.md) 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” 14:17 s3t5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent And it happened 1 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. 14:17 u7v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result that he declared {it} to her, for she had pressed him 1 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” 14:18 w2x4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go came in 1 In a context such as this, your language might say “went” instead of **came**. Alternate translation: “went down” 14:18 y6z8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What {is} sweeter than honey? And what {is} stronger than a lion? 1 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!” 14:18 a9b1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor If you had not plowed with my heifer 1 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” 14:19 c3d5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on him 1 See how you translated the same expression in [14:6](../14/06.md). Alternate translation: “And the Spirit of Yahweh came and empowered him” 14:19 e7f9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor And his nose burned 1 The author is speaking as if Samson’s **nose** had literally **burned**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And he became extremely angry” 14:19 g2h4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit and he went up {to} the house of his father 1 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” 14:20 j6k8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship And the wife of Samson became to his companion who had accompanied him 1 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” 15:intro dn16 0 # Judges 15 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe account of Samson continues in this chapter.\n\nSome 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.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Samson’s strength\n\nThe phrase “the Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon Samson” 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 the Philistines.\n\n\n\n 15:1 j609 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent וַיְהִ֨י 1 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. 15:1 j610 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּימֵ֣י 1 The author is using the word **days** by association to mean “time.” Alternate translation: “at the time of” 15:1 j611 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction בִּגְדִ֣י עִזִּ֑ים 1 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” 15:1 t5u8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בִּגְדִ֣י עִזִּ֑ים 1 See how you translated the same expression in [6:19](../06/19.md). 15:1 v9w2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism אָבֹ֥אָה אֶל־אִשְׁתִּ֖י הֶחָ֑דְרָה 1 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” 15:1 x3y6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship אִשְׁתִּ֖י 1 In this culture, engagement was tantamount to marriage, so a man would speak of a woman whom he was engaged to marry as his **wife**, even though they were not yet married. Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “my fiancée” 15:2 z7a1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication אָמֹ֤ר אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ & שָׂנֹ֥א שְׂנֵאתָ֖הּ 1 The father is repeating the verb **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 ... you truly hated her” 15:2 b4c8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֨א אֲחוֹתָ֤הּ הַקְּטַנָּה֙ טוֹבָ֣ה מִמֶּ֔נָּה 1 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!” 15:3 d1e5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns לָהֶ֑ם 1 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” 15:3 f9g3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person מִפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים & לָהֶ֑ם 1 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: “you Philistines … to you” 15:3 h6j2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns כִּֽי־עֹשֶׂ֥ה אֲנִ֛י עִמָּ֖ם רָעָֽה 1 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” 15:4 k7l1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown שׁוּעָלִ֑ים 1 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” 15:4 m4n8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיֶּ֣פֶן זָנָ֣ב אֶל־זָנָ֗ב וַיָּ֨שֶׂם לַפִּ֥יד אֶחָ֛ד בֵּין־שְׁנֵ֥י הַזְּנָב֖וֹת בַּתָּֽוֶךְ 1 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” 15:5 p2q6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח 1 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” 15:6 r9s3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים 1 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” 15:6 t7u1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the context. If it would be more natural in your language, you could translate this with an expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “And they were told” 15:6 v4w8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship חֲתַ֣ן הַתִּמְנִ֔י כִּ֥י לָקַ֖ח אֶת־אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ 1 Your language may have its own term or expression for this relationship. Alternate translation: “Samson, who was engaged to marry the daughter of the Timnite, because he took her” 15:6 x2y6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names הַתִּמְנִ֔י 1 The word **Timnite** is the name for a person from the town of Timnah. Alternate translation: “that man from Timnah” 15:6 j612 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ אוֹתָ֛הּ וְאֶת־אָבִ֖יהָ בָּאֵֽשׁ 1 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: “burned her and her father to death” or “killed her and her father by setting them on fire” 15:7 j613 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-fact אִֽם־תַּעֲשׂ֖וּן כָּזֹ֑את כִּ֚י אִם־נִקַּ֣מְתִּי 1 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 against you” 15:7 j614 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וְאַחַ֖ר אֶחְדָּֽל 1 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: “and that will make us even, so I will stop fighting” 15:8 j615 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַיַּ֨ךְ אוֹתָ֥ם שׁ֛וֹק עַל־יָרֵ֖ךְ 1 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 cut them to pieces” 15:8 h9j3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names עֵיטָֽם 1 The word **Etam** is the name of a place. 15:9 j551 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names לֶֽחִי 1 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](../15/17.md). 15:11 j552 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלֹ֣א יָדַ֗עְתָּ כִּֽי־מֹשְׁלִ֤ים בָּ֙נוּ֙ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּמַה־זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לָּ֑נוּ 1 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!” 15:12 j553 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom תִּפְגְּע֖וּן בִּ֥י 1 This is an expression that people of this culture commonly used to mean to attack and kill. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “kill me” 15:13 j554 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication אָסֹר֙ נֶאֱסָרְךָ֔ & וְהָמֵ֖ת לֹ֣א נְמִיתֶ֑ךָ 1 The men of Judah are repeating 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 ... we will certainly not put you to death” 15:13 j555 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיַּאַסְרֻ֗הוּ בִּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ עֲבֹתִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים 1 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” 15:14 j556 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וַתִּצְלַ֨ח עָלָ֜יו ר֣וּחַ יְהוָ֗ה 1 See how you translated the same expression in [14:6](../14/06.md). 15:14 j557 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וַתִּהְיֶ֨ינָה הָעֲבֹתִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־זְרוֹעוֹתָ֗יו כַּפִּשְׁתִּים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ 1 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” 15:14 j558 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ בָאֵ֔שׁ 1 It might seem that the expression **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” 15:14 j559 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּעֲר֣וּ 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that does not have a specific referent in the context. If it would be more natural in your language, you could translate this with an expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “that people burn” 15:14 j560 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַיִּמַּ֥סּוּ אֱסוּרָ֖יו מֵעַ֥ל יָדָֽיו 1 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” 15:15 j561 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יָדוֹ֙ וַיִּקָּחֶ֔הָ 1 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 picked it up” 15:16 j562 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry בִּלְחִ֤י הַחֲמוֹר֙ חֲמ֣וֹר חֲמֹרָתָ֔יִם 1 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” 15:16 j563 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry חֲמ֣וֹר חֲמֹרָתָ֔יִם 1 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” 15:17 j564 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate רָ֣מַת לֶ֑חִי 1 **Ramath-lehi** is the name of a place. It is the full name of the place that is called “Lehi” in [15:9](../15/09.md). 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’“ 15:18 j565 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אַתָּ֞ה נָתַ֣תָּ בְיַֽד־עַבְדְּךָ֗ אֶת־הַתְּשׁוּעָ֤ה הַגְּדֹלָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את 1 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” 15:18 j566 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person בְיַֽד־עַבְדְּךָ֗ 1 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” 15:18 j567 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְעַתָּ֥ה אָמ֖וּת בַּצָּמָ֑א וְנָפַלְתִּ֖י בְּיַ֥ד הָעֲרֵלִֽים 1 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!” 15:18 j568 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy הָעֲרֵלִֽים 1 Samson is using the word **uncircumcised** by association to mean the Philistines, who did not practice circumcision. Alternate translation: “of the Philistines” 15:19 j569 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וַתָּ֣שָׁב רוּח֔וֹ 1 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” 15:19 j570 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicitinfo וַיִּקְרָ֣א שְׁמָ֗הּ 1 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” 15:19 j571 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate עֵ֤ין הַקּוֹרֵא֙ 1 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’“ 15:19 j572 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה 1 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” 15:20 j573 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִּימֵ֥י פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים 1 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” 16:intro u81n 0 # Judges 16 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThe account of Samson concludes in this chapter.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Samson’s mistake\n\nSamson mistakenly thought that he was the source of his strength. He did not realize that Yahweh had left him and without Yahweh, he had no strength. This was not Samson’s only mistake. His foreign wife created most of his problems. 16:1 l289 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism he went to bed with her 0 The phrase “went to bed with” is a polite way of referring to having sex. Alternate translation: “he had sex with her” or “he slept with her” 16:2 j859 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names The Gazites were told 0 The word “Gazites” refers to people from Gaza. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Someone told the people of Gaza” 16:2 fyj2 The Gazites surrounded the place … they waited for him all night at the city gate 0 This implies that some Gazites surrounded the place where Samson was staying and others waited at the city gate so that he could not leave. 16:2 lsy6 They kept silent all night 0 This could mean: (1) “They did not make any noise all night” or (2) “They made no attempt to attack him all night.” 16:3 iye2 until midnight 0 Alternate translation: “until the middle of the night” 16:3 fv5x its two posts 0 These are supports for the city gate. These posts were probably made from tree trunks and were buried deep into the ground. The doors of the city gate were attached to these posts. 16:3 c2m4 bar and all 0 The bar was probably a heavy rod of iron that connected the gate to the posts. The doors of the city gate were probably made of heavy wooden beams or iron bars. 16:3 m4dx shoulders 0 the part of the human body where the arms and the neck attach to the body 16:3 yq6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Hebron 0 This is the name of a city. 16:4 itb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Valley of Sorek 0 This is the name of a valley near Samson’s home. 16:5 c6wz Trick 0 to mislead or fool someone into doing something they would not want to do 16:5 x4w2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to see 0 This is an idiom that means to learn something. Alternate translation: “to understand” or “to learn” 16:5 vq28 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom where his great strength lies 0 This is an idiom that refers to where his strength comes from. Alternate translation: “what causes him to be very strong” 16:5 y38x by what means we may overpower him 0 Alternate translation: “how we might overpower him””” 16:5 g3bg rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 1,100 pieces of silver 0 “one thousand one hundred pieces of silver.” 16:6 r4hy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive bind you, so you might be controlled 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “bind you to control you” or “bind you to restrain you” 16:7 ae1p fresh bowstrings 0 Bowstrings were often made from parts of an animal, often from the tendons. The words “fresh bowstrings” refer to those that come from a freshly slaughtered animal that have not yet dried. 16:7 z8ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that have not been dried 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that have not yet dried” or “that are not dry yet” 16:8 xv64 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that had not been dried 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that had not yet dried” or “that were not dry yet” 16:8 xt1g she tied Samson up with them 0 Alternate translation: “Delilah tied Samson up with the fresh bowstrings” 16:9 n6px rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author tells background information about Philistine men that Delilah had waiting to capture Samson. 16:9 by3q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The Philistines are upon you 0 The phrase “upon you” means that they are ready to capture him. Alternate translation: “The Philistines are here to capture you” 16:9 sy3a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile he broke the bowstrings like a thread of yarn when it touches the fire 0 The author describes how easily he broke the bowstrings by comparing them to how yarn breaks when it is burned. Alternate translation: “he broke the bowstrings as easily as if he were breaking burned yarn” or “he broke the bowstrings as easily as if they were made of thin yarn” 16:10 x2km rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism This is how you have deceived me and told me lies. 0 Deceiving and lying mean the same thing and are stated to emphasize how angry Delilah felt. Alternate translation: “You have greatly deceived me!” 16:10 e5iw you can be overpowered 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people can overpower you” 16:12 vpr3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The Philistines are upon you 0 The phrase “upon you” means that they are there to capture him. Alternate translation: “The Philistines are here to capture you” 16:12 rnx9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom lying in wait 0 This means that they were hiding and waiting for the right moment to attack. Alternate translation: “waiting to attack him” 16:12 j7zp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like they were a piece of thread 0 The author describes how easily Samson broke the ropes by comparing it to him breaking a piece of thread. Alternate translation: “as easily as if they were only a piece of thread” 16:13 hg41 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism you have deceived me and told me lies 0 Deceiving and lying mean the same thing and are stated to emphasize how angry Delilah felt. Alternate translation: “you have greatly deceived me” 16:13 t97z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive you may be overpowered 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people can overpower you” 16:13 s6f3 weave 0 crossing pieces of material together so they hold each other in place 16:13 h8x3 locks of my hair 0 small bunches of hair 16:13 c2e8 fabric 0 cloth made from weaving material together 16:13 wv5v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown loom 0 a machine used for combining many threads of material into a cloth 16:13 gkr7 then nail that to the loom 0 Alternate translation: “then nail the fabric to the loom” 16:13 pn2m nail 0 to hammer a nail in order to hold something in one place 16:13 w58a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will be like any other man 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “I will be as weak as any other man” 16:14 h61l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The Philistines are upon you 0 The phrase “upon you” means that they are there to capture him. Alternate translation: “The Philistines are here to capture you” 16:14 k9fi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit he pulled out the fabric and the pin from the loom 0 Samson pulled out the fabric from the loom when he pulled his hair away from the loom. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “pulled away his hair, taking with it the pin of the loom and the fabric in the loom” 16:14 lc6p the pin 0 This is the wooden nail or peg used to fasten the fabric to the loom. 16:15 zzt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when you do not share your secrets with me? 0 Delilah asks this question to say that if Samson really loved her he would tell her his secrets. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “When you say ‘I love you,’ you are lying because you do not share your secrets with me.” 16:16 s5ui rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom pressed him hard … pressured him 0 Here the author speaks of how Delilah tries to persuade Samson as if she were putting pressure on him to convince him to tell her what she wants to know. Alternate translation: “tried hard to persuade him … kept trying to persuade him” 16:16 imn2 with her words 0 Alternate translation: “by what she said to him” 16:16 iqa6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole that he wished he would die 0 The author used a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize how miserable Sampson felt. Alternate translation: “that he was completely miserable” or “that he was very unhappy” 16:17 c8q9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit told her everything 0 everything about the source of his strength. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “told her the source of his strength” or “told her the truth” 16:17 y8xz razor 0 a sharp blade used to cut hair close to a person’s skin 16:17 z2nf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a Nazirite for God 0 This means that he is devoted to God as a Nazirite. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Judges 13:5](../13/05.md). Alternate translation: “a Nazirite devoted to God” or “devoted to God as a Nazirite” 16:17 fhm4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from my mother’s womb 0 Here “from my mother’s womb” refers to when he was born. This means that he has been a Nazirite since he was born. Alternate translation: “my entire life” 16:17 t2us rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive If my head is shaved 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “If someone shaves my head” 16:17 seg5 shaved 0 to have had the hair cut close to the skin with a razor 16:17 iq1l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification my strength will leave me 0 Samson speaks about his strength as if it were a person who could leave him. Alternate translation: “I will not be strong any more” 16:18 m9zg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Delilah saw 0 Here the word “saw” is a idiom that means to realize something. Alternate translation: “Delilah realized” or “Delilah learned” 16:18 z2eu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the truth about everything 0 Here the word “everything” refers to everything about why Samson was strong. Alternate translation: “the truth about why he is strong” 16:18 x4mm Come up again 0 Delilah is telling the rulers to come again to where she lives. Her home is likely at a higher elevation than where the rulers would be travelling from. 16:18 ipi8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit bringing the silver in their hands 0 This means that they brought to her the silver that they had promised to give her if she helped them capture Samson. Alternate translation: “bringing the silver that they had promised to give her” 16:19 h2jg She had him fall asleep 0 Alternate translation: “She caused him to fall asleep” 16:19 x4y8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit in her lap 0 This means that he slept with his head on her lap. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “with his head on her lap” 16:19 gjg3 lap 0 The lap is the level area of the upper legs when a person is sitting down. 16:19 vai4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession the seven locks of his head 0 Samson had seven locks of hair on his head. Locks are small bunches of hair. Here his locks of hair are described as “belonging” to his head. Alternate translation: “the seven locks of hair on his head” 16:19 w8dj subdue him 0 Alternate translation: “control him” 16:19 qt31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification his strength had left him 0 Here Samson’s strength is described as if it were a person who could leave him. Alternate translation: “his strength was gone” or “he was no longer strong” 16:20 e9dj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The Philistines are upon you 0 The phrase “upon you” means that they are ready to capture him. Alternate translation: “The Philistines are here to capture you” 16:20 jt7e woke up 0 Alternate translation: “awakened” 16:20 n31e get out 0 Alternate translation: “escape” 16:20 n47x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But he did not know that Yahweh had left him 0 It is implied that if Yahweh left Samson, he would no longer be strong. Alternate translation: “But he did not know that Yahweh had left him and that he would not be strong enough to defeat the Philistines” 16:21 ve9n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom put out his eyes 0 This means that they removed his eyes from his head. Alternate translation: “removed his eyes” 16:21 z2vv down to Gaza 0 The phrase “down to” is used here because they brought Samson to Gaza which is lower in elevation than his home where they captured him. 16:21 t7gr bound him with bronze shackles 0 Alternate translation: “chained him with bronze shackles” or “tied him up using bronze shackles” 16:21 t1sq shackles 0 locks on the end of chains that hold a prisoner at his feet or hands, or both 16:21 mn74 turned the millstone 0 Alternate translation: “pulled the millstone around in a circle” 16:21 ujq1 millstone 0 This is a very large, heavy, circular stone. Normally, a large animal pulls the millstone around in a circle to crush grain. Here the Philistines humiliate Samson by making him pull it. 16:22 ru6p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive after it had been shaved 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “after the Philistines had shaved it” 16:23 b13v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Dagon 0 a major false god of the Philistines 16:23 p125 has conquered 0 Alternate translation: “has defeated” 16:23 ekg1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor put him in our grasp 0 Here the author speak of Samson being under the rulers’ control as if he were something grasped tightly by their hands. Alternate translation: “put him under our control” 16:24 ums1 the destroyer of our country 0 This refers to Samson. The word “destroyer” can be expressed with the verb “destroy.” Alternate translation: “the man who has destroyed our country” 16:24 y4qk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche who killed many of us 0 Here the word “us” refers to the Philistine people. Those who are talking are not counting themselves among the people whom Samson killed. Alternate translation: “who killed many of our people” 16:25 hiy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Call for Samson … They called for Samson 0 Since Samson was a prisoner, he would not be called directly, but rather the people were asking for the men in charge of the prison to bring him to them. Alternate translation: “Call for them to bring out Samson … They brought Samson” 16:26 b8yg the boy 0 “the young man” This was not a young child, but rather a youth. 16:26 d2gs Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests 0 Alternate translation: “Allow me to touch the pillars which hold up the building” 16:27 fx8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story while the writer tells background information. 16:27 cp19 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three thousand men and women 0 “3,000 men and women” 16:27 l6hc looking on 0 Alternate translation: “watching” 16:27 ulj6 while Samson was entertaining them 0 It is unclear what Samson did to entertain them. It seems the Philistines were making him do things that would humiliate him so that they could make fun of him. 16:28 n4yh called to Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “prayed to Yahweh” 16:28 ypq4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom call me to mind 0 This means to remember him and his situation. Alternate translation: “remember me” 16:28 ld69 only this once 0 Alternate translation: “one more time” 16:28 f2en rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom in one blow on the Philistines 0 This idiom means that he wants to have one more powerful act against the Philistines to get full revenge for what they did to him. Alternate translation: “with one strike against the Philistine” or “in one powerful act against the Philistines” 16:29 dmd3 on which the building rested 0 Alternate translation: “which held up the building” 16:30 mt5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit He stretched out with his strength 0 When Samson stretched out his arms he pushed down the pillars of the building. Alternate translation: “He used his strength to push down the pillars” or “He used his strength to push over the pillars” 16:30 i5lw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj the dead 0 This refers to people who are dead. Alternate translation: “the dead people” 16:30 u7yd were more 0 Alternate translation: “were a greater amount” 16:31 rl5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all the house of his father 0 Here the word “house” refers to his family. Alternate translation: “all of his father’s family” 16:31 jg6m came down 0 The phrase “came down” is used here because the place that Samson’s family traveled form was higher in elevation than Gaza. 16:31 na1k Zorah … Eshtaol 0 See how you translated the names of these places in [Judges 13:2](../13/02.md) and [Judges 13:25](../13/25.md). 16:31 de6c in the burial place of Manoah, his father 0 Alternate translation: “where his father, Manoah, is buried” 16:31 i2d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Manoah 0 See how you translated this man’s name in [Judges 13:2](../13/02.md). 16:31 wv8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Samson had judged Israel for twenty years 0 This same sentence is also in [Judges 15:20](../15/20.md). It is repeated here to remind readers of how long he judged Israel. Alternate translation: “Samson had judged Israel for twenty years before he died” 16:31 vmv2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty years 0 “20 years” 17:intro c454 0 # Judges 17 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter begins a section explaining how Israel came to have a king.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Idols and figures\n\nAccording to the law of Moses, the Israelites were prohibited from making wooden figures or cast metal idols. This was a form of idolatry. This practice was common in Canaan and it shows the influence the Israelites allowed these people to have on them. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]]) 17:1 rrp1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-participants There was a man 0 This is a way to introduce a new person to the story line. 17:1 ke46 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Micah 0 This is the name of a man. It is not the same man who wrote the book of Micah. 17:2 c1x6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 1,100 pieces 0 “one thousand one hundred pieces” 17:2 k7it rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that were taken from you 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which someone stole from you” 17:2 m56x I stole it 0 Alternate translation: “I was the one who took it” 17:3 z9j9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 1,100 pieces 0 “one thousand one hundred” 17:3 p6yd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom set apart 0 This means to dedicate something to a specific purpose. Alternate translation: “dedicate” 17:3 sc6v cast metal 0 metal that has been melted and poured into a mold to form a special shape 17:3 ss9u I restore it to you 0 Alternate translation: “I give it back to you” 17:4 xsr8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers two hundred pieces of silver 0 “200 pieces of silver” 17:4 r9hl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive they were placed in the house of Micah 0 The word “they” refers to the metal figures. This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Micah placed them in his house” 17:5 f5zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a house of idols 0 This refers to a house used specifically for worshiping idols. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “a house for worshiping idols” 17:6 mxx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor everyone did what was right in his own eyes 0 The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “each person did what he decided was right” or “each person did what he judged to be right” 17:7 z9bc of Bethlehem 0 Alternate translation: “from Bethlehem” 17:7 u5wv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit of the clan of Judah 0 This means that he was living among the family of Judah, that is, the tribe of Judah. Alternate translation: “who was living among the tribe of Judah” 17:7 ktm7 He stayed there to fulfill his duties 0 Alternate translation: “He lived and worked there” 17:8 pd1z find a place to live 0 Alternate translation: “find a different place to live” 17:9 u9x8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit where I might live 0 It is implied that he is looking for a place to live and work. Alternate translation: “where I might live and have a job” 17:10 s5tz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy a father and a priest 0 The word “father” is here used in the sense of an advisor, and not to a literal father. Alternate translation: “an advisor and a priest” 17:10 mw13 I will give you ten pieces of silver a year 0 Alternate translation: “I will give you ten pieces of silver each year” 17:10 j73e a suit of clothes 0 Alternate translation: “a set of clothes” 17:10 tm7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit So the Levite went into his house 0 It is implied that the Levite accepted Micah’s offer, and therefore, entered Micah’s house. Alternate translation: “So the Levite accepted his offer and went into his house” 17:11 mvs9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile the young man became to Micah like one of his sons 0 The relationship between the Levite and Micah became like the close relationship between a father and son. Alternate translation: “the young man became close to Micah and was like one of his sons” 17:12 t9an rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Micah set apart the Levite 0 Here “set apart” means that Micah “dedicated” or “ordained” him. Alternate translation: “Micah dedicated the Levite” 17:12 s6d6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy was in Micah’s house 0 Here living in Micah’s house is spoken of as “being” in his house. Alternate translation: “lived in Micah’s house” 18:intro y2ru 0 # Judges 18 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### The tribe of Dan\n\nThe tribe of Dan lacked faith in Yahweh and had yet to conquer its inheritance. In this chapter, they begin to conquer their land, but they also started to worship an idol. Their conquering of the land is much different than the other tribes’ victories. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/inherit]]) 18:1 d1r4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent In those days 0 This phrase introduces the beginning of another event in the story line. 18:1 w9qn rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background In those days … from among the tribes of Israel 0 This is background information about Israel and the people of the tribe of Dan. 18:1 g4f2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit not received any inheritance from 0 This refers specifically to land inherited where they would live. Alternate translation: “not received a land inheritance from” 18:2 f83t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the whole number of their tribe 0 The phrase “the whole number” refers to all of the men in the tribe. Alternate translation: “from among all of the men in their tribe” 18:2 j6xd experienced warriors 0 Alternate translation: “experienced fighters” 18:2 jv96 Zorah 0 See how you translated the name of this town in [Judges 13:2](../13/02.md). 18:2 cgy7 Eshtaol 0 See how you translated the name of this town in [Judges 13:25](../13/25.md). 18:2 wg6e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to scout the land on foot 0 The phrase “on foot” means to walk. Alternate translation: “to scout the land by walking through it” 18:2 bt98 Micah 0 See how you translated this man’s name in [Judges 17:1](../17/01.md). 18:3 c2tl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy they recognized the speech of the young Levite 0 They recognized the man by the sound of his voice. Here “speech” refers to his “voice.” Alternate translation: “they heard the young Levite talking, and they recognized his voice” 18:7 i57p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Laish 0 This is the name of a city. 18:7 a8c9 There was no one who conquered 0 Alternate translation: “There were no enemies living in their land who had conquered them” 18:7 ch81 had no dealings with anyone 0 “had no contact with any outsiders.” This means they lived far enough away from any other city that they lived secluded from other people. 18:8 f5il Zorah 0 Translate the name of this city the same as you did in [Judges 13:2](../13/02.md). 18:8 lih2 Eshtaol 0 Translate the name of this city the same as you did in [Judges 13:25](../13/25.md). 18:9 zpe9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are you doing nothing? 0 This rhetorical question is asked sarcastically and means that they should be doing the opposite. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should be acting now!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]]) 18:9 n8um rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives Do not be slow to attack 0 These two negative words “not” and “slow” together emphasize the positive idea to attack quickly. Alternate translation: “Hurry! Attack” 18:10 r61z the land is wide 0 “the land is large.” This is a description of the size of the land. 18:10 ab9j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole that does not lack anything in the land 0 The men use a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize that it is a very desirable place to live. Alternate translation: “where we will have everything there that we need” 18:10 aj2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives that does not lack anything 0 The two negative words together emphasize a positive idea. Alternate translation: “has everything” 18:11 b97l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers Six hundred men 0 “600 men” 18:12 z66i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kiriath Jearim 0 This is the name of a town. 18:12 q4cf Mahaneh Dan 0 Translate the name of this place the same as you did in [Judges 13:25](../13/25.md). 18:12 f453 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to this day 0 This means that something remains the same. It refers to the “present” time. Alternate translation: “and that is still its name” 18:14 l46p Laish 0 Translate the name of this town the same as you did in [Judges 18:7](../18/07.md). 18:14 g3gr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion in these houses there are an ephod, & metal figure? Decide … will do 0 The five men asked this question to suggest and encourage the men that they should steal the idols. This can be written as a statement, and the implied information may be given in a parenthetical phrase. Alternate translation: “these houses contain an ephod, … metal figure. (They were suggesting that the men steal these things.) Decide … will do” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) 18:14 g8xi in these houses there are 0 Alternate translation: “in one of these house there is” or “among these houses is” 18:15 cx88 they turned in there 0 Alternate translation: “they turned” 18:15 tf6m they greeted him 0 The word “him” refers to the Levite. 18:16 m84v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers six hundred Danites 0 “600 Danites” 18:17 a6nq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers six hundred men 0 “600 men” 18:19 fje7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is it better for you to be priest for the house of one man … a clan in Israel? 0 They ask this as a rhetorical question to imply that it is true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It is better for you to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel than for just the house of one man.” 18:20 z2bp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche The priest’s heart was glad 0 Here the priest is referred to by his “heart” to emphasize his emotions. Alternate translation: “The priest was glad” 18:21 v31e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit They put the small children in front of themselves 0 They traveled this way to protect the children. If Micah and his people attacked them the would reach the warriors first and not the children. Alternate translation: “They put the small children in front of themselves to protect them” 18:21 t33e they turned 0 Alternate translation: “the Danites turned around” 18:22 p9e2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom a good distance 0 “some distance.” This refers a short distance but one that is long enough to be considered as measurable progress. 18:22 l34e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house were called together 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he called together the men who were in the houses near his house” 18:22 vkf1 they caught up with the Danites 0 This implies that they ran after them. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “running after the Danites, they caught up with them” 18:23 c2k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why have you been called together? 0 This question is a rebuke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not have called your men together to chase us.” 18:23 sbb8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive been called together 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “called these men together” 18:24 dy7i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the gods that I made 0 Micah did not make his gods, rather the craftsman made them. Alternate translation: “the gods which I had made for me” or “the gods which a craftsman made for me” 18:24 edz2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What else do I have left? 0 Micah asks this question to emphasize that he no longer has the things that are important to him. Alternate translation: “I have nothing left.” or “You have taken everything that is important to me.” 18:24 i1v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion How can you ask me, ‘What is bothering you?’ 0 Micah asks this question to emphasize that the Danites definitely know what is bothering him. Alternate translation: “You know that I am greatly distressed!’” or “You know how much I am bothered by what you have done to me!’” 18:25 yzy3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy let us hear you say anything 0 The phrase “us hear you say” refers to the Danites hearing Micah speaking about what had happened, but it also includes if they are told by others that Micah had spoken about what had happened. Alternate translation: “let us find out that you have said anything” or “say anything about this” 18:25 pgt9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit hear you say anything 0 The word “anything” refers to any information about the Danites coming to Micah’s house and stealing his idols. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “hear you say anything about this matter” or “hear you say anything about what has happened” 18:25 fqe4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive you and your family will be killed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “kill you and your family” 18:26 g59x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom went their way 0 This means that they continued on their journey. Alternate translation: “continued on their journey” or “continued travelling” 18:26 v6df rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit they were too strong for him 0 This refers to the Danites being too strong for Micah and his men to fight against. Alternate translation: “they were too strong for him and his men to fight” 18:27 k9py rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy what Micah had made 0 Micah did not make his gods, rather a craftsman made them for him. Also, If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the things that had been made for Micah” or “Micah’s things” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) 18:27 fw33 Laish 0 See how you translated this in [Judges 18:7](../18/07.md). 18:27 r1pv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche with the edge of the sword 0 “with their swords.” Here “the sword” represents the swords and other weapons that the soldiers used in battle. 18:28 p5rb they had no dealings with anyone 0 this means they lived far enough away from any other city, that they lived secluded from other people. See how you translated this phrase in [Judges 18:7](../18/07.md). 18:28 vw28 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Rehob 0 This is a name of a town. 18:30 z23n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses 0 This is the name of the young Levite who used to serve as priest for Micah. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “The young Levite’s name was Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) 18:30 myi7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor until the day of the land’s captivity 0 This refers to a time later on when the people of Dan would be captured by their enemies. Here the land being conquered is spoken of as if it were a prisoner taken captive by an enemy. Alternate translation: “until the day that their enemies conquered their land” or “until the day that their enemies took them captive” 18:31 m78z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy that he made 0 Micah did not make his gods, rather the craftsman made them for him. Alternate translation: “that had been made for him” or “that his craftsman made for him” 19:intro gj7f 0 # Judges 19 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### The sin of Benjamin\n\nPeople from a village of the tribe of Benjamin raped a visitor’s wife to death. This was very evil, especially in the ancient Near East. The people of Israel considered mistreatment of a guest one of the worst crimes. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]]) 19:1 akh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent In those days 0 This phrase introduces the beginning of another event in the story line. 19:1 u1qs remote 0 far from where most people live 19:2 p37k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit was unfaithful to him 0 This means that she was unfaithful in their relationship and that she began to sleep with other men. This can be stated explicitly if necessary. Alternate translation: “began to sleep with other men” 19:3 e9q8 His servant was with him, and a pair of donkeys 0 Alternate translation: “He took with him his servant and two donkeys” 19:4 bhr2 His father-in-law, the girl’s father, persuaded 0 Alternate translation: “His father-in-law, that is, the girl’s father, persuaded” or “The girl’s father persuaded” 19:4 v2kw persuaded him to stay 0 Alternate translation: “spoke to him so he decided to stay” 19:5 in6x he prepared 0 the Levite prepared 19:5 kp5g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Strengthen yourself with a bit of bread 0 Here “bread” refers to “food.” Alternate translation: “Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel” 19:6 j88k Please be willing to spend the night 0 Alternate translation: “Please stay another night” 19:8 a9ur rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Strengthen yourself, and wait until the afternoon 0 The father-in-law is suggesting that he strengthen himself by eating. He is also asking him to wait until the afternoon to leave. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Eat some food so you will be strong enough to travel, and wait until afternoon to leave” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) 19:9 lvj4 now the day is advancing toward evening 0 Alternate translation: “the day is almost over” or “it is almost evening” 19:10 amf9 that is Jerusalem 0 Alternate translation: “which was later called Jerusalem” 19:11 l8er rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Come, let us 0 This is an idiom used to make a suggestion. Alternate translation: “I suggest that we” 19:11 k4l3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom turn aside to 0 This means to take a break from their journey and stop somewhere along the route. Alternate translation: “stop at” 19:12 yc4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom turn aside into 0 This means to take a break from their journey and stop at a place along the route. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Judges 19:11](../19/11.md). Alternate translation: “stop at” 19:13 mke2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Come, let us 0 This is an idiom used to make a suggestion. Alternate translation: “I suggest that we” 19:15 fgr6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom turned aside 0 This means to take a break from their journey and stop at a place along the route. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Judges 19:11](../19/11.md). Alternate translation: “stopped” 19:15 bqt5 the city square 0 the marketplace where people gathered during the day 19:15 w9ny rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom took them into his house 0 This phrase means for someone to invite them to spend the night in their home. Alternate translation: “invited them to stay in their house for that night” 19:16 z1l2 Benjamites 0 A Benjamite was a descendant of Benjamin. See how you translated the name of this people group in [Judges 3:15](../03/15.md). 19:17 lsd3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He raised his eyes 0 Here the man looked up and paid attention to what was around him. Alternate translation: “He looked up” 19:17 h3nh the city square 0 the marketplace where people gathered during the day. See how you translated this in [Judges 19:14](../19/14.md). 19:18 jzg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom who will take me into his house 0 This phrase refers to someone inviting other people into his house to spend the night there. Alternate translation: “who has invited me to stay in his house” 19:18 c5ti rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche will take me 0 Here the Levite says “me,” but he is actually referring to himself along with his servant and his concubine. Alternate translation: “will take us” 19:19 he3w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive there is bread and wine 0 Change to active voice. Alternate translation: “we have plenty of bread and wine” 19:19 gw93 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person me and your female servant here, and for this young man with your servants 0 The Levite speaks of himself and the others as servants and in the third person to show respect. Alternate translation: “me, my concubine, and my servant” 19:19 w8hb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes We lack nothing 0 This can be written as a positive statement. Alternate translation: “We have everything we need” 19:20 ep3p Only do not 0 “Do not.” The word “only” is used here to emphasize what he did not want the Levite to do. 19:20 jm1p square 0 This refers to the city square. See how you translated this [Judges 19:17](../19/17.md). 19:21 z5ah rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom brought the Levite into his house 0 This means that he invited the Levite to spend the night in his house. Also, by inviting the Levite he was inviting the man’s concubine and servant as well. Alternate translation: “invited the Levite and his servants to stay in his house” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) 19:22 dx6j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they were making their hearts glad 0 The phrase “making their hearts glad” is an idiom that means to have a good time with someone else. Alternate translation: “they were have a good time together” or “they were enjoying themselves” 19:22 q1dh some men of … surrounded the house 0 Some men stood on all sides of the house. 19:24 k4nm See 0 This word is used to get the peoples’ attention. Alternate translation: “Listen” 19:25 lk3t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the men would not listen to him 0 Here the author speaks of “agreeing” as if it were “listening.” Alternate translation: “the men would not accept his offer” 19:25 ty8i the man seized his concubine 0 there could be confusion as to the identity of the man. Alternate translation: “the Levite seized his concubine” 19:25 d28f at dawn 0 “when the sun was coming up” or “at first light” This refers to when the sun begins to rise. 19:26 irp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom it was light 0 This refers to morning when it is bright outside. Alternate translation: “the sun was fully risen” 19:28 gk5s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But there was no answer 0 The woman did not answer because she was dead. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “But she did not answer because she was dead” 19:29 r79a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom limb by limb 0 “section by section.” The author uses this graphic description of how the Levite cut up her body into specific pieces to emphasize what he did. “Limbs” refers to a person’s arms and legs. If there is not a similar phrase in your language, this description may be left out of the translation. 19:29 fx7u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twelve pieces 0 “12 pieces” 19:29 xd3i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit sent the pieces everywhere throughout Israel 0 This means that he sent the different pieces to twelve different areas of Israel. Alternate translation: “sent each piece to a different place throughout Israel” 20:intro lla1 0 # Judges 20 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Benjamin destroyed\n\nThe army of Israel destroys all the tribe of Benjamin except 600 men. After this point in time, the tribe of Benjamin becomes mostly insignificant. 20:1 wg4p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile as one man 0 This simile speaks of the group as acting as a single person. It refers to a group of who people do everything together in the same way. Alternate translation: “as if they were a single man” 20:1 jp6a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism from Dan to Beersheba 0 This refers to the land as a whole. Alternate translation: “from all the eleven tribes” 20:2 ze7s God—400,000 men on foot 0 Alternate translation: “God and also 400,000 regular soldiers came” 20:2 hzs8 ready to fight 0 “capable of going to war.” They were not going to fight each other. 20:3 sl7g Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the author of the book tells background information about what the people of Benjamin knew. 20:3 x8r4 had gone up to Mizpah 0 Mizpah was located high in the mountains. 20:4 sa27 to spend the night 0 Alternate translation: “for the night” or “to stay for a night” 20:6 gkc4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys wickedness and outrage 0 The word “outrage” describes the “wickedness.” Alternate translation: “outrageous wickedness” 20:7 h9h3 Now 0 This word is used to introduce the conclusion of the speech of the Levite. 20:7 wp5t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet give your advice and counsel here 0 The words “advice” and “counsel” refer to the same thing and are repeated for emphasis. They can be combined. Alternate translation: “decide what we need to do about this” 20:8 s9g2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile as one 0 This simile speaks of the group as acting as a single person. They all acted together in exactly the same way. Alternate translation: “as if they were a single man” 20:8 s835 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism None of us will go to his tent … none of us will return to his house 0 These two clauses say basically the same thing twice for emphasis. They can be combined. The words “none … go” and “none … return” emphasizes how the people will continue to stay there. They can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “We will all stay here” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]]) 20:9 xy7l But now 0 These words introduce the main portion of what the people say after the initial exclamation. 20:9 l369 as the lot directs 0 This involved tossing or rolling small marked stones to determine what God wants. 20:10 wsa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers ten men of a hundred … one hundred of a thousand … one thousand of ten thousand 0 “10 men out of 100 … 100 out of 1,000 … 1,000 out of 10,000” 20:10 mm9k provisions 0 food and other things the people need 20:11 wfs1 assembled against the city 0 Alternate translation: “came together to attack the city” 20:13 m9f5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom put them to death 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “kill them” or “execute them” 20:13 n1zx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the voice of their brothers 0 Here “voice” refers to the message that they spoke. Alternate translation: “what their brother said” 20:15 s9ku rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty-six thousand 0 “26,000” 20:15 g1vk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers seven hundred 0 “700” 20:16 a8xm left-handed 0 A left-handed person is someone who is more skilled with their left hand than with their right hand. 20:16 u1tj could sling a stone at a hair and not miss 0 This show how amazingly well they could aim and hit their target. It can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “could throw a stone at even a hair and hit it” or “could throw a stone at something as small as a hair and hit it” 20:17 apy5 not counting 0 Alternate translation: “not including” 20:17 g8sz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 400,000 0 “four hundred thousand men” 20:18 w2v7 asked for advice from God 0 Alternate translation: “asked God what to do” or “asked God how to continue” 20:19 k8jq moved their camp near Gibeah 0 There is some question about the meaning of the Hebrew text. Instead of meaning that they set up their camp near Gibeah, it could mean that the army went out and stood across from Gibeah ready to fight. 20:21 vj4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty-two thousand 0 “22,000” 20:22 cr9j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom strengthened themselves 0 Here “strengthened” is an idiom that means they encouraged each other. 20:22 wb6t they formed the battle line 0 This probably means that the Israelites prepared their battle lines for the next day’s fighting. Alternate translation: “they got ready to fight the next day” 20:23 cpc2 they sought direction from Yahweh 0 The method they used is not stated. The priest may have cast lots to determine God’s will. 20:25 t59r rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers eighteen thousand 0 “18,000” 20:26 y97x before Yahweh 0 Alternate translation: “in Yahweh’s presence” or “to Yahweh” 20:27 usm6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days 0 This is background information that the author inserted to help the reader understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer. 20:27 cs7a was there in those days 0 Alternate translation: “was at Bethel in those days” 20:28 ly8e rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background and Phinehas … was serving before the ark in those days 0 This is background information that the author inserted to help the reader understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer. 20:28 d9ma rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit was serving before the ark 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “was serving as priest before the ark” 20:28 w427 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Attack 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Attack the army of Benjamin” 20:29 f7uq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Israel set men 0 Here “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” 20:29 k5i5 secret places 0 Alternate translation: “in ambush” 20:31 t9eh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit fought against the people 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “fought against the people of Israel” 20:31 d8me rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive they were drawn away from the city 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel drew them away from the city” 20:31 z77c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit They began to kill some of the people 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “The people of Benjamin began to kill some of the men of Israel” 20:32 e81w just as at first 0 Alternate translation: “just as before” or “just like the first two times” 20:33 a2ik rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Baal Tamar 0 This is the name of a city. 20:33 swx2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Maareh Gibeah 0 This is the name of a place. Other translations may read “fields of Gibeah” or “west of Gibeah” or “Maareh Geba.” 20:34 de7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers ten thousand 0 “10,000” 20:34 wk8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom chosen men 0 This is an idiom that means these were particularly good soldiers. Alternate translation: “well-trained soldier” 20:34 p4k5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor disaster was close to them 0 Here immanent disaster is spoken of as if it was standing very close by them. Alternate translation: “they would soon be completely defeated” 20:35 bt91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 25,100 men 0 “twenty-five thousand one hundred men” 20:36 mrd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background The men of Israel had given ground to Benjamin, because they were counting on the men … outside Gibeah 0 From this sentence until the end of verse 41 is background information that the writer inserted to explain to the readers how the ambush defeated the Benjamites. 20:36 i3ru rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom had given ground to Benjamin 0 This is an idiom that means they intentionally retreated. Alternate translation: “had allowed Benjamin to move forward” 20:36 sq9e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they were counting on the men 0 This is an idiom that means they trusted their men. 20:39 t29b would turn from the battle 0 Alternate translation: “would retreat from the fight” 20:39 vbr9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive they are defeated before us 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “we have defeated them” 20:41 ltm1 disaster 0 great harm, trouble, misery 20:41 jg8p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom come on them 0 This idiom means it happened to them. Alternate translation: “happened to them” 20:42 pdp2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification But the fighting overtook them 0 This speaks about fighting as if it were a person who could overtake someone. Alternate translation: “But the soldiers of Israel caught up to them” or “But they were not able to escape the fighting” 20:43 xh56 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nohah 0 This is the name of a place. 20:43 cis4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor trampled them down 0 The completed destruction of the Benjamites is spoken of as if the Israelites stomped on their bodies. Alternate translation: “they completely destroyed them” 20:44 jd79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers eighteen thousand 0 “18,000” 20:44 c8tw were distinguished in battle 0 Alternate translation: “had fought bravely in the battle” 20:45 akn8 They turned and fled 0 Alternate translation: “The remaining Benjamites turned and fled” 20:45 e3cs rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers five thousand … two thousand 0 “5,000 … 2,000” 20:45 y3ry rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gidom 0 This is the name of a place. 20:46 d674 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty-five thousand 0 “25,000” 20:47 h1ci rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers six hundred 0 “600” 20:48 h7m3 turned back against the people of Benjamin 0 These people of Benjamin are not the soldiers who fled to the rock of Rimmon, but the ones who were still in the city. 20:48 l4rw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the city 0 Here “the city” refers to the people in that city. Alternate translation: “everyone who was in the city” 20:48 ue39 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom in their path 0 This idiom refers to everything that they found as they went toward the city. Alternate translation: “they came to” 21:intro bf76 0 # Judges 21 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nThis chapter concludes the account of the previous chapter.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Sin and immorality\n\nAt the end of Judges, there is much sin and immorality. The people are doing wrong and fixing their wrongs by doing more evil things. This period of Judges is typified by this final account and summarized by the statement, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/righteous]]) 21:1 w65e rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now the men of Israel had made a promise … marry a Benjamite.” 0 This background information tells the reader about the promise that the Israelites made before the battle with the Benjamites. 21:1 rw2t Benjamite 0 This is the name of the descendants of Benjamin. See how you translated this in [Judges 3:15](../03/15.md). 21:3 q8cb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has this happened to Israel, that one of our tribes should be missing today? 0 The people of Israel used this rhetorical question to express their deep sadness. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Oh Yahweh, we are so sad that one of the tribes of Israel has been completely destroyed.” 21:5 xs35 The people of Israel said, “Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to Yahweh?” 0 The people are referring back to the assembly of the Israelites at Mizpah before they attacked the Benjamites. 21:5 p72f rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background For they had made an important promise concerning anyone who did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah. They said, “He would certainly be put to death.” 0 This is background information to explain to the reader the promise that the Israelites had made at Mizpah before they attacked the Benjamites. 21:5 flc8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive He would certainly be put to death 0 Here “He” refers to anyone who did not go to Mizpah. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “We will certainly kill that person” 21:6 yb7g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor their brother Benjamin 0 This speaks of the tribe of Benjamin as if it were Israel’s brother to show their closeness to the tribe. Alternate translation: “the surviving Benjamites” 21:6 j93p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor one tribe has been cut off from Israel 0 The destruction of the tribe of Benjamin is spoken of as if it had been cut off from Israel by a knife. This was an exaggeration because 600 men were still left. However, the women of Benjamin had been killed, so the future of the tribe was in question. Alternate translation: “one tribe has been removed” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]]) 21:7 dms9 Who will provide wives for those who are left, since we have made a promise to Yahweh that we will not let any of them marry our daughters? 0 The Israelites wanted to provide wives for the few surviving Benjamites, but their promise at Mizpah prevented them from doing that. 21:8 vtf2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jabesh Gilead 0 This is the name of a city. 21:9 jyg7 people were set out in an orderly manner 0 Alternate translation: “people that were assembled at Mizpah were accounted for” 21:9 qs2v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there 0 This refers back to the earlier assembly at Mizpah. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead had been present at Mizpah” 21:10 p52b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twelve thousand 0 “12,000” 21:10 qw5x strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children 0 The next verse will add an exception to this general instruction. 21:10 ajh8 strike … with the edge of the sword 0 Alternate translation: “kill … with their swords” 21:12 n2u2 Jabesh Gilead 0 This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in [Judges 21:8](../21/08.md). 21:12 ani7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers four hundred young women 0 “400 young women” 21:12 w47b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism who had not known a man by lying with him 0 This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “who had not had sexual relations with a man” 21:13 c39b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns they were offering them peace 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **peace**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “they wanted to stop fighting with them” 21:14 h1ad Jabesh Gilead 0 This is the name of a city. See how you translated this in [Judges 21:8](../21/08.md). 21:14 iu7g there were not enough women for all of them 0 There were six hundred Benjamite men, and only four hundred women from Jabesh Gilead. 21:15 v114 made a division between the tribes of Israel 0 Alternate translation: “had caused the tribes of Israel not to be unified” 21:16 sc2b Benjamites 0 This refers to the descendants of Benjamin. See how you translated this in [Judges 3:15](../03/15.md). 21:16 rgy2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the women of Benjamin have been killed 0 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “we killed all the Benjamite women” 21:17 mk7l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole There must be an inheritance … is not destroyed from Israel 0 The Israelites are exaggerating. They had already given wives to four hundred of the Benjamites, so the tribe would not be completely destroyed. 21:18 qnk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche a wife to Benjamin 0 Here Benjamin refers to the male descendants of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “a wife to the men of Benjamin” 21:19 u453 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background which is north of Bethel, east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah 0 This is background information to explain to the reader where the city of Shiloh is located. 21:19 m2hz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Lebonah 0 This is the name of a city. 21:21 am3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit each one of you should grab a wife … go back to the land of Benjamin 0 It is understood that the Benjamites would take these women back to their own land with them. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “each one of you should seize one of the girls of Shiloh, and then take her back with you to the land of Benjamin to become your wife” 21:22 z5gg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns Show us favor 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **favor**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “Act kindly toward us” 21:22 zsi5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit because we did not get wives for each man during the war 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “because we did not get wives for each of them during the war with Jabesh Gilead” 21:22 pcc6 You are innocent … not give your daughters to them 0 This refers to the men of Shiloh. They did not voluntarily give their daughters to the Benjamites, and therefore did not break their promise not to do that. 21:23 ng9r the number of wives that they needed 0 This refers to one wife for each of the two hundred Benjamite men who did not receive wives from Jabesh Gilead ([Judges 21:14](../21/14.md)). 21:25 b8xe there was no king in Israel 0 Alternate translation: “Israel did not yet have a king” 21:25 d46g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was right in his own eyes 0 The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “what he judged to be right” or “what he considered to be right”