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]])\n\n## Part 3: Important Translation Issues\n\n### What is the meaning of the phrase “in those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes”?\n\nThis phrase occurs twice in the book of Judges. Shorter versions of the phrase occur two other times. These phrases imply that the writer or editor of this book was alive at a later time when there was a king in Israel. They also seem to imply that the writer thought that things were not good in Israel because there was no king.\n\nThe translation of these phrases should imply to the reader that the book’s writer is looking back into the past.\n\n### What is the meaning of the phrase “to this day”?\n\nThe narrator used this phrase to refer to the time when he was writing. The translator should be aware that “to this day” refers to a time already passed. The translator must avoid giving the impression that the present day of the translation’s readers is meant. The translator might decide to say, “to this day, at the time when this is being writte
1:intro a4am 0 # Judges 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\n### “After the death of Joshua”\nThis statement creates a seamless transition from the book of Joshua.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Finishing the conquest of the Promised Land\n\nIsrael fought to clear the land of the Canaanites, but they also made treaties with other peoples and made some of them do hard labor. This was against God’s instruction to completely remove the Canaanite people from the land.
1:1 r9ee Connecting Statement: 0 # Connecting Statement:\n\nThe book of Judges continues the story about Joshua and is also the beginning of a new part of the story.
1:1 b9my Yahweh 0 This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
1:1 c92j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive will attack the Canaanites for us 0 The word “us” refers to the people of Israel, but not to Yahweh.
1:2 c4zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Judah will attack 0 Here “Judah” represents the men of the tribe of Judah. Yahweh is commanding these men to attack first. Alternate translation: “The men of Judah must attack first”
1:2 ysi6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit this land 0 This refers to the land where the Canaanites lived. Alternate translation: “the land of the Canaanites”
1:3 k7aq their brothers 0 Alternate translation: “their fellow Israelites” or “their relatives”
1:3 x2kz Come up with us 0 The people of the tribes of Judah and Simeon were camped with the rest of the Israelite people in the valley of the Jordan River. The land given to Judah was in the hills above the valley. Some languages do not usually indicate whether people were going up or down. Alternate translation: “Come with us” or “Go with us”
1:3 p8mq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that was assigned to us … that was assigned to 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: “that Yahweh assigned to us … that Yahweh assigned to you”
1:4 c9xq rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Bezek 0 This is an area in the mountains of Canaan.
1:5 w88l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Adoni-Bezek 0 This man was the leader of the army of the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
1:5 i3pn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche they fought against him 0 Here “him” actually refers to Adoni-Bezek and his army. Alternate translation: “they fought against him and his army”
1:7 t5fd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive who had their thumbs and their big toes cut off 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: “whose thumbs and big toes I told my men to cut off” or “whose thumbs and big toes we cut off”
1:7 p5cw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy gathered their food from under my table 0 Forcing these kings to eat scraps of food represents all the ways that Adoni-Bezek humiliated these kings. Here “gathering” food represents eating it. Alternate translation: “ate scraps of food from under my table”
1:8 hh58 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the city of Jerusalem and took it 0 Here “city” represents the people. Alternate translation: “the people who lived in Jerusalem and defeated them”
1:8 ca78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy They attacked it 0 Here “it” refers to the city which represents the people of the city. Alternate translation: “They attacked the people of the city”
1:8 k6ze rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche with the edge of the sword 0 “with the point of the sword.” Here “sword” represents the swords and other weapons that the soldiers used in battle. Alternate translation: “with their swords” or “with their weapons”
1:9 cs3t the men of Judah went down to fight 0 It was common to use the word “down” when it refers to traveling from Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the men of Judah went to fight”
1:9 q3x9 in the Negev 0 Alternate translation: “in the southern Judean wilderness”
1:9 x4ew foothills 0 hills at the base of a mountain or mountain range
1:10 ax37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background the name of Hebron was previously Kiriath Arba 0 This is background information. Some people who first read this book had probably heard of Kiriath Arba but did not know that it was the same as the city that they called Hebron.
1:10 edk7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai 0 These are the names of three Canaanite leaders of Hebron. Each leader represents his army. Alternate translation: “Sheshai, Ahiman, Talmai, and their armies” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
1:11 lh59 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background the name of Debir was previously Kiriath Sepher 0 The author probably wrote this because his readers knew the city as Debir. But at the time Israel attacked it, it was called Kiriath Sepher. Alternate translation: “which used to be called Kiriath Sepher”
1:12 e7kf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it 0 Here “Kiriath Sepher” represents the people. Alternate translation: “Whoever attacks and defeats the people of Kiriath Sepher and takes their city”
1:12 n39v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Aksah 0 This is the name of Caleb’s daughter.
1:13 xa4b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Othniel, son of Kenaz 0 These are names of men.
1:15 rz4u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Since you have given me the land of the Negev 0 Caleb gave Aksah in marriage to Othniel, so she lived with Othniel in the city that he had captured in the Negev. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Since you have given me in marriage to live in the Negev”
1:15 n8di rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Since you have given me the land 0 This implies that Caleb did give her the field when she asked him for it (verse 14). She is now asking for springs of water in addition to that field.
1:17 nd84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zephath 0 This is the name of a city in Canaan.
1:17 iy2d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The name of the city was called Hormah 0 After the Israelites destroyed Zephath, they changed its name to “Hormah.” The name “Hormah” means “complete destruction.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
1:19 vtq2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yahweh was with the people of Judah 0 Here “was with” means that Yahweh helped the people of Judah.
1:20 ys79 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Hebron was given to Caleb (like Moses had said) 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: “Moses had given Hebron to Caleb”
1:20 eml1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche three sons of Anak 0 The leaders of the people groups are used to refer to the entire group. Alternate translation: “three sons of Anak and their people”
1:20 tyj7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Anak 0 This is the name of a man. Anak and his descendants were famous for being very tall.
1:22 da33 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The house of Joseph 0 Here “house” represents descendants. Manasseh and Ephraim were sons of Joseph, and the “house of Joseph” can refer to the descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim. Alternate translation: “The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim” or “The men of the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim”
1:22 pc1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to attack Bethel 0 Here “Bethel” represents the people who live in Bethel.
1:23 vx3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background the city that was formerly called Luz 0 This is background information. Some people who first read this book had probably heard of Luz but did not know that it was the same as the city that they called Bethel. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
1:25 dj1j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy they attacked the city 0 Here “city” represents the people. Alternate translation: “they attacked the people of the city”
1:25 ncm9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche with the edge of the sword 0 “with the point of the sword.” Here “sword” represents the swords and other weapons that the soldiers used in battle. Alternate translation: “with their swords” or “with their weapons”
1:25 uw87 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom get away 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “escape”
1:27 grh4 because the Canaanites were determined to live in that land 0 To “determine” is to firmly decide something. Alternate translation: “because the Canaanites firmly decided not to leave that land”
1:28 m64k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy When Israel became strong 0 Here “Israel” represents the people. Alternate translation: “When the people of Israel became stronger”
1:31 e29r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Asher did not drive 0 Here “Asher” represents the men or the soldiers of the tribe of Asher.
1:31 b612 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Akko … Sidon … Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek … Rehob 0 These are names of cities in the land of Canaan.
1:33 d9v1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Shemesh … Beth Anath 0 These are names of cities.
1:33 pck2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced into hard labor for Naphthali 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 Naphtali forced the people of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath to work for them as slaves”
1:35 x276 the military might of the house of Joseph conquered them 0 Alternate translation: “the tribes of people who descended from Joseph were able to conquer them because of their powerful army”
1:35 uvw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Joseph 0 Here “house” represents descendants. Manasseh and Ephraim were sons of Joseph, and the “house of Joseph” can refer to the descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim” or “the men of the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim”
1:36 g7nx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the hill of Akrabbim 0 This was a pass southwest of the Dead Sea. It is also called the “Scorpion Pass.”
1:36 qr2w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Sela 0 This is the name of a city.
2:intro mf6a 0 # Judges 2 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Yahweh tests Israel\n\nYahweh said, “Because this nation has broken the terms of my covenant.” Completely removing the Canaanites from the land was a test from Yahweh. While Yahweh displayed covenant faithfulness, Israel did not. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/test]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenantfaith]])
2:1 tt9y angel of Yahweh 0 This could mean: (1) “angel who represents Yahweh” or (2) “messenger who serves Yahweh” or (3) it may refer to Yahweh himself, who looked like an angel as he talked to a person. Either one of these meanings would explain the angel’s use of “I” as if Yahweh himself were talking.
2:1 q2ka went up from Gilgal to Bokim 0 Alternate translation: “left Gilgal and went to Bokim”
2:1 x66i rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Bokim 0 This is what the Israelites named this place in 2:5 after the angel rebukes the people. “Bokim” means “crying.”
2:1 te37 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and said 0 It is understood that the angel of Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “and said to the people of Israel”
2:1 p92u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom break my covenant with you 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “fail to do what I said I would do for you”
2:2 syq4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy you have not listened to my voice 0 Here “voice” represents what Yahweh said. Alternate translation: “you have not obeyed my commands”
2:2 w8ys rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What is this that you have done? 0 This question is asked to cause the people of Israel to realize they have disobeyed Yahweh and will suffer because of it. Alternate translation: “You have done a terrible thing.”
2:3 kdq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes So now I say, ‘I will not … trap for you.’ 0 This has a quotation within a quotation. This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “So now I tell you that I will not … trap for you.’” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
2:3 plg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor become thorns in your sides 0 The Canaanites troubling the Israelites is spoken of as if the Canaanites would be thorns in the side of the Israelites. Alternate translation: “cause you trouble”
2:3 b6w1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor their gods will become a trap for you 0 The Israelites worshiping the Canaanite gods is spoken of as if the false gods were a hunter’s trap that catches an animal and causes it harm.
2:4 f5v2 shouted and wept 0 Alternate translation: “cried many tears”
2:6 p53v Now when Joshua 0 Here “Now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator begins a summary that explains how the generations of Israelites after Joshua sinned and worshiped false gods so that Yahweh punished them, but then he would send judges to rescue them. This summary ends in 2:23.
2:6 u1xb rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background when Joshua … of their land 0 The events of 1:1–2:5 happened after Joshua died. This is recounting events that happened at the end of the book of Joshua.
2:6 i12e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit to the place assigned 0 You may want to help your readers by stating who assigned this place to them. Alternate translation: “to the place Yahweh gave them”
2:7 kcc2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background 0 The background information that begins with the words “Now when Joshua” in verse 6 continues.
2:7 ydz9 during the lifetime 0 This means the time that someone lived. Alternate translation: “during the life”
2:7 g5ah the elders 0 Here this means the men who helped lead Israel, participating in matters of social justice and in religious matters such as maintaining the law of Moses.
2:7 qml9 outlived him 0 This means to live longer than someone else. Alternate translation: “lived longer than he did”
2:8 ii19 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background 0 The background information that begins with the words “Now when Joshua” in verse 6 continues.
2:8 m4jx rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Joshua son of Nun … died at the age of 110 years old 0 The background information that begins with the words “Now when Joshua” in verse 6 ends. The events of 1:1–2:5 happened after Joshua died.
2:8 k12w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nun 0 This is the name of a man.
2:8 xfn6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 110 years old 0 “one hundred and ten years old”
2:9 ne2z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he was assigned 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 God gave him”
2:9 yk2s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Timnath Heres 0 This is the name of an area of land.
2:9 f8u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Gaash 0 This is the name of a mountain.
2:10 umh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism All that generation was also gathered to their fathers 0 The phrase “was also gathered to their fathers” means that as the people of that generation died, their souls went to the same place as their ancestors who died before them. It is a polite way of saying they died.
2:11 yhh4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
2:11 gx61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Baals 0 This is the plural of Baal. While “Baal” was generally the name of one false god, the word was also used for various other gods that were often worshiped along with Baal.
2:12 tp3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They broke away from Yahweh 0 The Israelites no longer obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they physically broke away from him and left him.
2:12 n4xl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They went after other gods 0 The Israelites starting to worship false gods is spoken of as if the Israelites walked and went after the false gods.
2:12 w9r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction bowed down to them 0 This is an act of worship and giving honor to someone.
2:13 ddu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ashtoreths 0 This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms.
2:14 r6xm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel 0 The anger of Yahweh is described as burning like a fire. Alternate translation: “Yahweh became very angry with the people of Israel”
2:14 v1ki rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor He sold them as slaves who were held by the strength of their enemies around them, so they could no longer defend themselves against their enemies 0 Yahweh allowing the enemies to take the Israelites as slaves is spoken of as if he sold them into slavery. The phrase “who were held by” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “He allowed their enemies to conquer them and take them as slaves, and they could no longer resist their powerful enemies” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
2:15 b13p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh’s hand was against them to defeat them 0 Here “hand” represents Yahweh’s power. Alternate translation: “Yahweh helped their enemies defeat them”
2:16 t2b3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Then Yahweh raised up judges 0 Yahweh appointing persons to be judges is spoken of as if he were raising or lifting the persons up.
2:16 myh2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy out of the hand of those 0 Here “hand” refers to power. Alternate translation: “from the power of the enemies”
2:17 dv8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile gave themselves like prostitutes to other gods and worshiped them 0 The people betraying Yahweh and worshiping other gods is spoken of as if the people were prostitutes. Alternate translation: “betrayed him by worshiping false gods”
2:18 eau5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor When Yahweh raised up judges 0 Yahweh appointing persons to be judges is spoken of as if he raised or lifted up the persons.
2:18 ql9k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of their enemies 0 Here “hand” refers to power of the enemies to hurt Israel. Alternate translation: “the power of their enemies”
2:18 g95t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy as they groaned 0 The sound made by a person who suffers is used to describe the pain of the Israelites as they suffer. Alternate translation: “as they suffered”
2:19 q63w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they would turn away 0 The people no longer obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they would physically turn away from Yahweh.
2:19 kid3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They would go after other gods to serve them and worship them 0 The Israelites worshiping other gods is spoken of as if they were walking and going after other gods. Alternate translation: “They would serve and worship other gods”
2:19 lq1a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes They refused to give up any of their evil practices or their stubborn ways 0 “They refused to stop doing evil things and being stubborn.” This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “They continued doing evil things and being stubborn”
2:20 b7rk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel 0 The anger of Yahweh is described as burning like a fire. See how you translated this phrase in [Judges 2:14](../02/14.md).
2:20 clk3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy this nation has broken 0 Here “nation” represents the people. Alternate translation: “these people have broken” or “the Israelites have broken”
2:21 ry6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy any of the nations 0 Here “nations” represents the people groups that lived in Canaan before the Israelites.
2:22 n194 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it 0 How Yahweh wants people to live or behave is spoken of as if it were a way or road. A person obeying Yahweh is spoken of as if they were walking in his way.
2:23 tn49 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua 0 These two phrases mean the same thing and can be combined. Alternate translation: “he did not let Joshua quickly conquer them and drive them out”
2:23 b618 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy into the hand of Joshua 0 Here “hand” is a metonym for power, and “Joshua” represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “into the power of Joshua and his army” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
3:intro k35h 0 # Judges 3 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### The people worship false gods\n\nIsrael worshiped idols and false gods. Because of this, Yahweh allowed 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. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])\n\n## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### “Blew a trumpet”\n\nWhen Ehud “blew a trumpet,” he was calling all of the men to come help him fight. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
3:1 w2is Now Yahweh 0 Here “Now” begins a new section of the story.
3:1 hp8z these nations 0 This refers to the people groups that the narrator will list in 3:3.
3:1 xj63 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive who had not experienced any of the wars fought in Canaan 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: “who had not fought in any of the wars in Canaan”
3:2 l4u8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background He did this to teach warfare to the new generation of the Israelites who had not known it before 0 This breaks from the main story line. The narrator gives background information about why Yahweh left some of the people groups in Canaan. Alternate translation: “Yahweh left nations among the Israelites to teach the young men who had not fought in battle before how to fight”
3:3 mgb4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche the five kings 0 These five kings represent themselves and their people. Alternate translation: “the five kings and their people”
3:3 upq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Baal Hermon 0 This is the highest mountain in Israel.
3:3 z6zc rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Hamath Pass 0 This is the name of an area at the northern boundary of Canaan.
3:4 vqn2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive These nations were left 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: “Yahweh left these nations in Canaan” or “Yahweh allowed these nations to continue to live in Canaan”
3:7 p6m5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
3:7 e1t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom forgot Yahweh their God 0 Here “forgot” is an idiom that means “they stopped obeying.”
3:8 yg7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the anger of Yahweh was set on fire 0 Yahweh becoming very angry is spoken of as if his anger were something that could be set on fire. Alternate translation: “Yahweh became very angry”
3:8 gwp8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim 0 Allowing the people of Israel to be conquered is spoken of as if Yahweh sold them to Cushan-Rishathaim. Alternate translation: “allowed Cushan-Rishathaim and his army to defeat them”
3:8 zj78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim 0 Here “hand” is a metonym that represents power or control. Also, “Cushan-Rishathaim” is a synechdoche that represents himself and his army. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
3:8 b1vl rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Cushan-Rishathaim 0 This is the name of a man.
3:8 a27l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Aram Naharaim 0 This is the name of a country.
3:9 vg5k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh raised up someone 0 Yahweh appointing someone to do a special work for him is spoken of as if Yahweh raised or lifted up the person.
3:10 k8cd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he went out to war 0 Here “he” refers to Othniel who represents himself and the army of Israel. Alternate translation: “Othniel and the Israelite soldiers went to fight against the army of Cushan-Rishathaim”
3:10 l4lh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram 0 Here “Cushan-Rishathaim” represents his army. Alternate translation: “Yahweh helped the Israelite army defeat the army of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram”
3:10 f953 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The hand of Othniel 0 Here “hand” is a metonym for army. Alternate translation: “The army of Othniel”
3:11 svg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The land had peace 0 “The land” is used to refer to the people who lived in the land. Alternate translation: “The people lived peacefully”
3:11 i8ks rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers forty years 0 “40 years”
3:12 l914 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
3:12 nj1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns Yahweh gave strength to Eglon king of Moab 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **strength**, you can express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “Yahweh made Eglon king of Moab strong”
3:12 s1wn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche to Eglon king of Moab to overpower the Israelites 0 Here “Eglon king of Moab” represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “to Eglon king of Moab and his soldiers as they attacked the Israelite army”
3:12 z23q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Eglon 0 This is the name of a king.
3:15 mpv5 called out to Yahweh 0 Here this means to shout or speak loudly to someone far away. It can also mean to ask someone for help, especially God.
3:15 zn6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor raised up someone 0 Yahweh appointing someone to do a special service for him is spoken of as if he raised or lifted up the person.
3:15 jja5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ehud … Gera 0 These are names of men.
3:16 fm5l rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance one cubit 0 If it is necessary to use a modern measurement of length, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “46 centimeters” or “about one half meter”
3:17 k42d rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now Eglon was a very fat man 0 Here “Now” is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells background information about Eglon.
3:19 q56y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive when he reached the place where the carved images were made near Gilgal 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: “when he arrived at the place near Gilgal where people made carved images”
3:20 f67g in the coolness of the upper room 0 This is a room above the lower level that was used for rest and to remain cool during the hot part of the day.
3:20 p7ft rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction The king got up out of his seat 0 Standing up was a sign of honoring God will listening to his message.
3:24 z2qt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism Surely he is relieving himself 0 This is a polite way to speak about a person having a bowel movement (defecating) or urinating.
3:25 d7zv until they felt they were neglecting their duty 0 They waited until they became worried that something was wrong and it was their duty to open the doors to their king’s private room.
3:25 e1jf took the key and opened them 0 Alternate translation: “took the key and opened the doors”
3:26 r2ig rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-events While the servants were waiting … Ehud escaped 0 This tells what happened before the servants opened the doors to the upper room and found the king dead. Alternate translation: “Meanwhile, as the servants were still waiting outside of the upper room … Ehud escaped”
3:26 x36q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Seirah 0 This is the name of a city.
3:27 zet1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis When he arrived 0 You may want to help your readers by stating where he arrived. Alternate translation: “When he arrived in Seirah”
3:28 ax6h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor for Yahweh is about to defeat your enemies 0 Yahweh helping the Israelites to defeat their enemies is spoken of as if Yahweh were a warrior who would fight and defeat their enemies.
3:30 ch1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Moab was subdued by the strength of Israel 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 Israelite army defeated the Moabites”
3:30 par9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the strength of Israel 0 Here “strength” represents the Israelite army.
3:30 w1xr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the land had rest 0 Here “land” represents the people. Alternate translation: “the Israelites lived peacefully”
3:30 dln1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers eighty years 0 “80 years”
3:31 psq1 judge 0 God appointed judges to lead the people of Israel in times of trouble after they entered the Promised Land and before they had kings. Often judges rescued the Israelites from their enemies.
3:31 z3lr a stick used to goad cattle 0 Cattle farmers would poke their cattle with a sharp stick to make them move. AT “a stick used to urge cattle to move” or “a stick used to direct cattle”
3:31 n8z3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy He also delivered Israel from danger 0 The word “danger” refers to enemies that tried to harm the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “He also delivered the people of Israel from their enemies”
4:intro pjw5 0 # Judges 4 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nChapters 4 and 5 form one section about Barak and Deborah.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Barak’s leadership\n\nAt this time, it was very unusual for a woman to be a leader, especially a military leader. Barak lacked the strength to go into battle without Deborah. This indicates that Barak was a poor leader. If a woman won the battle for him, it would have brought Barak shame. It also indicates that Deborah was very well respected. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
4:1 h4q7 Ehud 0 See how you translated this man’s name in [Judges 3:15](../03/15.md).
4:1 aq65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
4:2 yj14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan 0 Here “hand” refers to Jabin’s power over Israel. Yahweh’s decision to give Jabin power over them is spoken of as if Yahweh had sold them to Jabin. Alternate translation: “Yahweh allowed them to be defeated by the power of Jabin king of Canaan” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
4:2 i943 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jabin … Sisera 0 These are the names of men
4:2 fk1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Hazor … Harosheth Haggoyim 0 These are the names of cities or places
4:3 ftq8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers nine hundred iron chariots 0 “900 iron chariots”
4:4 e7xn rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells background information about Deborah.
4:4 nnu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Deborah 0 This is the name of a woman
4:4 gru6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Lappidoth 0 This is the name of a man
4:6 b5l8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names 0 # General Information:\n\nThe writer of Judges refers to men, a city, a mountain, and a river by their names.
4:6 ehp5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Barak … Abinoam 0 These are the names of men.
4:6 yn83 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Tabor 0 This is the name of a mountain.
4:6 vi2x rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers ten thousand men 0 “10,000 men”
4:7 mmc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche draw out Sisera 0 Here “Sisera” represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “draw out Sisera and his army”
4:9 y6ww rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the road on which you are going will not lead to your honor 0 The choice Barak makes is spoken of as if Barak were choosing a road on which to travel. And, “honor” is spoken of as if it were a destination to which one travels. Alternate translation: “no one will honor you for what you do”
4:9 v8ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman 0 Here “hand” refers to her power to kill him. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh will cause a woman to defeat Sisera”
4:10 g69f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers Ten thousand men 0 “10,000 men”
4:11 wq16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background Now 0 This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here the narrator tells background information about Heber the Kenite.
4:11 fty7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Heber … Hobab 0 These are the names of men.
4:14 pb3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture Yahweh has given you victory 0 Because Deborah is certain of victory, she speaks as if Barak had already won the battle. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will give you victory”
4:14 r1ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is not Yahweh leading you? 0 Deborah asks this question to remind Barak that they fight on the side of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “Remember, Yahweh is leading you.”
4:14 fv1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers with ten thousand 0 “with 10,000”
4:15 t5qj Yahweh confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army 0 Alternate translation: “Yahweh made Sisera and all his chariots and all his army unable to think clearly” or “Yahweh made Sisera and all his chariots and all his army panic”
4:15 u8qh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy all his chariots 0 Here the word “chariots” is a metonym for the soldiers driving the chariots. Alternate translation: “all the men driving chariots”
4:16 qj43 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Barak pursued 0 Here “Barak” represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “Barak and his soldiers chased”
4:16 x3gk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche the whole army of Sisera was killed by the edge of the sword 0 Here “sword” represents the swords and other weapons that the soldiers used in battle. 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: “Barak and his soldiers killed Sisera’s whole army with their swords” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
4:18 k8b1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Turn aside 0 This means to change course during a journey in order to rest. Alternate translation: “Come here”
4:21 lvc4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor a deep sleep 0 Like a person in a deep hole cannot easily climb out, a person in a deep sleep cannot easily wake up.
4:23 xzh1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor God defeated Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel 0 God causing the Israelites to defeat Jabin and his army is spoken of as is God himself defeated Jabin as the people of Israel watched.
4:24 zcb9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche they destroyed him 0 Here “him” refers to Jabin who represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “they destroyed Jabin and his army”
5:intro jgd9 0 # Judges 5 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Deborah and Barak continues in this chapter.\n\nSome translations prefer to set apart quotations, prayers, and songs. 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## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### The flood\n\nGod caused rain and flooding to bog down Jaban’s chariots making\nthem vulnerable to soldiers on foot, even though it is not said. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:1 w7ex rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit On that day 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “On the day the Israelites defeated the army of King Jabin”
5:3 hs8j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you leaders 0 Deborah and Barak speak to the kings and leaders as if they were there listening to the song.
5:4 f5pu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor when you went out from Seir, when you marched from Edom 0 This refers to the time when the Israelites left Edom to start conquering the people in Canaan. Yahweh empowering his people to defeat the people of Canaan is spoken of as if he were a warrior leading the Israelite army.
5:4 vj7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Seir 0 Seir is a mountain on the border of the land of Israel and Edom.
5:4 hw54 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the earth shook, and the skies also trembled; also the clouds poured down water 0 This could mean: (1) this is poetic language that emphasizes Yahweh’s power by describing it as causing earthquakes and storms or (2) the people of Canaan being terrified as the Israelites were about to attack them is spoken of as if the earth and sky were shaking.
5:5 p4qp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification The mountains quaked 0 This probably refers to earthquakes and gives the impression that the mountains quaked because they were very afraid of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “The mountains trembled in fear” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:5 d62l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy before the face of Yahweh 0 Here “face” refers Yahweh’s presence. Alternate translation: “in the presence of Yahweh”
5:5 wuf5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit even Mount Sinai quaked 0 When Moses and Israel were at Mount Sinai, it quaked. Alternate translation: “long ago, even Mount Sinai quaked”
5:6 asi7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shamgar … Anath … Jael 0 These are the names of people. See how you translated Shamgar and Anath in [Judges 3:31](../03/31.md) and Jael in [Judges 4:18](../04/18.md).
5:6 rw34 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background son of Anath 0 Shamgar’s father is mentioned to help identify Shamgar and when he lived.
5:6 ki5e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the main roads were abandoned 0 This can be stated in active form and you can make explicit why the roads were abandoned Alternate translation: “people stopped using the main roads; because they were afraid of Israel’s enemies” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:7 n27x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I, Deborah, arose—arose as a mother in Israel 0 Deborah speaks of becoming a leader in Israel as if she were a mother taking care of young children. Alternate translation: “I, Deborah, began to lead—I took care of the Israelites as a mother takes care of her children”
5:8 mxk4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit they chose new gods 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel worshiped new gods”
5:8 duj5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche there was fighting at the city gates 0 Here “gates” represents the entire city. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “enemies attacked the people within the Israelite cities” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:8 v83h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole there were no shields or spears seen among forty thousand in Israel 0 This statement is probably an exaggeration about how few weapons the Israelites had. Alternate translation: “few weapons for battle remained in Israel”
5:8 dl2n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers forty thousand in Israel 0 “40,000 in Israel”
5:9 u5zy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel 0 The word “heart” represents a person’s emotions. The phrase “My heart goes out to” is a way of saying that Deborah feels gratitude or appreciation. Alternate translation: “I appreciate the commanders of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
5:10 dt2p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism you who ride on white donkeys … you who walk along the road 0 This contrast probably refers to rich people and poor people. Alternate translation: “you rich people who ride on white donkeys … you poor people who walk along the road”
5:11 v4bj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Hear the voices of those 0 Here “voices” represents the people singing. Alternate translation: “Listen to those”
5:11 f6il rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche went down to the city gates 0 Here “gates” represents the whole city. Alternate translation: “returned to their cities”
5:14 e478 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek 0 The people of Ephraim living in the land where the descendants of Amalek originally lived is spoken of as if the people of Ephraim were planted and their roots grew into the land. Alternate translation: “from Ephraim, that land where the descendants of Amalek once lived”
5:14 k3ph rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you followed you 0 Here “you” refers to the people of Ephraim. It can be stated in third person. Alternate translation: “followed them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
5:14 yna1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Machir 0 This is the place where the descendants of Machir live. Machir was the son of Manasseh and the grandson of Joseph.
5:14 rl91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from Zebulun those who carry an officer’s staff 0 Military leaders are described by the staff, a symbol of their authority. Alternate translation: “military leaders from Zebulun”
5:15 ruv4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person My princes in Issachar were with Deborah 0 Here “My” refers to Deborah. This whole statement can be translated in first person. Alternate translation: “My princes in Issachar were with me”
5:15 sn4n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Issachar was with Barak 0 Here “Issachar” refers to the tribe of Issachar. Alternate translation: “the tribe of Issachar was with Barak”
5:15 sdi1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy there were great searchings of heart 0 Here “heart” represents thoughts. The people discussing with each other but being unable to decide what they should do is spoken of as if they were searching their heart. Alternate translation: “there was a lot of discussing about what they should do” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5:16 wc6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why did you sit between the fireplaces, listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? 0 This question is asked to criticize the people of Reuben because they did not decide to come fight in the battle. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have helped us fight, instead of staying at home and listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:16 jg14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy there were great searchings of heart 0 Here “heart” represents thoughts. The people discussing with each other but being unable to decide what they should do is spoken of as if they were searching their heart. See how you translated this in [Judges 5:15](../05/15.md). (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
5:17 pg1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Gilead stayed 0 Here “Gilead” the men from Gilead who should have gone to fight in battle. Alternate translation: “The men of Gilead stayed”
5:17 zwj6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the other side of the Jordan 0 This refers to the east side of the Jordan.
5:17 l6vz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Dan, why did he wander about on ships? 0 This question is asked to express anger because the people of the tribe of Dan would not fight for Israel. Alternate translation: “the men of Dan should not have remained on their ships!” or “the people of the tribe of Dan did not help us in the battle. Instead they were wandering around on the sea in ships!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
5:17 wn8k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Dan, why did he 0 Here “Dan” represents the men from Dan who should have gone to fight in battle. Alternate translation: “the men of Dan, why did they”
5:17 wy1c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit wander about on ships 0 The tribe of Dan was located near the Mediterranean sea. They sailed on the sea to make money through trade and fishing.
5:17 q466 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Asher remained on the coast and lived close to his harbors 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “The people of the tribe of Asher also failed to help us, they just remained on the coast near their harbors”
5:17 hk9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Asher remained 0 Here “Asher” represents the men who should have gone to fight in battle. Alternate translation: “The men of Asher remained”
5:18 iq38 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis Naphtali, also 0 You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “Naphtali was a tribe who would also risk their lives to the point of death”
5:19 klr4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche The kings came, they fought … the kings of Canaan fought 0 The king of a people group is used to refer to himself and the army he commands. Alternate translation: “The kings and their armies came and fought … the kings of Canaan and their armies fought”
5:19 qh9s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis they fought … fought 0 The word “us” is understood. Alternate translation: “they fought us … fought us”
5:19 jn5l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche no silver as plunder 0 Here “silver” represents any treasure in general. Alternate translation: “no silver or other treasures as plunder”
5:20 uwf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification From heaven the stars fought, from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera 0 Yahweh helping the Israelite to defeat Sisera and his army is spoken of as if the stars themselves fought against Sisera and his army. This may refer to Yahweh using natural elements, specifically rain storms, to defeat Sisera.
5:20 r9rm rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche against Sisera 0 Here “Sisera” represents himself and his whole army. Alternate translation: “Sisera and his army”
5:21 yn1b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The Kishon River swept them away 0 Because of the heavy rain the river flooded quickly causing the chariots to be stuck in the mud and drowning many soldiers. Alternate translation: “The Kishon River flooded and swept away Sisera’s soldiers”
5:21 je12 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche March on my soul, be strong 0 Here “soul” refers to the whole person. The word “my” refers to Deborah. Alternate translation: “I tell myself to march on and to be strong”
5:22 wx9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Then came the sound of horses’ hooves—galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones 0 This describes the sound of many horses running away from the battle. Alternate translation: “Then I heard the sound of horses running away. Sisera’s mighty horses were running away”
5:23 gg5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Curse Meroz 0 Here “Meroz” represents the people who lived there. Alternate translation: “Curse the people of Meroz”
5:23 cdl6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Meroz 0 This is the name of a city.
5:24 n5q6 Jael 0 See how you translated this name in [Judges 4:18](../04/18.md).
5:24 r37w Heber 0 See how you translated this name in [Judges 4:11](../04/11.md).
5:24 jve5 Kenite 0 Translate the name of this people group as you did in [Judges 1:16](../01/16.md).
5:25 a4wl brought him butter 0 Here “butter” refers to curdled milk. This was the best milk and a favorite drink among Jael’s people. Alternate translation: “brought him yogurt” or “brought him curds”
5:25 viu5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a dish fit for princes 0 This phrase means the dish was of the best quality because princes were given the best things.
5:26 k8d2 She put her hand to the tent peg 0 Alternate translation: “Jael grabbed the tent peg with her left hand”
5:26 iyf8 tent peg 0 This is a pointed piece of wood or metal, like a large nail, that is hammered into the ground to hold down a corner of a tent. See how you translated this in [Judges 4:21](../04/21.md).
5:26 c1yp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis her right hand to the workman’s hammer 0 This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “she grabbed a hammer with her right hand”
5:26 va7c hammer 0 This is a heavy tool made of wood used to hit a tent peg into the ground. See how you translated this in [Judges 4:21](../04/21.md).
5:26 hkm3 Sisera 0 See how you translated this man’s name in [Judges 4:2](../04/02.md).
5:27 ezv3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he was violently 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: “she killed him” or “he died”
5:28 mw4d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Why has it taken his chariot so long to come? Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed? 0 Both of these questions mean the same thing. These two statements can be combined. Alternate translation: “Why is it taking Sisera so long to arrive home”
5:28 k2dy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy taken his chariot … Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots 0 Both of these represent Sisera. Alternate translation: “taken Sisera … Why has he”
5:29 xa2n wisest princesses 0 A “princess” is the daughter of a king, but a “princess” can also mean female advisers to the king’s family. Alternate translation: “wisest ladies”
5:29 mw32 she gave herself the same answer 0 Alternate translation: “she said to herself the same thing”
5:30 l98i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Have they not found and divided up the plunder—a womb … plunder? 0 The women use a question to emphasize that they believe this is what certainly happened. Alternate translation: “They must have so much plunder that it is taking a long time to divide it. They have … plunder.”
5:30 cw6v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion a womb, two wombs for every man … of those who plunder? 0 The women use a question to emphasize that they believe this is what certainly happened. Alternate translation: “There must be a womb, two wombs for every man … of those who plunder.”
5:30 xgr7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche a womb, two wombs for every man 0 Here “womb” represents a woman. Sisera’s mother believes Sisera’s men have captured many women. Alternate translation: “Each soldier will receive a woman or two”
5:30 yg2c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche for the necks of those who plunder 0 Here “necks” represents Sisera’s soldiers. Alternate translation: “for the soldiers who plunder to wear”
5:31 bi4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like the sun when it rises in its might 0 The people of Israel wish to be like the sun that rises because no nation’s army is powerful enough to stop the sunrise.
5:31 q1yt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the land had peace 0 Here “the land” represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “and the people of Israel lived peacefully”
5:31 mw3u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers for forty years 0 “for 40 years”
6:intro p5sj 0 # Judges 6 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter begins a section about Gideon. (Chapters 6–8)\n\n### Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Israel’s punishment\nIn Judges, Israel’s actions are connected to their obedience to Yahweh. When Israel does evil, they are oppressed. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]])
6:1 ht3z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
6:1 l9nl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian. Also, “hand” represents control. Alternate translation: “the control of the people of Midian” or “the control of the Midianites”
6:2 bs4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The power of Midian oppressed Israel 0 Here “the power of Midian” refers to the people of Midian. Alternate translation: “The people of Midian were more powerful than the people of Israel and they oppressed them”
6:2 pl5z dens 0 places in the rocky cliffs that would provide shelter
6:4 zcp1 They would set up their army 0 Alternate translation: “The army would encamp” or “The army would set up their tents”
6:5 i2ld Whenever they and their livestock and tents came up 0 The land of Midian was south of the land of Israel, near the Red Sea. It was common to use the phrase “came up” when speaking of traveling from Midian to Israel. Alternate translation: “Whenever the Midianites brought their livestock and tents to the land of Israel”
6:5 e5sl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile they would come as a swarm of locusts 0 The Midianites are compared to a swarm of locusts because they came in with a great number of people and their livestock ate everything that grew.
6:5 ra2i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole it was impossible to count 0 This is an exaggeration, a hyperbole, showing the number is very great.
6:6 eg3l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Midian weakened 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian.
6:6 lcc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom called out to Yahweh 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “prayed to Yahweh for help”
6:7 z7sa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom called out to Yahweh 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “prayed to Yahweh for help”
6:7 r2ej rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy because of Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian. Alternate translation: “because of the Midianites”
6:8 h336 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the house of slavery 0 Moses speaks of Egypt as if it were a house where people keep slaves. Alternate translation: “the place where you were slaves”
6:9 ue1t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the hand 0 In this phrase “hand” represents power or control.
6:10 ne4s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy obeyed my voice 0 - Here “my voice” represents what Yahweh commanded. Alternate translation: “obeyed my command” or “obeyed me”
6:11 y3ww was separating out the wheat by beating it on the floor 0 This is a process called “threshing.” Gideon was beating the wheat against the floor to separate the wheat grain from the rest of the wheat plant.
6:12 fe5w appeared to him 0 Alternate translation: “went to him”
6:13 as35 my master 0 Gideon uses the word “master” as a polite way to greet a stranger. He does not realize he is speaking to Yahweh in the form of an angel or a man.
6:13 in9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers told us about, when they said, ‘Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?’ 0 Gideon uses a question to challenge the stranger’s statement that Yahweh was with him. Also, the direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “We have not seen any wonderful deeds like the ones our fathers told us about when Yahweh brought them up from Egypt.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
6:13 e2k9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom gave us into the hand of Midian 0 The phrase “gave us into” means Yahweh allowed the Israelites to be defeated. Alternate translation: “allowed the Midianites to defeat us”
6:13 vi7e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy gave us into the hand 0 Here “hand” represents power or control.
6:13 buc4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy of Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian. Alternate translation: “of the Midianites”
6:14 kx2t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the hand 0 Here “hand” represents power or control.
6:14 wuu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy of Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian. Alternate translation: “of the Midianites”
6:14 zs9h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Have I not sent you? 0 Yahweh uses a question to ensure Gideon that he is sending him. Here “sent” means Yahweh has appointed Gideon with a specific task. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh, am sending you!”
6:15 w5e8 Please, Lord 0 Gideon now calls the person “Lord” instead of “my master” as in [Judges 6:13](../06/13.md). Here it seems Gideon either knows or suspects that he is speaking with Yahweh.
6:15 wn75 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion how can I deliver Israel? 0 Gideon uses a question to emphasize that he does not think he can rescue the Israelites. Alternate translation: “I cannot possibly rescue the Israelites!”
6:15 tw55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in my father’s house 0 Here “house” represents a family. Alternate translation: “in my father’s family” or “in my family”
6:16 p1xa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will be with you 0 Here “be with you” is an idiom that means Yahweh will help and bless Gideon.
6:16 fhe8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit as one man 0 You can state the full meaning explicitly. Alternate translation: “as easily as if you were fighting only one man”
6:19 kmz6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume from an ephah of flour 0 If it is necessary to use a modern measurement; here is one way of doing it. Alternate translation: “with 22 liters of flour”
6:22 l2pp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations Ah, Lord Yahweh! 0 The word “Ah” here shows that Gideon was very frightened.
6:22 c1kt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom seen the angel of Yahweh face to face 0 This phrase refers to two people being close to each other. Alternate translation: “really seen the angel of Yahweh”
6:23 b3ha rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Yahweh said to him 0 Apparently Yahweh spoke to Gideon from heaven.
6:25 h71y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal a second bull 0 The word “second” is the ordinal number for “two.” Alternate translation: “another bull”
6:28 i5zb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah that was beside it was cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been built 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: “they noticed that someone had broken down the altar of Baal, cut down the Asherah that was beside it, and built an altar and sacrificed the second bull on it”
6:30 r7h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive he may be put to death 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 may kill him as punishment”
6:31 jw4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will you plead the case for Baal? 0 Joash uses a question to emphasize that a human should not have to defend a god. Alternate translation: “You should not have to defend Baal.”
6:31 n471 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will you save him? 0 Joash uses a question to emphasize that a human should not have to rescue a god. Alternate translation: “You should not have to save Baal.”
6:32 j4wk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jerub Baal 0 This is another name for Gideon. It means “let Baal defend himself.”
6:33 eu5d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit gathered together 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “gathered together as an army”
6:34 d9eb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom came over Gideon 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “took control of Gideon”
6:34 zxl8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis so they might follow him 0 The words “to battle” are understood. Alternate translation: “so they might follow him to battle”
6:35 sy9t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive and they too, were called out to follow him 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: “calling them out to follow him”
6:35 qb25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali 0 These all represent the people of each tribe. Alternate translation: “to the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali”
6:37 s8ri rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit then I will know that you will 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “this will be a sign from you, and then I will know that you will”
6:38 cs87 Gideon rose 0 Alternate translation: “Gideon got out of bed”
6:38 ub6l wrung 0 twist and squeeze something to remove water
7:intro q545 0 # Judges 7 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Gideon continues in this chapter.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### God gets all of the credit\n\nGod said, “There are too many soldiers for me to give you victory over the Midianites. Make sure that Israel will not boast against me, saying, ‘Our own power has saved us.’” By lowering the number of fighting soldiers, it emphasizes that the victory is achieved through God’s power. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/glory]])
7:1 u963 Jerub Baal 0 This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated his name in [Judges 6:32](../06/32.md).
7:1 se4n they encamped 0 Alternate translation: “they set up their camp”
7:1 q9lu rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names spring of Harod … hill of Moreh 0 These are the names of places.
7:1 w8xb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The camp of Midian was to their north 0 Here “Midian” represents the Midianite army. Alternate translation: “The Midianite army set up their camp to the north of the Israelite army”
7:2 ja78 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns for me to give you victory over the Midianites 0 The word “victory” is an abstract noun that can be translated as a verb or an adjective. Alternate translation: “for me to allow you to defeat the Midianites” or “for me to cause you to be victorious over the Midianites”
7:2 ww36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Our own power has saved us 0 Here “power” represents the people themselves. Alternate translation: “We have saved ourselves without God’s help”
7:3 ahw6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche proclaim in the ears of the people 0 Here “the ears” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “proclaim to the people”
7:3 gt6x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Whoever is afraid, whoever trembles 0 Both of these phrases have the same meaning.
7:3 m53a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit let him return 0 You can make explicit where he will go. Alternate translation: “let him return to his home”
7:3 iup9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Gilead 0 This is the name of a mountain in the region of Gilead.
7:3 wn6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis ten thousand remained 0 The word “people” or “men” is understood. Alternate translation: “10,000 people remained” or “10,000 men remained”
7:3 z1zr rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers ten thousand 0 “10,000”
7:4 t9yd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I will make their number smaller for you there 0 Here “number” represents the army. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “there, I will show you who to send home so the army will have less men” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
7:5 iem1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go Gideon brought 0 The word “brought” can be translated as “took” or “led.”
7:6 ae7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers Three hundred men 0 “300 men”
7:7 e8uv rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three hundred men 0 “300 men”
7:7 gk97 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you I will rescue you and give you victory 0 Here “you” is plural and refers to Gideon and the Israelites.
7:8 j7gy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive So those who were chosen 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: “So those whom Yahweh chose”
7:9 u84q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Attack the camp, for I am going to give you victory over it 0 Here “camp” refers to the whole Midianite army. The word “victory” is an abstract noun that can be translated as a verb or an adjective. Alternate translation: “Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to help you defeat them” or “Attack the Midianites at their camp, for I am going to cause you to be victorious over them” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
7:10 xqh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis afraid to go down 0 You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “afraid to go down to attack”
7:10 u4w3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Purah 0 This is the name of a man.
7:11 j99j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive your courage will be strengthened 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: “what you hear will be encourage you”
7:12 r5ww rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile as thick as a cloud of locusts 0 Here “cloud” means a swarm. The author speaks of the army as if it were a swarm of locusts to emphasize how many soldiers there were.
7:12 zt6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Their camels were more … in number than the grains of the sand on the seashore 0 The author uses a hyperbole, an exaggeration, to emphasize that there were very many camels.
7:12 d37k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Their camels were more than could be counted 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: “Their camels were more than anyone could count”
7:14 yg52 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon 0 Here “the sword of Gideon” refers to Gideon’s army attacking. Alternate translation: “The loaf of barley bread in your dream must be the army of Gideon”
7:14 v4e2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture God has given him victory over Midian 0 This future event is spoken of as if it were a past event. This emphasizes that it will certainly happen. Alternate translation: “God will certainly help the Israelites defeat the Midianites”
7:16 xjf2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three hundred men 0 “300 men”
7:18 rj9w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit For Yahweh and for Gideon! 0 The words “we fight” are implied. Alternate translation: “We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon!”
7:19 cxa7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers hundred men 0 “100 men”
7:20 zfw1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon 0 Here “sword” refers to their fighting. Alternate translation: “We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon”
7:22 nw1r rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three hundred trumpets 0 “300 trumpets”
7:22 nk36 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh set every Midianite man’s sword against his comrades 0 Here “sword” refers to their attack with the use of the sword. Alternate translation: “Yahweh caused every Midianite man to fight against his fellow soldiers”
7:22 rv5b rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Shittah … Zererah … Abel Meholah … Tabbath 0 These are the names of towns and cities.
7:23 u5e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh were called out 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: “Gideon called out the Israelites from the tribes of Naphtali, Asher, and all Mannasseh”
7:24 js9y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Barah 0 This is the name of a town.
7:24 u7ze took control of the waters, as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan River 0 Alternate translation: “took control of the area of the Jordan River as far south as Beth Barah”
7:25 hn84 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit at the rock of Oreb … at the winepress of Zeeb 0 The places were given these names after the Israelites killed Oreb and Zeeb there.
7:25 rvj8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Oreb … Zeeb 0 These are names of men.
8:intro zh95 0 # Judges 8 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Gideon concludes in this chapter.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Succoth’s refusal to help Gideon\nThe men of Succoth feared the Midianites more than Gideon. This is why they refused to help Gideon. By allying themselves with the Midianites, they aligned themselves against Yahweh. Because of this, Gideon treated them like he treated the Midianites. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])\n\n### Gideon refuses to be king\n\nGideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you.” Although the book of Deuteronomy anticipates a king in Israel, it was sinful for Israel to desire to have a king. He did though take a share of everyone’s plunder as a king would have done through taxes. This may serve as a warning to Israel about their desire to have a king. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
8:1 sea3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What is this you have done to us? 0 The people of the tribe of Ephraim were rebuking Gideon with this rhetorical question for not including them in his army. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not treated us fairly.”
8:1 f8fy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy against Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the Midianite army.
8:2 wpi2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What have I done now compared to you? 0 Gideon uses this question to honor the people of Ephraim. Alternate translation: “I have done very little compared with what you have done!”
8:2 xg8b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are not the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 0 Gideon was calming the people of Ephraim with this rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “Certainly the grapes you people of Ephraim gleaned are better than what we the descendants of Abiezer gathered from the whole harvest!”
8:2 i6yr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are not the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 0 Gideon and his army defeating the Medianites is spoken of as if it were a grape harvest. The people of Ephraim killing Oreb and Zeeb at the end of the battle is spoken of as if they were gleaning grapes at the end of the harvest. Alternate translation: “What you people of Ephraim did at the end of the battle is more important than what we descendants of Abiezer did at the beginning.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
8:2 rr59 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Abiezer 0 This is the name of one of Gideon’s ancestors. Gideon used his name to refer to Abiezer’s descendants and their land. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
8:3 bi55 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What have I accomplished compared to you? 0 Gideon uses this question to honor the people of Ephraim. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “What you have done is more important than what I have done.”
8:4 f6yp rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers the three hundred men 0 “the 300 men”
8:4 s9yv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns kept up the pursuit 0 The word “pursuit,” an abstract noun, can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “continued to chase their enemies”
8:5 zt2q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zebah and Zalmunna 0 These are the names of men.
8:6 l71p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand? 0 The leaders use a question to emphasize that the Israelites have not yet captured Zebah and Zalumnna. Alternate translation: “You have not captured Zebah and Zalmunna yet.”
8:6 aw3g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna 0 Here “hands” refer to the whole body.
8:6 bn4x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy now in your hand 0 Here “hand” represents power or control.
8:6 k3em rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should we give bread to your army? 0 The leaders use a question to emphasize that they have no reason to give bread to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “We see no reason to give bread to your army.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
8:7 gwp6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will tear your skin with the desert thorns and briers 0 The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “I will make whips out of desert thorns and briers and use them to beat you and cut you”
8:8 bi3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche He went up from there 0 Here “He” refers to Gideon. Gideon represents himself and the soldiers following him. Alternate translation: “They left there” or “Gideon and his 300 men left there”
8:8 ikw7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Peniel 0 The name of a place.
8:8 ak91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis spoke to the people there in the same way 0 You can make clear the understood information. Alternate translation: “asked for food there in the same way” or “he also asked them for food”
8:9 y4qf rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism When I come again in peace 0 This is a polite way of referring to the defeat of his enemies. Alternate translation: “After I have completely defeated the Midian army”
8:9 nth4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche I will pull down this tower 0 Here “I” refers to Gideon and represents himself and his men. Alternate translation: “My men and I will pull down this tower”
8:10 vw38 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Karkor 0 This is the name of a city.
8:10 bh2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers fifteen thousand men 0 “15,000 men”
8:10 p2iw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism had fallen 0 This is a polite way of referring to people who died in battle. Alternate translation: “had been killed” or “had died in battle”
8:10 j3dk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 120,000 men 0 “one hundred thousand men”
8:10 mz6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy men who drew the sword 0 Here drawing the sword represents using the sword in battle. This could mean: (1) this phrase refers to soldiers who use swords in battle. Alternate translation: “swordsmen” or “men who fought with swords” or (2) this phrase refers to any soldiers. Alternate translation: “soldiers”
8:11 t81p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Gideon went up 0 Here “Gideon” represents himself and all of his soldiers. Alternate translation: “Gideon and his soldiers went up”
8:11 y551 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche He defeated 0 Here “He” refers to Gideon and represents himself and all of his soldiers. Alternate translation: “Gideon and his soldiers defeated”
8:11 jbu9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Nobah and Jogbehah 0 These are names of towns.
8:13 w2l7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names the pass of Heres 0 This is the name of a road that passes between two mountains.
8:14 a6z2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit questioned him 0 It can be stated explicitly what Gideon asked the young man. Alternate translation: “he asked him to identify all the names of the leaders in the town”
8:15 bnf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Have you already conquered Zebah and Zalmunna? 0 Gideon quotes the people of Succoth as using a question to mock him. Alternate translation: “You have not yet conquered Zebah and Zalmunna.”
8:16 ct8g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Gideon took … he punished 0 Here “Gideon” represents himself and his soldiers. Alternate translation: “Gideon and his soldiers took … they punished”
8:16 vr3e thorns and briers 0 These are sharp, pointed pieces on vines or tree limbs that stick out and can cut people and animals. See how you translated this in [Judges 8:7](../08/07.md).
8:19 jb1y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom As Yahweh lives 0 This idiom is a religious oath used for emphasis that what he is about to say is true. Alternate translation: “I promise you that”
8:20 xg9f rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jether 0 This is the name of Gideon’s son.
8:21 p21p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom For as the man is, so is his strength 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “It is a job for a man to do”
8:22 n3hy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy out of the hand of Midian 0 Here “hand” represents the power of Midian over Israel. Alternate translation: “from the power of Midian” or “from Midian”
8:22 zz2f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy of Midian 0 Here “Midian” represents the people of Midian. Alternate translation: “of the Midianites”
8:24 c2b3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background The Midianites had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites 0 Here the narrator tells background information about the Midianites.
8:26 z8qb rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers 1,700 shekels of gold 0 “one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold.” If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “18.7 kilograms of gold” or “about 20 kilograms of gold” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight]])
8:26 z7ld rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive that was worn by the kings of Midian 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 the kings of Midian wore”
8:27 tyw2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there 0 This speaks of worshiping a false god as if it were prostitution. Alternate translation: “the Israelites sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the ephod there”
8:27 j6ye rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole all Israel 0 Here “all” is an exaggeration to emphasize that very many worshiped the garment. Alternate translation: “very many people in Israel worshiped the garment”
8:27 bbx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor It became a trap for Gideon and for those in his house 0 This speaks of Gideon and his family being tempted to worship the ephod as if the ephod were a hunter’s snare that would trap them. Alternate translation: “It became a temptation for Gideon and his family” or “Gideon and his family sinned by worshiping it”
8:27 i29y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy for those in his house 0 Here “his house” represents Gideon’s family. Alternate translation: “for his family”
8:28 wui8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel 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: “So Yahweh subdued the Midianites before the people of Israel” or “So Yahweh helped the Israelites defeat the Midianites”
8:28 u2ar rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they did not raise their heads up again 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “they did not attack Israel again”
8:28 un4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy So the land had peace 0 Here “land” represents the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “So the Israelites lived peacefully”
8:28 mw8q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers forty years 0 “40 years”
8:30 m14n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers seventy sons 0 “70 sons”
8:32 i3jl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom a good old age 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “when he was very old”
8:32 w8yg rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive was buried 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: “they buried him”
8:32 aen4 Ophrah 0 Translate the name of this city as you did in [Judges 6:11](../06/11.md).
8:32 pc1f the clan of Abiezer 0 Translate the name of this people group as you did in [Judges 6:11](../06/11.md).
8:33 be44 It came about 0 This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
8:33 l1r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor turned again 0 The people rejecting Yahweh is spoken of as if they physically turned away from him. Alternate translation: “they stopped worshiping Yahwheh”
8:33 gh13 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals 0 This speaks of worshiping false gods as if it were prostitution. Alternate translation: “they sinned against Yahweh by worshiping the Baals”
8:33 ce8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Baal-Berith 0 This is the name of a false god.
8:34 k1h5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the hand of all their enemies 0 Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “from the power of all their enemies” or “from all their enemies”
8:35 svf8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house of Jerub Baal 0 Here “the house of” represents a person’s family. Alternate translation: “the family of Jerub Baal”
8:35 w3k3 Jerub Baal 0 This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated this in [Judges 6:32](../06/32.md).
9:intro zl19 0 # Judges 9 General Notes\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Jotham’s curse\n\nGideon’s son, Abimelech, killed all of his brothers except Jotham in order to become king of Shechem. Jotham cursed Abimelech for having murdered Gideon’s other sons. “Let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and the house of Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech.” (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/curse]])\n\n## Important figures of speech in this chapter\n\n### Tree metaphor\n\nThis chapter contains an extended metaphor about trees. This metaphor functions as a parable instructing Israel about their sinful desire to have a king. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
9:1 cb58 Jerub Baal 0 This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated this in [Judges 6:32](../06/32.md).
9:2 gfl5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?’ 0 This has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Please ask the leaders of Shechem if they would rather have all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over them, or if they would rather have just one of his sons rule over them.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
9:2 e38y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy I am your bone and your flesh 0 Here “your bone and your flesh” represents being someone’s relative. Alternate translation: “I am a member of your family”
9:3 ie29 His mother’s relatives spoke for him to the leaders 0 This means that the relatives of the mother of Abimelech spoke to the leaders, suggesting that they make Abimelech their king.
9:3 ubh9 they agreed to follow Abimelech 0 Alternate translation: “they agreed to let Abimelech be their leader”
9:4 yf44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house 0 Here “house” represents a temple.
9:4 yf3w rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney seventy pieces of silver 0 This means seventy shekels of silver. A shekel weighs 11 grams. If it is necessary to translate this with modern measurements, you can translate it like this. Alternate translation: “almost one kilo of silver”
9:6 up6d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Beth Millo 0 This is the name of a place.
9:7 d3ws rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables 0 # General Information:\n\nJotham begins telling a parable in which the trees try to find someone to rule them. The trees represent the Israelites.
9:7 ksz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive When Jotham was told about this 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: “When Jotham heard that Abimelech had murdered his brothers”
9:7 z9vx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Gerizim 0 This is a mountain.
9:8 p19p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 0 In this parable Jotham describes the trees doing things that humans do. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
9:8 x1ky rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction to anoint a king over them 0 Here, to anoint with oil is a symbolic action that represents appointing a person to be king. Alternate translation: “to appoint a king to rule over all of them”
9:9 q6h3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should I give up my abundance … over the other trees? 0 The olive tree is asking this question to refuse to be king. This question can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will not give up my abundance … over the other trees.”
9:9 v5cc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy abundance 0 This word for “wealth” is a metonym for the olives that come from the tree. People ate olives as food and crushed them to make oil for lamps. Alternate translation: “oil”
9:9 b42t by which gods and men are honored 0 This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “by which people honor both gods and other men”
9:9 ctc8 gods 0 It is possible to translate the same Hebrew word as “god,” “God,” or “gods,” so this could mean: (1) “gods” or (2) “God.”
9:9 a9cy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor sway over 0 To sway is to move back and forth. Trees sway when the wind blows them. Here this is a metaphor for ruling over people. Jotham is also using irony, saying that the work of any ruler will be useless because the “trees,” the people, will not obey anyone who rules them. Alternate translation: “rule over” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
9:11 df3r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables the fig tree said to them 0 Jotham continues describing the trees as doing things that humans do. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
9:11 bi3f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should I give up my sweetness … over the other trees? 0 The fig tree is asking this question to refuse to be king. This question can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will not give up my sweetness … over the other trees.”
9:11 jkz5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns my sweetness and my good fruit 0 The word “sweetness” is an abstract noun. It can be stated as an adjective that describes the fruit that grows on the tree. Alternate translation: “my good sweet fruit”
9:12 m2h3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables The trees said to the vine 0 In this parable, Jotham describes the trees and the vine as doing things that humans do. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
9:13 i2y3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Should I give up my new wine … over the other trees? 0 The vine is asking this question to refuse to be king. This question can be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “I will not give up my new wine … over the other trees.”
9:15 g1p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parables The thornbush said to the trees 0 In this parable, Jotham describes the thornbush and the trees as doing things that humans do. (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
9:15 zea8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction to anoint me as king over you 0 To anoint someone with oil is a symbolic action that appoints a person to be king. Alternate translation: “to appoint me as your king”
9:15 cm8a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns find safety 0 The word “safety” is an abstract noun that can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “be safe”
9:15 hvs5 fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon 0 This means to let the thornbush burn so that it will burn the cedars.
9:15 xn44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person then let fire come out of the thornbush 0 The thornbush refers to itself as “the thornbush.” Alternate translation: “then may fire come out from me, the thornbush”
9:17 fpm7 to think that my father fought for you … out of the hand of Midian 0 Here Jotham is expressing that he cannot believe how badly the people of Shechem have treated Gideon and his family even after Gideon fought to save the people of Shechem.
9:17 kqc3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy out of the hand of Midian 0 Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “from the power of the Midianites” or “from the Midianites”
9:18 cr5w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom you have risen up against 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “you have opposed” or “you have rebelled against”
9:18 i5zw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy my father’s house 0 Here “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “my father’s family”
9:19 cwl5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house 0 Jotham offered the possibility that what they did was good, but Jotham does not actually believe what they did was good. Alternate translation: “If you treated Jerub Baal and his family as they deserved to be treated”
9:19 r5ce rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his house 0 Here “house” refers to family. Alternate translation: “his family”
9:20 rv9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo But if not 0 Jotham offered the opposite possibility that what they did was evil and applied a curse. Jotham does believe what they did was evil. Alternate translation: “But if you treated Jerub Baal and his family as they did not deserve to be treated”
9:20 g8i6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem 0 Jotham is speaking a curse. He speaks of Abimelech destroying the people of Shechem as if he would burn them with fire.
9:20 ibq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech 0 Jotham is speaking a curse. He speaks of the people of Shechem and Beth Millo destroying Abimelech as if they would burn him with fire.
9:23 bv9r God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem 0 This means that God applied the curse Jotham made by sending an evil spirit to cause trouble and animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem.
9:24 xf1e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive God did this so the violence done … helped him murder his brothers 0 The passive phrases can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God did this to avenge the seventy sons whom Abimelech their brother murdered and the men of Shechem helped murder”
9:24 b1g1 Jerub Baal 0 This is another name for Gideon. See how you translated this in [Judges 6:32](../06/32.md).
9:25 b7tx positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him 0 Alternate translation: “sent men to hide on the hilltops and wait to attack Abimelech”
9:25 pd3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive This was reported to Abimelech 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: “Someone told Abimelech about the men waiting to attack him”
9:26 r2ue rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gaal … Ebed 0 These are names of men.
9:26 mv9b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns had confidence in him 0 The word “confidence” is an abstract noun that can be stated with the verb “trust.” Alternate translation: “trusted him”
9:28 w9hj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? 0 Gaal uses a question to emphasize that the people of Shechem should not serve Abimelech. Alternate translation: “We should not serve Abimelech!”
9:28 dfp7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? 0 Both of these questions means the same thing. Gaal refers to Abimelech as “Shechem” because Abimelech’s mother was from Shechem. Alternate translation: “We should not serve Abimelech, that is, Shechem!” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
9:28 a6ws rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? 0 Gaal uses a question to emphasize that the people of Shechem should not serve Abimelech. Alternate translation: “He is just the son of Jerub Baal, and Zebul is just his officer.”
9:28 rq5n Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem’s father 0 Gaal means the people of Shechem should serve those who descended from Hamor, that is, those who are truly Canaanites, and not serve someone whose father was an Israelite.
9:28 ju72 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should we serve Abimelech? 0 Gaal uses a question to emphasize that the people of Shechem should not serve Abimelech. Alternate translation: “We should not serve Abimelech!”
9:30 u13b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor his anger was kindled 0 Becoming angry is spoken of as if a fire were starting. Alternate translation: “he became very angry”
9:30 lx8u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the city 0 Here “city” represents the people of the city.
9:31 gvg1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor they are stirring up the city against you 0 This speaks of the people of the city becoming upset as if they were liquid in a pot moving around. Alternate translation: “they are persuading the people of the city to rebel against you”
9:36 v8bb Gaal 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [Judges 9:26](../09/26.md).
9:36 vu4i Zebul 0 This is the name of a man. See how you translated this in [Judges 9:28](../09/28.md).
9:36 gz9v You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men 0 Zebul is trying to confuse Gaal and keep him from preparing for battle. Alternate translation: “That is not people, it is only shadows on the hills”
9:38 qap7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where are your proud words now, you 0 Zebul is scolding Gaal with this rhetorical question. Alternate translation: “You are not speaking proudly now, you” or “You are not proud now, you”
9:38 fub2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ 0 Zebul is quoting Gaal’s boast back to Gaal. This can be translated as a statement and as an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “you who said that we should not serve Abimelech.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])
9:38 qdj1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are these not the men you despised? 0 Zebul is challenging Gaal with this rhetorical question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Here are the men that you despised.”
9:42 em2h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive this was reported to Abimelech 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: “someone reported this to Abimelech”
9:43 rm73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers divided them into three units 0 “separated them into 3 groups”
9:43 l12e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he attacked 0 Here “he” refers to Abimelech who represents himself and all of his soldiers. Alternate translation: “they attacked”
9:44 a246 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers other two 0 “other 2”
9:45 e7uy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Abimelech fought … He tore down 0 Here “Abimelech” represents himself and his soldiers. Alternate translation: “Abimelech and his soldiers fought … They tore down”
9:45 ch7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy against the city 0 Here “city” represents the people. Alternate translation: “against the people of Shechem”
9:45 t928 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit spread salt over it 0 “spread salt over the land.” Spreading salt over land keeps anything from growing there.
9:46 lty1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the house 0 Here this represents a temple.
9:46 kw6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names El-Berith 0 The word “El” means “god.” This is the same false god as “Baal-Berith” in [Judges 8:33](../08/33.md).
9:47 hnv1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Abimelech was told 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: “Someone told Abimelech”
9:48 h1s8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mount Zalmon 0 This is the name of a mountain.
9:50 nyj8 encamped against Thebez 0 Alternate translation: “camped outside the city of Thebez”
9:52 jgq2 fought against it 0 Alternate translation: “attacked it”
9:53 z9j6 upper millstone 0 Two large, flat, round stones were used to grind grain in a mill. An upper millstone was the top one that was rolled on the lower one to crush the grain in between them.
9:54 vm49 armor-bearer 0 This is the man who carried the weapons of Abimelech.
9:54 is1h pierced him through 0 This means the young man put the sword right through the body of Abimelech.
9:57 fx65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads 0 “Evil turn back on their heads” here is an idiom. Alternate translation: “punished the men of Shechem for all the evil they had done”
9:57 hua1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal 0 This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal happened to them”
10:intro zqn2 0 # Judges 10 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter begins the account of Jephthah ([Judges 10–12](./01.md)).\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Israel’s punishment\nIn Judges, Israel’s actions are connected to their obedience to Yahweh. When Israel does evil, they are oppressed. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/evil]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]])
10:2 m93u rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers twenty-three years 0 “23 years”
10:2 unp5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive was buried 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: “they buried him”
10:3 f3wi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive He was followed by Jair the Gileadite 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: “Jair the Gileadite was leader after Tola”
10:3 m9uk rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jair 0 This is the name of a man.
10:5 t8ka rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive was buried 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: “they buried him”
10:5 s19j rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Kamon 0 This is the name of a place.
10:6 lj2d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor added to the evil they had done in the sight of Yahweh 0 This speaks of evil as if it were an object that a person could add to and make bigger. Alternate translation: “continued doing what Yahweh said was evil”
10:6 ki1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “according to Yahweh”
10:6 p7j4 Ashtoreths 0 This is the plural of Ashtoroth, who was worshiped as a goddess in many different forms. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:13](../02/13.md).
10:6 r515 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism They abandoned Yahweh and no longer worshiped him 0 The author basically said the same thing twice for emphasis. These can be combined. Alternate translation: “They completely stopped worshiping Yahweh”
10:6 p6q5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor They abandoned Yahweh 0 No longer obeying and worshiping Yahweh is spoken of as if the people left Yahweh and went somewhere else.
10:7 zf61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh burned with anger toward Israel 0 Yahweh becoming angry is spoken of as if anger were a burning fire. Alternate translation: “Yahweh was very angry at Israel”
10:7 f4v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites 0 Yahweh allowing the Philistines and the Ammonites to defeat the Israelites is spoken of as if he sold the Israelites to them.
10:7 aj5n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy into the hand 0 Here “hand” represents power or control.
10:8 psa9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet crushed and oppressed 0 These two words basically mean the same and emphasize how much the Israelites suffered. Alternate translation: “terribly oppressed”
10:8 q2ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers eighteen years 0 “18 years”
10:9 wq6g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Judah … Benjamin 0 “Judah” and “Benjamin” refer to the people belonging to those tribes. Alternate translation: “the people of the tribe of Judah … the people of the tribe of Benjamin”
10:9 nt9c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy house of Ephraim 0 The “house” refers to the people of the tribe of Ephraim. Alternate translation: “the people of the tribe of Ephraim”
10:9 gl3b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy so that Israel was greatly distressed 0 “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “so that the people of Israel suffered much”
10:10 b8t5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor because we abandoned our God 0 The people no longer obeying and worshiping Yahweh is spoken of as if they left Yahweh and went somewhere else.
10:10 t38a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person abandoned our God 0 The people are speaking to Yahweh and refer to him as “our God.” This can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “abandoned you, our God”
10:12 lf73 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion and also from the Sidonians? 0 God is rebuking the people of Israel for their worship of other gods. The rhetorical question that begins with the words “Did I not deliver you” in verse 11 ends here. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am the one who delivered you … and also from the Sidonians.”
10:12 w39a rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Maonites 0 These are the people from the clan or family of Maon.
10:12 e4ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from their power 0 Here “power” represents the Amalekites and the Maonites. Alternate translation: “from them”
10:13 p759 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you abandoned me again 0 The people no longer obeying and worshiping Yahweh is spoken of as if they left Yahweh and went somewhere else.
10:13 zdy2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will not keep adding to the times I deliver you 0 The phrase “keep adding to the times” is an idiom that means to continue to do something. You can make explicit the implicit meaning of Yahweh’s saying. Alternate translation: “I will not keep on delivering you again and again” or “You can be sure that I will stop delivering you” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
10:16 i2l8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit foreign gods among them 0 You can make explicit the implicit meaning of this statement. Alternate translation: “foreign gods whose images they possessed”
10:16 m6hd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Yahweh could bear Israel’s misery no longer 0 Here Israel refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh did not want the people of Israel to suffer any longer”
10:18 j3k2 Who is the man who will begin to fight the Ammonites? 0 Alternate translation: “Who will lead our army to fight against the Ammonites?”
11:intro q7si 0 # Judges 11 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Jephthah continues in this chapter.\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Jephthah the leader\n\nJephthah was half Israelite and half Canaanite by birth. While all of the judges were called by Yahweh, it is the leaders who called Jephthah to help them, but Yahweh still used Jephthah to help them.
11:1 yk6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Gileadite 0 This is someone who is from the region of Gilead. It is a coincidence that his father’s name is also Gilead. See how you translated this in [Judges 10:3](../10/03.md).
11:4 s6ku rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom made war against Israel 0 The phrase “made war” is an idiom which means that they attacked Israel and were at war with them. Here “Israel” refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “attacked the people of Israel” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
11:7 f7vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy my father’s house 0 Here “house” refers to people living in the house. Alternate translation: “my family”
11:8 ph3x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit That is why we are turning to you now 0 The word “that” refers to what Jephthah said about them being in trouble. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “We are turning to you now because we are in trouble”
11:11 hf4c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet leader and commander 0 These two words basically have the same meaning repeated to emphasize how important Jephthah had became. You can combine the two words. Alternate translation: “commander”
11:11 v6uq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom When he was before Yahweh in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated all the promises he made 0 This is an idiom. Here the phrase “before Yahwheh” means that he repeated his promises as a vow before Yahweh. Alternate translation: “When Jephthah was in Mizpah he repeated all of these promises as a vow before Yahweh”
11:12 su7k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Why have you come with force to take our land 0 The word “you” refers to the King of Ammon and represents himself and his soldiers. Alternate translation: “Why have your soldiers come to seize our land”
11:15 i4ns rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit he said 0 Here the word “he” refers to the messenger who was speaking to the king. This may be written with the word “they” as in the UST, referring to the group of messengers. Alternate translation: “Jephthah told the messengers to say” or “they said”
11:16 e7sj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they came up from Egypt 0 Whenever people traveled to the promised land it is referred to as going “up” to the promised land. When the Israelites left Egypt they were on their way to the promised land. Alternate translation: “they left Egypt”
11:17 tn6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche When Israel sent messengers 0 The messengers were sent by the leaders of Israel. Alternate translation: “When the leaders of Israel sent messengers”
11:17 v8aa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom would not listen 0 This phrase is an idiom that means to “refuse.” Alternate translation: “refused” or “denied their request”
11:17 q2mz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit They also sent messengers to the king of Moab 0 The reason that Israel sent messengers to the king of Moab can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “They also send messengers to the king of Moab with the same request”
11:17 x2ue rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit but he refused 0 The king of Moab refused Israel’s request to pass through Moab. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “but he also refused and would not let them pass through the land of Moab”
11:19 ur8x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche Israel sent messengers to Sihon 0 The messengers were sent by the leaders of Israel. Alternate translation: “When the leaders of Israel sent messengers”
11:19 j2t5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Sihon 0 This is the name of a person.
11:19 pyu6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Heshbon 0 This is the name of a city.
11:20 mn9x rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Jahaz 0 This is the name of a city.
11:20 ew16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory 0 Sihon did not trust the people of Israel to pass through his land peacefully. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “But Sihon did not trust the people of Israel to pass through his territory peacefully”
11:20 d9ga rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche there he fought 0 The word “he” refers to Sihon and represents himself and his army. Alternate translation: “there they fought” or “there his army fought”
11:21 vp7w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel 0 Here “hand” refers to power to defeat in battle. Alternate translation: “gave Israel power over Sihon and all his people”
11:23 ru3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion should you now take possession of their land? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with this rhetorical question. The word “their” refers to the Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “therefore, you should not take possession of their land.”
11:24 nr59 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Will you not take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with a rhetorical question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should only take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you.”
11:24 bcm5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom take over 0 This is an idiom which means to take control of something. Alternate translation: “take control of” or “take possession of”
11:24 z3zh rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Chemosh 0 This is the name of a false god.
11:25 wln3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with a rhetorical question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are not better than Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab.”
11:25 fk7m rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Balak … Zippor 0 These are the names of men.
11:25 giw3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did he dare to have an argument with Israel? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with a rhetorical question. This question can be translated with a statement. Alternate translation: “Yet he did not dare to have an argument with Israel.”
11:25 k8y5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did he ever wage war against them? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with a rhetorical question. This question can be translated with a statement. Alternate translation: “Nor did he ever wage war against them.”
11:26 c2xi rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Aroer 0 This is the name of a city.
11:26 h61t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion why then did you not take them back during that time? 0 Jephthah is rebuking the king of the Ammonites with a rhetorical question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “you should have taken them back during that time.” or “now it is too late; you should have taken them back long ago.”
11:27 aei3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche I have not done you wrong, but you are doing me wrong by attacking me 0 Jephthah is speaking to the Sihon. Here Jephthah speaks about the Israelites as though they were himself and of the Ammonites as if they were Sihon their king. Alternate translation: “The Israelites have not done wrong to your people, but your people are doing us wrong by attacking us”
11:27 n4fk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom done you wrong … doing me wrong 0 This is an idiom. To do someone wrong means to do something wrong to them. Alternate translation: “treated you wrongly … treating me wrongly” or “treated you unfairly … treating me unfairly”
11:29 p2lw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah 0 This is an idiom which means that the Spirit influenced Jephthah’s decisions. Alternate translation: “the Spirit of Yahweh took control of Jephthah”
11:29 dq1c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit he passed through Gilead and Manasseh … from Mizpah of Gilead 0 Jephthah passed through these places enlisting men for his army to go to war with the people of Ammon. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “he gathered men for his army as he passed through Gilead and Manasseh … from Mizpah of Gilead”
11:31 kh4e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I will offer it up 0 This is an idiom which means to give something as an offering. Alternate translation: “I will offer it to you” or “I will sacrifice it to you”
11:32 wr1n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche So Jephthah passed through … Yahweh gave him victory 0 Since Jephthah was the leader of his army, he and his army are often spoken of as Jephthah himself. Alternate translation: “So Jephthah and his army passed through … Yahweh gave them victory”
11:33 rt2j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche He attacked 0 Since Jephthah was the leader of his army, he and his army are often spoken of as Jephthah himself (verse 32). Alternate translation: “they attacked”
11:34 ng9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown tambourines 0 musical instruments with heads like drums that can be hit and with pieces of metal around their sides that sound when the instruments are shaken
11:35 md3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction he tore his clothes 0 This is an act that shows mourning or great sadness. Alternate translation: “he tore his clothes from grief”
11:35 puu2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism You have crushed me with sorrow … you have become one who causes me pain 0 Jephthah said basically the same thing twice to emphasize that he was very sad”
11:35 qi6c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor You have crushed me with sorrow 0 Here Jephthah speaks of his great sorrow as something that crushes him. Alternate translation: “You have caused me great sorrow” or “You have filled me with sorrow”
11:35 dvs5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor you have become one who causes me pain 0 Here Jephthah talks about his great distress and trouble as if it were pain. Alternate translation: “you have become someone who troubles me” or “you cause me great distress”
11:35 gvy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I cannot turn back on my promise 0 This is an idiom. To turn back on a promise means to not do what you have promised to do. Alternate translation: “I must do what I have promised” or “I cannot break my promise”
11:36 e6gu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites 0 Yahweh has taken vengence for him by defeating his enemies. The meaning of this can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites, by defeating them”
11:37 hj6q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Let this promise be kept for me 0 This can be stated in an active form. Alternate translation: “Keep this promise for me” or “Keep this promise concerning me”
11:39 n4my rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism had never known a man 0 This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “had never had sexual relations with a man”
11:40 s739 the Gileadite 0 This refers to someone from Gilead. See how you translated this in [Judges 10:3](../10/03.md).
12:intro p8zn 0 # Judges 12 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Jephthah concludes in this chapter.\n\n### Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter\n\n### Shibboleth\n\nThis is a word in Hebrew. Its importance in this chapter is because of its sounds, not its meaning. The translator should not translate the meaning of this word, but should transliterate or transfer it into the target language by substituting letters that have the same sounds. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate]])
12:1 mp3k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns A call went out to the men of Ephraim 0 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **call**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “The men of Ephraim were called together” or “The men … of Ephraim called together their soldiers”
12:1 ubq3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zaphon 0 This is the name of a city.
12:1 lt7l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom We will burn your house down over you 0 This idiom means to burn down a house with people inside it. Alternate translation: “We will burn your house down with you still in it”
12:2 fsb1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you When I called you, you 0 Here the word “you” is plural and refers to the people of Ephraim.
12:2 nxf4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche did not rescue me 0 Jephthah uses the word “me” to refer to himself and all the people of Gilead. Alternate translation: “do not rescue us”
12:3 s3v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you you did not rescue me 0 The word “you” is plural and refers to the men of Ephraim. Jephthah is referring to the people of Gilead, including himself, when he says “me.” Alternate translation: “you did not rescue us” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
12:3 zev7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom I put my life in my own hand 0 This is an idiom which means to risk one’s life and to rely only on one’s own strength. Jephthah continues to refer to the people of Gilead as himself. Alternate translation: “We risked our lives, relying on our own strength” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
12:3 u5y7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Yahweh gave me victory 0 Jephthah is referring to Yahweh giving the men of Gilead victory over the Ammonites. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave us victory over them” or “Yahweh allowed us to defeat them in battle”
12:3 uje8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-you Why have you come to fight against me 0 The word “you” is plural and refers to the men of Ephraim. Jephthah is referring to the people of Gilead, including himself, when he says “me.” Alternate translation: “Why have you come to fight against us” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
12:3 nt4r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit passed through against the people of Ammon 0 This means that they fought against the Ammonites as they passed through Ammon. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “fought against the people of Ammon as we passed through their region”
12:4 by47 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he fought against Ephraim 0 The word “he” refers to Jephthah and all the fighting men of Gilead. Alternate translation: “they fought against Ephraim”
12:4 y6zx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit You Gileadites are fugitives 0 You can make the meaning of this insult explicit. Alternate translation: “You Gileadites do not really belong here. You are just people who came here to live”
12:4 h3vl in Ephraim—in Ephraim and Manasseh 0 “in the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh” or “in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh.” Here “Ephraim” and “Manasseh” refer to regions and are named after the tribes which live there.
12:5 dcy5 to Ephraim 0 Alternate translation: “to the land of Ephraim”
12:5 f8sh The Gileadites captured 0 Alternate translation: “The Gileadites controlled” or “The Gileadites occupied”
12:5 yc1p fords 0 These are places where you can cross the river on foot because the water is shallow.
12:5 w1cc Ephraimite 0 person from the tribe of Ephraim
12:6 cee8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate Shibboleth … Sibboleth 0 These words have no meaning. Copy these words into your language, and make sure that the beginning of the words, that is the letters “Sh” and “S” are translated differently.
12:6 c2bb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were 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: “They killed forty-two thousand Ephraimites”
12:7 v8rv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried 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: “Jephthah the Gileadite died and they buried him”
12:8 ha85 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ibzan of Bethlehem 0 This is the name of a man from Bethlehem.
12:9 d515 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom He gave away thirty daughters in marriage 0 Here “give away … in marriage” is an idiom which means that he allowed his daughters to get married. Alternate translation: “He had thirty daughters and arranged a marriage for each of them”
12:9 r2m9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he brought in thirty daughters of other men for his sons, from the outside 0 The idiom “bring them in from the outside” means that he had women from other clans marry his sons. Alternate translation: “he arranged for thirty daughters of other men from outside of his clan to marry his sons”
12:10 jbg6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive was buried at Bethlehem 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: “they buried him in Bethlehem”
12:11 k8nx rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Elon 0 This is the name of a man.
12:12 dzh4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive was buried in Aijalon 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: “they buried him in Aijalon”
12:13 x9gz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Abdon … Hillel 0 These are the names of men.
12:13 z3n6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Pirathon 0 This is the name of a city.
12:14 n7k2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy They rode on seventy donkeys 0 These men owned seventy donkeys, which they did ride. Here the word “rode” is used instead of “owned.” Alternate translation: “They owned seventy donkeys”
12:14 ua8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers forty sons … thirty grandsons … seventy donkeys 0 “40 sons … 30 grandsons … 70 donkeys
12:15 wqm2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Pirathonite … Pirathon 0 Pirathon is the name of a place, someone who is from that place is called a Pirathonite.
13:intro eu67 0 # Judges 13 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThis chapter begins the account of Samson ([Judges 13–16](./01.md)).\n\n## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Warning not to cut his hair\n\nThe angel of the Lord prophesied about Samson and gave instructions to Samson’s mother. Samson’s mother was to offer up her son under a Nazarite vow. This was a special type of vow, dedicating Samson to Yahweh. Part of this vow prohibited the cutting of the person’s hair. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]])
13:1 acr5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor what was evil in the sight of Yahweh 0 The sight of Yahweh represents Yahweh’s judgment or evaluation. See how you translated this in [Judges 2:11](../02/11.md). Alternate translation: “what was evil in Yahweh’s judgment” or “what Yahweh considered to be evil”
13:1 g29r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy he gave them into the hand of the Philistines 0 Here “hand” refers to power to gain victory in battle. Alternate translation: “he allowed the Philistines to defeat them” or “he allowed them to be oppressed by the Philistines”
13:1 jxd2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers forty years 0 “40 years”
13:2 y3dj rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Zorah 0 This was the name of a town in Israel. It was in the region of Judah near the border of Dan.
13:2 v9vw rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Manoah 0 This is the name of a man.
13:3 a36u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom give birth to a son 0 This refers to childbirth. Alternate translation: “bear a son” or “have a baby boy”
13:4 nfl8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor anything unclean 0 Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
13:5 wb3h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy No razor will be used upon his head 0 Here the word “head” refers to his hair. 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: “No one should ever cut his hair” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
13:5 vq8h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a Nazirite to God 0 This means that he will be devoted to God as a Nazirite. Alternate translation: “a Nazirite devoted to God” or “devoted to God as a Nazirite”
13:5 zui7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy from the womb 0 Here the word “womb” refers to the time before the child is born. Alternate translation: “from before he is born”
13:5 am6s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hand of the Philistines 0 Here the word “hand” means control. Alternate translation: “the control of the Philistines” or “being under the Philistine’s control”
13:6 djg9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit A man of God 0 This means that the man was sent by God. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “A man that God sent”
13:6 w3z3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile his appearance was like that of an angel of God, very terrible 0 Here “terrible” means “frightening.” Alternate translation: “I was very afraid of him because he looked like an angel of God”
13:7 p1sr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom give birth to a son 0 This refers to childbirth. Alternate translation: “bear a son” or “have a baby boy”
13:7 s1qy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor any food that the law declares to be unclean 0 Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean.
13:7 pd9a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a Nazirite to God 0 This means that he will be devoted to God as a Nazirite. See how you translated this in [Judges 3:5](../03/05.md). Alternate translation: “a Nazirite devoted to God” or “devoted to God as a Nazirite”
13:7 xct1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism from the time he is in your womb until the day of his death 0 This emphasizes that it would be for his entire life. Alternate translation: “all his life”
13:9 m96n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit came to the woman 0 You can make explicit the implicit meaning of the author’s words. Alternate translation: “came to Manoah’s wife”
13:10 snn4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit The man 0 This refers to the angel of God in [Judges 13:3](../13/03.md). This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the man of God”
13:14 u67r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy anything that comes from the vines 0 Here the angel refers to any food that grow on a vine as “coming” from the vine. Alternate translation: “anything that grows on a vine”
13:14 f8vu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor unclean 0 Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. See how you translated this phrase in [Judges 13:7](../13/07.md).
13:15 aw65 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit prepare a young goat for you 0 You can make explicit the implicit meaning of Manoah’s statement. Alternate translation: “cook a young goat for you to eat”
13:18 dsd7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why do you ask my name? 0 The angel asks this question as a rebuke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not ask me what my name is.”
13:18 rr96 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit It is wonderful 0 It may be helpful to explain more explicitly why they should not ask his name. Alternate translation: “It is too wonderful for you to understand”
13:19 lw91 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit with the grain offering 0 This law requires a grain offering to be offered when a burnt offering is made. Alternate translation: “with the grain offering required with it” or “with the grain offering to accompany it”
13:19 d2km on the rock 0 “on the altar.” The altar Manoah sacrificed the offering on was a rock.
13:19 pqv4 He did something 0 Alternate translation: “The angel did something”
13:20 s8h8 the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar 0 Alternate translation: “the angel of Yahweh went back up into heaven through the flames on the altar”
13:20 g2fz rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction lay facedown on the ground 0 “lay with their faces to the ground.” This is a sign of respect and honor, but it also shows their fear of Yahweh.
13:22 f9uz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit We are sure to die, because we have seen God 0 It is implied that they think God will cause them to die. This can be made clear. Alternate translation: “God will cause us to die because we have seen him”
13:23 u22x rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would he have let us hear such things 0 Manoah’s wife said basically the same thing twice for emphasis. These two statements can be combined. Alternate translation: “He would not have told us what he wanted us to do”
13:25 hmc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Yahweh’s Spirit began to stir him 0 Here the way Yahweh’s Spirit influences Samson is compared to the way a spoon stirs food in a pot. Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s Spirit began to influence Samson”
13:25 wnc2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Mahaneh Dan … Eshtaol 0 Mahaneh Dan is the name of a temporary camp that the tribe of Dan lived in while they looked for a permanent home. Eshtaol is the name of a town.
13:25 x4d3 Zorah 0 Translate the name of this town the same way you did in [Judges 13:2](../13/02.md).
14:intro cl2d 0 # Judges 14 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 14:14, 18.\n\n### Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Intermarriage\n\nIt was considered sinful for an Israel 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. They use rhetorical questions to convince him that he is sinning. This woman caused Samson many problems. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
14:1 bwa3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Samson went down to Timnah 0 The phrase “went down” is used here because Timnah is lower in elevation than where his father’s house was. Timah is the name of a city in the Sorek Valley.
14:1 u7xb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism one of the daughters of the Philistines 0 The word “daughter” is a polite way to refer to a young, unmarried woman. Alternate translation: “one of the unmarried women among the Philistine people” or “a Philistine girl”
14:2 b9h1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Now get her for me to be my wife 0 This is an idiom. Samson was demanding his parents to speak to the Philistine woman’s parents about marriage. Alternate translation: “Now arrange for her to become my wife” or “Make the arrangements for me to marry her”
14:3 lcb9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people? 0 They ask this question to suggest that they could find Samson a wife among their own people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Surely there are women among your people whom you could marry.”
14:3 x278 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism the daughters of your relatives 0 The word “daughter” is a polite way to refer to a young, unmarried woman. Alternate translation: “one of the unmarried women among your relatives”
14:3 wj22 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Are you going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines? 0 This question is asked to rebuke Samson. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this question as a statement. you could make explicit the reason his parents do not want him to marry a Philistine. Alternate translation: “You really should not marry a Philistine woman because the Philistine people do not worship Yahweh.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
14:3 srv6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Get her for me 0 This is an idiom. Samson was demanding his parents to speak to the Philistine woman’s parents about marriage. Alternate translation: “Now arrange for her to be my wife”
14:3 r62c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit she pleases me 0 This means that Samson thinks she is beautiful. “I am pleased by how beautiful she is” or “she is beautiful”
14:5 d4lt rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Samson went down to Timnah 0 The phrase “went down” is used here because Timnah is lower in elevation than where his father’s house was. Timnah was a city in the Sorek Valley. Translate the name of this city the same way you did in [Judges 14:1](../14/01.md).
14:5 ty9r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And, look, there one of the young lions came up 0 Here the word “look” is used to draw the readers attention to a surprising event that happens in the story. The phrase “came up” means that the lion came near him. Alternate translation: “Suddenly, a young lion came near him”
14:6 m9m5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Yahweh’s Spirit suddenly came on him 0 The phrase “came on” means that Yahweh’s Spirit influenced Samson. In this case, he made him very strong. Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s Spirit made him very strong”
14:6 t92d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes had nothing in his hand 0 Here it states that he had nothing in his hand to emphasize that he was not holding a weapon. Alternate translation: “did not have a weapon”
14:7 s2mj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit she pleased Samson 0 This means that he thought she was very beautiful. Alternate translation: “he was pleased by how beautiful she was” or “he thought she was very beautiful”
14:8 d5v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he turned aside 0 This means that he left his path to do something. Alternate translation: “he left the path”
14:8 um8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And, look, there was a swarm of bees 0 Here the word “look” is used to draw the reader’s attention to something surprising that happens in the story. Alternate translation: “He found a swarm of bees”
14:10 cm3z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Samson’s father went down to where the woman was 0 The phrase “went down” is used to describe Timnah which is lower in elevation than where Samson’s father lives. Alternate translation: “Samson’s father went to where the woman lived”
14:10 ugh2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the custom of the young men 0 It may be helpful to state that this was a marriage custom. Alternate translation: “the custom of young men who were getting married”
14:11 ff89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers thirty of their friends 0 “30 of their friends”
14:12 a8er rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom can find it out 0 This means to figure out the meaning of the riddle. Alternate translation: “can figure out its meaning”
14:12 fk4t rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes 0 “30 linen robes and 30 sets of clothes”
14:14 z49r 0 # General Information:\n\nSamson tells his riddle. Since it is supposed to be hard to understand, do not translate it in a way that people will immediately know what it means.
14:14 j8sv Out of the eater was something to eat 0 Alternate translation: “Out of the eater came something to eat” or “Something to eat came out of something that eats”
14:14 mcm3 the eater 0 The noun “eater” can be expressed as a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “the thing that eats”
14:14 hsz9 out of the strong was something sweet 0 Alternate translation: “out of the strong came something sweet” or “Something that is sweet came out of something that is strong”
14:14 mf31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor could not find the answer 0 Here figuring out the answer to the riddle is spoke of as if it were something hidden that the guest had to search for and find. Alternate translation: “could not figure out the answer”
14:15 wrs2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal the fourth day 0 “day 4”
14:15 jx5r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy your father’s house 0 This could mean: (1) this refers to the actual house. Alternate translation: “the house your father and his family live in” or (2) “house” refers to the people who live in it. Alternate translation: “your family”
14:15 t8sh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom will burn up 0 The phrase “burn up” means to burn something completely. If a person is “burnt up,” it means that person is burned to death.
14:15 si25 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Did you invite us here in order to make us poor? 0 They ask her this question to accuse her of doing evil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have brought us here to make us poor!”
14:15 sg4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit to make us poor 0 They would become poor if they had to buy him new clothes if they could not solve the riddle. Alternate translation: “to make us poor by forcing us to buy him new clothes”
14:16 hr3k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism All you do is hate me! You do not love me 0 Samson’s wife basically said the same thing twice for emphasis. Alternate translation: “You do not really love me at all”
14:16 d72a riddle 0 a game in which the players must discover the answer to a difficult question
14:16 j4gp Look here 0 This is used to get someones attention. Here “look” means to “listen.” Alternate translation: “Listen to me” or “Pay attention to what I am about to say”
14:16 zq8z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion if I have not told my father or my mother, should I tell you? 0 Samson was rebuking her for demanding that he tell her the answer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have not even told my father or mother. I will not tell you.” or “you should not demand that I tell you, since I have not even told my parents, and they are closer to me than you are.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
14:17 ejm7 during the seven days that their feast lasted 0 This could mean: (1) “during the seven days of their feast” or (2) “during the rest of the seven days of their feast.”
14:17 rfq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal the seventh day 0 “day 7”
14:17 xid1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom she pressured him very much 0 Here the word “pressured” means “urged.” Alternate translation: “she kept urging him to tell her”
14:18 ui6t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the men of the city 0 This refers to Samson’s wife’s relatives. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “the young men” or “her relatives”
14:18 mq6y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal the seventh day 0 “day 7”
14:18 vi1z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? 0 This is the answer to the riddle. It may be written as a statement instead of as questions. If necessary it could be made clear how this relates to the riddle by adding more information. Alternate translation: “Honey is sweet and a lion is strong.” or “Honey is sweet and it came out of a lion.” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
14:18 scv6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor If you had not plowed with my heifer 0 Samson compares their using his wife to get the answer to someone using another person’s heifer to plow his field. Alternate translation: “If you had not used my wife”
14:19 m2gz rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom came on Samson with power 0 The phrase “came on” means that Yahweh’s Spirit influenced Samson. In this case, he made him very strong. Alternate translation: “made Samson very strong” or “made Samson very powerful”
14:19 ht3c rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers killed thirty of their men 0 “killed 30 of their men” -
14:19 axx7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit their clothes 0 These were from the plunder he had taken from Ashkelon. Alternate translation: “the sets of clothing that he had taken”
14:19 ym43 Burning with anger 0 Alternate translation: “Very angry”
14:19 d5ji went up to his father’s house 0 The phrase “went up” is used here because Samson was at Timnah which is lower in elevation than where his father’s house is located.
14:20 hb14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Samson’s wife was given to his best friend 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: “his wife’s father gave her to his best friend”
14:20 ibt7 best friend 0 Alternate translation: “closest friend”
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## Special concepts in this chapter\n\n### Samson’s strength\n\nThe Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon Samson. This meant God gave Samson extraordinary strength. Samson’s power is the power of Yahweh himself and he enacted the judgment of God on the Philistines. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/judge]])
15:1 gn7w rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom He said to himself 0 This refers to thinking. Alternate translation: “He thought to himself”
15:1 n6ml rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will go to my wife’s room 0 Samson intended to sleep with his wife. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I will go to my wife’s room, so we may sleep together”
15:1 hmg4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis would not allow him to go in 0 The phrase “her room” is understood from what Samson said to himself. It can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “would not permit him to go into her room”
15:2 f2qk rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit so I gave her to your friend 0 This means that he gave her to be his friend’s wife. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “so I gave her to be married to your friend”
15:2 pn1a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion is she not? 0 He asks this question to imply that Samson should agree with him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I hope you agree.”
15:2 ruf2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Take her instead 0 He is suggesting that Samson take her as his wife. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “Take her to be your wife instead”
15:3 b19a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit I will be innocent in regard to the Philistines when I hurt them 0 Samson thinks that he will be innocent if he attacks the Philistines because they wronged him. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “I will be innocent if I hurt the Philistines because they have wronged me”
15:4 vl3y rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three hundred foxes 0 “300 foxes”
15:4 bxn9 foxes 0 Foxes are animals like dogs that have long tails and that eat nesting birds and other small animals.
15:4 g4ms each pair 0 a pair is two of anything, such as two foxes, or two tails
15:4 l3z7 tail to tail 0 Alternate translation: “by their tails”
15:4 b6p3 torches 0 A torch is a stick of wood with something flammable attached to one end; a torch is often used to light other things or to be carried for light.
15:5 p7mc standing grain 0 grain that is still growing on its stalk in the field
15:5 i6qn stacked grain 0 the stalks of grain collected in piles after it has been harvested
15:5 a7kw orchards 0 An orchard is a place where fruit trees are grown.
15:6 mns7 the Timnite’s son-in-law 0 The husband of a man’s daughter is a “son-in-law.”
15:6 r78s rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Timnite 0 This is a person from Timnah.
15:6 uk9a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit took Samson’s wife and gave her to his friend 0 Samson’s wife’s father gave her in marriage to Samson’s friend. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “took Samson’s wife and allowed her to marry Samson’s friend”
15:6 hz8u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom burned up 0 The phrase “burned up” means to burn something completely. If a person is “burned up,” it means that person is burned to death.
15:8 x42b rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche he cut them to pieces, hip and thigh 0 Here “hip and thigh” refers to the whole body. This is a graphic description of how Samson killed the Philistines. Alternate translation: “He cut their bodies to pieces”
15:8 m2qa rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom he went down 0 Here the phrase “went down” does not likely mean that he changed elevation, but rather, it is a way to describe someone going to another place. Alternate translation: “he went”
15:9 g7cb the Philistines came up … in Judah 0 The phrase “came up” is used here because the Philistines went to Judah which is higher in elevation than where they traveled from.
15:9 v6jw rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Lehi 0 This is the name of a town in Judah.
15:10 ut2q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit do to him as he has done to us 0 The Philistines are comparing how they want to kill Samson to how he killed many of the Philistines. Alternate translation: “kill him like he killed many of our people” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
15:11 y64p rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers three thousand men of Judah 0 “3,000 men of Judah”
15:11 k7fw rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us? 0 The men of Judah ask Samson these questions to rebuke him. This questions may be written as a statements. Alternate translation: “You know that the Philistines are rulers over us but you act like they are not. What you have done has caused us great harm.”
15:11 td2d rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit They did to me, and so I have done to them 0 Samson is referring to how they killed his wife and how he killed them in revenge. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “They killed my wife, so I killed them”
15:12 a6ty rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the hands of the Philistines 0 Here “hands” refers to power. Alternate translation: “the Philistine’s control”
15:13 nz1k rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom hand you over to them 0 This means to cause someone to be under someone else’s control. Alternate translation: “give you to the Philistines”
15:13 m8g6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit up from the rock 0 This refers to the cave in the cliff of Etam where Samson had gone in [Judges 15:8](../15/08.md). Here the words “up from” mean that they had brought him away from the cave. Alternate translation: “away from the cave in the large rock” (See also: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
15:14 dr4z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit When he came 0 Samson was not travelling alone, he was being led by the men who had tied him with ropes. Alternate translation: “When they came”
15:14 w48h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom came on him with power 0 The phrase “came on” means that Yahweh’s Spirit influenced Samson. In this case, he made him very strong. Alternate translation: “made Samson very strong”
15:14 nue5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax 0 Samson easily broken the ropes that bound his hands. The author describes how easily he broke the ropes by saying it was as if they had become burnt flax. Alternate translation: “He snapped the ropes on his arms as easily as if they had been stalks of burned flax”
15:14 d1fe flax 0 fibers from the flax plant used for making threads and cloth
15:15 w6nt a fresh jawbone 0 This means that the donkey had died very recently and its bones had not yet begun to decay. A jawbone is the bone in which the lower rows of teeth are set.
15:16 dm4v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit heaps upon heaps 0 This phrase describes how many people Samson killed. There were enough bodies to make large piles of bodies. Alternate translation: “I have made heaps of dead bodies”
15:17 ra2d rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Ramath Lehi 0 This is the name of a place. It’s name means “Jawbone Hill”
15:18 t3wx rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole But now will I die of thirst and fall into … uncircumcised? 0 This could mean: (1) Samson is so thirsty he could literally die. Alternate translation: “But now I will die of thirst and my body will fall into … uncircumcised.” or (2) Samson exaggerates how thirsty he is by asking if he will die of thirst. Alternate translation: “But now will you allow me to become so weak from my thirst that I fall into … uncircumcised?”
15:18 h9yr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom die of thirst 0 This means to die because you have not drank enough and therefore, you do not have enough water in your body.
15:18 u4x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom fall into the hands of those who are uncircumcised 0 The phrase “fall into the hands” means to be captured. “Those who are uncircumcised” refers to the Philistines and with the word “uncircumcised” emphasizing that they do not worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “be captured by those godless Philistines”
15:19 c7pf split open the hollow place 0 “opened a hole in the ground” or “opened the low place.” This refers to a low area of ground where Yahweh caused a spring of water to appear.
15:19 c776 Lehi 0 See how you translated this in [Judges 15:9](../15/09.md)
15:19 rty1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism his strength returned and he revived 0 These two phrase mean basically the same thing and emphasize that Samson became strong again. These two statements can be combined. Alternate translation: “he became strong again” or “he was revived”
15:19 r7ji rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names En Hakkore 0 This is the name of a spring of water. The name means “spring of him who prayed.”
15:19 k47v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom it is at Lehi to this day 0 This means that the spring did not dry up but that it remained. The phrase “to this day” refers to the “present” time. Alternate translation: “the spring can still be found at Lehi, even today”
15:20 ru29 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit in the days of the Philistines 0 This refers to the time period that the Philistines controlled the land of Israel. Alternate translation: “during the time the Philistines controlled Israel”
15:20 l52v rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers for twenty years 0 “for 20 years”
16:intro u81n 0 # Judges 16 General Notes\n\n## Structure and formatting\n\nThe account of Samson concludes in this chapter.\n\n## Special 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
16:5 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 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”
16:9 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 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”
16:15 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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”
16:30 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”
16:31 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 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## Special 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]])
17:2 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”
17:4 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 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”
17:9 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 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## Special 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 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”
18:3 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 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 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 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]])
18:16 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”
18:22 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 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## Special 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]])
19:2 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 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”
19:8 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]])
19:11 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 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”
19:17 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”
19:18 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”
19:21 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”
19:25 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 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## Special 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 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]])
20:10 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”
20:13 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”
20:16 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”
20:18 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.
20:22 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.
20:27 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.
20:28 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”
20:31 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”
20:33 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 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 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”
20:48 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## Special 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.
21:3 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.
21:9 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 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.
21:12 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”
21:16 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”
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