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Open English Translation JDG

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version 

JDG - Open English Translation—Readers’ Version (OET-RV) v0.1.06

ESFM v0.6 JDG

WORDTABLE OET-LV_OT_word_table.tsv

The accounts of

Various Heroes and Guides

commonly called ‘Judges’

Jdg

ESFM v0.6 JDG

WORDTABLE OET-LV_OT_word_table.tsv

The parsed Hebrew text used to create this file is Copyright © 2019 by https://hb.
openscriptures.org

Our English glosses are released CC0 by https://Freely-Given.org

ESFM file created 2024-12-16 09:42 by extract_glossed_OSHB_OT_to_ESFM v0.52

USFM file edited by ScriptedBibleEditor v0.32

Judges

Introduction

This document commonly called ‘Judges’, contains a collection of accounts of ‘Various Heroes and Guides’ who helped to rescue the Israeli people from their oppressors. It covers the times from their invasion of Canaan through to just before their first king. Most of these heroes or guides were actually warriors. Shimshon (commonly called ‘Samson’) is the best-known of all of them, and his story can be read in chapters 13–16.

From this document we can learn that Israel prospered when they obeyed Yahweh’s instructions, but when they disobeyed, then God allowed other peoples and nations to oppress them. However, God is always ready and prepared to save his people whenever they turn away from their disobedience and return again to obeying the instructions that he’d given them.

The previous book was named after the main character Yehoshua (Joshua) and the following books (Ruth and 1 Shemuel/Samuel) are named after their main characters, but this document with somewhere around a dozen important characters, has no single prominent character that it could be named after. Instead it’s traditionally named ‘Judges’ in English because of around twenty uses of the Hebrew root ‘שָׁפַט’ (shafat) often in roots normally translated as ‘judged’. Despite that, there’s not a single account in this document of these leaders judging the cases and conflicts of the common people. This dilemma offers two possible interpretations: 1/ that these leaders (often military leaders) did judge cases for the common people, but those details aren’t recorded, or 2/ (which we’ve leaned more towards) that this Hebrew word has a wider range of meaning, and so we’ve leaned towards the English word ‘guided’ or ‘led’ in these contexts.

Main components of this account

The events up until Yehoshua’s death 1:1-2:10

The various heroes/guides of Israel 2:11-16:31

Various other events 17:1-21:25

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

1:1 Yehudah and Simeon capture Adoni-Bezek

1After Yehoshua’s death, the Israelis asked Yahweh, “Which tribe should go first to attack the Canaanites?” 2“Yehudah will go first,” Yahweh answered. “Listen, I’ve already determined that they’ll conquer the land.”

3Then the Yehudah leaders said to the tribe of Simeon, “Come with us into the region that we’ve been allocated and we can fight together against the Canaanites. Then we’ll do the same in your area.” So the warriors from the two tribes worked together. 4When they attacked, Yahweh gave them victory over the Canaanites and the Perizzites and they killed ten thousand men at Bezek. 5They confronted Adoni-Bezek in Bezek and fought against him (then eventually defeating the Canaanites and the Perizzites). 6Adoni-Bezek tried to flee but they chased him and captured him, cutting off his thumbs and big toes. 7“Seventy kings had their thumbs and big toes chopped off,” Adoni-Bezek said, “and were gathering scraps of food beneath my table. Just as I have done, so God has repaid to me.” Then they took him to Yerushalem and he died there.

1And_he/it_was after the_death of_Yəhōshūˊa/(Joshua) and_inquired the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_LORD to_say who will_he_go_up to/for_ourselves against the_Kənaˊₐ in/on/at/with_first to_fight in/on/over_him/it.
2And_he/it_said YHWH Yəhūdāh/(Judah) he_will_go_up here I_have_given DOM the_earth/land in_his/its_hand.
3And_he/it_said Yəhūdāh to_Shimˊōn his/its_woman come_up with_me in/on/at/with_territory_allotted_me and_fight in/on/at/with_Kənaˊₐ and_go also I with_you in/on/at/with_territory_allotted_you and_he/it_went with_him/it Shimˊōn.
4And_he/it_ascended Yəhūdāh and_he/it_gave YHWH DOM the_Kenaani and_the_Pərizzī in/on/at/with_hand_their and_defeated_them in/on/at/with_Bezeq ten thousand(s) man.
5And_found DOM wwww wwww in/on/at/with_Bezeq and_fought in/on/over_him/it and_defeated DOM the_Kənaˊₐ and_DOM the_Pərizzī.
6And_fled wwww wwww and_pursued after_him and_caught DOM_him/it and_cut_off DOM the_thumbs hands_of_his and_big_toes_his.
7And_he/it_said wwww wwww seventy kings the_thumbs hands_of_their and_big_toes_their cut_off they_were gathering_up under table_my just_as I_have_done so he_has_repaid to_me god and_brought_him Yərūshālayim/(Jerusalem) and_he/it_died there.

1:8 The capture of Yerushalem and Hebron

8The warriors from Yehudah attacked Yerushalem and captured the city, killing the inhabitants and setting the city on fire. 9Then they fought against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the southern wilderness, and in the western foothills. 10They also fought the Canaanites in Kiriath-Arba (now known as Hebron) and killed Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.

8and_fought the_descendants of_Yəhūdāh in/on/at/with_Yərūshālayim and_captured DOM_it and_put_it to_edge of_[the]_sword and_DOM the_city they_sent in/on/at/with_fire.
9And_after they_went_down the_descendants of_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) to_fight in/on/at/with_Kənaˊₐ [who_was]_dwelling the_hill_country and_the_Negeⱱ and_the_lowland.
10And_he/it_went Yəhūdāh against the_Kənaˊₐ the_living in/on/at/with_Ḩeⱱrōn and_name_of of_Ḩeⱱrōn to/for_formerly wwww four and_defeated DOM Sheshai and_DOM ʼAḩīman and_DOM Talimay.

1:11 Otniel captures Debir

(Josh. 15:13-19)

11From there they fought against Kiriath-Sepher (now known as Debir). 12Caleb had said, “Whoever attacks Kiriath-Sepher and captures it can marry my daughter Aksah.” 13Otniel (son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz) captured it so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him to become his wife. 14After the wedding, she urged Otniel to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?” 15“Give me a blessing,” she requested. “Although you’ve given me land in the southern wilderness, give me some springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

11And_he/it_went from_there against the_inhabitants of_Dəⱱīr and_name_of of_Dəⱱīr to/for_formerly wwww writing.
12And_he/it_said Kālēⱱ [the_one]_who he_will_attack DOM wwww writing and_captures_it and_give to_him/it DOM ˊAkşāh daughter_my to/for_(a)_woman.
13And_captured_it ˊĀtəʼēl the_son of_Qənaz the_brother of_Kālēⱱ the_small(sg) from_him/it and_gave to_him/it DOM ˊAkşāh daughter_his to/for_(a)_woman.
14And_he/it_was in/on/at/with_came_she and_urged_him to_ask from father_her the_field and_dismounted from_under the_donkey and_he/it_said to/for_her/it Kālēⱱ what for_you.
15And_she/it_said to_him/it come_now to/for_me a_blessing if/because the_land the_Negeⱱ given_me and_you(ms)_will_give to_me springs of_water and_gave to/for_her/it Kālēⱱ DOM springs upper and_DOM springs lower.

1:16 The victory of descendants of Yehudah and Benyamin

16The Kenites (descendants of Mosheh’s father-in-law), left the city of palm trees (Yericho) and went with Yehudah’s descendants to the southern wilderness near Arad and lived with the people there. 17Then the warriors of Yehudah and Simeon conquered the Canaanites living at Tsefat and destroyed the city. Now it’s called Hormah (which means ‘complete destruction’). 18They also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron and all their surrounding territories. 19Yahweh helped Yehudah and they took possession of the hill country, although they weren’t able to conquer the people living down in the plains because they had iron on their chariots. 20They gave Hebron to Caleb just as Mosheh had directed, and he dispossessed the three sons of the Anak from there.[ref] 21However Benyamin’s descendants didn’t drive the Yebusites living in Yerushalem out, so they have lived among the Benyamites in Yerushalem to this day.[ref]

16and_the_sons of_[the]_Qēynī the_father-in-law of_Mosheh they_went_up from_city the_palms with the_descendants of_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) the_wilderness of_Yəhūdāh which in/on/at/with_Negeⱱ ˊArād and_he/it_went and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived with the_people.
17And_he/it_went Yəhūdāh with Shimˊōn his/its_woman and_defeated DOM the_Kənaˊₐ [who_was]_dwelling Tsəfat/(Zephath) and_utterly_destroyed DOM_it and_he/it_called DOM the_name the_city Ḩārəmāh.
18And_took Yəhūdāh DOM ˊAzzāh and_DOM territory_its and ʼAshəqəlōn and_DOM territory_its and_DOM ˊEqrōn and_DOM territory_its.
19And_he/it_was YHWH with Yəhūdāh[fn][fn][fn] and_took_possession DOM the_hill_country if/because not to_drive_out DOM the_inhabitants the_plain if/because chariotry of_iron to/for_them.
20And_gave to_Kālēⱱ DOM Ḩeⱱrōn just_as he_had_said Mosheh and_drove_out from_there DOM three the_sons the_ˊĀnāq.
21And_DOM the_Yebusi [who_was]_dwelling Yərūshālayim/(Jerusalem) not they_dispossessed the_descendants of_Binyāmīn and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_Yebusi with the_descendants of_Binyāmīn in/on/at/with_Yərūshālayim until the_day the_this.

1:22 Efraim and Manashsheh conquer Bethel

22Also Yosef’s descendants attacked Bethel, and Yahweh helped them. 23They sent spies out to Bethel (previously called Luz) 24and they saw a man coming out of the city and told him, “Please show us an entrance into the city, and we’ll be kind to you.” 25So he showed them an entrance, and their warriors attacked and killed the inhabitants, but they let the man and his family go free. 26The man went to the land of the Hittites and founded a city and called it Luz (which it’s still called to this day).

22and_went_up the_house of_Yōşēf/(Joseph) also they house_of wwww and_YHWH with_them.
23And_spied_out the_house of_Yōşēf in_house_of wwww and_name_of the_city to/for_formerly [was]_Lūz.
24And_they_saw the_spies a_man coming_out from the_city and_they_said to_him/it show_us please DOM the_entrance the_city and_deal with_you loyalty.
25And_showed_them DOM the_entrance the_city and_struck DOM the_city with_edge of_[the]_sword and_DOM the_man and_DOM all family_his they_let_go.
26And_he/it_went the_man the_land the_Ḩittiy and_he/it_built a_city and_he/it_called his/its_name Lūz that his/its_name until the_day the_this.

1:27 The locals not driven out by the Israelis

27However Manashsheh’s descendants didn’t drive out those living in Beyt-Shan, Taanak, Dor, Yibleam, or Meggidon, because the Canaanites were determined to keep living there.[ref] 28(Later, the Israelis became stronger and they forced the Canaanites to work for them as their slaves, but they didn’t drive them out.) 29Nor did Efraim’s descendants drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, so they continued to live among them.[ref]

30Zebulun’s descendants didn’t drive the Canaanites out of Kitron or Nahalol, so they continued to live among them and were forced to work as slaves.

31Asher’s descendants didn’t drive out those who were living in Akko, Tsidon, Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Afek, or Rehob, 32So the Asherites lived with the Canaanites who still lived in the region because they didn’t drive them out.

33Naftali’s descendants didn’t drive out those who were living in Beyt-Shemesh or Beyt-Anat, so they continued to live among them and were forced to work as slaves.

34The Amorites forced Dan’s descendants to live in the hill country, because they didn’t allow them to come down to the plains. 35The Amorites were determined to live at Mt. Heres, in Ayyalon and Shaalbim (but when Yosef’s descendants became stronger, they forced the Amorites to work as slaves). 36The Amorites border went from the Scorpion Pass through Sela and upward from there.

27and_not it_took_possession_of Mənashsheh DOM house_of wwww and_DOM villages_its and_DOM Taˊₐnāk and_DOM villages_its and_DOM the_inhabitants[fn] of_Dōr and_DOM villages_its and_DOM the_inhabitants of_Yiⱱləˊām/(Ibleam) and_DOM villages_its and_DOM the_inhabitants of_Məgiddō and_DOM villages_its and_determined the_Kənaˊₐ to_live on_the_earth the_that.
28And_he/it_was if/because it_became_strong Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_assigned DOM the_Kənaˊₐ to_forced_labour and_to_drive_out not he_drove_out_them.
29and_ʼEfrayim not it_dispossessed DOM the_Kənaˊₐ the_living in/on/at/with_Gezer and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_Kənaˊₐ in/on/at/with_midst_them in/on/at/with_Gezer.
30Zəⱱulun not it_dispossessed DOM the_inhabitants of_Qiţrōn and_DOM the_inhabitants of_Nahₐlāl and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_Kənaˊₐ in/on/at/with_midst_them and_they_were to_forced_labour.
31ʼĀshēr not it_dispossessed DOM the_inhabitants of_ˊAkkō and_DOM the_inhabitants of_Tsīdōn/(Sidon) and_DOM ʼAḩlāⱱ and_DOM Aczib and_DOM Ḩelbāh and_DOM ʼAfēq and_DOM Rəḩoⱱ.
32And_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived the_ʼĀshērites in/on/at/with_midst the_Kənaˊₐ the_inhabitants the_earth/land if/because not drive_out_them.
33Naftālī not it_dispossessed DOM the_inhabitants house_of wwww and_DOM the_inhabitants house_of wwww and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived in/on/at/with_midst the_Kənaˊₐ the_inhabitants the_earth/land and_inhabitants house_of wwww and wwww they_became to/for_them to_forced_labour.
34and_pressed the_Emori DOM the_descendants of_Dān the_hill_country_into if/because not allow_them to_come_down to_the_plain.
35And_determined the_Emori to_live in/on/at/with_mount of_Ḩereş in/on/at/with_ʼAyyālōn and_in/on/at/with_Shaˊalⱱīm and_rested_heavily the_hand of_the_house of_Yōşēf/(Joseph) and_they_were to_forced_labour.
36And_border the_Emori from_ascent of_scorpions from_the_Sela and_beyond.

2:1 God’s messenger comes to Bokim

2Then Yahweh’s messenger went from Gilgal to Bokim and told the Israelis, “I brought you all out of Egypt and led you here to this land that I promised to your ancestors. I had said that I wouldn’t ever break my agreement with you all, 2but that you mustn’t form treaties with the peoples who lived here, rather you must tear down their altars. But you all haven’t obeyed what I said. What have you gone and done?[ref] 3So I’m telling you that I won’t drive your enemies out ahead of you, but they’ll be like thorns in your sides and you’ll all end up being enslaved to their idols.” 4When Yahweh’s messenger finished saying that, the people wept loudly, 5so they called that place Bokim (which means ‘weeping’) and they offered sacrifices to Yahweh there.

2and_he/it_ascended the_angel of_YHWH from the_Gilgāl to the_Bokīm and_he/it_said I_brought_up DOM_you_all from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_led DOM_you_all into the_earth/land which I_swore to_fathers_your_all’s and_said not I_will_break covenant_my with_you_all for_ever.
2And_you_all not you_all_must_make a_covenant with_inhabitants the_earth/land the_this altars_their tear_down and_not you_all_have_listened in/on/at/with_voice_me what this have_you_all_done.
3And_also I_say not I_will_drive_out DOM_them from_before_you_all and_they_will_be to/for_you_all in_sides and_gods_their they_will_become to/for_you_all as_snare.
4And_he/it_was when_spoke the_angel of_YHWH DOM the_words the_these to all the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_lifted_up the_people DOM voices_their and_wept.
5And_called the_name the_place (the)_that Bokim and_sacrificed there to/for_YHWH.

2:6 The death of Yehoshua

6Then Yehoshua dismissed the people and the tribes went to their various regions to take possession of the land. 7The people obeyed Yahweh as long as Yehoshua and the elders who had seen the great things that Yahweh had done for Israel, were alive. 8Then Yahweh’s servant Yehoshua (son of Nun) died at the age of 110 9and they buried him in his allocated land at Timnat-Heres, inside Efraim’s hill country territory north of Mt. Gaash.[ref]

6and_dismissed Yəhōshūˊa/(Joshua) DOM the_people and_went the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) everyone to_inheritance_his_own to_take_possession_of DOM the_earth/land.
7And_served the_people DOM YHWH all the_days of_Yəhōshūˊa and_all/each/any/every the_days the_elders who they_made_long days after Yəhōshūˊa who they_had_seen DOM all the_work of_YHWH the_great which he_had_done for_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
8And_he/it_died Yəhōshūˊa the_son of_Nūn the_servant of_YHWH a_son of_a_hundred and_ten years.
9And_buried DOM_him in/on/at/with_territory inheritance_his in/on/at/with wwww in/on/at/with_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim to_north of_mount of_Gaˊash.

2:10 Israel turns from Yahweh

10When all of that generation had passed away, the next generation didn’t know Yahweh or even know about what he’d done for the Israelis. 11They did things that Yahweh considered evil and worshipped Baal idols 12and abandoned the god of their ancestors, Yahweh, the one who brought them out of Egypt. Instead they went after other gods—the gods of the people around them. They worshipped them and that made Yahweh angry. 13They abandoned Yahweh and worshipped the Baal and Ashtarot idols. 14So Yahweh got angry with Israel so he caused raiders to come and take their property and he allowed their enemies to become more powerful so they could no longer stand against them. 15Whenever the Israelis went into battle, Yahweh worked against them just like he’d said he would and they became very distressed.

16Then Yahweh gave them leaders[fn] to save them from the raiders. 17However they wouldn’t listen to those leaders either—continuing to prostitute themselves to other gods and bowing down to idols. They rapidly turned away from their ancestors’ ways and showed no interest in obeying Yahweh’s instructions. 18Whenever Yahweh gave them a leader, he would support that leader and would save them from their enemies during that leader’s life, because he pitied the people when they groaned from being tormented and oppressed. 19But then at the death of that leader, they would turn back and behave more corruptly than their ancestors—following other gods and bowing down to idols. They didn’t stop any of their evil activities or their shameless behaviour 20so Yahweh was very angry at Israel and said, “This nation has broken the agreement that I made with their ancestors and haven’t done what I told them to. 21I won’t keep driving the people groups away that remained when Yehoshua died, 22so as to use them to test Israel to see whether the Israelis will obey my instructions like their ancestors did, or not. 23So Yahweh allowed those people groups to stay on, and hence they hadn’t been handed over to Yehoshua.

10And_also all the_generation (the)_that they_were_gathered to ancestors_their and_he/it_rose_up a_generation another after_them which not they_knew DOM YHWH and_also DOM the_work which he_had_done for_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
11and_they_made the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_served DOM the_Baals.
12And_abandoned DOM YHWH the_god fathers_their the_brought_out DOM_them of_land of_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_went after gods other from_gods the_peoples which around_them and_bowed_down to/for_them and_provoked_toanger DOM YHWH.
[fn][fn]
13and_abandoned DOM YHWH and_served to_the_Baˊal and_to_the_ˊAshəttārōt.
14And_it_glowed/burned the_anger of_YHWH in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_gave_them in/on/at/with_hand of_plunderers and_plundered DOM_them and_sold_them in/on/at/with_hand enemies_their from_all_sides and_not they_were_able still to_stand to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before enemies_their.
15In/on/at/with_every where they_went_out the_hand of_YHWH it_was in/on/at/with_them to_harm as/like_just_as he_had_spoken YHWH and_as_which he_had_sworn YHWH to/for_them and_distressed to/for_them exceedingly.
16And_raised_up YHWH judges and_delivered_them from_power plundered_them.
17And_also to judges_their not they_listened if/because they_acted_as_prostitutes after gods other and_bowed_down to/for_them they_turned_aside quickly from the_way which they_had_walked fathers_their in_obeyed the_commandments of_YHWH not they_did so.
18And_because/when he_raised_up YHWH to/for_them judges and_it_was YHWH with the_judge and_delivered_them from_hand enemies_their all the_days the_judge if/because he_had_compassion YHWH by_groaning_their from_face/in_front_of oppressed_their and_afflicted_them.
19And_it_was in/on/at/with_died the_judge they_returned and_act_corruptly more_than_fathers_their to_go after gods other to_serving_them and_to_bowing_down to/for_them not they_let_drop any_of_practices_their and_from_ways_their the_stubborn.
20And_it_glowed/burned the_anger of_YHWH in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_said because that they_have_transgressed the_nation the_this DOM covenant_my which I_commanded DOM fathers_their and_not they_have_listened to_voice_my.
21Also I not I_will_increase to_drive_out anyone from_their_face/front of the_nations which he_left Yəhōshūˊa/(Joshua) and_he/it_died.
22So_as to_put_to_the_test in/on/at/with_them DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) whether_keep [will]_they DOM the_way of_YHWH to_go in/on/at/with_it just_as they_kept_[it] fathers_their or not.
23And_left YHWH DOM the_nations the_these to_not drive_out_them quickly and_not give_them in/on/at/with_hand of_Yəhōshūˊa.

3:1 The remaining kingdoms in Canaan

3The following are the kingdoms which Yahweh allowed to remain so as to test the newer generations of Israel who hadn’t experienced the battles in Canaan 2(if only for the sake of teaching warfare to those generations who hadn’t experienced it): 3the five Philistine rulers and the Canaanites, the Sidonians, the Hivites that live on Mt. Lebanon between Mt. Baal-Hermon and Lebo-Hamat.[fn] 4They were left to test Israel to find out if they would obey Yahweh’s instructions that had been given through Mosheh to their ancestors, 5and so the Israelis lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Yebusites. 6They took their daughters as wives, and gave their own daughters to be married to their sons, and they worshipped their gods.

3and_these the_nations which he_left YHWH to_test in/on/at/with_them DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM all [those]_who not they_had_known DOM all the_wars of_Kinaˊan.
2Only so_as to_know the_generations of_the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_teach_them war only which to/for_previously not experienced_it.
3The_five the_rulers of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_all the_Kənaˊₐ and_the_Tsīdonī/(Sidonians) and_the_Ḩiūī [who_was]_dwelling of_the_mount the_Ləⱱānōn from_hill wwww wwww to Lebo Ḩₐmāt.
4And_were for_testing in/on/at/with_them DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_know whether_obey DOM the_commandments of_YHWH which he_had_commanded DOM fathers_their in/on/at/with_hand of_Mosheh.
5And_the_sons of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_dwelt in/on/at/with_midst the_Kənaˊₐ the_Ḩittiy and_the_ʼAmorī and_the_Pərizzī and_the_Ḩiūī and_the_Yəⱱūşī/(Yəⱱūşī/(Jebusite)s).
6And_they_took DOM daughters_their to/for_them as_wives and_DOM daughters_their_own they_gave to_sons_their and_served DOM gods_their.

3:7 Otniel

7So the Israelis did things considered evil by Yahweh and they forgot about their god Yahweh, instead serving the Baal and Asherot idols. 8Because of that, Yahweh was very angry with Israel, so he handed them over to King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram-Naharaim (Mesopotamia). The Israelis served him for eight years 9but when they cried out to Yahweh, he sent them a leader to rescue them: Otniel, son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz. 10Yahweh’s spirit empowered him and he led Israel. He led them into battle against King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram, and Yahweh helped them defeat him. 11So the region had peace for forty years, and then Otniel (Kenaz’s son) died.

7and_they_made the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_forgot DOM YHWH god_their and_served DOM the_Baals and_DOM the_ʼĀshērahs.
8And_it_glowed/burned the_anger of_YHWH in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_sold_them in/on/at/with_hand wwww wwww the_king wwww wwww and_served the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM wwww wwww eight years.
9And_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH and_raised_up YHWH a_deliverer for_sons of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_delivered_them DOM ˊĀtəʼēl the_son of_Qənaz the_brother of_Kālēⱱ the_small(sg) than_him.
10And_it_became on/upon/above_him/it the_spirit of_YHWH and_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_went_out to_the_war and_he/it_gave YHWH in_his/its_hand DOM wwww wwww the_king of_ʼArām and_prevailed his/its_hand over wwww wwww.
11And_had_peace the_earth/land forty year[s] and_he/it_died ˊĀtəʼēl the_son of_Qənaz.

3:12 Ehud

12Once again the Israelis started doing things considered evil by Yahweh, so because of that, he strengthened King Eglon of Moab against Israel. 13King Eglon enlisted warriors from the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and they attacked Israel and captured Yericho, the city of palm trees, 14so the Israelis served him for eighteen years.

15But the Israelis cried out to Yahweh, he sent them a leader to rescue them: the left-hander Ehud, son of Gera the Benyamite. The Israelis sent him to carry the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab. 16Now Ehud had made himself a double-edged sword—a short one about half a metre long—and he strapped it to his right thigh beneath his clothes. 17Then he presented the tribute to King Eglon of Moab, who was a very fat man, 18and after leaving for home, he sent off the people who’d actually carried it all. 19Then from the stone quarries that they’d reached near Gilgal, he returned and told the king that he had a private message for him. The king told his attendants to be quiet then sent them out of the room.

20So Ehud approached where the king was sitting alone in the coolness of his upper room and told him, “I have a message for you from God.” The king stood up from his seat 21and then Ehud reached with his left hand and pulled the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. 22Even the handle went in after the blade and the fat closed up over the handle because Ehud didn’t pull the sword out of his belly. Then he went out to the passage[fn] 23and closed and locked the rooms of the upper room and exited through the porch.[fn] 24After he’d left, the servants came and found the doors locked, so they thought the king must be relieving himself in there. 25They waited until they became worried that he hadn’t opened the doors, so they got a key and opened them, only to find their master lying dead on the floor.

26While the servants had been waiting, Ehud had escaped and passed beyond the quarries, then fleeing to Seirah. 27When he got there, he blew a trumpet throughout the Efraimite hill country, and so the Israelis assembled under his direction down in the valley. 28“Follow after me,” he told them, “because Yahweh will enable you all to defeat your enemies, the Moabites.” So they followed him down to the Yordan river and captured the fords opposite Moab, thus preventing anyone from crossing. 29Then they attacked Moab and killed around ten thousand men—all strong and capable yet none of them escaped. 30So Moab was subdued that day by the Israelis, and there was peace in the region for eighty years.

12and_again the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) for_doing the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_strengthened YHWH DOM ˊEglōn the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ over Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) on if/because they_did DOM the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH.
13And_gathered to_him/it DOM the_people of_ˊAmmōn and_ˊAmālēqites and_he/it_went and_defeated DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_took_possession_of DOM (a)_city the_palms.
14And_served the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM ˊEglōn the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ eight- teen year[s].
15and_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH and_raised_up YHWH to/for_them a_deliverer DOM ʼĒhūd the_son of_Gērāʼ the_Ben- the_Binyāmīnite a_man impeded the_hand right_of_him and_sent the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in_his/its_hand tribute to_ˊEglōn the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ.
16And_he/it_made to_him/it ʼĒhūd a_sword and_with_her two mouths [was]_a_cubit length_her and_fastened DOM_it from_under on_clothes_his on the_thigh right_his.
17And_presented DOM the_tribute to_ˊEglōn the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ and_ˊEglōn [was]_a_man fat very.
18And_he/it_was just_as he_had_finished to_presenting DOM the_tribute and_sent_away DOM the_people [who_had]_carried the_tribute.
19And_he he_returned from the_idols which [were]_with the_Gilgāl and_he/it_said a_word of_secrecy to_me for_you the_king and_he/it_said hush and_they_went_out in_presence_him all the_attendants on/upon/above_him/it.
20And_ʼĒhūd he_came to_him/it and_he [was]_sitting in/on/at/with_roof_chamber the_cool which to_him/it for_him/it_being_alone and_he/it_said ʼĒhūd a_word of_god to_me for_you and_he/it_rose_up from_under the_seat.
21And_reached ʼĒhūd DOM the_hand left_his and_he/it_took DOM the_drought//sword/knife from_under the_thigh right_his and_thrust_it in/on/at/with_belly_his.
22And_went_in also the_handle after the_blade and_he/it_closed_up the_fat behind the_blade if/because not he_drew_out the_drought//sword/knife of_belly_his and_he/it_went_out the_dirt.
23And_he/it_went_out ʼĒhūd the_vestibule_into and_he/it_closed_up the_doors the_roof_chamber behind_him and_locked.
24And_he he_went_forth and_servants_his they_came and_they_saw and_see/lo/see the_doors the_roof_chamber [were]_locked and_they_said surely [is]_covering he DOM feet_of_himself in/on/at/with_inner_room the_cool.
25And_waited until were_ashamed and_saw[fn][fn][fn] not_he [was]_opening the_doors the_roof_chamber[fn][fn] and_they_took DOM the_key and_opened and_see/lo/see master_their [was]_lying towards_land dead.
26And_ʼĒhūd he_escaped until delayed_they and_he he_passed_by DOM the_idols and_escaped the_Sēˊīrah_to.
27And_he/it_was in/on/at/with_arrived_he and_sounded in/on/at/with_trumpet in/on/at/with_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim and_went_down with_him/it the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from the_hill_country and_he at_head_them.
28And_he/it_said to_them pursue after_me if/because he_has_given YHWH DOM enemies_your_all’s DOM Mōʼāⱱ in/on/at/with_hand_your_all’s and_went_down after_him and_seized DOM the_fords the_Yardēn/(Jordan) against_Mōʼāⱱ and_not they_permitted anyone to_cross_over.
29And_struck_down DOM Mōʼāⱱ in/on/at/with_time the_that about_ten thousand(s) man every stout_[person] and_all man of_strength and_not he_escaped anyone.
30And_subdued Mōʼāⱱ in_the_day (the)_that under the_hand of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_had_peace the_earth/land eighty year[s].

3:31 Shamgar

31After Ehud came Shamgar (Anat’s son), and he rescued Israel by killing six hundred Philistines with a cattle prod.

31and_after_him he_was Shamgar the_son of_Anath and_killed DOM [the]_Fəlishəttiy six hundred(s) man in/on/at/with_prod the_cattle and_delivered also he DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).

4:1 Deborah and Barak

4After Ehud died, the Israelis again started doing things considered evil by Yahweh, 2so he handed them over to King Yabin of Canaan who reigned in Hatsor. Sisera was the commander of his army, and he lived in Haroshet-Haggoyim. 3The Israelis cried out to Yahweh because Sisera had nine hundred chariots with iron on them, and he cruelly oppressed them for twenty years.

4Now the prophetess Deborah (Lappidot’s wife) was leading Israel at that time. 5She would sit under the palm tree between Ramah and Bethel (in the Efraimite hill country), and people would come to her to have their disputes settled. 6One day she summoned Barak (Abinoam’s son from Kedesh in Naftali) and told him, “Israel’s God, Yahweh commands you to draft ten thousand men from Naftali and Zebulun and assemble at Mt. Tabor. 7Yahweh will lure King Yabin’s army commander, Sisera bring his warriors and chariots to the Kishon river, and Yahweh will enable you to defeat them there.”

8“I’ll go if you’ll come with me,” replied Barak, “but if you won’t come with me, I won’t go.”

9“I’ll certainly go with you,” she said, “but it won’t be you that’s honoured afterwards, but rather Yahweh will use a woman to defeat Sisera.” So Deborah accompanied Barak to Kedesh. 10There he summoned warriors from Zebulun and Naftali and ten thousand men came, and they all went together with Deborah to Mt. Tabor.

11Now Heber had moved with his wife Yael and their family away from the other Kenites (and from Mosheh’s father-in-law Hobab’s descendants) and set up his tent by the oak tree at Zaanannim near Kedesh.

12When Sisera was told that Barak (Abinoam’s son) had gone to Mt. Tabor, 13he assembled his warriors and their nine hundred chariots (with iron on them) and went from Haroshet-Haggoyim to the Kishon riverbed.

14“Get going,” Deborah told Barak, “because it’s today that Yahweh has gone ahead of you and will help you defeat Sisera.” So Barak led his ten thousand warriors down from Mt. Tabor. 15Then Yahweh caused Sisera and all his warriors and chariots to be confused as Barak advanced, so Sisera jumped down from his chariot and took off on foot. 16Barak pursued the men and chariots as far as Haroshet-Haggoyim and they killed them all—not a single one survived.

17But Sisera had fled on foot and ran to Yael’s tent (Heber the Kenite’s wife) because there was peace between King Yabin of Hatsor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18Yael went out to meet Sisera and told him, “Stop and rest, my master. Stop and rest here. Don’t be afraid.” So he turned and went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

19“I’m thirsty,” he said. “Could you get me a little water to drink.” Yael opened a goatskin container and gave him milk to drink, then she covered him again. 20“Stand at the tent doorway,” he said, “and if anyone comes and asks you if you’ve seen a man, say, ‘No.’ ”

21Then Heber’s wife Yael got a hammer and a tent peg and crept in silently, driving the peg through his temple and pounding it into the ground,. He’d been tired and was sleeping soundly, and it killed him. 22Meanwhile Barak had been searching for Sisera, and Yael went out to meet him. “Come in here,” she told him, “and I’ll show you the man you’ve been searching for.” He followed her into the tent and wow—Sisera was lying there dead with the peg still through his temple.

23So that day God defeated Canaanite King Yabin’s army in front of the Israelis, 24and as they became stronger against him, they destroyed King Yabin of Canaan.

4and_again the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) for_doing the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_ʼĒhūd he_had_died.
2And_sold_them YHWH in/on/at/with_hand of_Yāⱱīn/(Jabin) the_king of_Kinaˊan who he_reigned in/on/at/with_Ḩāʦōr and_commander army_his [was]_Şīşərāʼ and_he [was]_dwelling in/on/at/with wwww.
3And_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH if/because nine hundred(s) chariot[s] of_iron to_him/it and_he he_oppressed DOM the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_cruelty twenty year[s].
4and_Dəbōrāh [was]_a_woman a_prophetess the_wife of_Lappidōt she [was]_judging DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_time the_that.
5And_she [was]_dwelling under the_palm_tree of_Dəbōrāh between the_Rāmāh and_between house_of wwww in/on/at/with_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim and_came_up to_her/it the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) for_the_judgement.
6And_sent and_she/it_called/named for_Bārāq the_son of_ʼAⱱīnnoˊam from_Qedesh Naftālī and_she/it_said to_him/it not has_he_commanded YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) go and_march in/on/at/with_mount of_Tāⱱōr and_take with_you ten thousand(s) man from_(the)_sons of_Naftālī and_from_tribe of_Zəⱱulun.
7And_draw_out to_you to the_wadi of_Qīshōn DOM Şīşərāʼ the_commander of_the_army of_Yāⱱīn and_DOM chariots_his and_DOM troops_his and_give_him in/on/at/with_hand_your.
8And_he/it_said to_her/it Bārāq if you_will_go with_me and_go and_if not you_will_go with_me not I_will_go.
9And_she/it_said certainly_(go) I_will_go with_you nevertheless if/because not it_will_be glory_you on the_road which you [are]_going if/because in/on/at/with_hand of_a_woman he_will_sell YHWH DOM Şīşərāʼ and_she/it_arose Dəbōrāh and_went[fn][fn][fn] with Bārāq Qedesh_to.
10And_summoned Bārāq DOM Zəⱱulun and_DOM Naftālī Qedesh_to and_he/it_ascended in/on/at/with_heels_him ten thousand(s) man and_went_up with_him/it Dəbōrāh.
11And_Ḩeⱱer the_Qēynī [was]_separated from_Qēynīs from_(the)_sons of_Ḩoⱱāⱱ the_father-in-law of_Mosheh and_pitched tent_his to [the]_great_tree in/on/at/with_Tsaˊₐnannim/(Zaanannim)[fn] which [is]_with Qedesh.
12And_told to_Şīşərāʼ if/because_that he_had_gone_up Bārāq the_son of_ʼAⱱīnnoˊam the_mountain of_Tāⱱōr.
13and_summoned Şīşərāʼ DOM all chariots_his nine hundred(s) chariot[s] of_iron and_DOM all the_troops which with_him/it from wwww to the_wadi of_Qīshōn.
14And_she/it_said Dəbōrāh to Bārāq arise if/because this the_day which he_has_given YHWH DOM Şīşərāʼ in/on/at/with_hand_your not YHWH has_he_gone_out to_your_face and_he/it_descended Bārāq from_hill of_Tāⱱōr and_ten thousand(s) man following_him.
15And_routed YHWH DOM Şīşərāʼ and_DOM all the_chariots and_DOM all the_army by_edge of_[the]_sword to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before Bārāq and_he/it_descended Şīşərāʼ from_under the_chariot and_fled in/on/at/with_foot_him.
16And_Bārāq he_pursued after the_chariots and_after the_army to wwww wwww and_fell all the_army of_Şīşərāʼ by_edge of_[the]_sword not it_was_left up_to one.
17And_Şīşərāʼ he_fled in/on/at/with_foot_him to the_tent of_Yāˊēl/(Jael) the_wife[fn][fn][fn] of_Ḩeⱱer the_Qēynī if/because peace [was]_between Yāⱱīn/(Jabin) the_king of_Ḩāʦōr and_between the_house of_Ḩeⱱer the_Qēynī.
18And_went_out Yāˊēl to_meet Şīşərāʼ and_she/it_said to_him/it turn_aside my_master turn_aside to_me do_not be_afraid and_turned_aside to_her/it the_tent_into and_covered_him in/on/at/with_rug.
19And_he/it_said to_her/it give_todrink_me please a_little of_water if/because I_am_thirsty and_opened DOM the_skin-bottle the_milk and_gave_adrink_him and_covered_him.
20And_he/it_said to_her/it stand the_opening the_tent and_it_was if anyone he_will_come and_asks_you and_saying(ms) is here anyone and_say there_[is]_not.
21And_she/it_took Yāˊēl the_wife of_Ḩeⱱer DOM the_peg the_tent and_took DOM the_hammer in/on/at/with_hand_her and_went to_him/it in/on/at/with_quiet and_drove DOM the_peg in/on/at/with_temple_his and_went_down on_the_earth and_he [was]_sleeping and_exhausted and_he/it_died.
22And_see/lo/see Bārāq [was]_pursuing DOM Şīşərāʼ and_went_out Yāˊēl/(Jael) to_meet_him and_she/it_said to_him/it come and_show_you DOM the_man whom you [are]_seeking and_went_in to_her/it and_see/lo/see Şīşərāʼ [was]_lying dead and_the_tent_peg in/on/at/with_temple_his.
23And_subdued god in_the_day (the)_that DOM Yāⱱīn/(Jabin) the_king of_Kinaˊan to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
24And_continued the_hand of_the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) going and_strong on Yāⱱīn the_king of_Kinaˊan until that they_cut_off DOM Yāⱱīn the_king of_Kinaˊan.

5:1 Deborah and Barak sing together

5That day, Deborah and Barak sang this song:

2“When the leaders take the lead in Israel,

when the people offer themselves willingly,

Yahweh be blessed.

3Listen you kings.

Pay attention you rulers.

I will sing to Yahweh, yes, even me.

I will make music for Israel’s God Yahweh.

4Yahweh, you left Seir.

You marched out of the Edom region.

The earth quaked.

The heavens also dropped.

And the clouds poured down rain.

5Mountains melted in Yahweh’s presence,[ref]

Yes, Mt. Sinai shook in front of Israel’s God, Yahweh.


6In the days of Anat’s son Shamgar,

in the days of Yael,

main roads were abandoned,

and travellers walked twisting trails.

7Israeli villages were abandoned.

No one lived there until I, Deborah, became their leader.

I became one of Israel’s mothers.

8When Israel chose new gods,

then enemies attacked the city gates.

No shield or spear could be found

among forty thousand in Israel.

9I’m thankful to Israel’s commanders

who volunteered to help the people.

Yahweh be blessed.

10You riders of white donkeys,

you who sit on saddle blankets,

you who’re walking on the road,

tell about this.


11From the sounds of conflict over the watering places

they recount Yahweh’s righteousness

and about his righteous warriors in Israel.


Then Yahweh’s people went down to the city gates.


12Wake up, Deborah, wake up.

Wake up, wake up, sing a song.

Barak, get moving and capture your prisoners,

you son of Abinoam.

13Then the survivor went down to the nobles.

Yahweh’s people went down to the mighty. ???

14From Efraim their root was with Amalek.

After you, Benyamin, among your people.

From (Manashsheh’s) Makir, the commanders came down.

And from Zebulun, those who march carrying an officer’s staff.

15My princes in Yissashkar were with Deborah.

And Yissashkar was also with Barak.

He was sent into a valley on his heels.

There was intense heart searching among the clans of Reuben.

16Why did you sit between the sheep pens?

To hear the whistling for the flocks?

There was intense heart searching among the clans of Reuben.

17Gilead settled east of the Yordan.

But, Dan, why does he stay on ships?

Asher stayed at the sea coast

and lives by his jetties.

18Zebulun were a tribe that devotedly risked losing their lives.

And Naftali was at their heights on the battlefield.


19Kings came and made war.

Then the Canaanite kings fought at Taanak,

at the Megiddo springs.

But they weren’t able to plunder any silver.

20From the sky, the stars battled.

From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

21The Kishon river swept them away.

An ancient river that Kison river.

March on with strength, my soul.

22Then the horses’ hooves struck.

His galloping stallions charging.


23Curse that Meroz place,’ said Yahweh’s messenger.

‘You shall certainly curse its inhabitants

because they didn’t come and help Yahweh—

to help Yahweh against the mighty ones.’


24Yael will be an honoured woman.

The wife of Heber the Kenite.

She deserves the most praise out of all women who live in tents.

25He asked for water—she gave him milk,

Yogurt in a bowl suitable for nobles.

26Her hands reached out for the tent peg,

and her right hand for the workman’s hammer.

She hammered Sisera—shattering his head—

shattering and piercing his temple.

27He bowed down between her feet—he fell—he lay down.

He bowed down between her feet—where he bowed down, there he fell—destroyed.


28Sisera’s mother looked out the window.

She peered through the lattice, crying out,

‘Why is his chariot so slow to return?

Why are the hoofbeats of his chariots delayed?’

29Her wise ladies answered her.

Indeed, she keeps telling herself

30‘Won’t they be gathering and dividing the plunder?

A woman or two for each warrior to bear children.

Finding some colourful material for Sisera.

Taking some embroidered fabrics.

Dyed scarves as plunder.’


31May all your enemies perish like that, Yahweh.

But may those who love you shine like the sun rising in its strength.”

Then that region had peace for forty years.

5and_sang Dəbōrāh and_Bārāq the_son of_ʼAⱱīnnoˊam in_the_day (the)_that to_say.
2In/on/at/with_lead leaders in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_offer_themselves_willingly a_people bless YHWH.
3Hear Oh_kings give_ear Oh_rulers I to/for_YHWH I I_will_sing I_will_sing_praises to/for_YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
4Oh_YHWH in/on/at/with_went_out_you from_Sēˊīr in/on/at/with_marched_you from_region of_ʼEdōm [the]_earth it_shook both [the]_heavens they_dropped as_well_as [the]_clouds they_dropped water.
5[the]_mountains they_flowed from_face/in_front_of YHWH this Şīnay from_face/in_front_of YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
6In/on/at/with_days of_Shamgar the_son of_Anath in/on/at/with_days of_Yāˊēl/(Jael) they_ceased roads and_ones_travelling_of of_paths they_walked roads twisting.
7They_ceased rural_people in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_ceased until arose Dəbōrāh I_arose a_mother in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
8It_chose gods new then war [was_in_the]_gates a_shield if it_was_seen and_spear in/on/at/with_forty thousand in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
9Heart_my to_commanders of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) the_volunteers in/on/at/with_people bless YHWH.
10Oh_riders of_female_donkeys tawny Oh_[you_all_who]_sit on garments and_walk on [the]_road tell_out.
11To_sound of_[those_who]_divide between [the]_places_for_drawing_water there they_will_recount the_righteousness(es) of_YHWH the_righteousness(es) warriors_his in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) then they_went_down to_the_gates the_people of_YHWH.
12Awake awake Oh_Dəbōrāh awake awake speak a_song arise Oh_Bārāq and_take_captive captives_your Oh_son of_ʼAⱱīnnoˊam.
13Then he_went_down [the]_survivor[s] to_nobles [the]_people YHWH he_went_down to_me in/on/at/with_mighty.
14From ʼEfrayim root_their in/on/at/with_ˊAmālēq following_you Binyāmīn in/on/at/with_people_your from Makir they_came_down commanders and_from_Zəⱱulun [those_who]_march in/on/at/with_staff of_a_muster-officer.
15And_princes_me in/on/at/with_Yissāskār/(Issachar) [were]_with Dəbōrāh and_Yissāskār so Bārāq in/on/at/with_valley he_was_sent in/on/at/with_heels_his in/on/at/with_clans of_Rəʼūⱱēn [were]_great resolves of_heart.
16To/for_what did_you_sit between the_sheepfolds to_hear [the]_whistling of_[the]_flocks among_clans of_Rəʼūⱱēn [were]_great searchings of_heart.
17Gilˊād in/on/at/with_beyond the_Yardēn/(Jordan) he_dwelt and_Dān to/for_what did_he_sojourn ships ʼĀshēr he_remained at_coast of_[the]_seas and_by landings_his he_dwelt.
18Zəⱱulun [was]_a_people [which]_it_despised lives_their to_death and_Naftali [was]_on [the]_heights of_[the]_field.
19They_came kings they_fought then they_fought the_kings of_Kinaˊan in/on/at/with_Taˊₐnāk at the_waters of_Məgiddō profit of_silver not they_took.
20From heaven they_fought the_stars from_courses_their they_fought with Şīşərāʼ.
21The_wadi of_Qīshōn swept_away_them a_wadi of_ancient_times the_wadi of_Qīshōn you_will_march soul_my strength.
22Then they_struck [the]_heels of_horse[s] with_galloping the_galloping stallions_his.
23Curse Mērōz he_says the_angel of_YHWH curse certainly_(curse) inhabitants_its if/because not they_came to_help of_YHWH to_help of_YHWH in/on/at/with_mighty.
24She_will_be_blessed of_women Yāˊēl/(Jael) the_wife of_Ḩeⱱer the_Qēynī of_women in/on/at/with_tent_dwellers she_will_be_blessed.
25Water he_asked milk she_gave in/on/at/with_bowl of_nobles she_brought_near curd[s].
26Hand_her for_the_tent_peg they_stretched_out and_right_hand_her for_hammer of_labourers and_struck Şīşərāʼ she_shattered his/its_head and_shattered and_pierced temple_his.
27Between feet_her he_bowed_down he_fell he_lay_down between feet_her he_bowed_down he_fell in/on/at/with_where he_bowed_down there he_fell destroyed.
28Through the_window she_looked_down and_cried_out the_mother of_Şīşərāʼ through the_lattice why has_it_delayed chariot_his in_coming why have_they_delayed the_hoof-beats chariots_his.
29The_wise_[women] ladies_her they_answered also she she_brought_back words_her to/for_her/it.
30Not are_they_finding are_they_dividing_up plunder a_womb two_wombs for_each of_a_man plunder of_coloured_cloth(s) for_Şīşərāʼ plunder of_coloured_cloth(s) multicoloured_material coloured_cloth multicoloured_material(s) for_neck of_plunder.
31So may_they_perish all enemies_your Oh_YHWH and_love_him like_rising the_sun in/on/at/with_might_its and_had_peace the_earth/land forty year[s].

6:1 Gideon

6The Israelis did things that Yahweh considered evil so he handed them over to the Midian for seven years 2and the Midianites oppressed them badly. It was so bad that the Israelis made dens for themselves up in the hills, in caves, and in small, fortified settlements. 3Whenever the Israelis planted a crop, the Midianites or the Amalekites, or eastern groups would attack them. 4They would set up their camps around them and destroy the crops as far away as Gaza—they left nothing for the Israelis to eat, and no sheep, cattle, or donkeys. 5It was like a swarm of locusts when they’d all come with their tents and their livestock—you couldn’t even count their camels! They entered the region to totally ravage it. 6Thus Israel was severely weakened by Midian, and the Israelis cried out to Yahweh.

7When the Israelis cried out to Yahweh concerning Midian, 8Yahweh sent a prophet to them and he told them, “Israel’s God Yahweh says, ‘I myself brought you all out of slavery in Egypt 9rescuing you from the Egyptians who were oppressing you all. I drove them out when you all entered and I’ve certainly given their land to you. 10I told you all that I’m your God Yahweh and that when you live in the Amorite regions, you all mustn’t worship their gods. But you didn’t listen to what I said.’ ”

11One day Yahweh’s messenger came and sat beneath the oak tree in the town of Ofrah. (The tree belonged to the Abiezrite, Yoash.) Yoah’s son Gideon was beating wheat down in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites 12when Yahweh’s messenger appeared to him and said, “Yahweh is with you, you powerful warrior.”

13“With me, my master?” Gideon asked. “If Yahweh is with us, then why’s all of this happened to us? Where are all of the miracles that our ancestors told us about, saying, ‘Didn’t Yahweh bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now Yahweh has forsaken us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

14Then Yahweh turned to him and said, “Use your strength to set Israel free from the grasp of Midian. Haven’t I sent you to do that?”

15“Please, my master,” Gideon replied, “how could I save Israel? Look, my clan is the weakest in Manashsheh and on top of that, I’m the youngest in my family.”

16“I’ll help you,” said Yahweh, “and you’ll strike down all the Midianites as easily as battling just one man.”

17“If indeed I’ve found favour in your eyes,” Gideon requested, “then show me a miracle so I’ll know that it’s God speaking to me. 18Please wait here while I go and prepare my gift for you and bring it back here for you.”

Ok, I’ll stay here until you get back,” he said.

19Then Gideon went a prepared a young goat and unrisen bread. He put the meat in a basket and the soup in a pot and brought them out to the oak tree and offered them to him. 20Then God’s messenger said, “Take the meat and the flat bread and put them on this rock, then pour the soup out over it.” So Gideon did that 21and Yahweh’s messenger stretched out the staff that he was holding and touched the meat and bread with the end of it. A fire flamed up from the rock and burned up the meat and bread, then Yahweh’s messenger went out of his sight.[fn]

22When Gideon realised that it really had been Yahweh’s messenger, he was upset and said, “Oh no, my master Yahweh, what will happen now that I’ve seen Yahweh’s face to face?” 23But Yahweh replied to him, “Peace to you. Don’t be afraid—you won’t die.” 24So Gideon built an altar there to sacrifice to Yahweh and named it ‘Yahweh is peace’. (It’s still stands there at Ofrah of the Abiezrite to this day.)

25That same night, Yahweh told him, “Take the young bull that belongs to your father, and the second bull seven years old. Break the altar of Baal into pieces that belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah pole that’s beside it. 26Build a regular altar to your God Yahweh on top of this stronghold, then take the second bull and offer a whole burnt offering using the Asherah pole that you cut down for firewood.” 27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did what Yahweh had instructed him to, but he did it at night because he was afraid to do it in the daytime—fearing the anger of his father’s household and the men of the city.

28When the men of the city got up early the next morning, wow, the Baal’s altar had been torn down, the Asherah pole that was beside it had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered on a new altar that had been built. 29So people started asking each other, “Who did this?” After some investigation, they said, “Yoash’s son Gideon did it.” 30Then the men of the city told Yoash, “Bring your son out here to be executed, because he tore down the Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole that was beside it.”

31Are you all really fighting Baal’s battle for him?” Yoash replied to those standing against him. “Are you all really helping him? Whoever fights on his behalf should be be put to death while it is still the morning. If Baal is a god, then let him stand up for himself when someone tears down his altar.” 32So after that, he called Gideon ‘Yerub-Baal’ to say ‘Let Baal defend himself,’ because he had torn down Baal’s altar.

33Meanwhile all the Midianite and Amalekite warriors and others from the east, assembled together. Then they crossed the Yordan and set up camp in the Jezreel valley. 34But Yahweh’s spirit enabled Gideon, and he blew a trumpet and called the men of Abiezer to follow him. 35Then he sent messengers throughout all of the regions of Manashsheh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naftali, and summoned their warriors to come and join with them.

36Then Gideon said to God, “If it’s really you rescuing Israel through me like you said, 37I’ll put this woollen fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If there’s dew on the fleece in the morning, but it’s dry around it, then I’ll know that you’ll rescue Israel through me just as you said.” 38And that’s what happened—he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece and wrung out a bowl full of water from the dew. 39Then Gideon said to God, “Don’t be angry with me, but can I ask one more thing. Let me put the fleece out this time, and let the fleece be dry, but wet all around it with dew.” 40So God did it that night, and the next morning only the fleece was dry, but everywhere around was covered with dew.

6and_they_made the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_gave_them YHWH in/on/at/with_hand of_Midyān seven years.
2And_prevailed the_hand of_Midyān over Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from_face/in_front_of Midyān they_made to/for_them the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM the_hiding_places which in/on/at/with_mountains and_DOM the_caves and_DOM the_strongholds.
3And_it_was if it_sowed Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_would_go_up Midyān and_ˊAmālēqites and_the_sons of_[the]_east and_come_up on/upon/above_him/it.
4And_camp against_them and_destroy DOM the_produce the_earth/land until to_go_you ˊAzzāh and_not they_left sustenance in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_sheep and_ox and_donkey.
5If/because they and_livestock_their they_came_up and_tents_their wwww[fn] like_swarm of_locust[s] to_increase_in_number and_to_they and_to_camels_their there_[was]_not number and_they_came in/on_the_earth to_wasted_it.
6And_brought_low Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) very from_face/in_front_of Midyān and_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH.
7and_he/it_was if/because they_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH on the_causes of_Midyān.
8And_sent YHWH a_man a_prophet to the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_said to/for_them thus he_says YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) I I_brought_up DOM_you_all from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_brought_out DOM_you_all of_house of_slaves.
9And_delivered DOM_you_all from_hand of_Miʦrayim and_from_hand of_all oppressors_your_all’s and_drove_out DOM_them from_before_you_all and_gave to/for_you_all DOM land_their.
10And_said to/for_you_all I [am]_YHWH god_your_all’s not you_all_must_fear DOM the_gods the_Emori whom you_all [are]_dwelling in/on/at/with_land_them and_not you_all_have_listened in/on/at/with_voice_me.
11and_came the_angel of_YHWH and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived under the_oak which in/on/at/with_ˊĀfərāh which belonged_to_Yōʼāsh/(Joash) father_of wwww and_Gidˊōn his/its_son [was]_beating_out wheat(s) in/on/at/with_winepress to_hide from_face/in_front_of Midyān.
12And_appeared to_him/it the_angel[fn][fn][fn] of_YHWH and_he/it_said to_him/it YHWH with_you Oh_mighty_[man] the_mighty.
13And_he/it_said to_him/it Gidˊōn pardon_me my_master and_is YHWH with_us and_for_what happened_us all this and_where [are]_all wonders_his which they_recounted to/for_us fathers_our to_say not from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) bring_up_us YHWH and_now abandoned_us YHWH and_given_us in/on/at/with_hand of_Midyān.
14And_turned to_him/it YHWH and_he/it_said go in/on/at/with_strength_you this and_deliver DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from_hand of_Midyān not sending_you.
15And_he/it_said to_him/it pardon_me my_master in/on/at/with_how will_I_deliver DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) here clan_my the_weakest in/on/at/with_Mənashsheh and_I the_youngest in_house_of father’s_my.
16And_he/it_said to_him/it YHWH if/because I_will_be with_you and_strike_down DOM Midyān as_man one.
17And_he/it_said to_him/it if please I_have_found favour in/on/at/with_eyes_your and_show to/for_me a_sign that_you [are]_speaking with_me.
18Do_not please depart from_here until come_I to_you and_bring_out DOM gift_my and_set to_your_face and_said I I_will_remain until return_you.
19And_Gidˊōn he_went and_he/it_made a_kid of_goats and_ephah of_flour of_unleavened_bread(s) the_meat he_put in/on/at/with_basket and_the_broth he_put in/on/at/with_pot and_brought_out to_him/it to under the_oak and_presented.
20and_he/it_said to_him/it the_angel the_ʼElohīm take DOM the_meat and_DOM the_unleavened_bread and_put to the_rock this and_DOM the_broth pour_out and_he/it_made so.
21And_reached_out the_angel of_YHWH DOM the_end the_staff which in_his/its_hand and_touched in/on/at/with_meat and_in/on/at/with_unleavened_bread and_sprang_up the_fire from the_rock and_she/it_ate DOM the_meat and_DOM the_unleavened_cakes and_angel of_YHWH he_went from_sight_his.
22And_he/it_saw Gidˊōn if/because_that [was]_the_angel of_YHWH it and_he/it_said Gidˊōn alas my_master YHWH if/because on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so I_have_seen the_angel of_YHWH face to face.
23And_he/it_said to_him/it YHWH peace to/for_yourself(m) do_not be_afraid not you_will_die.
24And_he/it_built there Gidˊōn an_altar to/for_YHWH and_he/it_called to_him/it YHWH [is]_peace until the_day the_this still_it in/on/at/with_ˊĀfərāh father_of wwww.
25and_he/it_was in/on/at/with_night (the)_that and_he/it_said to_him/it YHWH take DOM the_young_bull the_cattle which belongs_to_father_your and_bull the_second seven years and_pull_down DOM the_altar the_Baˊal which belongs_to_father_your and_DOM the_asherah which on/upon/above_him/it you_will_cut_down.
26And_build an_altar to/for_YHWH god_your on the_top the_stronghold the_this in/on/at/with_proper_order and_take DOM the_bull the_second and_offer a_burnt_offering in/on/at/with_wood the_asherah which you_will_cut_down.
27And_he/it_took Gidˊōn ten men of_servants_his and_he/it_made just_as he_had_spoken to_him/it YHWH and_he/it_was just_as he_feared DOM the_household his/its_father and_DOM the_men the_city to_do by_day and_he/it_made night.
28And_got_up the_men the_city in/on/at/with_morning and_see/lo/see it_had_been_pulled_down the_altar the_Baˊal and_the_asherah which on/upon/above_him/it it_had_been_cut_down and_DOM the_bull the_second it_had_been_offered_up on the_altar the_built.
29And_they_said each to his/its_neighbour who has_he_done the_thing the_this and_searched and_inquired and_they_said Gidˊōn the_son of_Yōʼāsh/(Joash) he_has_done the_thing the_this.
30And_they_said the_men the_city to Yōʼāsh bring_out DOM son_your and_die if/because he_has_torn_down DOM the_altar the_Baˊal and_because/when he_has_cut_down the_asherah which on/upon/above_him/it.
31And_he/it_said Yōʼāsh to_all/each/any/every [those]_who they_stood on/upon/above_him/it you_all contend for_the_Baˊal or you_all save DOM_him [the_one]_who he_will_conduct_a_case to_him/it he_will_be_put_to_death until the_morning if [is]_a_god he let_him_conduct_a_case to_him/it if/because someone_has_torn_down DOM altar_his.
32And_he/it_called to_him/it in/on/at/with_day (the)_that Jerub-Baˊal to_say let_him_conduct_a_case in/on/over_him/it the_Baˊal if/because he_has_torn_down DOM altar_his.
33and_all Midyān and_ˊAmālēqites and_the_sons of_[the]_east they_gathered together and_crossed_over and_camped in/on/at/with_valley of_Yizrəˊēʼl/(Jezreel).
34And_spirit of_YHWH it_clothed DOM Gidˊōn and_blew in/on/at/with_trumpet and_called_out[fn][fn][fn] ʼAⱱīˊezr follow_him.
35And_messengers he_sent in_all Mənashsheh and_called_out[fn][fn][fn] also it follow_him and_messengers he_sent in/on/at/with_ʼĀshēr and_in/on/at/with_Zəⱱulun and_in/on/at/with_Naftālī and_went_up to_meet_them.
36And_he/it_said Gidˊōn to the_ʼElohīm if it_is_you [will_be]_delivering in/on/at/with_hand_my DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) just_as you_have_spoken.
37Here I [am]_placing DOM the_fleece the_wool in/on/at/with_threshing_floor if dew it_will_be on the_fleece by_herself and_on all the_earth/land dryness and_know if/because_that you_will_deliver in/on/at/with_hand_my DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) just_as you_have_spoken.
38And_he/it_was so and_rose_early in_next_morning and_squeezed DOM the_fleece and_wrung_out dew from the_fleece the_fullness the_bowl water.
39And_he/it_said Gidˊōn to the_ʼElohīm not let_it_burn anger_your in/on/at/with_me and_speak only the_one_more let_me_put_to_the_test please only the_time//this_time in/on/at/with_fleece let_it_be please dryness to the_fleece by_herself and_on all the_earth/land let_it_be dew.
40And_he/it_made god so in/on/at/with_night (the)_that and_he/it_was dryness to the_fleece by_herself and_on all the_earth/land it_was dew.

7:1 Gideon defeats the Midianites

7Then Gideon (also known as Yerub-Baal) and the warriors with him got up early and went to Harod spring. The Midianite camp was north of them in the valley below the Moreh hill.

2Then Yahweh told Gideon, “You’ve got too many warriors with you for me to give victory over the Midianites, because what if Israel takes the glory for themselves thinking that their own strength saved them. 3So tell the men that anyone who’s afraid or trembling can leave Mt. Gilead and go back home.” Twenty-two thousand of them went back, leaving only ten thousand.[ref]

4“That’s still too many,” Yahweh told Gideon. “Bring them down to the spring and I’ll short-list them there. Whoever I tell you to go with you, can do so, but anyone that I say won’t go with you, won’t go.” 5So he took them down to the water and Yahweh told him, “Separate out those who lap up the water with their tongues like a dog would, along with those who kneel down to drink.” 6It turned out that only three hundred men used their hands to bring water to their mouths, and all the rest knelt down to drink the water. 7“I’ll rescue you all from Midian with the three hundred men who lapped the water from their hands,” Yahweh told Gideon. “Let all the others go back to their homes.” 8Then the three-hundred warriors collected the food and ram’s horns from the others before Gideon sent the others back to their own homes.

The Midian camp was below them down in the valley 9and during the night Yahweh told Gideon, “Get ready and lead them down into the camp, because I have made you victorious. 10But if you’re afraid to attack, take your servant Purah down to their camp 11and you’ll hear what they’re saying, then you’ll have the courage to go down and attack the camp.” So Gideon and his servant Purah went quietly down to the unit at the edge of the camp.

12The Midianites and Amalekites and others from the east covered the valley like a swarm of locusts. Even their camels were as numerous as sand grains on the beach. 13When Gideon got close, a man was telling his companion about his dream. “Listen,” he said, “I had a dream and wow, a round loaf of barley bread was tumbling into our camp. It came as far as the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, and collapsed completely.”

14That could only be the sword of Yoash’s son Gideon from Israel,” the other man replied. “The true God has caused Midian and all of the camp to be defeated by him.”

15When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he thanked God, then they returned to their camp and commanded, “Get ready to go because Yahweh has given you all victory over the Midianite camp.” 16Then he divided the three hundred men into three units, and gave each of them rams’ horns and clay jars with burning torches inside them, 17and instructed them, “Watch me and do what I do. See, when I get to the edge of their camp, do the same as me. 18When I blow the ram’s horn trumpet, all of you with horns should blow them and everyone will shout, ‘For Yahweh and for Gideon!’ ”

19When Gideon and the hundred men with him got to the edge of the camp, it was the beginning of the middle nightwatch and the fresh guards had just gotten into their places. Gideon and his unit blew their trumpets and smashed the jars that they were carrying. 20Then all three units blew the trumpets and smashed their jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, and they shouted out, “A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon.” 21Then everyone stood in their place around the camp, but the Midianite army cried out in alarm and took off. 22When the three hundred ram’s horns sounded, Yahweh caused the Midianite army to start fighting each other with their swords, and the army fled as far as Beyt-Shittah (towards Tsererah) and towards the border of Abel-Meholah (towards Tabbat).

23Then the warriors from Naftali, Asher, and from all of Manashsheh were summoned to help with pursuing the Midianites. 24Gideon also sent messengers through Efraim’s hill country to tell them, “Go down to the Yordan river opposite Midian and take control of the crossings to capture them between as far as Beyt-Barah.” So all the men of Efraim were summoned and they commandeered the Yordan crossings as far as Beyt-Barah. 25They chased after the Midianites and captured their two princes, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock now called ‘Oreb’s rock’, and they killed Zeeb at a winepress now called ‘Zeeb’s winepress’, and they brought their heads back across the Yordan to Gideon.

7and_rose_early Jerub-Baˊal that [is]_Gidˊōn and_all the_troops which with_him/it and_camped at wwww wwww and_camp of_Midyān it_was to_him/it on_north below_hill the_Mōreh in/on/at/with_valley.
2And_he/it_said YHWH to Gidˊōn [is_too]_numerous the_troops which with_you for_give_me DOM Midyān in/on/at/with_hands_their lest it_should_glorify_itself over_me Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_say hand_my_own it_has_delivered to/for_me.
3And_now proclaim please in/on/at/with_hearing the_troops to_say who [is]_fearful and_trembling let_him_go_back and_leave from_hill the_Gilˊād and_returned of the_troops twenty and_two thousand and_ten thousand(s) they_remained.
4and_he/it_said YHWH to Gidˊōn still the_troops [is]_numerous bring_down DOM_them to the_waters and_test_them to/for_yourself(m) there and_it_was [the_one]_whom I_will_say to_you this_[one] he_will_go with_you he he_will_go with_you and_all/each/any/every [one]_whom I_will_say to_you this_[one] not he_will_go with_you he not he_will_go.
5And_brought_down DOM the_troops to the_waters and_he/it_said YHWH to Gidˊōn every [one]_who he_will_lap_up in/on/at/with_tongue_his some_of the_waters just_as it_laps_up the_dog you_will_set DOM_him to_one_side and_all/each/any/every [one]_who he_will_bow_down on knees_of_him to_drink.
6And_he/it_was the_number the_lapped in/on/at/with_hands_their to mouths_their three hundred(s) man and_all/each/any/every the_remainder the_troops they_bowed_down on knees_their to_drink water.
7and_he/it_said YHWH to Gidˊōn in/on/at/with_three hundred(s) the_man the_lapped I_will_deliver DOM_you_all and_give DOM Midyān in/on/at/with_hand_your and_all the_troops let_them_go each to_home_his.
8And_they_took DOM provision[s] the_troops in/on/at/with_hands_their and_DOM trumpets_their and_DOM every (the)_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_sent_away each to_tents_his and_in/on/at/with_three hundred(s) the_man he_kept_hold and_camp of_Midyān it_was to_him/it from_under in/on/at/with_valley.
9and_he/it_was in/on/at/with_night (the)_that and_he/it_said to_him/it YHWH arise go_down in/on/at/with_camp if/because given_it in/on/at/with_hand_your.
10And_if [are]_afraid you to_go_down go_down you and_Furāh servant_your to the_camp.
11And_hear what will_they_speak and_after they_will_be_strong hands_you and_go_down in/on/at/with_camp and_he/it_descended he and_Furāh servant_his to the_edge the_armed_men who in/on/at/with_camp.
12And_Midyānites and_ˊAmālēqites and_all [the]_people of_[the]_east [were]_lying in/on/at/with_valley like_the_locusts to_increase_in_number and_to_camels_their there_[was]_not number as_as_the_sand that_on the_shore the_sea to_increase_in_number.
13And_arrived Gidˊōn and_see/lo/see a_man [was]_recounting to_friend_his a_dream and_he/it_said here a_dream I_have_dreamed and_see/lo/see a_round_loaf[fn] of_bread of_barley(s) [was]_tumbling in/on/at/with_camp of_Midyān and_came to the_tent and_struck_it and_fell and_turned_down_it to_ top_on and_collapsed the_tent.
14And_answered his/its_neighbour and_he/it_said [is]_not this except (if) the_sword of_Gidˊōn the_son of_Yōʼāsh/(Joash) the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_has_given the_ʼElohīm in_his/its_hand DOM Midyān and_DOM all the_camp.
15and_he/it_was when_heard Gidˊōn DOM the_recounting the_dream and_DOM interpretation_its and_bowed_in_worship and_returned to the_camp of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_said arise if/because he_has_given YHWH in/on/at/with_hand_your_all’s DOM the_camp of_Midyān.
16And_divided DOM three hundred(s) the_man three companies and_he/it_gave trumpets in/on/at/with_hands all_them and_jars empty and_torches in_the_middle the_jars.
17And_he/it_said to_them at_me you_all_will_see and_thus/so/as_follows you_all_will_do and_see/lo/see I [will_be]_coming in/on/at/with_outskirts the_camp and_it_was as/like_just_as I_will_do so do.
18And_blow in/on/at/with_trumpet I and_all [those]_who with_me and_blow in/on/at/with_trumpets also you_all all_around all the_camp and_say to/for_YHWH and_for_Gidˊōn.
19and_came Gidˊōn and_hundred man who with_him/it in/on/at/with_outskirts the_camp the_beginning the_watch the_middle just just_(station) they_had_stationed DOM the_watch and_blew in/on/at/with_trumpets and_smashed the_jars which in/on/at/with_hands_their.
20And_blew the_three the_companies in/on/at/with_trumpets and_broke the_jars and_held in/on/at/with_hands left_their[fn] in/on/at/with_torches and_in/on/at/with_hands right_their the_trumpets to_blow and_cried a_sword to/for_YHWH and_for_Gidˊōn.
21And_they_stood everyone in_place_his round_about to_the_camp and_ran all the_army and_cried_out and_fled[fn].
22And_blew the_three (the)_hundred(s) the_trumpets and_he/it_assigned YHWH DOM [the]_sword of_each in/on/at/with_fellow_his and_on/over_all the_army and_fled the_army to house_of wwww Tsərērāh/(Zererah)_toward to the_border wwww wwww at Ţabat.
23And_called_out the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from_Naftālī and_from ʼĀshēr and_from all Mənashsheh and_pursued after Midyān.
24And_messengers he_sent Gidˊōn in_all the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim to_say come_down to_against Midyān and_seize to/for_them DOM the_waters to house_of wwww and_DOM the_Yardēn/(Jordan) and_called_out every (the)_man of_ʼEfrayim and_took DOM the_waters to house_of wwww and_DOM the_Yardēn.
25And_captured the_two the_commanders of_Midyān DOM ˊOrēⱱ and_DOM Zəʼēⱱ and_killed DOM ˊOrēⱱ in/on/at/with_rock of_ˊOrēⱱ and_DOM Zəʼēⱱ they_killed in/on/at/with wwww and_pursued (to) Midyān and_heads of_ˊOrēⱱ and_Zəʼēⱱ they_brought to Gidˊōn from_beyond of_the_Yardēn.

8:1 The final defeat of the Midianites

8But then the Efraimite men challenged Gideon, “Why have you side-tracked us? Why didn’t you call us when you went to battle against the Midianites?” And they severely rebuked him.

2“What have I achieved compared to you guys?” answered Gideon. “Aren’t the seconds of Efraim’s grapes better than the whole grape harvest of Abiezer? 3God helped you all defeat Oreb and Zeeb, the princes of Midian. What did I do compared to that?” After he said that, they all calmed down again.[ref]

4Then Gideon and his three hundred warriors crossed the Yordan going east. They were all exhausted, but continued the pursuit. 5When they arrived at the town of Sukkot, Gideon asked the leaders, “Please give my men some bread to eat because they’re exhausted, but we’re chasing Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite kings.”

6However, the Sukkot officials asked cautiously, “Do you already have Zebah and Zalmunna in your grasp that we should give food to your army?”

7“Let me assure you all,” Gideon responded, “that when Yahweh has helped us capture Zebah and Zalmunna, I will rip off your flesh with the wilderness thorns and briers.”

8From there they climbed up to Penuel, and he asked them for food in a similar manner, and the leaders there responded similarly to the leaders of Sukkot. 9So he said to the men of Penuel as well, “When I return safely, I’ll tear down this tower.”

10Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with around fifteen thousand warriors—all that remained out of all of that allied Midianite camp of eastern people, because one hundred and twenty thousand of their warriors had already been killed. 11Gideon approached them unexpectedly via the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and struck their camp when they were feeling secure. 12Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but they chased after those two Midianite kings and captured them, thus defeating their entire army.

13The Gideon (Yoash’s son) and his warriors returned from battle, going through the Heres pass. 14He captured a young man from Sukkot and questioned him—writing down the names of the seventy-seven leaders and elders of Sukkot. 15Then he returned to Sukkot and told them, “Look here at Zebah and Zalmunna—the ones you taunted me about when you asked, ‘Do you already have Zebah and Zalmunna in your grasp that we should give food to your weary men.’ ” 16He took the city elders and had them punished with wilderness thorns and briers to teach them a lesson, 17then they went to Penuel and tore down the tower and executed the city leaders.

18Then Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, “What were the men like that you killed at Tabor?”

They were just like you,” they replied. “They seemed like they could have been a king’s sons.”

19“They were my brothers—the sons of my mother,” he said. “As Yahweh lives, if only you had let them live, I wouldn’t have killed you.” 20Then he ordered Yeter, his oldest son, “Go and kill them.” But Yeter didn’t pull out his sword because he was afraid—he was still a youth.

21Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Come and kill us yourself—be a man and use your own strength.” So Gideon went over and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and then he took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.

22Then a group of Israeli men said to Gideon, “We want you and your sons and your future descendants to rule over us, because you have saved us from the Midianites.”

23But Gideon answered, “No, I won’t rule over you myself, nor will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you.” 24However, he continued, “Let me ask you all for something: that each man give me the earrings from his spoil.” (The enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)

25We can certainly do that for you,” they replied. So they spread out a garment and each man threw the earrings from his spoil onto it. 26Now the weight of the gold earrings of gold came to twenty kilograms, and then there were the crescent-shaped ornaments, the pendants, the dyed purple garments that the Midianite kings had been wearing, as well as the collars that had been around their camels’ necks. 27Then Gideon made the gold into an idol[fn] and placed it in his home city of Ophrah, and the Israelis prostituted themselves to it there, and so it became like a trap for Gideon and his household.

28So Midian was kept under control by the Israelis and they didn’t continue to oppress the people, and there was peace in the region for forty years during Gideon’s time.

8And_they_said to_him/it the_man of_ʼEfrayim what the_thing the_this [which]_you_have_done to/for_ourselves to_not to_summon to/for_us if/because you_went to_fight in/on/at/with_Midyānites and_upbraided with_him/it in/on/at/with_sharpness.
2And_he/it_said to_them what have_I_done now in_comparison_with_you_all am_not good [are]_the_gleanings of_ʼEfrayim than_grape_harvest of_ʼAⱱīˊezr.
3In/on/at/with_hands_your_all’s he_has_given god DOM the_commanders of_Midyān DOM ˊOrēⱱ and_DOM Zəʼēⱱ and_what have_I_been_able to_do in_comparison_with_you_all then it_relaxed anger_their from_against_him in/on/at/with_said_he the_thing the_this.
4And_came Gidˊōn the_Yardēn_to [was]_passing_over he and_three hundred(s) the_man who with_him/it exhausted and_pursuing.
5And_he/it_said to_men of_Şukkōt give please round_loaves of_bread to_the_people which in/on/at/with_feet_of_my if/because [are]_exhausted they and_I [am]_pursuing after Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ/(Tsalmōn/(Zalmun)na) the_kings of_Midyān.
6And_he/it_said the_officials of_Şukkōt hands of_Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ now in/on/at/with_hand_your (cmp) we_will_give to_army_your bread.
7And_he/it_said Gidˊōn for_so/thus/hence in/on/at/with_given YHWH DOM Zeⱱaḩ and_DOM Tsalmunnāˊ in/on/at/with_hand_my and_trample DOM flesh_your_all’s with (the)_thorns the_wilderness and_DOM the_briers.
8And_he/it_ascended from_there Pəʼēl and_he/it_spoke to_them as_that and_answered DOM_him the_men of_Pəʼēl just_as they_had_answered the_men of_Şukkōt.
9And_he/it_said also to_men of_Pəʼēl to_say in/on/at/with_return_I in/on/at/with_triumph I_will_tear_down DOM the_tower the_this.
10and_Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ in/on/at/with_Qarqor and_army_their with_them about_five_of teen thousand all the_left from_all the_army of_[the]_people of_[the]_east and_the_fallen [were]_one_hundred and_twenty thousand man [who]_drew [the]_sword.
11And_he/it_ascended Gidˊōn the_direction the_dwell in/on/at/with_tents from_east of_Noⱱaḩ and_Yāgəbəhāh/(Jogbehah) and_attacked DOM the_army and_the_army it_was security.
12And_fled Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ and_pursued after_them and_captured DOM the_two the_kings of_Midyān DOM Zeⱱaḩ and_DOM Tsalmunnāˊ/(Tsalmōn/(Zalmun)na) and_all the_army he_routed.
13And_returned Gidˊōn the_son of_Yōʼāsh/(Joash) from the_battle by_to/for_ascent the_Ḩereş.
14And_captured a_young_man from_people of_Şukkōt and_questioned_him and_wrote_down to_him/it DOM the_officials of_Şukkōt and_DOM elders_its seventy and_seven man.
15And_came to the_men of_Şukkōt and_he/it_said here Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ whom you_all_taunted DOM_me to_say hands of_Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ now in/on/at/with_hand_your (cmp) we_will_give to_men_your the_exhausted bread.
16And_he/it_took DOM the_elders the_city and_DOM the_thorns the_wilderness and_DOM the_briers and_taught_alesson (is)_in_them DOM the_men of_Şukkōt.
17And_DOM the_tower of_Pəʼēl he_tore_down and_killed DOM the_men the_city.
18And_he/it_said to Zeⱱaḩ and_near/to Tsalmunnāˊ where the_men whom you_all_killed in/on/at/with_Tāⱱōr and_said[fn][fn][fn] like_you so_they one with_appearance of_the_sons the_king.
19And_said brothers_my the_sons mother_my they [by]_the_life of_YHWH if you_all_had_let_live DOM_them not I_killed DOM_you_all.
20And_he/it_said to_Yeter/(Jether) firstborn_his arise kill DOM_them and_not he_drew the_boy sword_his if/because he_was_afraid if/because still_he [was]_a_young_man.
21And_he/it_said Zeⱱaḩ and_Tsalmunnāˊ/(Tsalmōn/(Zalmun)na) arise you and_fall in/on/at/with_us if/because as_the_man strength_his and_he/it_rose_up Gidˊōn and_killed DOM Zeⱱaḩ and_DOM Tsalmunnāˊ and_he/it_took DOM the_crescent_ornaments which in/on/at/with_necks camels_their.
22And_they_said the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to Gidˊōn rule in/on/at/with_us both you as_well_as son_your as_well_as the_son sons’_your if/because delivered_us from_hand of_Midyān.
23And_he/it_said to_them Gidˊōn not I_will_rule I in/on/at/with_you_all and_not he_will_rule son_my in/on/at/with_you_all YHWH he_will_rule in/on/at/with_you_all.
24And_he/it_said to_them Gidˊōn let_me_ask of_you_all a_petition and_give to_me everyone (the)_earring plunder_his if/because earrings of_gold to/for_them if/because [were]_Ishmaelites they.
25And_they_said indeed_(give) we_will_give_[them] and_spread_out DOM the_garment and_threw there_into everyone (the)_earring plunder_his.
26And_he/it_was the_weight of_the_earrings the_gold which he_asked_for one_thousand and_seven hundred(s) gold to/for_apart from the_crescent_ornaments and_the_pendants and_garments the_purple that_on the_kings of_Midyān and_to/for_apart from the_chains which in/on/at/with_necks camels_their.
27And_he/it_made DOM_it Gidˊōn into_ephod and_put DOM_it in/on/at/with_town_his in/on/at/with_ˊĀfərāh and_prostituted all Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_it there and_he/it_was to_Gidˊōn and_to_family_his as_snare.
28And_subdued Midyān to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_not they_repeated to_lift_up heads_their and_had_rest the_earth/land forty year[s] in/on/at/with_days of_Gidˊōn.

8:29 The death of Gideon

29Then Gideon (Yoash’s son, also known as Yerub-Baal) went back and lived in his house, 30and he fathered seventy sons because he had many wives. 31He also had a mistress in Shekem—she also bore him a son that he named Abimelek. 32Gideon died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Yoash his father, at Ofrah of the Abiezerites.

33However after Gideon had died, the Israelis turned away again from Yahweh and prostituted themselves to the Baals—making Baal-Berit for themselves as a god. 34They forgot about their God Yahweh—the one who had rescued them from the clutch of all of their enemies all around. 35They didn’t show lasting loyalty to Gideon’s family, despite all the good that he’d done within Israel.

29and_he/it_went Jerub-Baˊal the_son of_Yōʼāsh/(Joash) and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived in/on/at/with_house_his_own.
30And_to_Gidˊōn they_belonged seventy sons [who]_came_out body_of_his_own if/because wives many they_belonged to_him/it.
31And_concubine_his who in/on/at/with_Shəkem she_bore for_him/it also she a_son and_he/it_assigned DOM his/its_name ʼAⱱīmelek.
32And_he/it_died Gidˊōn the_son of_Yōʼāsh in/on/at/with_old_age good and_buried in/on/at/with_tomb of_Yōʼāsh his/its_father in/on/at/with_ˊĀfərāh father_of wwww.
33and_he/it_was as/like_just_as he_had_died Gidˊōn and_again the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_prostituted after the_Baals and_made to/for_them wwww wwww as_god.
34And_not they_remembered the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM YHWH god_their the_rescued DOM_them from_hand of_all enemies_their on_every_side.
35And_not they_did loyalty with the_house of_Jerub-Baˊal Gidˊōn for_all the_good which he_had_done with Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).

9:1 Abimelek snatches the kingship

9Now Gideon’s son Abimelek went to Shekem to his mother’s brothers and spoke to those uncles and to all the extended family of his mother’s father, saying, 2“Please ask around all the citizens of Shekem: ‘What is better for you: Gideon’s seventy sons ruling over you, or having a single man in charge?’ Remember that I’m your flesh and bone.” 3So his uncles working on his behalf, passed that onto all the citizens of Shekem, and they became convinced in Abimelek, because they said, “He’s our brother.” 4Then they gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelek used them to entice some rough lay-abouts to work for him. 5Then they went to his father’s house at Ofrah, and he killed his seventyhalf-brothers (Gideon’s sons) there on one stone. But Gideon’s youngest son Yotam survived because he had hidden from them. 6Then all of the prominent citizens of Shekem and all of Beyt-Millo assembled themselves, and they went and installed Abimelek as king beside an oak tree near the standing pillar[fn] that was in Shekem.

9and_he/it_went ʼAⱱīmelek the_son of_Jerub-Baˊal Shəkem_to to the_brothers his/its_mother and_he/it_spoke to_them and_near/to all the_clan of_the_house of_the_father his/its_mother to_say.
2Speak please in/on/at/with_hearing of_all the_citizens of_Shəkem what [is]_good to/for_you_all the_rule in/on/at/with_you_all seventy man all the_sons of_Jerub-Baˊal or to_rule in/on/at/with_you_all a_man one and_remember if/because_that bone_your_all’s[fn][fn][fn][fn] and_flesh_your_all’s I.
[fn]
3and_spoke the_brothers his/its_mother on/upon/above_him/it in/on/at/with_hearing of_all the_citizens of_Shəkem DOM all the_words the_these and_inclined hearts_they after ʼAⱱīmelek if/because they_said brother_our he.
4And_gave to_him/it seventy silver from_temple[fn][fn][fn] wwww[fn][fn][fn] wwww and_hired (is)_in_them ʼAⱱīmelek men worthless and_reckless and_they_followed after_him.
5And_went the_house his/its_father ˊĀfərāh_at and_killed DOM brothers_his the_sons of_Jerub-Baˊal seventy[fn][fn][fn] man on stone one and_survived Yōtām/(Jotham) the_son of_Jerub-Baˊal the_small(sg) if/because he_hid_himself.
6and_gathered all the_citizens of_Shəkem and_all house_of wwww and_went and_crown DOM ʼAⱱīmelek as_king near [the]_great_tree [which_had_been]_set_up which in/on/at/with_Shəkem.

9:7 Yotam’s tree parable

7When they told Yotam, he went and stood on the top of Mt. Gerizim and shouted out to them all in a loud voice, “Listen to me, citizens of Shekem, so God will listen to all of you. 8Once the trees went about in order to appoint a king for themselves, So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 9But the olive tree replied to them, ‘Have I stopped producing my valuable oil used to honour gods and men, that I should go to sway above the other trees?’ 10So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 11But the fig tree answered them, ‘Have I stopped producing my sweetness and my good fruit, that I should go to sway above the other trees?’ 12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 13But the vine replied, ‘Have I stopped producing my new wine, which cheers gods and man, that I should go to sway over the other trees?’ 14Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘You come and reign over us!’ 15The thornbush told the trees, ‘If you all are really wanted to anoint me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade. But if you all don’t, may the thornbush send out fire to burn up Lebanon’s cedar forests.’

16Therefore did you all act with honesty and integrity when you installed Abimelek as king? Did you all treat Gideon’s family well, and did you all repay him appropriately for what he did for you all? 17My father fought on your behalf, and even risked his life out front when he rescued you all from the Midianites, 18but today you’ve all risen up against my father’s family and killed his sonsseventy men on one stone. Then you’ve installed Abimelek, the son of his female servant, as king over the citizens of Shekem because he’s your brother. 19Now if you’ve all acted with honesty and integrity with towards Gideon and his family today, be happy with Abimelek, and he’ll also be happy with all of you, 20but if not, then fire will come out of Abimelek and destroy the citizens of Shekem and Beyt-Millo. Fire will also come out from the Shekem’s citizens and from Beyt-Millo, and it’ll destroy Abimelech.” 21Then Yotam fled away and escaped and went to Be’er and settled there away from the presence of his half-brother Abimelek.

22Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years, 23then God sent an evil spirit between him and the citizens of Shekem, so the citizens there dealt treacherously with Abimelek. 24The violent treatment of Gideon’s seventy sons kept getting brought up, and by it was all blamed on their brother Abimelech who had killed them, and on those of Shekem’s citizens who assisted him in the killing of his brothers. 25So the Shekem citizens placed men in ambush along the tops of the hills to get him, but they robbed everyone who went passed them along the road, and so it was reported to Abimelech.

26Then Gaal (Ebed’s son) came along with his brothers and moved into Shekem, and the citizens there began to trust them. 27They went out into the field, and they picked grapes from their vineyards and pressed them. They celebrated harvest festivals and they went into the house of their gods, then they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelek. 28Then Gaal (Ebed’s son) said, “Who’s Abimelek, and who’s Shekem, that we should serve him? Isn’t Abimelek Gideon’s son, and Zebul is his deputy? Serve the descendants of Shekem’s father Hamor, but why should we serve Abimelek? 29Who will fight with me to defeat those people and depose Abimelek? Then he said to Abimelek, ‘Gather your army and come and fight.’ ”

30When Zebul, the prince of the city, heard what Ga’al (Ebed’s son) had said, he got very angry 31and he sent messengers to Abimelek in secret, saying, “Listen, Ebed’s son Gaal and his brothers are coming to Shekem, and wow, they’re inciting the city against you. 32You and the people who’re with you should go out at night and lie in ambush in the countryside. 33Then when the sun rises in the morning, you all should set out early and spread out in an attack against the city. Keep watch, then when Ga’al and the people with him are coming out toward you to fight, then you can overpower them and treat him however you think fit.”

34So Abimelek and all the people with him went out in the night and they set up four units in an ambush against Shekem. 35In the morning, Ga’al (Ebed’s son) went out and he stood at the entrance of the city gate. Then Abimelek and his men stood up from their hiding places. 36When Ga’al saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, a group of people is coming down from the tops of the hills!”

“You are seeing the shadow of the hills as men,” Zebul responded.

37But Ga’al said again, “Look, groups of people are coming down from beside the top of the hill, and another group is coming from the way of the ‘oak of the diviners’.”

38Then Zebul said to him, “Well, you were the one who said, ‘Who is Abimelek that we should serve him?’ Aren’t these the people who you were scorning? Indeed now, go out and fight against them.” 39So Ga’al went out in front of Shekem’s citizens and fought against Abimelek. 40Abimelek pursued him, and he had to flee away from him. Many of their men fell fatally wounded as far as the entrance of the city gate. 41Then Abimelek settled in Arumah, but Zebul drove Ga’al and his brothers away from living in Shekem.

42Now it so happened that the next day, the people of Shekem went out into the countryside, and it was reported to Abimelek. 43So he took his men and split them into three units. Then he waited in ambush in the countryside. When he saw and wow, the people were going out of the city, then he attacked and killed them. 44Abimelek and the units that were with him had spread out and they stood at the entrance of the city gate, and two units spread out against everyone who was in the field and killed them. 45Abimelek spent that whole day attacking Shekem. He captured the city and they killed the people who were in it. Then he tore it down, and scattered salt on the land.

46When all the lords of the tower of Shekem heard, they went into the citadel of the temple for El-Berit, 47but it was reported to Abimelek that all the lords of the Shekem tower had gathered there. 48So Abimelek and all the people with him, went up to Mt. Tsalmon. He took axes and cut a branch down from the trees, then lifted it onto his shoulder and said to the people who were with him, “What I just did, you all quickly do the same.” 49So all the people also each cut off a branch and then followed Abimelek. They piled them on top of the underground chamber, and that’s how they burnt out the underground chamber. As a result, all the distinguished people in the tower of Shekem also died—about a thousand men and women.

50Then Abimelek went to Tebets and set up camp around the city and captured it. 51But there was a strong tower in the middle of the city, so all of the men and the women and all the prominent citizens fled to it. Once they were all in, they barricaded it up and they went up onto the tower roof. 52Then Abimelek and his men approached the tower and fought against it, and he came in as close as the tower entrance in order to set fire to it, 53but a woman threw an upper millstone down onto Abimelek’s head and it crushed his skull.[ref] 54Then he cried out hurriedly to the young man bearing his armour, “Draw out your sword and put me to death, because I don’t want it to be said afterwards that I was killed by a woman.” So his young man stabbed him so that he died. 55When the Israeli warriors saw that Abimelek was dead, they all returned to their own homes.

56Thus God avenged the evil of Abimelek that he had done to his father Gideon by killing his seventy brothers, 57and God caused all the evil done by Shekem’s men to return back upon their own heads, and the curse of Gideon’s youngest son Yotam, came true on them.

7And_told to_Yōtām and_he/it_went and_stood in/on/at/with_top of_the_mountain of_Gərizīm and_raised voice_his and_he/it_called and_he/it_said to/for_them listen to_me Oh_citizens of_Shəkem and_listen to_you_all god.
8Indeed_(go) they_went the_trees to_anoint over_themselves a_king and_they_said to_the_olive_tree reign[fn] over_us.
9And_he/it_said to/for_them the_olive_tree the_leave DOM oil_my which in/on/at/with_me people_honour gods and_men and_go to_sway over the_trees.
10And_they_said the_trees to_the_fig_tree come you reign over_us.
11And_she/it_said to/for_them the_fig_tree the_leave DOM sweetness_my and_DOM fruit_my the_good and_go to_sway over the_trees.
12And_they_said the_trees to_the_vine come you reign[fn] over_us.
13And_she/it_said to/for_them the_vine the_leave DOM wine_my the_cheers gods and_men and_go to_sway over the_trees.
14And_they_said all the_trees to the_bramble come you reign over_us.
15And_he/it_said the_bramble to the_trees if in/on/at/with_good_faith you_all [are]_anointing DOM_me as_king over_you_all come take_refuge in/on/at/with_shade_my and_if not let_it_go_out a_fire from the_bramble and_consume DOM the_cedars the_Ləⱱānōn.
16And_now if in/on/at/with_good_faith and_in/on/at/with_integrity you_all_have_acted and_making_king DOM ʼAⱱīmelek and_if good you_all_have_done with Jerub-Baˊal and_to house_his and_if as_deserved actions_he you_all_have_done to_him/it.
17That he_fought father_my for_you_all and_he_risked DOM life_his in_front and_delivered DOM_you_all from_hand of_Midyān.
18And_you_all you_all_have_risen_up on the_house father’s_my the_day and_killed DOM sons_his seventy man on stone one and_made_king DOM ʼAⱱīmelek the_son slave_woman_his over the_citizens of_Shəkem if/because relative_your_all’s he.
19And_if in/on/at/with_good_faith and_in/on/at/with_integrity you_all_have_acted with Jerub-Baˊal and_with house_his the_day the_this rejoice in/on/at/with_ʼAⱱīmelek and_rejoice also he in/on/at/with_you_all.
20And_if not let_it_go_out a_fire from_ʼAⱱīmelek and_consume DOM the_citizens of_Shəkem and_DOM house_of wwww and_come_out a_fire from_masters of_Shəkem and_from_household wwww and_consume DOM ʼAⱱīmelek.
21And_fled Yōtām/(Jotham) and_fled and_he/it_went Bəʼēr_to and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived there from_face/in_front_of ʼAⱱīmelek his/its_woman.
22and_ruled ʼAⱱīmelek over Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) three years.
23And_sent god a_spirit evil between ʼAⱱīmelek and_between the_citizens of_Shəkem and_dealt_treacherously the_citizens of_Shəkem in/on/at/with_ʼAⱱīmelek.
24So_that_come the_violence of_seventy the_sons of_Jerub-Baˊal and_blood_their to_laid on ʼAⱱīmelek brother_their who he_killed DOM_them and_on the_citizens of_Shəkem who they_strengthened DOM hands_his to_kill DOM brothers_his.
25And_set to_him/it the_citizens of_Shəkem ambushers on the_tops the_mountains and_robbed DOM every [one]_who he_passed_by by_them in/on/at/with_road and_reported to_ʼAⱱīmelek.
26and_came Gaˊal the_son of_ˊEⱱed and_relatives_his and_crossed_over in/on/at/with_Shəkem and_put_confidence in_him/it the_citizens of_Shəkem.
27And_they_went_out the_field and_gathered DOM vineyards_their and_trod and_held rejoicings and_they_came the_house god_their and_ate and_drank and_cursed DOM ʼAⱱīmelek.
28And_he/it_said Gaˊal the_son of_ˊEⱱed who [is]_ʼAⱱīmelek and_who [is]_Shəkem (cmp) serve_him not [is_he]_the_son of_Jerub-Baˊal and_Zəⱱul officer_his serve DOM the_men of_Ḩₐmōr the_father of_Shəkem and_why serve_him we.
29And_who will_he_give DOM the_people the_this in/on/at/with_command_my and_remove DOM ʼAⱱīmelek and_he/it_said to_ʼAⱱīmelek make_numerous army_your and_come_out.
30And_he/it_listened Zəⱱul the_official the_city DOM the_words of_Gaˊal the_son of_ˊEⱱed and_it_glowed/burned anger_he.
31And_sent messengers to ʼAⱱīmelek in/on/at/with_cover to_say here Gaˊal the_son of_ˊEⱱed and_relatives_his [are]_coming Shəkem_to and_see_they [are]_shutting_up DOM the_city against_you.
32And_now arise night you and_the_troops which with_you and_lie_in_wait in/on/at/with_field.
33And_it_was in/on/at/with_morning at_up the_sun you_will_rise_early and_rush on the_city and_see/lo/see he and_the_troops which with_him/it [are]_going_out against_you and_do for_him/it just_as it_will_find hand_you.
34and_he/it_rose_up ʼAⱱīmelek and_all the_troops which with_him/it night and_lay_in_wait on Shəkem four companies.
35And_he/it_went_out Gaˊal the_son of_ˊEⱱed and_stood the_entrance of_the_gate the_city and_he/it_rose_up ʼAⱱīmelek and_the_troops which with_him/it from the_ambush.
36And_he/it_saw Gaˊal DOM the_people and_he/it_said to Zəⱱul there a_people [is]_coming_down from_tops the_mountains and_he/it_said to_him/it Zəⱱul DOM the_shadow the_mountains you [are]_seeing like_THE_men.
37and_he_repeated again Gaˊal to_spoke and_he/it_said there a_people [are]_coming_down from_in the_center the_earth/land and_company one [is]_coming from_direction of_[the]_great_tree of_[the]_soothsayer.
38And_he/it_said to_him/it Zəⱱul where then boast_your Oh_[you]_who you_said who [is]_ʼAⱱīmelek (cmp) serve_him not [is]_this the_troops which you_rejected in/on/over_him/it go_out please now and_fight in/on/over_him/it.
39and_he/it_went_out Gaˊal to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_citizens of_Shəkem and_fought in/on/at/with_ʼAⱱīmelek.
40And_chased_him ʼAⱱīmelek and_fled from_before_him and_they_fell [those]_fatally_wounded many to the_entrance the_gate.
41And_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived ʼAⱱīmelek in/on/at/with_ʼArūmāh and_he/it_drove_out Zəⱱul DOM Gaˊal and_DOM relatives_his from_live_on in/on/at/with_Shəkem.
42And_he/it_was on_next_day and_he/it_went_out the_people the_field and_reported to_ʼAⱱīmelek.
43And_he/it_took DOM the_troops and_divided_them into_three companies and_lay_in_wait in_the_field and_he/it_saw and_see/lo/see the_people [was]_going_out from the_city and_he/it_rose_up against_them and_killed_them.
44And_ʼAⱱīmelek and_the_company which with_him/it they_made_a_raid and_stood the_entrance of_the_gate the_city and_two the_companies they_made_a_raid on all [those]_who in_the_field and_killed_them.
45And_ʼAⱱīmelek [was]_fighting in/on/at/with_city all the_day (the)_that and_captured DOM the_city and_DOM the_people which in/on/at/with_it he_killed and_razed DOM the_city and_sowed_it salt.
46and_they_heard all the_citizens wwww Shekem and_they_came into the_underground_chamber of_the_house wwww wwww.
47And_told to_ʼAⱱīmelek if/because_that they_had_gathered_together all the_citizens wwww wwww.
48And_he/it_ascended ʼAⱱīmelek the_mountain of_Tsalmōn/(Zalmon) he and_all the_troops which with_him/it and_he/it_took ʼAⱱīmelek DOM the_ax in_his/its_hand and_cut_down a_branch of_wood(s) and_lifted_it and_he/it_assigned on shoulder_his and_he/it_said to the_troops which with_him/it whatever you_all_have_seen I_have_done hurry do as_me.
49And_cut_down also all the_troops everyone branch_his and_they_followed after ʼAⱱīmelek and_put over the_stronghold and_they_set_fire over_them DOM the_stronghold in/on/at/with_fire and_died also all the_men wwww Shekem about_a_thousand man and_women.
50and_he/it_went ʼAⱱīmelek to Tēⱱēʦ and_encamped in/on/at/with_Tēⱱēʦ and_captured_it.
51And_tower of_strength it_was in/on/at/with_middle the_city and_fled there_to all the_men and_the_women and_all/each/any/every the_citizens the_city and_shut_in after_themselves and_went_up on the_roof the_tower.
52And_came ʼAⱱīmelek to the_tower and_fought in/on/over_him/it and_approached to the_entrance the_tower to_burn_it in/on/at/with_fire.
53And_threw a_woman one a_mill-stone of_an_upper_mill-stone on the_head of_ʼAⱱīmelek and_crushed DOM skull_his.
54And_he/it_called quickly to the_young_man the_bearer armor_his and_he/it_said to_him/it draw sword_your and_kill_me lest people_should_say to_me a_woman killed_him and_ran_through_him young_man_his and_he/it_died.
55And_they_saw the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) if/because_that he_was_dead ʼAⱱīmelek and_went everyone to_home_his.
56And_repaid god DOM the_evil of_ʼAⱱīmelek which he_had_done to_father_his in_killing DOM seventy brothers_his.
57And_DOM all the_evil of_the_men of_Shəkem he_repaid god in/on/at/with_heads_their and_came on_them the_curse of_Yōtām/(Jotham) the_son of_Jerub-Baˊal.

10:1 Tola

10Now after Abimelek, Tola (the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, from the tribe of Yissashkar) came on the scene to rescue Israel. He settled in Shamir, in the hill country of Efraim. 2He led Israel for twenty-three years, then he died and was buried in Shamir.

10and_he/it_rose_up after ʼAⱱīmelek to_deliver DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) Tōlāˊ the_son of_Fūˊāh the_son of_Dōdō (the)_man of_Yissāskār/(Issachar) and_he [was]_dwelling in/on/at/with_Shāmīr in/on/at/with_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim.
2And_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) twenty and_three year[s] and_he/it_died and_buried in/on/at/with_Shāmīr.

10:3 Yair

3After him, Yair the Gileadite led Israel for twenty-two years. 4He had thirty sons that rode on thirty donkeys. There were thirty cities for them in the Gilead region which they call Yair’s villages to this day. 5Then Yair died and he was buried in Kamon.

3and_he/it_rose_up after_him Yāʼīr/(Jair) the_Gilˊādite and_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) twenty and_two year[s].
4And_he/it_was to_him/it thirty sons [who]_rode on thirty male_donkeys and_thirty cities to/for_them to/for_them people_call the_villages of_Yāʼīr until the_day the_this which in_land the_Gilˊād.
5And_he/it_died Yāʼīr and_buried in/on/at/with_Qāmōn.

10:6 The making again of bad of Israelis

6The Israelis continued to do what Yahweh considered evil: they worshipped the Ba’als, the Ashtorets, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the sons of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They forsook Yahweh and didn’t serve him. 7Yahweh was very angry with Israel, so he allowed the Philistines and the Ammonites to harass them. 8They shattered and oppressed the Israelis that year, but it went on for eighteen years for all the Israelis who were on the opposite side of the Yordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in the Gilead. 9Then the Ammonites also crossed over the Yordan to fight against Yehudah, against Benyamin, and against the half-tribe of Efraim.

This caused incredible distress for the Israelis 10so they cried out to Yahweh, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and we have served the Ba’als.”

11“Wasn’t it from the Egyptians,” Yahweh responded, “from the Amorites, from the Ammonites, from the Philistines, 12the Sidonians and Amalek and Maon, when they oppressed you that you cried out to me, and I rescued you all from them? 13Yet you’ve all abandoned me and served other gods. Therefore, I won’t not continue to rescue you. 14Go and cry out to the gods that you’ve all chosen for yourselves. They should deliver you all at the time of your distress.”

15Then the Israelis said to Yahweh, “We’ve sinned. You do to us according to all that is good in your eyes. Only please rescue us today.” 16They removed the foreign gods from among them, and they worshipped Yahweh and so he became concerned with Israel’s suffering.

17Now the Ammonites had assembled and were camped in Gilead. So the Israelis gathered together and they camped at Mitspah. 18Then the princes of Gilead said to each other, “Who will lead us to fight against the Ammonites? He can become the leader over all of us who live in Gilead.”

6and_again the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) for_doing the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_served DOM the_Baals and_DOM the_ˊAshəttārōt and_DOM the_gods of_ʼArām and_DOM the_gods of_Tsīdōn/(Sidon) and_DOM the_gods of_Mōʼāⱱ and_DOM the_gods of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn and_DOM the_gods of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_abandoned DOM YHWH and_not serve_him.
7And_it_glowed/burned the_anger of_YHWH in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_sold_them in/on/at/with_hand of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_in/on/at/with_hand of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn.
8And_crushed and_crushed DOM the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_year the_that eight- teen year[s] DOM all the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) who in/on/at/with_other_side the_Yardēn/(Jordan) in_land the_Emori which in/on/at/with_Gilˊād.
9And_crossed the_people of_ˊAmmōn DOM the_Yardēn to_fight also in/on/at/with_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_in/on/at/with_Binyāmīn and_in/on/at/with_house of_ʼEfrayim and_distressed to_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) exceedingly.
10And_cried_out the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH to_say we_have_sinned to/for_you(fs) and_because/when we_have_forsaken DOM god_our and_served DOM the_Baals.
11and_he/it_said YHWH to the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) not from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) and_from the_Emori and_from the_people of_ˊAmmōn and_from [the]_Fəlishəttiy.
12And_Tsīdonī/(Sidonians) and_ˊAmālēqites and_Māˊōnites they_oppressed DOM_you_all and_cried_out to_me and_delivered DOM_you_all from_hand_their.
13And_you_all you_all_have_forsaken DOM_me and_served gods other for_so/thus/hence not I_will_repeat to_deliver DOM_you_all.
14Go and_cry_out to the_ʼElohīm which you_all_have_chosen in/on/at/with_them they let_them_deliver to/for_you_all in/on/at/with_time distress_your_all’s.
15And_they_said the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH we_have_sinned do you to/for_us as_whatever the_good in/on/at/with_eyes_of_you only deliver_us please the_day the_this.
16And_put_away DOM the_gods the_foreign from_among_them and_served DOM YHWH and_became_weary soul_of_he in/on/at/with_misery of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
17and_called the_people of_ˊAmmōn and_camped in/on/at/with_Gilˊād and_assembled the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_camped in/on/at/with_Miʦpāh.
18And_they_said the_people the_leaders of_Gilˊād each to his/its_neighbour who the_man who he_will_begin to_fight in/on/at/with_sons of_ˊAmmōn he_will_become as_head to_all/each/any/every the_inhabitants of_Gilˊād.

11:1 Yiftah

11Now Yiftah the Gileadite was a fierce warrior, but he was a prostitute’s son and his father was Gilead. 2Gilead’s wife also gave birth to sons for him, and when those sons of the wife grew up, they drove Yiftah out and told him, “You won’t get any inheritance from our father’s estate because you’re a son of another woman.” 3So Yiftah fled from the presence of his half-brothers and he settled in the Tob region. Unprincipled men associated around Yiftah and went around with him.

4Some time later, the Ammonites battled against Israel. 5and that was when the elders of Gilead went to summon Yiftah from the Tob region. 6Then requested Yiftah, “Come and be our commander so we can fight against the Ammonites.”

7“Don’t you all hate me? Yiftah asked them. “Didn’t you yourselves drive me out of my father’s house? So why have you all come to me now when you have troubles?”

8Well, true,” the Gilead elders replied, “But now we’ve turned back to you. So join with us and fight against the Ammonites, and you’ll become commander over all of who lives in Gilead.”

9“If you bring me back to fight against the Ammonites,” Yiftah asked them, “and if Yahweh helps me defeat them, is it correct that I’ll actually become your leader?”

10“Yahweh will be a witness between us,” the Gilead elders responded, “that we’ll most certainly do what you just said.” 11So Yiftah went with the Gilead elders, and the people set him as commander and leader over themselves. (Yiftah had spoken all those words before Yahweh at Mitspah.)

12Then Yiftah sent messengers to the Ammonite king, demanding, “What’s happened with respect to me and to you, that you’ve come against me to fight over my land?”

13The Ammonite king responded to Yiftah’s messengers, “Because the Israelis seized my land when they came out of Egypt. It went from the Arnon river up to the Yabbok river, and over to the Yordan river. Now return the land peaceably.”

14Then Yiftah sent messengers back to the Ammonite king 15to tell him, “Yiftah wants you to know that Israel didn’t take land from Moab nor from you Ammonites. 16However in their coming up from Egypt, Israel went through the wilderness as far as the Red Sea until arriving at Kadesh. 17When Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please may we pass through your land,’ the king of Edom wouldn’t listen. Israel likewise sent to the king of Moab, but he wasn’t willing either, so Israel stayed at Kadesh.[ref] 18Then we went through the wilderness and turned away from the land of Edom and the land of Moab, then went the long way around the eastern border of Moab. They camped on the other side of the Arnon river, but they didn’t go within Moab’s borders, because the Arnon was the border of Moab.[ref] 19Israel sent messengers to the Amorite King Sihon, the king of Heshbon and asked him, ‘Please, let us pass through your land as far as our place.’[ref] 20But King Sihon didn’t trust Israel passing through within his border, so he assembled all of his people together and they camped at Jahaz, and he battled with Israel. 21Then Israel’s God, Yahweh, handed King Sihon and all his people over to Israel and we defeated them. Thus Israel took possession of all of the land of the Amorites inhabiting that region— 22everything within the Amorite territory from the Arnon river to the Yabbok, and from the wilderness as far as the Jordan. 23So since it was Israel’s God Yahweh that expelled the Amorites out of the presence of his people Israel, do you actually think that you can take it now? 24Wouldn’t you take possession if your god Chemosh, allowed you to? So too all that our God Yahweh has dispossessed ahead of us, we’ll possess that. 25Are you really better now than Zippor’s son, King Balak of Moab? Did he dare contend with Israel or did he ever wage war against them?[ref] 26Israel lived in Heshbon and in its villages for three hundred years, and in Aroer and in its villages, and in all the cities that are along the banks of the Arnon—so why didn’t you repossess them during that time? 27I haven’t done anything wrong to you, but you’re doing wrong in dealing with me by fighting against me. Yahweh, the judge, will decide today between the Israelis and the Ammonites.” 28But the Ammonite king didn’t take any notice of Yiftah’s message to him.

29Then Yahweh’s spirit empowered Yiftah, and he passed through the Gilead and Manashsheh, and through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he passed through the Ammonite region, 30and he made a promise to Yahweh, “If you really give me victory over the Ammonites, 31then whoever’s the first person to come out of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the battle against the Ammonites, that person will belong to Yahweh, and I will offer him up as a whole burnt offering.” 32So Yiftah went to the Ammonite territory to fight against them, and Yahweh enabled them to defeat them. 33Then he attacked them from Aroer and as far as the entrance to Minnith, twenty cities, and then up to Abel-Keramim, slaughtering a huge number. So the Ammonites were subdued by the presence of the Israelis.

11and_Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) the_Gilˊādite he_was a_mighty_[man] of_strength and_he [was]_the_son of_a_woman a_prostitute and_he/it_fathered Gilˊād DOM Yiftāḩ.
2And_she/it_gave_birth the_wife of_Gilˊād to_him/it sons and_grew_up the_sons the_woman and_drove_away DOM Yiftāḩ and_they_said to_him/it not you_will_have_an_inheritance in_house_of father’s_our if/because [are]_the_son of_a_woman another you.
3And_fled Yiftāḩ from_face/in_front_of brothers_his and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived in_land of_Ţōⱱ and_gathered to Yiftāḩ men worthless and_they_went_out with_him/it.
4and_he/it_was from_days and_made_war the_people of_ˊAmmōn with Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
5And_he/it_was just_as they_fought the_people of_ˊAmmōn with Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_went the_elders of_Gilˊād to_take/accept/receive DOM Yiftāḩ from_land of_Ţōⱱ.
6And_they_said to_Yiftāḩ come and_be to/for_ourselves as_commander and_fight in/on/at/with_sons of_ˊAmmōn.
7And_he/it_said Yiftāḩ to_elders of_Gilˊād not you_all did_you_all_hate DOM_me and_drive_me from_house father’s_my and_why have_you_all_come to_me now just_as it_is_distress to_you_all.
8And_they_said the_elders of_Gilˊād to Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) for_so/thus/hence now we_have_returned to_you and_go with_us and_fight in/on/at/with_sons of_ˊAmmōn and_become to/for_ourselves as_head to_all/each/any/every the_inhabitants of_Gilˊād.
9And_he/it_said Yiftāḩ to the_elders of_Gilˊād if [are]_bringing_back you_all DOM_me to_fight in/on/at/with_sons of_ˊAmmōn and_he/it_gave YHWH DOM_them to_face/front_me I I_will_become to/for_you_all as_head.
10And_they_said the_elders of_Gilˊād to Yiftāḩ YHWH he_will_be hearing between_us if not as_say_you so we_will_do.
11And_he/it_went Yiftāḩ with the_elders of_Gilˊād and_made the_people DOM_him over_them as_head and_as_commander and_he/it_spoke Yiftāḩ DOM all words_his to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before YHWH in/on/at/with_Miʦpāh.
12and_sent Yiftāḩ messengers to the_king of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn to_say what to/for_me and_have_you (cmp) you_have_come to_me to_fight in/on/at/with_land_my.
13And_he/it_said the_king of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn to the_messengers of_Yiftāḩ if/because it_took Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM land_my in/on/at/with_came_up_they from_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) from_ʼArnōn and_unto the_Yaboq/(Jabbok) and_unto the_Yardēn/(Jordan) and_now restore DOM_it in/on/at/with_peace.
14And_he_repeated again Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) and_sent messengers to the_king of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn.
15And_he/it_said to_him/it thus he_says Yiftāḩ not it_has_taken Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM the_land of_Mōʼāⱱ and_DOM the_land of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn.
16If/because in/on/at/with_came_up_they from_Miʦrayim and_he/it_went Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_wilderness to [the]_sea of_reed[s] and_came Qādēsh_to.
17And_sent Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) messengers to the_king of_ʼEdōm to_say let_me_pass please in/on/at/with_land_your and_not he_listened the_king of_ʼEdōm and_also to the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ it_sent and_not he_was_willing and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_Qādēsh.
18And_he/it_went in/on/at/with_wilderness and_went_around DOM the_land of_ʼEdōm and_DOM the_land of_Mōʼāⱱ and_came to_rise_of of_[the]_sun of_land of_Mōʼāⱱ and_camped in/on/at/with_other_side of_[the]_ʼArnōn and_not they_went in/on/at/with_territory of_Mōʼāⱱ if/because [the]_ʼArnōn [was]_the_border of_Mōʼāⱱ.
19And_sent Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) messengers to Şīḩōn the_king the_Emori the_king of_Ḩeshbōn and_he/it_said to_him/it Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) let_us_pass please in/on/at/with_land_your to country_our.
20And_not he_trusted Şīḩōn DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_pass in/on/at/with_territory_his and_gathered Şīḩōn DOM all people_his and_encamped in/on/at/with_Yahaʦ/(Jahaz) and_fought with Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
21And_he/it_gave YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM Şīḩōn and_DOM all people_his in/on/at/with_hand of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_defeated_them and_occupied Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) DOM all the_land the_Emori [who_was]_dwelling the_earth/land the_that.
22And_occupied DOM all the_territory the_Emori from_ʼArnōn and_unto the_Yaboq/(Jabbok) and_from the_wilderness and_unto the_Yardēn/(Jordan).
23And_now YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_has_dispossessed DOM the_Emori from_face/in_front_of people_his Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_you(ms) possess_it.
24Not DOM [that]_which possess_you Kəmōsh/(Chemosh) god_your DOM_him will_you_take_possession_of and_DOM all that he_has_dispossessed YHWH god_our for_face/front_us DOM_it we_will_take_possession_of.
25And_now to_be_better are_you_good you than_Bālāq the_son of_Tsipōr/(Zippor) the_king of_Mōʼāⱱ to_quarrel did_he_quarrel with Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) or ever_(wage_war) did_he_wage_war in/on/at/with_them.
26In/on/at/with_lived Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_Ḩeshbōn and_in/on/at/with_villages_its and_in/on/at/with_ˊArōˊēr and_in/on/at/with_villages_its and_on/over_all the_towns which [were]_on the_sides of_[the]_ʼArnōn three hundred(s) year[s] and_why not did_you_all_recover_[them] in/on/at/with_time the_that.
27And_I not I_have_sinned to/for_you(fs) and_you(ms) [are]_doing to_me evil by_making_war in/on/at/with_me may_he_judge YHWH the_judge the_day between the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_between the_people of_ˊAmmōn.
28And_not he_listened the_king of_the_people of_ˊAmmōn to the_words of_Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) which he_sent to_him/it.
29and_it_became on Yiftāḩ the_spirit of_YHWH and_he/it_passed_through DOM the_Gilˊād and_DOM Mənashsheh and_passed_through DOM Miʦpāh of_Gilˊād and_from_Miʦpāh of_Gilˊād he_passed_on the_people of_ˊAmmōn.
30And_made Yiftāḩ a_vow to/for_YHWH and_said if really_(give) you_will_give DOM the_people of_ˊAmmōn in/on/at/with_hand_my.
31And_it_was the_one_coming_out which it_will_come_out of_doors house_my to_meet_me in/on/at/with_return_I in/on/at/with_peace from_(the)_sons of_ˊAmmōn and_it_was to/for_YHWH and_offer_it a_burnt_offering.
32and_he/it_passed_through Yiftāḩ to the_people of_ˊAmmōn to_fight in/on/at/with_them and_gave_them[fn][fn][fn] YHWH in_his/its_hand.
33And_defeated_them from_ˊArōˊēr and_unto entrance_you[fn][fn] Minnit twenty citi[es] and_unto wwww wwww a_defeat great very and_subdued the_people of_ˊAmmōn from_face/in_front_of the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).

11:34 Yiftah’s daughter

34When Yiftah got back to his house in the Mizpah area, look, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. She was their only child—he didn’t have any son or daughter apart from her. 35When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh no! My daughter! Indeed, you’ve made me bow in grief, and you’re among those who cause me pain, because I made a vow to Yahweh and I can’t go back on it.”

36Then she said to him, “My father, you’ve made a vow to Yahweh. Do to me whatever you promised, after what Yahweh has done for you—total vengeance against your Ammonite enemies.” 37But she asked her father, “Just do this one thing for me: release me for two months, so I can go away and take some companions. I’ll fall prostrate on the hills and I’ll weep because I’ll never have a chance to marry.” 38He agreed and then sent her away for two months. She went with some companions, and she wept on the hills because she’d never be a mother. 39Then at the end of the two months, she returned to her father and he carried out his vow with respect to her so indeed she never had a chance to marry.

After that, it became a custom in Israel 40that the young women of Israel go to commemorate the daughter of Yiftah the Gileadite for four days during the year.

34and_came Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) the_Miʦpāh to home_his and_see/lo/see daughter_his [was]_coming_out to_meet_him in/on/at/with_tambourines and_in/on/at/with_dancing and_except she [was]_an_only_[child] there_[belonged]_not to_him/it from_him/it a_son or a_daughter.
35And_he/it_was when_saw_he DOM_her and_tore DOM clothes_his and_he/it_said alas daughter_my exceedingly_(bring_low) devastated_me and_you you_are[fn] in/on/at/with_trouble_me and_I I_have_opened mouth_my to YHWH and_not I_am_able to_take_back.
36And_she/it_said to_him/it father_my you_have_opened DOM mouth_your to YHWH do to_me just_as it_has_come_out of_mouth_you after that he_did to/for_yourself(m) YHWH vengeance(s) against_enemies_your from_(the)_sons of_ˊAmmōn.
37And_she/it_said to father_her let_it_be_done to/for_me the_thing the_this refrain from_me two months and_go and_wander on the_mountains and_weep on virginity_my I and_companions_my[fn].
38And_he/it_said go and_sent_away DOM_her two months and_went she and_companions_her and_wept on virginity_her on the_mountains.
39And_he/it_was from_the_end/extremity of_two months and_returned to father_her and_he/it_made to/for_her/it DOM vow_he which he_had_vowed and_she not she_had_known a_man and_it_became a_custom in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
40From_days to_days they_go the_daughters of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_commemorate for_daughter of_Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) the_Gilˊādite four days in/on/at/with_year.

12:1 Yiftah and the Efraimites

12Now the men of Efraim were summoned and they passed northward and they said to Yiftah, “Why did you pass through in order to fight against the Ammonites, but you didn’t call us to go with you? We’re going to burn your house down over you!”

2I’ve been involved in very intense disputes—my people against the Ammonites,” Yiftah told them. “When I summoned you all, you didn’t come and rescue me from them. 3When I could see that you weren’t coming to assist, I took my life into my own hands. I advanced against the Ammonites, and Yahweh gave me victory over them. So why then have you all come here to fight against me today?” 4Then Yiftah assembled all of the men of Gilead and they battled against Efraim. The men of Gilead struck Efraim because they had said, “You Gilead people are just fugitives from Efraim—living here in the middle of Efraim, in the middle of Manashsheh.” 5The Gileadites captured the crossing places of the Jordan along Efraim. Then when any of the survivors from Efraim would say, “May I cross over,” the men of Gilead would ask, “Are you an Efraimite?” If he said, “No,” 6then they’d demand, “Now say: Shibboleth.” But if he said “Sibboleth” because he didn’t have time to think to pronounce it correctly, they would seize him and would slaughter him at those crossing places of the Yordan. Forty-two thousand from Efraim fell at that time.

7Yiftah the Gileadite led Israel for six years, then he died and was buried among the cities of Gilead.

12and_called the_man of_ʼEfrayim and_crossed zaphon_to and_they_said to_Yiftāḩ why did_you_pass_over to_fight in/on/at/with_sons of_ˊAmmōn and_to_us not you_summoned to_go with_you house_your we_will_burn over_you in/on/at/with_fire.
2And_he/it_said Yiftāḩ to_them a_man of_strife I_was I and_people_my and_the_sons of_ˊAmmōn exceedingly and_called DOM_you_all and_not you_all_delivered DOM_me from_hand_their.
3And_saw if/because_that not_you [were]_a_deliverer[fn][fn][fn] and_took life_my in/on/at/with_hands_my and_crossed_over against the_people of_ˊAmmōn and_gave_them YHWH in/on/at/with_hand_my and_to/for_why have_you_all_come_up to_me the_day the_this to_fight in/on/at/with_me.
4And_gathered Yiftāḩ DOM all the_men of_Gilˊād and_fought with ʼEfrayim and_defeated the_men of_Gilˊād DOM ʼEfrayim if/because they_had_said [are]_fugitives of_ʼEfrayim you_all Oh_Gilˊād in_the_middle of_ʼEfrayim in_the_middle of_Mənashsheh.
5And_captured Gilˊād DOM the_fords the_Yardēn/(Jordan) against_ʼEfrayim and_it_was if/because they_said the_fugitives of_ʼEfrayim let_me_pass_over and_they_said to_him/it the_men of_Gilˊād ʼEfrayimite [are]_you and_said no.
6And_they_said to_him/it say please Shibboleth and_he/it_said Sibboleth and_not he_gave_attention to_pronounce right and_seized DOM_him and_executed_him to the_fords the_Yardēn and_fell in/on/at/with_time the_that of_ʼEfrayim forty and_two thousand.
7And_judged Yiftāḩ/(Jephthah) DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) six years and_he/it_died Yiftāḩ the_Gilˊādite and_buried in/on/at/with_cities of_Gilˊād.

12:8 Ibtsan, Elon, and Abdon

8Then after him, Ibtsan of Bethlehem led Israel. 9Now he had thirty sons. He gave away thirty daughters to be married to outsiders, and he brought in thirty daughters for his sons from the outside. Ibtsan led Israel for seven years, 10and when he died, he was buried in Bethlehem.

11After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel for ten years. 12When he died, he was buried in Ayyalon in the land of Zebulun. 13After him, Abdon, the son of Hillel the Piratonite led Israel. 14He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy young male donkeys. He led Israel for eight years. 15Then Abdon (the son of Hillel the Piratonite) died, and he was buried in Piraton in the land of Efraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

8and_judged after_him DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) ʼIⱱʦān of wwww.
9And_he/it_was to_him/it thirty sons and_thirty daughters he_sent_away the_outside_to and_thirty daughters he_brought for_sons_his from the_outside and_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) seven years.
10And_he/it_died ʼIⱱʦān and_buried in_house_of wwww.
11and_judged after_him DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) ʼĒylōn the_Zəⱱulunite and_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) ten years.
12And_he/it_died ʼĒylōn the_Zəⱱulunite and_buried in/on/at/with_ʼAyyālōn in_land of_Zəⱱulun.
13and_judged after_him DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) ˊAⱱdōn the_son of_Hillēl the_Firˊātōnī.
14And_he/it_was to_him/it forty sons and_thirty sons of_sons [who]_rode on seventy male_donkeys and_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) eight years.
15And_he/it_died ˊAⱱdōn the_son of_Hillēl the_Firˊātōnī and_buried in/on/at/with_Firˊātōn in_land of_ʼEfrayim in/on/at/with_hill_country the_ˊAmālēqites.

13:1 Shimshon’s birth

13The Israelis continued to do what Yahweh considered as evil, so he allowed the Philistines to oppress them for forty years. 2Now there was a man named Manoah from Zorah, of the families of the Danites. His wife was barren so they had no children. 3One day, Yahweh’s messenger appeared to the wife and told her, “Listen, please, you are barren and have never given birth, but you will conceive and have a son. 4Now take care that you surely don’t drink wine or strong drink, and that you don’t eat anything prohibited by our rules, 5because you’ll definitely become pregnant and will give birth to a son. His hair must never be cut because he’ll be a Nazirite to God from his conception. He will begin to rescue Israel from the oppression of the Philistines.”[ref]

6Then the woman went and explained to her husband, “A man of God came to me. He looked like one of God’s messengersextremely terrifyingso I didn’t like to ask him where he’d come from, and he didn’t tell me his name. 7Then he told me, ‘You’re definitely pregnant and you’ll give birth to a son. So now, you mustn’t drink wine or strong drink, and you mustn’t eat anything prohibited by our rules, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from conception until the day of his death.’ ”

8Then Manoah prayed to Yahweh, “Oh please, my master, please let the man of God that you sent before, come back to us again so he can instruct us about what we must do for this boy who’s going to be born.” 9The true God listened to Manoah’s request, and God’s messenger came to the woman again when she was sitting out in the field, but her husband Manoah wasn’t with her, 10so she quickly ran and told her husband, “Look. The man has appeared again who came to me that day.” 11So Manoah followed his wife, and when he came to the man, he asked him, “Are you the man who spoke to my wife before?”

Yes, it was me,” he replied.

12“Now may your words come true,” said Manoah. “How should we bring up the boy, and what will his work be?”

13You wife must carefully follow everything I told her,” Yahweh’s messenger replied. 14“She mustn’t eat or drink anything that comes from the grapevine. She mustn’t drink wine or strong drink, and she mustn’t eat anything prohibited by our rules. She must do everything that I’ve instructed her.”

15“Please stay a little longer,” Manoah asked Yahweh’s messenger, “so that we can prepare a meal of tender goat meat to honour your presence.”

16“Even if I stayed longer, I wouldn’t eat your food,” Yahweh’s messenger replied. “But if you wanted to prepare a burnt offering for Yahweh, you may offer it.” (Because Manoah didn’t know that the messenger had come from Yahweh.) 17What’s your name,” Manoah asked, “so that we can honour you when your words come true?”

18“Why are you asking about my name,” Yahweh’s messenger replied. “You simply couldn’t understand.”

19Then Manoah got their young goat and the other requirements for the offering, and he presented a sacrifice to Yahweh on the rock. Then an amazing thing happened[fn] while Manoah and his wife watched— 20when the flames went up into the sky from the altar, Yahweh’s messenger went up in the flames while Manoah and his wife were watching. When they saw that, they quickly bowed right down to the ground. 21After that, Manoah and his wife never saw him again, but now Manoah knew that he was Yahweh’s messenger.

22Manoah said to his wife, “We’ll definitely die now because we’ve seen God!”

23But his wife replied to him, “If Yahweh had wanted to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted the entire burnt offering and the grain offering. He wouldn’t have shown us all those things, and he wouldn’t have given us those instructions.”

24In due course, the woman gave birth to a son and she named him Shimshon (commonly misnamed as ‘Samson’ in English). The boy grew up and Yahweh blessed him, 25and then Yahweh’s spirit began to stir him when he was in Mahaneh Dan—between Zorah and between Eshtaol.

13and_again the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) for_doing the_evil in/on_both_eyes_of of_YHWH and_gave_them YHWH in/on/at/with_hand of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy forty year[s].
2and_he/it_was a_man one of_Tsārəˊāh/(Zorah) from_tribe the_Dānī and_his/its_name [was]_Mānōaḩ and_his/its_woman/wife [was]_barren and_not she_had_borne_children.
3And_appeared the_angel of_YHWH to the_woman and_he/it_said to_her/it here please you [are]_barren and_not you_have_borne_children and_conceive and_bear a_son.
4And_now take_care please and_not drink wine and_strong_drink and_not eat any unclean_[thing].
5If/because see_you [will_be]_pregnant and_give_birth_to a_son and_(a)_razor not it_will_go_up on his/its_head if/because a_Nazirite of_god he_will_be the_boy from the_birth and_he he_will_begin to_deliver DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from_hand of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy.
6And_came the_woman and_she/it_said to/for_her/its_man/husband to_say (the)_man the_ʼElohīm he_came to_me and_appearance_his like_appearance of_(the)_angel the_ʼElohīm awesome very and_not ask_him where from_there [was]_he and_DOM his/its_name not he_told to_me.
7And_he/it_said to_me see_you [will_be]_pregnant and_give_birth_to a_son and_now do_not drink wine and_strong_drink and_not eat any uncleanness if/because a_Nazirite of_god he_will_be the_boy from the_birth until the_day death_his.
8and_prayed Mānōaḩ to YHWH and_said pardon_me master_my the_man the_ʼElohīm whom you_sent let_him_come please again to_us and_teach_us what will_we_do concerning_the_boy the.
9And_he/it_listened the_ʼElohīm in/on/at/with_voice of_Mānōaḩ and_came the_angel the_ʼElohīm again to the_woman and_she [was]_sitting in_the_field and_Mānōaḩ her/its_husband/man not with_her/it.
10And_quickly the_woman and_ran and_told to/for_her/its_man/husband and_she/it_said to_him/it here he_has_presented_himself to_me the_man who he_came in/on/at/with_day to_me.
11And_he/it_rose_up and_he/it_went Mānōaḩ after his/its_wife/woman and_came to the_man and_he/it_said to_him/it you the_man who you_spoke to the_woman and_he/it_said I.
12And_he/it_said Mānōaḩ now it_will_come words_your what will_it_be the_manner the_boy’s and_work_his.
13And_he/it_said the_angel of_YHWH to Mānōaḩ from_all that I_said to the_woman she_will_take_care.
14From_all that it_comes_forth from_vine_of the_grape not she_will_eat and_wine and_strong_drink not let_her_drink and_all uncleanness not let_her_eat all that commanded_her she_will_keep.
15And_he/it_said Mānōaḩ to the_angel of_YHWH let_us_detain please DOM_you and_prepare to_your_face a_kid of_goats.
16And_he/it_said the_angel of_YHWH to Mānōaḩ if detain_me not I_will_eat in/on/at/with_food_your and_if you_will_make a_burnt_offering to/for_YHWH offer_it if/because not he_knew Mānōaḩ if/because_that [was]_the_angel YHWH it.
17And_he/it_said Mānōaḩ to the_angel of_YHWH who your(ms)_name if/because it_will_come words_your[fn] and_honour_you.
18And_he/it_said for_him/it[fn][fn][fn] the_angel of_YHWH to/for_what this are_you_asking about_name_my and_he [is]_incomprehensible.
[fn][fn][fn]
19and_he/it_took Mānōaḩ DOM the_kid the_goats and_DOM the_grain_offering and_he/it_ascended on the_rock to/for_YHWH and_wonders for_doing and_Mānōaḩ and_his/its_woman/wife [were]_looking.
20And_he/it_was in/on/at/with_went_up the_flame from_under the_altar the_heaven_toward and_he/it_ascended the_angel of_YHWH in/on/at/with_flame the_altar and_Mānōaḩ and_his/its_woman/wife [were]_looking and_fell on faces_their ground_to.
21And_not he_repeated again the_angel of_YHWH to_appear to Mānōaḩ and_near/to his/its_wife/woman then he_knew Mānōaḩ if/because_that [was]_the_angel of_YHWH it.
22And_he/it_said Mānōaḩ to his/its_wife/woman surely_(die) we_will_die if/because god we_have_seen.
23And_she/it_said to_him/it his/its_wife/woman if he_had_desired YHWH to_kill_us not he_accepted from_hands_our a_burnt_offering and_grain_offering and_not shown_us DOM all these_[things] and_at_this_time not announced_us as_this.
24And_she/it_gave_birth the_woman a_son and_she/it_called/named DOM his/its_name Shimshōn and_grew the_boy and_blessed_him YHWH.
25And_began the_spirit of_YHWH to_stir_him in/on/at/with wwww between Tsārəˊāh/(Zorah) and_between ʼEshəttāʼol.

14:1 Shimshon and the woman from Timnah

14One time when Shimshon went to Timnah, he noticed a young, Philistine woman there, 2and he went back home and he reported to his parents, “I saw a Philistine woman in Timnah that I’d like you to get for me as my wife.”

3“Isn’t there a woman among your relatives?” his parents asked him, “Or among all of our people? Why take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?”

“Get her for me,” Shimshon said to his father, “because I feel she’s right for me.”

4Now his parents didn’t know that Yahweh was arranging this, because he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines who were oppressing Israel at that time.

5Then Shimshon went to Timnah with his parents and when they got to the vineyards there, wow, a young lion roared when it saw him. 6Yahweh’s spirit rose up in Shimshon, and he tore the lion to pieces with his bare hands like butchering a young goat, but he didn’t mention to his parents what he’d done.

7Then he continued on and talked with the woman, and he really liked her. 8Some time later when he returned for the wedding, he turned off the path to look for the lion’s carcass, and to his surprise, a swarm of bees had nested in the carcass and there was honey there. 9He filled his cupped hands with honey, and continued along—walking and eating as he went to where his parents were. He even gave some to them to try, but he didn’t tell them that he had scooped it out of the carcass of a dead lion. 10Then his father went to visit the woman, and in the custom of the young men of the time, Shimshon held a party there. 11When they saw him, they brought thirty close friends to join him.[fn] 12Samson said to them, “Let me suggest a riddle for you all. If you’re able to explain it to me during the seven days of the party and you’ve worked it out correctly, I’ll give you all thirty linen coats and thirty sets of clothes. 13But if you all can’t explain it to me, then you yourselves must give me thirty linen coats and thirty sets of clothes.”

Ok, we’re listening. Tell us the riddle.” they answered.

14So he said,

“Food came out of the eater,

and sweetness came out of the strong one.”

But three days later, they still couldn’t solve his riddle.

15Then on the seventh day,[fn] they pressured Shimshon’s wife, “Get your husband to tell you the answer of the riddle, otherwise we’ll burn down your father’ house and you as well. Did you invite us to the party just to impoverish us?”

16Then Shimshon’s wife put on a crying act and said, “You must hate me—you don’t love me because you’ve created a riddle for my relatives, yet you haven’t even told me the answer.”

“Listen,” he replied, “I haven’t even told my own parents. Should I tell you?” 17She continued to cry beside him throughout the seven-day party, and then finally on the seventh day, he gave in and told her because she kept nagging him, so in the end she was able to reveal the answer to her relatives. 18Then the men of the city said to Shimshon before the sun went down on the seventh day,

“What is sweeter than honey?

And what’s stronger than a lion?”

So he said to them,

“If you all hadn’t ploughed with my heifer,

you wouldn’t have been able to solve my riddle.”

19Then Yahweh’s spirit rose up in him, and he went to Ashkelon and killed thirty men there. He took their possessions, and he gave the changes of clothes for the riddle. But he was very angry, so he went back to his parent’s home. 20Then (unknown to Shimshon), his wife was given to the man who’d been his close friend and companion.

15Some days later during the wheat harvest, Shimshon visited his wife with a young goat as a present for the family, because he said, “I’ll go into the bedroom with my wife.” But her father wouldn’t allow him to go in, 2and pleaded, “Truly, I I thought that you must hate her, so I gave her to your close friend. But wouldn’t her younger sister be better anyway? Please, would you take her instead.”

3Shimshon responded, “This time I’m blameless concerning the Philistines when I cause trouble for them.” 4Then he went and captured three hundred foxes and tied them in pairs—tail to tail. He took torches, and tied one torch between the tails of each pair. 5He lit the torches and let the foxes loose into the grain crops of the Philistines. As a result, he burnt both the standing grain plants and also the harvested stacks of sheaves, and even a vineyard and an olive orchard. 6So the Philistines asked, “Who did this?”

“Shimshon,” they replied, “the son-in-law of the man from Timnah, because he took Shimshon’s wife and gave her to his close friend.” As a result, the Philistines went to Timnah and they burnt both the woman and her father. 7Then Shimshon told them, “Since you actually did that horrible thing, I certainly won’t stop until I’ve avenged myself against you all.” 8Then he attacked the Philistines and crippled many of them, before going to Etam’s rock where he lived in a cave.

14and_he/it_descended Shimshōn Timnāh_to and_he/it_saw a_woman in/on/at/with_Timnāh from_daughters of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy.
2And_he/it_ascended and_told to_father_his and_to_mother_his and_he/it_said a_woman I_have_seen in/on/at/with_Timnāh from_daughters of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_now get DOM_her to/for_me to/for_(a)_woman.
3And_he/it_said to_him/it his/its_father and_mother_his not in/on/at/with_daughters relatives_your and_on/over_all people_our a_woman (cmp) you [are]_going to_take/accept/receive a_wife from_Fəlishəttiy the_uncircumcised and_he/it_said Shimshōn to his/its_father DOM_her get to_me if/because she she_is_pleasing in/on/at/with_eyes_me.
4And_father_his and_mother_him not they_knew if/because_that from_LORD it if/because an_occasion he [was]_seeking against_Fəlishəttiy and_in/on/at/with_time the_that [the]_Fəlishəttiy [were]_ruling in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
5and_he/it_descended Shimshōn and_father_his and_mother_him Timnāh_to and_they_came to the_vineyards Timnāh and_see/lo/see a_young_lion of_lions [was]_roaring at_came_him.
6And_rushed on/upon/above_him/it the_spirit of_YHWH and_tore_apart_him as_tear_apart the_young_goat and_anything there_[was]_not in_his/its_hand and_not he_told to_father_his and_to_mother_his DOM [that]_which he_had_done.
7And_he/it_descended and_he/it_spoke to/for_the_woman/wife and_seemed_right in/on_both_eyes_of of_Shimshōn.
8And_returned from_days to_marry_her and_turned_aside to_see DOM the_carcass the_lion and_see/lo/see a_swarm of_bees in/on/at/with_body the_lion and_honey.
9And_scraped_out_it into hands_his and_he/it_went going and_eating and_he/it_went to his/its_father and_near/to his/its_mother and_he/it_gave to/for_them and_ate and_not he_told to/for_them if/because_that from_carcass the_lion he_had_scraped_out the_honey.
10And_he/it_descended father_his to the_woman and_he/it_made there Shimshōn a_feast if/because thus they_did the_young_men.
11And_he/it_was when_saw_they DOM_him and_they_took thirty close_friends and_they_were with_him/it.
12And_he/it_said to/for_them Shimshōn let_me_ask_a_riddle please to/for_you_all a_riddle if actually_(tell) you_all_will_tell DOM_it to_me the_seven the_days the_feast and_find_out and_give to/for_you_all thirty linen_garments and_thirty changes of_garments.
13And_if not you_all_will_be_able to_announce to_me and_give you_all to_me thirty linen_garments and_thirty changes of_garments and_they_said to_him/it tell riddle_your and_hear_it.
14And_he/it_said to/for_them out_of_the_eater it_came_out food and_out_of_strong it_came_out a_sweet_[thing] and_not they_were_able to_announce the_riddle three days.
15And_he/it_was in_the_day the_seventh and_they_said to_wife of_Shimshōn entice DOM your(fs)_man/husband and_tell to/for_us DOM the_riddle lest we_should_burn DOM_you and_DOM the_house father’s_your in/on/at/with_fire the_to_rob_us did_you_all_invite to/for_us not.
16And_wept the_wife of_Shimshōn on/upon/above_him/it and_she/it_said only hate_me and_not love_me the_riddle you_have_asked_the_riddle to_sons people_my and_to_me not you_have_told and_he/it_said to/for_her/it here to_father_my and_to_mother_my not I_have_told and_to_you will_I_tell.
17And_wept on/upon/above_him/it the_seven the_days which it_belonged to/for_them the_feast and_he/it_was in_the_day the_seventh and_told to/for_her/it if/because nagged_him and_explained the_riddle to_sons people_her.
18And_they_said to_him/it the_men the_city in_the_day the_seventh in/on/at/with_before it_went the_sun what [is]_sweet than_honey and_what [is]_strong than_lion and_he/it_said to/for_them if_not you_all_had_plowed in/on/at/with_heifer_my not you_all_found_out riddle_my.
19And_rushed on/upon/above_him/it the_spirit of_YHWH and_he/it_descended ʼAshəqəlōn and_killed from_them thirty man and_he/it_took DOM spoil_their and_he/it_gave the_garments to_explained the_riddle and_it_glowed/burned anger_his and_he/it_ascended the_house father’s_his.
20and_it_became the_wife of_Shimshōn to_companion_his who he_was_a_special_friend to_him/it.
15And_he/it_was from_days in/on/at/with_time of_[the]_harvest of_wheat(s) and_visited Shimshōn DOM his/its_wife/woman in/on/at/with_young_goat_of of_goats and_he/it_said let_me_go into wife’s_my the_room_in and_not let_him father_her to_enter.
2And_he/it_said father_her really_(think) I_thought if/because_that utterly_(hate) hated_her and_gave_her to_companion_your not sister_her the_younger good from_her/it let_her_belong please to/for_yourself(m) instead_her.
3And_he/it_said to/for_them Shimshōn I_will_be_free the_time//this_time in_regard_to_Fəlishəttiy if/because [am]_about_to_do I to_them harm.
4And_he/it_went Shimshōn and_caught three hundred(s) foxes and_he/it_took torches and_turned tail to tail and_he/it_assigned a_torch one between the_two the_tails in/on/at/with_middle.
5And_he_lit fire in/on/at/with_torches and_let_go in/on/at/with_standing_grain of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_burned to_shocks and_unto [the]_standing_grain and_unto [the]_vineyard of_olive_tree[s].
6And_they_said [the]_Fəlishəttiy who did_he_do this_[thing] and_they_said Shimshōn the_son-in-law the_Timnite if/because he_has_taken DOM his/its_wife/woman and_gave_her to_companion_his and_came_up [the]_Fəlishəttiy and_burned DOM_her and_DOM father_her in/on/at/with_fire.
7And_he/it_said to/for_them Shimshōn if do like_this if/because if I_have_avenged_myself in/on/at/with_you_all and_after I_will_cease.
8And_struck_down DOM_them leg with thigh a_defeat great and_he/it_descended and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived in/on/at/with_cleft of_the_rock of_ˊĒyţām.

15:9 Shimshon defeats the Philistines

9However, the Philistine warriors went and camped in Yehudah, and spread out around the town of Lehi. 10But the men of Yehudah asked them, “Why have you all come here to attack us?”

“We’ve come to capture Shimshon,” they replied. “To give him some of his own back.” 11Then three thousand men from Yehudah went down to the cleft of Etam’s rock, and told Shimshon, “Don’t you realise that the Philistines are ruling over us? Why are you causing more trouble for us?”

“Just as they’ve done to me,” he replied, “so I’ve done to them.”

12“We’ve come here to tie you up so we can hand you over to the Philistines,” they said.

Ok,Shimshon responded. “But promise me that you all won’t injure me yourselves.”

13“No, however, we’ll certainly tie you up,” they replied, “and we’ll hand you over to them. But truly we won’t kill you.” Then they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rocks.

14When they’d taken him as far as Lehi, the Philistines shouted triumphantly when they saw him. Then Yahweh’s spirit rose in Shimshon and the ropes around his arms just seemed as weak as burnt flax stalks when he simply snapped them off him. 15He saw a fresh donkey’s jawbone lying on the ground, and he reached out his hand and grabbed it, and he slaughtered a thousand Philistine men with it. 16Then Shimshon declared,

“With a donkey’s jawbone, one heap, two heaps,

with a donkey’s jawbone, I’ve slaughtered a thousand men.”

17When he finished reciting that, he hurled the jawbone away, and he called that place ‘Ramat-Lehi’ (which means ‘jawbone hill’).

18Then he was very thirsty and cried out to Yahweh, “You yourself have given your servant this great victory, but now must I die with this thirst and get captured by those uncircumcised Philistines?” 19So God split open the little hollow that’s at Lehi, and water came out of it. When he drank, his strength returned and he revived. Because of that, he called it ‘En-Hakkore’ (which means ‘the fountain of the one who called out’), which is in Lehi to this day. 20And so Shimshon led Israel for twenty years at the time of the Philistine oppression.

9and_went_up [the]_Fəlishəttiy and_camped in/on/at/with_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) and_made_a_raid in/on/at/with_Leḩī.
10And_they_said the_man of_Yəhūdāh to/for_why have_you_all_come_up against_us and_they_said to_bind DOM Shimshōn we_have_come_up for_doing to_him/it just_as he_did to/for_us.
11And_went_down three thousand(s) man of_Yəhūdāh to the_cleft of_the_rock of_ˊĒyţām and_they_said to_Shimshōn not do_you_know if/because_that [are]_ruling in/on/at/with_us [the]_Fəlishəttiy and_what this have_you_done to/for_ourselves and_he/it_said to/for_them just_as they_did to_me so I_have_done to/for_them.
12And_they_said to_him/it to_bind_you we_have_come_down so_that_give_you in/on/at/with_hands of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_he/it_said to/for_them Shimshōn swear to_me lest kill in/on/at/with_me you_all.
13And_they_said to_him/it to_say no[fn][fn] if/because only_(bind) we_will_tie_up_you and_give_you in/on/at/with_hands_their and_to_kill not kill_you and_bound_him in/on/at/with_two ropes new and_brought_up_him from the_rock.
14He [was]_coming to Leḩī and_Fəlishəttiy[fn][fn][fn] they_shouted to_meet_him and_rushed on/upon/above_him/it the_spirit of_YHWH and_became the_ropes which [were]_on arms_his like_the_flax which people_have_burned in/on/at/with_fire and_melted bonds_his from_under hands_his.
15And_found a_jawbone of_a_donkey fresh and_reached_down his/its_hand and_took_it and_killed in/on/at/with_it a_thousand man.
16And_he/it_said Shimshōn in/on/at/with_jawbone the_donkey a_heap two_heaps in/on/at/with_jawbone the_donkey I_struck_down a_thousand man.
17And_he/it_was when_finished_he to_speaking and_threw_away the_jawbone from_hand_his and_he/it_called to_the_place (the)_that wwww wwww.
18And_was_thirsty very and_he/it_called to YHWH and_said you you_have_given in/on/at/with_hand servant_your DOM the_victory the_big/large/great(fs) the_this and_now I_will_die in/on/at/with_thirst and_fall in/on/at/with_hands the_uncircumcised.
19And_split god DOM the_hollow_place which in/on/at/with_Leḩī and_they_went_out from_him/it waters and_drank and_returned his/its_breath/wind/spirit and_revived on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so he_called his/its_name wwww wwww which in/on/at/with_Leḩī until the_day the_this.
20And_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_days of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy twenty year[s].

16:1 Shimshon carries away the gates

16Samson went to Gaza city and he saw a prostitute woman there so he went in to spend the night with her. 2But the Gazites passed around the news, “Shimshon’s in town.” So they encircled the city gate and they laid in wait for him all night. They stayed quiet the whole night, saying, “We’ll kill him when it gets light.” 3Samson stayed with her until the middle of the night, then he got up. He picked up both the gates including the cross-bar and their posts, and hoisted them up onto his shoulders, and he carried them up to the top of the hill which is in front of Hebron.

16and_he/it_went Shimshōn ˊAzzāh_to and_he/it_saw there a_woman a_prostitute and_went_in to_her.
2To_the_Gazites to_say he_has_come Shimshōn here and_surrounded and_lay_in_wait to_him/it all the_night in/on/at/with_gate the_city and_kept_quiet all the_night to_say until the_light the_morning and_kill_him.
[fn]
3and_lay Shimshōn until the_middle the_night and_he/it_rose_up in/on/at/with_middle the_night and_took_hold in/on/at/with_doors of_the_gate the_city and_in/on/at/with_two the_posts and_pulled_up_them with the_bar and_he/it_assigned on shoulders_his and_carried_them to the_top the_hill which [is]_on the_face of_Ḩeⱱrōn.

16:4 Shimshon and Delilah

4Sometime after that, Shimshon fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah who lived in the Sorek valley. 5The Philistine leaders came to her and requested, “Make him open up. Find out what makes him strong, and how we can beat him, so that we can tie him up to keep him in our power. Then we’ll each give you one thousand one hundred silver coins.”

6So Delilah asked Shimshon, “Please, tell me what makes you so strong, and how could someone tie you up to keep you in their power?”

7“If they’d tie me up with seven green cords that haven’t been dried,” he replied, “then I’d become weak and be just like any other man.”

8So the Philistine leaders brought her seven green cords that hadn’t been dried, and she tied him up with them. 9Now she had an ambush group ready in the next room when she said to him, “The Philistines are here to get you, Shimshon!” But he tore the cords to shreds just like a strip of flax fiber is torn to shreds when the fire reaches it, thus they didn’t find out the secret of his strength. 10Then Delilah said to him, “Listen, you deceived me and lied to me. Now tell me, please, how could someone tie you up?

11“Actually, if they would tie me with new ropes which have never been used,” he replied, “I’d become weak and be just like any other man.”

12So Delilah took new cords and tied him up with them. She said to him, “The Philistines are here to get you, Shimshon!” with the ambush group staying in the next room. But he flicked them off his arms like they were just thread.

13Then Delilah said to Shimshon, “So far you’ve just been deceitful to me and told me lies. Now Tell me how you can be tied up.”

So he told her, “It’s if you just weave seven locks of my hair into the loom.”

14So she did it and fastened it with the pin, and called out, “The Philistines are here to get you, Shimshon!” Then he woke up and ripped out the pin, the loom, and his hair from the fabric.

15Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart isn’t with me? You’ve been deceitful to me three times now, and you haven’t revealed to me the secret of your amazing strength.” 16Day after day she nagged and pestered him until he was sick to death of hearing it. 17So finally he told her his secret, “My hair has never been cut because I’ve been a Nazirite to God since my birth. If my head would be shaved, then my strength would leave me, and I’d become weak—I’d be just like any other man.”

18When Delilah perceived that he’d told her his deepest secret, she summoned the Philistine leaders, “Come here one more time, because he’s told me his secret.” So the Philistine leaders came, bringing the silver coins with them. 19Then she made him fall asleep on her knees, and she called in a man to shave off his seven locks of hair, causing him to start to weaken, and his additional strength left him. 20Then she said, “The Philistines are here to get you, Shimshon!” He woke up and thought to himself, “I’ll escape like all the other times and I’ll shake myself loose.” But he didn’t know that Yahweh had left him. 21So the Philistines seized him, and they gouged out his eyes. They brought him to Gaza and chained him with a pair of bronze shackles, then they put him to work in prison grinding grain. 22However, over time his hair began to grow back again.

4and_he/it_was after thus and_fell_in_love_with a_woman in/on/at/with_valley of_Sōrēq and_name_whose [was]_Dilīlāh.
5And_came_up to_her/it the_rulers of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_they_said to/for_her/it entice DOM_him and_see in/on/at/with_what strength_his great and_in/on/at/with_what will_we_prevail to_him/it and_bind_him in_order_to_subdue_him and_us we_will_give to/for_you(fs) each one_thousand and_hundred silver.
6And_she/it_said Dilīlāh to Shimshōn tell please to_me in/on/at/with_what strength_your great and_in/on/at/with_what will_you_be_bound so_that_subdue_you.
7And_he/it_said to_her/it Shimshōn if bind_me in/on/at/with_seven cords fresh which not they_have_been_dried[fn][fn] and_become_weak and_I_will_be like_one the_humankind.
8And_brought to/for_her/it the_rulers of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy seven cords fresh which not they_had_been_dried and_bound_him in/on/at/with_them.
9And_the_ambush [was]_sitting to/for_her/it in/on/at/with_room and_she/it_said to_him/it [the]_Fəlishəttiy upon_you Oh_Shimshōn and_snapped DOM the_bowstrings just_as it_is_torn_apart (the)_cord the_fiber in/on/at/with_touches_it fire and_not it_was_known strength_his.
10And_she/it_said Dilīlāh to Shimshōn here you_have_deceived in/on/at/with_me and_told to_me lies now tell please to_me in/on/at/with_the_what will_you_be_bound.
11And_he/it_said to_her/it if indeed_(bind) tie_up_me in/on/at/with_ropes new which not it_has_been_done in/among_them work and_become_weak and_I_will_be like_one the_humankind.
12And_she/it_took Dilīlāh ropes new and_bound_him in/among_them and_she/it_said to_him/it [the]_Fəlishəttiy upon_you Oh_Shimshōn and_the_lying_in_wait [was]_sitting in/on/at/with_room and_snapped_them from_under arms_his like_a_thread.
13And_she/it_said Dilīlāh to Shimshōn until now you_have_deceived in/on/at/with_me and_told to_me lies tell to/for_me in/on/at/with_the_what will_you_be_bound and_he/it_said to_her/it if you_will_weave DOM seven the_plaits my_head with the_web.
14And_fastened in/on/at/with_pin and_she/it_said to_him/it [the]_Fəlishəttiy upon_you Oh_Shimshōn and_awoke from_sleep_his and_pulled_out DOM the_pin the_loom and_DOM the_web.
15And_she/it_said to_him/it how will_you_say love_you and_heart_your not with_me this three times you_have_deceived in/on/at/with_me and_not you_have_told to/for_me in/on/at/with_what strength_your great.
16And_he/it_was if/because she_pressed for_him/it in/on/at/with_words_her all the_days and_pestered_him and_tired soul_his to_death.
17And_told to/for_her/it DOM all his/its_heart and_he/it_said to/for_her/it a_razor not it_has_come_up on my_head if/because [am]_a_Nazirite of_god I from_womb mother’s_my if I_was_shaved and_leave from_me strength_my and_become_weak and_I_will_be like_any the_humankind.
18And_she/it_saw Dilīlāh[fn][fn] if/because_that he_had_told to/for_her/it DOM all his/its_heart and_sent and_she/it_called/named to_masters of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy to_say come_up the_time//this_time if/because he_has_told to_me[fn] DOM all his/its_heart and_came_up to_her/it the_rulers of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_brought the_money in/on/at/with_hands_their.
19And_fall_asleep_him on lap_her and_she/it_called/named for_the_man and_shave_off DOM seven the_plaits his/its_head and_began to_subdue_him and_left strength_his from_on_him.
20And_she/it_said [the]_Fəlishəttiy upon_you Oh_Shimshōn and_awoke from_sleep_his and_he/it_said I_will_go_out as_time in/on/at/with_time and_shake_free and_he not he_knew if/because_that YHWH he_had_departed from_on_him.
21And_seized_him [the]_Fəlishəttiy and_gouged_out DOM eyes_his and_brought_down DOM_him ˊAzzāh_to and_bound_him in/on/at/with_bronze_shackles and_he/it_was grinding in_house_of the_prisons[fn].
22And_began the_hair his/its_head to_grow just_as it_had_been_shaved.

16:23 Shimshon’s death

23Some time later, the Philistine leaders gathered together for a celebration and to offer a large sacrifice to their god Dagon, saying, “Our god has helped us capture our terrible enemy, Shimshon.” 24When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has helped us capture our enemy—the devastator of our region who killed so many of us.” 25Later in the celebration when the drink had liberated their thinking, they said, “Call for Shimshon so he can entertain us.” So they brought Shimshon in from the prison and taunted him to get them all laughing. They made him stand among the pillars of the building 26and he asked the servant who was guiding him by the hand, “Place my hands against the two pillars holding up the building so I can lean on them.” 27The building was full of the men and the women, including the Philistine leaders. On the roof there were about three thousand men and women watching the entertainment with Shimshon.

28Then Shimshon called out to Yahweh, “My master Yahweh, please remember me. Strengthen me please, just this time, oh God, so that I can avenge myself by one last act of vengeance on the Philistines to make them pay for my two eyes.” 29Then he took hold of the two centre pillars on which the building depended, and pressed out against them—one in his right hand and one in his left. 30Then he exclaimed, “Let me die with the Philistines!” He stretched out with his strength and the building fell on their leaders and all of the people in it. So he killed more people at his death than he had killed during his life.

31Then his brothers and all his father’s household went to Gaza and carried his body back. They buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial place of his father Manoah. He had helped Israel for twenty years.

23and_masters of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy they_gathered[fn] to_offer a_sacrifice great to_Dagon god_their and_to_rejoice and_they_said he_has_given god_our in/on/at/with_hand_our DOM Shimshōn enemy_our.
24And_they_saw DOM_him/it the_people and_praised DOM god_their if/because they_said he_has_given god_our in/on/at/with_hand_our DOM enemy_our and_DOM [the_one_who]_desolates land_our and_which he_has_multiplied DOM dead_us.
25And_he/it_was wwww wwww[fn] hearts_they and_they_said summon for_Shimshōn and_entertain to/for_us and_called for_Shimshōn from_house_of the_prisoners[fn] and_entertained to/for_before_them and_stand DOM_him between the_pillars.
26And_he/it_said Shimshōn to the_servant the_held in_his/its_hand lead DOM_me and_feel_I[fn] DOM the_pillars which the_house [is]_established on_them and_lean against_them.
27And_the_house [was]_full the_men and_the_women and_there_at all the_rulers of_[the]_Fəlishəttiy and_on the_roof about_three thousand(s) man and_women the_watching in/on/at/with_performed Shimshōn.
28And_he/it_called Shimshōn to YHWH and_said my_master YHWH remember_me please and_strengthen_me please only the_time//this_time the_this the_ʼElohīm and_pay_back vengeance of_one for_two eyes_my on_Fəlishəttiy.
29And_grasped Shimshōn DOM the_two the_pillars the_middle which the_house [was]_established on_them and_leaned against_them one in/on/at/with_right_hand_his and_other in/on/at/with_left_his.
30And_he/it_said Shimshōn let_it_die life_of_me with [the]_Fəlishəttiy and_pushed in/on/at/with_might and_fell the_house on the_masters and_upon all the_people which in/on/over_him/it and_they_were the_dead whom he_killed in/on/at/with_death_his many than_those he_had_killed in/on/at/with_life_his.
31And_came_down brothers_his and_all the_household father’s_his and_took DOM_him/it and_brought_up and_buried DOM_him between Tsārəˊāh/(Zorah) and_between ʼEshəttāʼol in/on/at/with_tomb of_Mānōaḩ his/its_father and_he he_had_judged DOM Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) twenty year[s].

17:1 The false gods of Mikiyas

17Now there was a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2who admitted to his mother, “Those eleven hundred silver coins that were taken from you—when you made a curse, and even said it when I was listening, well listen, I’ve got it all—I took it myself.”

His mother said, “May Yahweh bless you, my son.” 3Then he brought back the eleven hundred silver coins to his mother and she declared, “I will certainly consecrate the money to Yahweh for my son’s benefit. Take it and we’ll use it to have one statue carved and another cast.” 4So after the money had been returned, his mother gave two hundred silver coins to a silversmith. He made a carved figure and one cast from a mould, and they were placed in Micah’s house.

5Now that Micah had a shrine with gods in it, he made some priestly robes and some household gods, and consecrated one of his sons as his priest. 6In those days, Israel didn’t have a king—each person would do whatever seemed right to them.

7Now there was a young Levite man from the family of Yehudah[fn] who’d been staying in Bethlehem (in Yehudah). 8He left Bethlehem to find another place to say, and on his way, he ended up arriving at Micah’s place in the Efraimite hill country. 9“Where have you come from?” Micah asked him.

“I’m a Levite from Bethlehem in Yehudah,” he replied, “and I’m trying to find a good place to stay a while.”

10“Stay with me,” said Micah, “and be like a father and a priest to me. I’ll give you ten silver coins a year as well as board and clothing.” So the Levite man went in 11and agreed to stay with Micah, eventually becoming like one of Micah’s own sons. 12Micah ordained the Levite, and the young man became like a priest to him, and lived in his house. 13“Now I know that Yahweh will make everything go well for me,” Micah said, “because I have this Levite as a priest.”

17and_he/it_was a_man from_hill of_ʼEfrayim and_his/its_name [was]_Mīkāhū.
2And_he/it_said to_mother_his one_thousand and_hundred the_pieces_of_silver which it_was_taken to/for_you(fs) and_you[fn] you_uttered_a_curse and_also you_said in/on/at/with_hearing_my here the_silver with_me I took_it and_she/it_said his/its_mother [be]_blessed son_my to/for_YHWH.
3And_returned DOM the_one_thousand and_hundred the_pieces_of_silver to_mother_his and_she/it_said his/its_mother surely_(consecrate) I_consecrate DOM the_silver to/for_YHWH from_hand_my for_son_my to_make a_carved_image and_throw_metal and_now give_back_it to/for_you(fs).
4And_returned DOM the_silver to_mother_his and_she/it_took his/its_mother two_hundred silver and_gave_it to_the_silversmith and_made_it a_carved_image and_throw_metal and_he/it_was in_house_of of_Mīkāhū.
5And_the_man Mīkāh to_him/it a_house of_god and_he/it_made an_ephod and_teraphim and_he_installed DOM [the]_hand of_one of_sons_his and_he/it_was to_him/it as_priest.
6In_the_days the_those there_[was]_not a_king in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) everyone the_right in/on/at/with_eyes_his_own he_did.
7and_he/it_was a_young_man from food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh/(Judah) of_clan of_Yəhūdāh and_he [was]_a_from_tribe_of_Lēvī and_he [was]_sojourning there.
8And_he/it_went the_man from_the_town of food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh to_stay in/on/at/with_where he_will_find and_came the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim to the_house of_Mīkāh for_doing its_road/course.
9And_he/it_said to_him/it Mīkāh from_where do_you_come and_he/it_said to_him/it [am]_a_from_tribe_of_Lēvī I from food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh and_I [am]_going to_stay in/on/at/with_where I_will_find.
10And_he/it_said to_him/it Mīkāh stay with_me and_be to_me as_father and_as_priest and_I I_will_give to/for_yourself(m) ten silver for_a_year and_a_set_of of_garments and_food_your and_he/it_went the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī.
11And_agreed the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī to_stay with the_man and_he/it_was the_young_man to_him/it like_one of_sons_his.
12And_he_installed Mīkāh DOM the_hand the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī and_he/it_was to_him/it the_young_man as_priest and_he/it_was in_house_of of_Mīkāh.
13And_he/it_said Mīkāh now I_know if/because_that he_will_do_good YHWH to_me if/because he_has_become to_me the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī as_priest.

18:1 The Danites settle in Layish

18In those days, Israel didn’t have a king. The tribe of Dan was looking for land to settle in, because up until then, they hadn’t been able to claim their allocated region among the Israeli tribes. 2So the Danites sent out five capable men (from Zorah and from Eshtaol) to scout out the region and explore it. They had told them, “Go and explore the area.” They came to the Efraimite hill country, as far as Micah’s house, and spent the night there. 3They’d been near Micah’s house when they recognized the voice of the young Levite man. So they’d gone in there and they asked him, “Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? What do you get here?”

4Then he told them what Micah had done for him, and how he’d hired him to be like his priest.

5So they asked him, “Please find out from God if we’ll have success on this expedition we’re on.”

6Continue on in peace,” the priest said. “Yahweh has prepared everything ahead of you all.”

7Then the five men left and went on to Layish. They saw that the people there were living in confidence just like the Tsidonians were—peacefully and feeling secure. No one in the region was causing trouble for them and they were very settled. They were far away from the Tsidonians and didn’t interact with others. 8Then they went back to their relatives in Tsorah and Eshtaol, who asked them, “How did it go?” 9“Get ready immediately,” they said, “so that we can go to battle against them! Because we’ve seen the land and listen, it’s incredible good. Don’t just still there—you all need to take action to go in to take possession of the land.

10When you go, you’ll all come to a people living without suspicion of attack, and the land is spacious in all directions, because God will hand it over to you—a place where there’s no lack of anything that’s on the earth.”

11So six hundred Danite warriors left Tsorah and Eshtaol, carrying their weapons. 12They set off and camped at Kiriat-Yearim in Yehudah. That’s why they call that place Mahaneh-Dan (meaning ‘Dan’s camp’) to this day—it’s back behind Kiriat-Yearim. 13From there, they crossed over into the Efraimite hill country, eventually arriving near Micah’s house.

14Then the five men who had been here previously scouting out the land said to their group, “Do you know that there’s a house here with a gear for priests, family idols, a carved image, and a cast image? So now, consider what you should do.” 15So they turned off the main path and they came to the place with the young Levite man in Micah’s house, and they asked about his welfare. 16The six hundred Danite men stayed outside at the gate, holding their weapons.

17The five men who’d gone to scout out the land went in around the back. They took the carved image, the priest’s gear, the family idols, and the cast image, while the priest was standing at the entrance of the gate along with the six hundred armed men. 18When the priest saw them bringing out all the religious objects, he demanded, “What’s going on?”

19“Stay quiet,” they told him. “Put your hand over your mouth and come with us, and be like a father and a priest for us. Is it better to be a priest for only one household, or to be a priest for a whole related tribe in Israel?” 20The priest liked that idea, so he went along with them—taking the priestly gear and the household idols, and the carved image.

21Then they went back to the main path and continued on their way with the children, animals, and those carrying the valuable property going in front. 22When they’d already gone quite some distance from Micah’s house, Micah and his neighbours gathered together, then the men ran in a group and caught up with the Danites. 23They called out to the Danites who turned around to face them and asked Micah, “What’s the matter? Why has this group come together?” 24“You all took my gods that I made,” Micah replied, “And the priest. Then you disappeared and I had nothing left. So how can you all ask me what the matter is!”

25I wouldn’t say too much if I was you,” he was told. “Otherwise some of our more fiery men might start to get a bit hostile, then you’d bring about your own death, and that of your companions!” 26Then Micah realised that they were too strong for them, so they turned back around and went home.

So the Danites continued onward, 27taking with them the things that Micah had made, as well as his priest. They came to Layish where the unsuspecting people were living peaceably, and they slaughtered them with their swords and burnt down the city. 28No one came to rescue them because it was a long way from Tsidon and they did have much involvement with them anyway. (Layish was in the valley near Beyt-Rehob.) They rebuilt the city and then moved into it. 29They named the rebuilt city Dan (instead of Layish) in honour of their ancestor Dan who was one of Israel’s sons. 30The Danites mounted the carved image for themselves to worship. Yonatan (Gershom’s son from Manashsheh) became the priest for the Danites (and then his descendants until when the people were eventually exiled from the region). 31So they set up the carved image that Micah had made and worshipped it the whole time that God’s tent was at Shiloh.

18In_the_days the_those there_[was]_not a_king in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_in/on/at/with_days the_those the_tribe the_Dānī [was]_seeking to_him/it an_inheritance to_live if/because not it_had_fallen for_him/it until the_day (the)_that in_the_middle the_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_territory.
2and_sent the_descendants of_Dān from_clan_their five men from_whole_their men sons of_strength from_Tsārəˊāh/(Zorah) and_from_ʼEshəttāʼol to_spy_out DOM the_earth/land and_to_explore_it and_they_said to_them go explore DOM the_earth/land and_they_came the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim to the_house of_Mīkāh and_spent_the_night there.
3They [were]_near the_house of_Mīkāh and_they they_recognized DOM the_voice the_young the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī and_turned_aside there and_they_said to_him/it who brought_you here and_what [are]_you doing in/on/at/with_this and_what have_you here.
4And_he/it_said to_them as_this and_as_such he_has_done to_me Mīkāh and_hired_me and_become to_him/it as_priest.
5And_they_said to_him/it enquire please in/on/at/with_god and_know whether_successful journey_our which we [are]_going on_her.
6And_he/it_said to/for_them the_priest/officer go in_peace [is]_in_front_of YHWH journey_you_all which you_all_go in/on/at/with_her.
7and_left the_five the_men and_they_came Layish_to and_they_saw DOM the_people which in/on/at/with_midst_of_it dwelling in_security after_manner of_[the]_Tsīdonī/(Sidonians) at_peace and_unsuspecting and_there_was_no [one_who]_put_to_shame anything on_the_earth [one_who]_possessed oppression and_far they from_Tsīdonī and_dealings there_[was]_not to/for_them with anyone.
8And_they_came to brothers_their Tsārəˊāh/(Zorah) and_ʼEshəttāʼol and_they_said to/for_them brothers_their what you_all.
9And_they_said come and_go_up against_them if/because we_have_seen DOM the_earth/land and_see/lo/see [it_is]_good very and_you_all [are_being]_inactive do_not hesitate to_go to_enter_in to_possess DOM the_earth/land.
10When_go_you_all you_all_will_come to a_people secure and_the_earth [is]_broad of_both_sides if/because given_it god in/on/at/with_hands_your_all’s a_place where there_[is]_not there lack of_any thing which on_the_earth.
11And_set_out from_there from_clan the_Dānī from_Tsārəˊāh and_from_ʼEshəttāʼol six hundred(s) man girded weapons of_war.
12And_went_up and_encamped in/on/at/with wwww in/on/at/with_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so they_called to_the_place (the)_that wwww wwww until the_day the_this there behind wwww wwww.
13And_passed_on from_there the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim and_they_came to the_house of_Mīkāh.
14And_responded the_five the_men the_gone to_spy_out DOM the_earth/land Layish and_they_said to brothers_their the_know if/because_that there_[are] in/on/at/with_houses the_these an_ephod and_household_gods and_carved_image and_throw_metal and_now consider what will_you_all_do.
15And_turned there_in_that_direction and_they_came to the_house the_young the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī the_house of_Mīkāh and_asked to_him/it of_welfare.
16And_six hundred(s) man girded the_weapons war_their [were]_standing the_entrance the_gate who from_(the)_sons of_Dān.
17And_went_up the_five the_men the_gone to_spy_out DOM the_earth/land they_went there_inside they_took DOM the_carved_image and_DOM the_ephod and_DOM the_teraphim and_DOM the_molten_image and_the_priest [was]_standing the_entrance the_gate and_six hundred(s) the_man the_armed the_weapons the_war.
18And_these they_went the_house of_Mīkāh and_they_took DOM the_carved_image the_ephod and_DOM the_teraphim and_DOM the_molten_image and_he/it_said to_them the_priest/officer what [are]_you_all doing.
19And_they_said to_him/it keep_quiet put hand_your over mouth_your and_come with_us and_be to/for_us as_father and_as_priest better be_you a_priest to_house of_a_man one or be_you a_priest to_tribe and_for_clan in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
20And_accepted the_heart the_priest/officer and_he/it_took DOM the_ephod and_DOM the_teraphim and_DOM the_carved_image and_went in/on/at/with_among the_people.
21And_turned and_departed and_putting DOM the_little_ones and_DOM the_livestock and_DOM the_possessions in_front_them.
22They they_had_gone_far_away from_house of_Mīkāh and_the_men who in/on/at/with_houses which [were]_near the_house of_Mīkāh they_were_called_together and_overtook DOM the_descendants of_Dān.
23And_shouted to the_descendants of_Dān and_turned face_them and_they_said to_Mīkāh what with_you (cmp) you_have_been_called_together.
24And_he/it_said DOM gods_my which I_made you_all_have_taken and_DOM the_priest/officer and_went_away and_what to/for_me still and_how this are_you_all_saying to_me what with_you.
25And_they_said to_him/it the_descendants of_Dān do_not make_heard voice_your among_us lest they_should_fall in/on/at/with_you_all men bitter of_self and_lose life_your and_lives household_your.
26And_went the_descendants of_Dān on_way_their and_he/it_saw Mīkāh if/because_that [were_too]_strong they from_him/it and_turned and_went_back to home_his.
27And_they they_took DOM [that]_which he_had_made Mīkāh and_DOM the_priest/officer who he_belonged to_him/it and_they_came to Layish to a_people at_peace and_unsuspecting and_struck DOM_them with_edge of_[the]_sword and_DOM the_city they_burned in/on/at/with_fire.
28And_there_was_no a_deliverer if/because [was]_far it from_Tsīdōn/(Sidon) and_dealings there_[belonged]_not to/for_them with anyone and_she in/on/at/with_valley which near wwww and_rebuilt DOM the_city and_they_lived in/on/at/with_it.
29And_called the_name the_city Dān in/on_name_of of_Dān ancestor_their who he_was_born to_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_but [was]_Layish the_name the_city at_the_first.
30And_set_up to/for_them the_descendants of_Dān DOM the_carved_image and_Yōnātān/(Jonathan) the_son of_Gērəshom the_son wwww[fn] he/it and they_were wwww to/for the until day wwww the_earth/land.
31And_set_up to/for_them DOM the_carved_image of_Mīkāh which he_had_made all the_days of_the_being of_the_house the_ʼElohīm in_Shiloh.

19:1 The Levite and his slave-wife

19In those days when there was no king over Israel, there was a Levite man who was staying in the remotest parts of the hill country of Efraim. He took a slave-wife for himself from Bethlehem in Yehudah. 2However, she started sleeping around, and then she left him and went to her father’s house in Bethlehem where she ended up staying for four months. 3Then her husband got organised and went after her—to sweet-talk her and persuade her to return with him. He took a young servant man and a team of donkeys. She invited her husband into her father’s house, and when her father saw him, he was glad to meet him. 4His father-in-law (her father) insisted on offering hospitality, so they ate and drank, and he stayed the night, and ended up staying for three days. 5Then on the fourth day, they got up early and the Levite prepared to leave, but his father-in-law urged him to eat before they left.

6So the two of them ate and drank together, and then the woman’s father said, “Please stay another night. Relax and have a good time.”

7The man got ready to leave, however his father-in-law persisted, so he stayed another night there. 8He got up early in the morning on the fifth day to get ready to leave, but the father of the young woman said, “Get some energy first.” So they waited until later in the day, and then the two of them ate.

9When the man stood up to go with his slave-wife and his young man, his father-in-law said, “Listen, the day’s coming to an end soon. Please stay the night. See, it’ll be getting dark soon. Spend the night here and be happy. Then make an early start tomorrow for your journey home.”

10But the man from the tribe of Levi didn’t want to stay another night. He put saddles on his two donkeys, and started to go with his slave-wife and his servant toward Yebus city (now called Yerushalem).

11They got close to Yebus and the daylight had mostly gone, so the young man said to his master, “Come, please, we should turn aside into this city of the Jebusites so we can spend the night there.” 12“We won’t go into a into a city of foreigners, his master replied. “There’s no Israelis there. Better to keep going until we reach Gibeah.” 13Then he added, “Yes, let’s keep going to reach either Gibeah or Ramah to spend the night in.” 14So they passed Yebus and went on, but the sun went down as they neared Gibeah (in Benyamite territory) 15so they went into Gibeah to spend the night there. They went and sat in the open plaza of the city, but no one invited them into their home for the night.

16But then in late evening, an old man came in from his work in the field. He was from the Efraimite hill country but currently staying in the Gibeah area where the residents were Benyamites. 17He looked up and noticed them in the open plaza of the city and asked the man, “Where are you going, and where have you come from?”

18“We’re passing through from Bethlehem in Yehudah,” the Levite replied. “Going to the remote parts of the Efraimite hill country where I’m from. I went to Bethlehem, and I’m going to Shiloh where Yahweh’s house is. However, no one here has invited us into their home. 19We have our own food and straw for our donkeys, and enough food and wine for the three of us so we don’t need anything else.

20“Peace to you all,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need—only don’t spend the night here in the square.” 21Then he took them to his house and fed their donkeys. They washed their feet, and they all ate and drank. 22They were having a good time, but suddenly the men of the city—wicked men—had surrounded the house—pounding repeatedly on the door. They called out to the old man who owned the house, “Hey, bring out the man who came to your place, so we can have fun with him.”[fn][ref] 23The man who owned the house went out to them and said to them, “No, my brothers, please you mustn’t act wickedly. That man is a guest in my house—you all mustn’t do this disgraceful thing. 24My virgin daughter and his slave-wife are here. Please let me bring them out so you can ravish them and do whatever you want to them. But don’t do that wicked thing to that man.” 25But the men weren’t willing to listen to him, so the man pushed his slave-wife out to them and they raped her and abused her the whole night until the morning, when they discarded her as it began to dawn.

26The woman managed to get herself back to the house where her master was, and collapsed at the entrance until it got light. 27When her master got up and he opened the door to go and continue on his trip, look, his slave-wife had fallen at the entrance and her hands were on the threshold. 28“Get up,” he told her. “Let’s go.” But she didn’t answer, so he put her on his donkey and headed home. 29When he arrived, he got a knife and hacked his wife’s body into twelve pieces (including the bones), and he sent them to various places spread across all of Israel’s territory. 30Then everyone who saw a piece said, “Nothing has ever happened like this before—we’ve never seen anything like this from the time that the Israelis left Egypt until now. What do we need to do about it? Speak up and make a plan.”

19and_he/it_was in_the_days the_those and_king there_[was]_not in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_he/it_was a_man a_from_tribe_of_Lēvī sojourning in/on/at/with_remote_part of_the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim and_he/it_took to_him/it a_woman a_concubine from food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh/(Judah).
2And_unfaithful on/upon/above_him/it concubine_his and_went_away from_with_him to the_house father’s_her to house_of food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh and_it_became there days four months.
3And_he/it_rose_up her/its_husband/man and_he/it_went after_her to_speak to her/its_heart in_order_to_bring_back_her[fn] and_servant_his with_him/it and_pair of_donkeys and_brought_him the_house father’s_her and_saw_him the_father the_girl’s and_gladly to_meet_him.
4And_made_stay in/on/over_him/it father-in-law_his the_father the_girl’s and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived with_him/it three days and_ate and_drank and_spent_the_night there.
5And_he/it_was in_the_day the_fourth and_got_up_early in/on/at/with_morning and_he/it_rose_up to_go and_he/it_said the_father the_girl’s to son-in-law_his sustain heart_yourself a_piece of_bread and_after you_all_will_go.
6And_they_lived and_ate both_of_them together and_drank and_he/it_said the_father the_girl’s to the_man be_willing please and_spend_the_night and_enjoy heart_your.
7And_he/it_rose_up the_man to_go and_persuaded in/on/over_him/it father-in-law_his and_again and_spent_the_night there.
8And_got_up_early in/on/at/with_morning in_the_day the_fifth to_go and_he/it_said the_father the_girl’s sustain please heart_your and_wait until declines the_day and_ate two_them.
9And_he/it_rose_up the_man to_go he and_concubine_his and_servant_his and_he/it_said to_him/it father-in-law_his the_father the_girl’s here please it_is_sinking the_day to_evening spend_the_night please here to_decline the_day spend_the_night here and_enjoy heart_your and_arise_early tomorrow for_journey_your_all’s and_go to_home_your.
10And_not he_was_willing the_man to_spend_the_night and_he/it_rose_up and_he/it_went and_went to opposite Yəⱱūş/(Jebus) that [is]_Yərūshālayim/(Jerusalem) and_with_him a_pair of_donkeys saddled and_concubine_his with_him/it.
11They [were]_near Yəⱱūş/(Jebus) and_the_day it_had_gone_down exceedingly and_he/it_said the_servant to master_his come please and_turn_aside to the_city the_Yebusi the_this and_spend_the_night in/on/at/with_it.
12And_he/it_said to_him/it master_his not we_will_turn_aside to a_city foreign who not from_(the)_sons of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they and_go_on to Giⱱˊāh.
13And_he/it_said to_servant_his come[fn][fn] and_reach in/on/at/with_one the_places and_spend_the_night in/on/at/with_Giⱱˊāh or in/on/at/with_Rāmāh.
14And_passed_on and_went and_set to/for_them the_sun beside the_Giⱱˊāh which belongs_to_Binyāmīn.
15And_turned_aside there to_go_in to_spend_the_night in/on/at/with_Giⱱˊāh and_went_in and_he/it_sat_down//remained//lived in/on/at/with_open_square the_city and_no anyone [who_was]_receiving DOM_them the_home_into to_spend_the_night.
16And_see/lo/see a_man old [was]_coming from work_his from the_field in/on/at/with_evening and_the_man from_hill of_ʼEfrayim and_he [was]_sojourning in/on/at/with_Giⱱˊāh and_men the_place [were]_Ben- jaminites.
17And_lifted_up eyes_his and_he/it_saw DOM the_man the_traveler in/on/at/with_open_square the_city and_he/it_said the_man[fn][fn] the_old where are_you_going and_from_where are_you_coming.
18And_he/it_said to_him/it [are]_passing we from food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh/(Judah) to the_remotest_parts of_the_hill_country of_ʼEfrayim from_there I and_went to house_of food/grain/bread Yəhūdāh and_DOM the_house of_YHWH I [am]_going and_no anyone [who_was]_receiving DOM_me the_house_into.
19And_also straw as_well_as fodder there_[are] for_donkeys_our and_also food and_wine there_[are] to_me and_for_maidservant_your and_for_the_young_man with your_servants there_[is]_not lack of_any thing.
20And_he/it_said the_man the_old peace to/for_you(fs) certainly all need_your with_me only in/on/at/with_square do_not spend_the_night.
21And_brought_him into_house_his and_fed[fn][fn][fn] for_THE_donkeys and_washed feet_their and_ate and_drank.
22They [were]_making_good DOM hearts_themselves and_see/lo/see the_men the_city men of_sons of_worthlessness they_surrounded DOM the_house beating_violently on the_door and_they_said to the_man the_master the_house the_old to_say bring_out DOM the_man who he_came to house_your and_have_sex_with_him.
23And_he/it_went_out to_them the_man the_master the_house and_he/it_said to_them no brothers_my do_not do_evil please after that he_has_come the_man the_this not house_my[fn] do_not do DOM the_disgraceful_thing the_this.
24Here daughter_my the_virgin and_concubine_his let_me_bring_out please DOM_them and_ravish DOM_them and_do to/for_them the_good in/on/at/with_eyes_of_you_all and_against_the_man the_this not you_all_must_do the_thing the_disgraceful the_such.
25And_not they_were_willing the_men to_listen to_him/it and_seized the_man in/on/at/with_concubine_his and_put to_them the_out and_they_knew DOM_her and_abused in/on/at/with_her all the_night until the_morning and_let_go_her in/on/at/with_break[fn] the_dawn.
26And_came the_woman as_appeared the_morning and_fell_down the_entrance of_the_house the_man where master_her [was]_there until the_light.
27And_he/it_rose_up master_her in/on/at/with_morning and_opened the_doors the_house and_he/it_went_out to_go on_way_his and_see/lo/see the_woman concubine_his [was]_falling the_entrance the_house and_hands_her [were]_on the_threshold.
28And_he/it_said to_her/it get_up and_go and_there_was_no [one_who]_answered and_put_her on the_donkey and_he/it_rose_up the_man and_he/it_went for_home_his.
29And_entered to house_his and_he/it_took DOM the_knife and_grasping in/on/at/with_concubine_his and_cut_her by_limbs_of_her into_two ten pieces and_sent_her in/on/at/with_all the_territory of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
30And_it_was every the_saw and_saying(ms) not it_has_occurred and_not it_has_been_seen like_this to/for_since_day came_up the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) from_land of_Miʦrayim/(Egypt) until the_day the_this set to/for_you_all on/upon_it(f) make_a_plan and_speak_up.

20:1 The preparation of Israelis of war

20Then all the Israelis from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, and even from Gilead across the Yordan, came and assembled before Yahweh at Mitspah with one single, united purpose. 2The leaders of all the Israeli tribes also came out to show their agreement with the assembly of the people of the true God: four hundred thousand warriors all carrying swords.

3Meanwhile, the Benyamites had heard that the Israelis had gathered at Mitspah, and everyone asked, “Explain how this wicked thing came to happen.”

4So the Levite man (the husband of the woman who had been murdered) answered, “I went to the Gibeah region (in Benyamin) with my slave-wife to spend the night. 5The citizens of Gibeah conspired together against me. They surrounded the house at night because of me, intending to kill me. Instead, they assaulted and abused my slave-wife so that she died. 6I took my slave-wife’s body back home and cut her in pieces, and I sent them out into every section of the territory that God gave Israel, because they’ve committed a heinous crime, and a disgrace to Israel. 7Listen, all of you Israelis, what’s your advice? What should we do about it?.”

8All the people agreed together and started saying, “We won’t go back to our families. We won’t return to our houses. 9rather this is what we must do to Gibeah: choose by lot who will fight against them. 10Choose a tenth of our men to go and get supplies for the other warriors to travel to Gibeah in Benyamin after what they did that outraged Israel. 11So all Israel was united together against that city.

12Then the Israeli tribes sent men across the Benyamite region to ask, “What’s this evil thing that’s been done among you? 13So now, hand over those worthless men from the Gibeah region so that we can put them to death and purge Israel of that evil.” But the Benyamites weren’t willing to take the advice of their Israeli relatives. 14They came out of their cities and assembled at Gibeah to the battle against the Israelis. 15The Benyamites mobilised together twenty-six thousand men from their cities on that day, all carrying swords. In addition, seven hundred chosen men had been mobilised from the Gibeah region. 16Among all of those people were seven hundred chosen left-handers, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair without missing. 17The Israelis (excluding Benyamites) mustered up for themselves four hundred thousand men—all expert warriors and all carrying swords.

20and_they_went_out all the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_assembled the_congregation as_man one at_from_Dān and_unto wwww seven and_land the_Gilˊād to YHWH the_Miʦpāh.
2And_presented the_corners of_all the_people all the_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_assembly of_the_people the_ʼElohīm four hundred(s) thousand man on_foot [who]_drew a_sword.
3and_they_heard the_descendants of_Binyāmīn if/because_that they_had_gone_up the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) the_Miʦpāh and_they_said the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) speak how did_it_occur the_evil the_this.
4And_answered the_man the_from_tribe_of_Lēvī the_husband the_woman the_murdered and_said the_Giⱱˊāh_to which belongs_to_Binyāmīn I_came I and_concubine_my to_spend_the_night.
5And_rose_up against_me the_citizens the_Giⱱˊāh and_surrounded because_of_me DOM the_house night DOM_me they_intended to_kill and_DOM concubine_my they_abused and_died.
6And_took in/on/at/with_concubine_my and_cut_intopieces_her and_sent_her in_all the_land of_the_inheritance of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) if/because they_have_done wickedness and_outrage in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
7Here all_you_all Oh_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) give to/for_you_all a_word and_counsel here.
8And_he/it_rose_up all the_people as_man one to_say not we_will_go anyone to_tent_his and_not we_will_depart anyone to_house_his.
9And_now this the_thing which we_will_do to_the_Giⱱˊāh on/upon_it(f) in/on/at/with_lot.
10And_take ten men of_the_hundred to_all/each/any/every the_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_a_hundred of_the_a_thousand and_a_thousand of_the_ten_thousand to_take/accept/receive provision[s] for_the_troops for_doing when_come_they to_Giⱱˊāh of_Binyāmīn for_all the_outrage which it_did in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
11And_gathered every (the)_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to the_city as_man one united.
12and_sent the_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) men in_all the_tribes of_Binyāmīn to_say what the_wickedness the_this which it_has_happened in/on/at/with_you_all.
13And_now give_up DOM the_men sons of_worthlessness who in/on/at/with_Giⱱˊāh and_put_todeath_them and_purge evil from_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_not they_were_willing[fn][fn] of_Binyāmīn to_listen in/on/at/with_voice fellow_their the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
14And_came_together the_descendants of_Binyāmīn from the_cities the_Giⱱˊāh_to to_go_out to_the_battle with the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
15And_mustered the_descendants of_Binyāmīn in_the_day (the)_that from_the_cities twenty and_six thousand man [who]_drew a_sword to/for_aside from_inhabitants the_Giⱱˊāh [who]_they_were_mustered seven hundred(s) man chosen.
16From_all the_troops the_this seven hundred(s) man chosen impeded the_hand right_of_him all this [was]_slinging in/on/at/with_stone to the_hair and_not he_missed.
17and_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_were_mustered to/for_apart from_Binyāmīn four hundred(s) thousand man [who]_drew a_sword all this [was]_man of_war.

20:18 The war to punish the Benyamites

18The Israelis got ready and went to Bethel and asked God, “Who should lead us into battle with the Benyamites?”

“It should be Yehudah out front,” Yahweh responded.

19So the Israelis set out in the morning and made camp near Gibeah. 20Then they went out to battle against the Benyamites—setting themselves up for the battle against them at Gibeah.

21But the Benyamites led a surprise attack out of Gibeah and killed twenty-two thousand of the Israeli warriors. 22However the Israelis strengthened themselves and they continued to set up for battle the next day at the same place.

23Then the Israelis assembled and wept before Yahweh until evening. They asked him, “Should we continue to attack and battle against our cousins the Benyamites?”

“Go back against them,” Yahweh replied. 24So the Israelis went back to battle against the Benyamites again on the second day. 25Again the Benyamites came out from Gibeah, and this time they killed eighteen thousand Israeli swordsmen. 26Then the Israeli warriors and all the people went back to Bethel. They wept, and they sat there before Yahweh. They fasted that day until the evening, then they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to Yahweh. 27They asked Yahweh (because the box containing the agreement with the true God was there in those days 28and Finehas (son of Aharon’s son Eleazar) was serving before it in those days), “Should we continue to go to the battle once more against the our cousins the Benyamites, or should we stop?”

“Go back again, because tomorrow I’ll give you victory over them,” Yahweh responded.

29So the Israelis placed groups of warriors in ambush all around Gibeah. 30Then they took their positions now for the third day against the Benyamites in Gibeah. 31When the Benyamites came out from the city, they were lured away as they began to strike down their enemies like the time before. Around thirty Israelis were killed on the two roads—one going to Bethel and the other to Gibeah through the countryside. 32Then the Benyamites said, “We’re starting to defeat them, just like before.”

But the Israelis had said, “Let’s flee so that we can draw them away from the city and onto the roads.” 33Then the main group of Israelis retreated and set up battle lines at Baal-Tamar, as the ones hiding in ambush made a surprise attack from their places in Maareh-Gibeah. 34Ten thousand chosen Israeli warriors came out in the sight of the Gibeah region, and the battle was fierce, but the Benyamites hadn’t yet realised that disaster was about to hit them. 35Yahweh helped the Israelis to defeat the Benyamites that day, and over twenty-five thousand Benyamite swordsmen were killed 36and they saw that they were defeated.

The Israelis had given ground to the Benyamites because they had relied on the ambush placed around Gibeah. 37Then the group hiding in ambush had rushed out and spread out around Gibeah, then had gone in and attacked the entire city with their swords. 38Then they started a fire as the prearranged signal was to be the rising column of smoke up out of the city.

39Meanwhile the main Israeli force had retreated, and the Benyamites had attacked and killed around thirty men, thinking that they were winning like they’d done twice before. 40But when the pillar of smoke began to rise from the city, the Benyamites looked behind them and were shocked to see their city going up in smoke. 41Then the main Israeli force stopped retreating and turned back to attack again. The Benyamites were horrified because they now saw that disaster had struck them. 42They retreated away from the Israelis into the wilderness, but the battle overtook them, plus the Israelis were coming back out of the cities getting right in amongst them to fight. 43They surrounded the Benyamites as they tried to flee, and easily ran them down as they tried to escape from the Gibeah region towards the east. 44Eighteen thousand strong Benyamite warriors were killed, 45and the rest turned and fled into the wilderness towards the Rimmon rock. Another five thousand men were killed along the trails. They chased them all the way to Gidom, and killed another two thousand men, 46so the total number of Benyamite swordsmen who were killed came to twenty-five thousand—all strong warriors.

47But six hundred men made it to Rimmon rock, and they stayed there for four months. 48Meanwhile, the Israelis went back to the Benyamite region and killed the people with their swordsentire cities including cattle and everything else—then the cities were set on fire.

18And_arose and_went_up house_of wwww and_inquired in/on/at/with_god and_they_said the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) who will_he_go_up to/for_ourselves in/on/at/with_first to_the_battle with the_descendants of_Binyāmīn and_he/it_said YHWH Yəhūdāh/(Judah) in/on/at/with_first.
19And_got_up the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_morning and_encamped on the_Giⱱˊāh.
20and_he/it_went_out the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_the_battle with Binyāmīn and_drew_up with_them the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) battle to the_Giⱱˊāh.
21And_they_went_out the_descendants of_Binyāmīn from the_Giⱱˊāh and_struck_down in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in_the_day (the)_that two and_twenty thousand man ground_on.
22And_encouraged the_troops the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_again to_formed_line battle in/on/at/with_place where they_had_deployed there in_the_day the_first.
23And_went_up the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_wept to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before YHWH until the_evening and_inquired in/on/at/with_master to_say again to_draw_near to_the_battle with the_descendants of_Binyāmīn my_brother/kindred and_he/it_said YHWH go_up to_him/it.
24and_advanced the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to the_descendants of_Binyāmīn in_the_day the_second.
25And_he/it_went_out Binyāmīn to_meet_them from the_Giⱱˊāh in_the_day the_second and_struck_down in/on/at/with_sons of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) again eight- teen thousand man ground_to all these [were]_drawers of_a_sword.
26And_went_up all the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_all the_army and_they_came house_of wwww and_wept and_they_lived there to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before YHWH and_fasted in/on/at/with_day (the)_that until the_evening and_offered burnt_offerings and_fellowship_offerings to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before YHWH.
27And_inquired the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_LORD and_there the_ark of_the_covenant the_ʼElohīm in_the_days the_those.
28And_Fīnəḩāş the_son ʼElˊāzār the_son of_ʼAhₐron [was]_standing before_face/front_it in_the_days the_those to_say shall_I_repeat again to_go_out to_the_battle with the_descendants of_Binyāmīn my_brother/kindred or will_I_cease and_he/it_said YHWH go_up if/because tomorrow give_them in/on/at/with_hand_your.
29And_he/it_assigned Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) ambushers to the_Giⱱˊāh round_about.
30and_went_up the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) against the_descendants of_Binyāmīn in_the_day the_third and_took_up_positions against the_Giⱱˊāh as_time in/on/at/with_time.
31And_they_went_out the_descendants of_Binyāmīn to_meet the_people they_were_drawn_away from the_city and_began to_inflict on_the_troops fatally_wounded as_time in/on/at/with_time in/on/at/with_highways which one [is]_going_up house_of wwww and_other Giⱱˊāh_to in_the_field about_thirty man in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
32And_they_said the_descendants of_Binyāmīn [are]_defeated they before_face/front_us as_in/on/at/with_first and_the_sons of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_said let_us_flee and_draw_away_them from the_city to the_highways.
33And_all/each/any/every (the)_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_rose from_places_their and_took_up_positions in/on/at/with wwww and_ambush of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) [was]_bursting_forth out_of_place_their from_west of_Geⱱaˊ.
34And_they_came against_against against_the_Giⱱˊāh ten thousand(s) man chosen from_all Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_the_battle it_was_heavy and_they not they_knew if/because_that [was]_about_to_touch upon_them the_disaster.
35and_defeated YHWH DOM Binyāmīn to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) and_destroyed the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_Binyāmīn in_the_day (the)_that twenty and_five thousand and_one_hundred man all these [was_one_who]_drew a_sword.
36And_they_saw the_descendants of_Binyāmīn if/because_that they_were_defeated and_gave the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) place to_Binyāmīn if/because they_trusted to the_ambush whom they_had_set against the_Giⱱˊāh.
37And_the_ambush they_made_haste and_rushed against the_Giⱱˊāh and_advanced the_men_in_ambush and_put DOM all the_city to_edge of_[the]_sword.
38And_the_agreement [which]_it_belonged for_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) with the_ambush [was]_do_much that_sent_up_they the_rising the_smoke from the_city.
39And_turn the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_battle and_Binyāmīn it_began to_inflict fatally_wounded in/on/at/with_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) about_thirty man if/because they_said surely totally_(defeated) [is]_defeated it before_face/front_us as_the_battle the_first.
40And_the_cloud_of_smoke it_began to_rise from the_city a_pillar of_smoke and_looked Binyāmīn behind_them and_see/lo/see it_went_up the_entirety the_city the_heaven_to.
41And_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_turned and_dismayed the_man of_Binyāmīn if/because he_saw if/because_that it_had_touched on/upon/above_him/it the_disaster.
42And_retreated to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_man of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to the_way the_wilderness and_the_battle overtook_them and_which out_of_the_cities [were]_destroying DOM_them in/on/at/with_midst_them.
43They_surrounded DOM Binyāmīn pursued_them rest trod_down_them to opposite the_Giⱱˊāh toward_rise_of of_[the]_sun.
44And_they_fell from_Binyāmīn eight- teen thousand man DOM all these [were]_men of_strength.
45And_turned and_fled the_wilderness_toward to the_rock the_Rimmōn and_cut_down_them in/on/at/with_highways five thousand(s) man and_pursued after_them to Gidˊom and_struck_down from_him/it two_thousand man.
46And_he/it_was all the_fell of_Binyāmīn [were]_twenty and_five thousand man [who]_drew a_sword in_the_day (the)_that DOM all these [were]_men of_strength.
47And_turned and_fled the_wilderness_toward to the_rock the_Rimmōn six hundred(s) man and_they_lived in/on/at/with_rock of_Rimmōn four months.
48And_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_turned_back against the_descendants of_Binyāmīn and_struck_them with_edge of_[the]_sword from_city of_soundness unto animal unto every the_found also all the_cities the_found they_sent in/on/at/with_fire.

21:1 Wives for the Benyamites

21Now back in Mitspah, the Israeli men had promised never to allow their daughters to marry a Benyamite man. 2But now the Israelis went to Bethel and sat there before God until evening—calling out and crying loudly, 3asking, “Oh Yahweh, God of Israel, why has this happened to Israel—for one tribe to be missing from Israel now?”

4The next day, the people got up early and built an altar there, and they offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings. 5Then the Israelis asked, “Among all the Israeli tribes serving Yahweh, was there any group who didn’t join the battle?” (They asked that because they had previously decided that anyone who didn’t go to Mitspah to fight for Yahweh would be put to death.) 6Now the Israelis felt sorry for their Benyamite cousins, saying, “An entire tribe has been hacked off Israel today. 7How can we find wives for any Benyamite men that are left because we’ve promised to Yahweh not to give our daughters to them to marry?

8So they asked, “Is there any from our tribes who didn’t show up for Yahweh at Mitspah?” Then listen, no one from Yabesh-Gilead had joined their assembly there. 9(When the people had checked around themselves, they’d realised that no one from Yabesh-Gilead was there.) 10So the Israelis sent twelve thousand warriors there, commanding them to use their swords to kill the inhabitants of Yabesh-Gilead, including married women and children 11specifically they had to kill every male, and every woman who’s slept with a male. 12That way they discovered four hundred young virgin women among the inhabitants of Yabesh-Gilead, and brought them back to their camp at Shiloh (in the Canaan region).

13Then the entire assembly sent a message to the Benyamites at Rimmon rock, saying that they were now ready for peace. 14So the Benyamites returned and were given the young women from Yabesh-Gilead, but there wasn’t enough of them.

15The people still felt sorry for the Benyamites, because Yahweh had caused a gap among Israel’s tribes, 16so the leaders asked, “How can we provide wives for the remaining Benyamite men since the other Benyamite women were wiped out?” 17Because they said, “They must be able to procreate so that an entire Israeli tribe isn’t blotted out. 18But we can’t be the ones to give our daughters to them to marry because we made an oath that anyone who did that would be cursed.”

19They said, “Listen, there’s a celebration for Yahweh from time to time at Shiloh, which is on the north of Bethel, east of the road that goes from Bethel uphill to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.” 20So they told the Benyamites, “Go and hide in those vineyards 21and watch. When the Shiloh girls come out to perform in the dances, come out of the vineyards and you can each catch a wife for yourselves, then go back home to Benyamin. 22When their fathers or brothers complain to us, we’ll tell them, “Let them have them since we didn’t find you for them. And you all won’t be guilty of giving them to the Benyamites because they stole them.

23So that’s what the Benyamites did—they grabbed enough dancing girls to be their wives, then they returned to their allocated land and rebuilt their cities and lived in them. 24The other Israelis went back to their tribes and their families in the areas that had been allocated to them.

25In those days, there was no king in Israel—everyone would just do what seemed right to them.[ref]


2:16 Traditionally called ‘judges’ in most English translations, but that modern term doesn’t fit their various functions in this account at all well. (‘Leaders’ isn’t perfect either but it’s generic enough to cover most of their roles.)

3:3 Or, ‘the entrance to Hamat’.

3:22 The meaning of the last word in the Hebrew here is uncertain, so other translations might differ.

3:23 Again, the Hebrew meaning of the last word here is uncertain, so other translations might differ.

6:21 It’s unclear from the text, whether he just got up and walked away, or if he vanished in a more miraculous fashion.

8:27 We don’t really know what ‘efod’ means in this context. (It was also used to refer to priestly clothing.)

9:6 Likely connected with idol worship.

13:19 We’ve changed this to a passive construction here, because it’s not specified whether it was Yahweh himself or his messenger who did the miracle.

14:11 Although we can understand the words here, we’re not certain of the implications, or perhaps the cultural traditions. Did Shimshon appear too alone? Too intimidating? Or was it just bringing more friends for good food and drink?

14:15 The Greek Septuagint translation says ‘the fourth day’, which perhaps might fit better into the narrative, but ‘seventh’ is in the Hebrew that we have and not necessarily incorrect.

17:7 Maybe one parent was from the tribe of Levi and one from Yehudah?

19:22 Of course, everyone understood that their aim was to sodomise him.


21and_men of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_had_sworn in/on/at/with_Miʦpāh to_say anyone from_him/it not he_will_give daughter_his to_Binyāmīn to/for_(a)_woman.
2And_came the_people house_of wwww and_they_lived there until the_evening to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_ʼElohīm and_lifted_up voices_their and_they_wept weeping great.
3And_they_said to/for_why Oh_YHWH the_god of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) has_it_happened this_[thing] in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) that_missing the_day from_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) a_tribe one.
4And_he/it_was on_next_day and_got_up_early the_people and_built there an_altar and_offered burnt_offerings and_fellowship_offerings.
5and_they_said the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) who [is_the_one]_who not he_went_up in/on/at/with_assembly from_all the_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to YHWH if/because the_oath the_solemn it_was concerning_whoever not he_went_up to YHWH the_Miʦpāh to_say surely_(die) he_will_be_put_to_death.
6And_had_compassion the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to Binyāmīn his/its_woman and_they_said it_has_been_cut_off the_day a_tribe one from_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
7What will_we_do to/for_them for_those_left for_wives and_we we_have_sworn in/on/at/with_LORD to_not to_give to/for_them any_of_daughters_our as_wives.
8And_they_said who [is_the]_one of_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) which not it_went_up to YHWH the_Miʦpāh and_see/lo/see not he_had_come anyone to the_camp from wwww to the_assembly.
9And_counted the_people and_see/lo/see there_[was]_not there anyone of_inhabitants wwww wwww.
10And_sent there the_congregation two_plus ten thousand man from_(the)_sons the_fight and_commanded DOM_them to_say go and_strike DOM the_inhabitants wwww wwww with_edge of_[the]_sword and_the_women and_the_little_ones.
11And_this the_thing which you_all_will_do every male and_all woman [who_has]_known lying of_a_male you_all_will_totally_destroy.
12And_found among_inhabitants wwww wwww four hundred(s) young_woman virgin[s] who not she_had_known a_man by_lying of_a_male and_brought DOM_them to the_camp Shiloh which in_land of_Kinaˊan.
13and_sent all the_congregation and_they_spoke to the_descendants of_Binyāmīn who in/on/at/with_rock of_Rimmōn and_proclaimed to/for_them peace.
14And_returned Binyāmīn in/on/at/with_time the_that and_gave to/for_them the_women whom they_had_preserved_alive from_women wwww wwww and_not they_found to/for_them so.
15And_the_people it_had_compassion for_Binyāmīn if/because he_had_made YHWH a_breach in/on/at/with_tribes of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
16And_they_said the_elders the_congregation what will_we_do for_those_left for_wives if/because she_is_destroyed of_Binyāmīn woman.
17And_they_said a_possession of_[the]_escaped_remnant of_Binyāmīn and_not it_will_be_wiped_out a_tribe from_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
18And_we not we_are_able to_give to/for_them wives of_daughters_our if/because they_had_sworn the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) to_say [be]_cursed [one_who]_gives a_wife to_Binyāmīn.
19and_they_said here the_festival of_YHWH in/on/at/with_Shiloh from_days to_days which to_north of wwww rise_of_on the_sun of_highway the_goes_up from wwww Shəkem_to and_to_south of_Ləⱱōnāh.
20And_instructed[fn][fn] DOM the_descendants of_Binyāmīn to_say go and_hide in/on/at/with_vineyards.
21And_watch and_see/lo/see if they_will_come_out the_daughters of_Shiloh to_dance in/on/at/with_dances and_come_out from the_vineyards and_seize to/for_you_all each_man his/its_wife/woman from_daughters of_Shiloh and_go the_land of_Binyāmīn.
22And_it_was if/because they_will_come fathers_their or brothers_their to_complain[fn] to_us and_say to_them generous_us DOM_them if/because not we_took each_man his/its_wife/woman in/on/at/with_battle if/because not you_all you_all_gave_[them] to/for_them at_the_time you_all_will_be_guilty.
23and_did thus the_descendants of_Binyāmīn and_took wives for_number_their from the_dancers whom they_seized and_went and_returned to inheritance_their and_rebuilt DOM the_cities and_they_lived in/on/at/with_them.
24And_departed from_there the_people of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) in/on/at/with_time the each_man to_tribe_his and_to_family_him and_they_went_out from_there each_man to_inheritance_his_own.
25In_the_days the_those there_[was]_not a_king in/on/at/with_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) each_man the_right in/on/at/with_eyes_his_own he_will_do.

1:19 Note: We read the punctuation in L differently from BHQ.

1:19 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

1:19 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

1:27 Variant note: ישב: (x-qere) ’יֹשְׁבֵ֨י’: lemma_3427 morph_HVqrmpc id_07Xh9 יֹשְׁבֵ֨י

2:12 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.

2:12 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

3:25 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

3:25 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

3:25 Note: We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

3:25 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

3:25 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

4:9 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

4:9 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

4:9 Note: We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

4:11 Variant note: ב/צענים: (x-qere) ’בְּ/צַעֲנַנִּ֖ים’: lemma_b/6815 n_0.0 morph_HR/Np id_07aFY בְּ/צַעֲנַנִּ֖ים

4:17 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

4:17 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

4:17 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

6:5 Variant note: יבאו: (x-qere) ’וּ/בָ֤אוּ’: lemma_c/935 morph_HC/Vqq3cp id_07XWV וּ/בָ֤אוּ

6:12 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

6:12 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

6:12 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

6:34 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

6:34 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

6:34 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

6:35 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

6:35 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

6:35 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

7:13 Variant note: צלול: (x-qere) ’צְלִ֜יל’: lemma_6742 n_0.1.1.0 morph_HNcmsc id_07vwy צְלִ֜יל

7:20 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

7:21 Variant note: ו/יניסו: (x-qere) ’וַ/יָּנֽוּסוּ’: lemma_c/5127 n_0 morph_HC/Vqw3mp id_07f82 וַ/יָּנֽוּסוּ

8:18 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

8:18 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

8:18 Note: We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

9:2 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

9:2 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

9:2 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

9:2 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

9:2 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

9:4 Note: We read the punctuation in L differently from BHQ.

9:4 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

9:4 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

9:4 Note: We read the punctuation in L differently from BHQ.

9:4 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

9:4 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

9:5 Note: We read the punctuation in L differently from BHQ.

9:5 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

9:5 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

9:8 Variant note: מלוכ/ה: (x-qere) ’מָלְכָ֥/ה’: lemma_4427 a morph_HVqv2ms/Sh id_07UZY מָלְכָ֥/ה

9:12 Variant note: מלוכי: (x-qere) ’מָלְכִ֥י’: lemma_4427 a morph_HVqv2fs id_07Euf מָלְכִ֥י

11:32 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

11:32 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

11:32 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

11:33 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.

11:33 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

11:35 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

11:37 Variant note: ו/רעית/י: (x-qere) ’וְ/רֵעוֹתָֽ/י’: lemma_c/7464 n_0 morph_HC/Ncfpc/Sp1cs id_07gHx וְ/רֵעוֹתָֽ/י

12:3 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

12:3 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

12:3 Note: We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

13:17 Variant note: דברי/ך: (x-qere) ’דְבָרְ/ךָ֖’: lemma_1697 n_0.0 morph_HNcmsc/Pp2ms id_07LNG דְבָרְ/ךָ֖

13:18 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

13:18 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

13:18 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

13:18 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

13:18 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

13:18 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

15:13 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.

15:13 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

15:14 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

15:14 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

15:14 Note: We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

16:2 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

16:7 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

16:7 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

16:18 Note: We read the punctuation in L differently from BHQ.

16:18 Note: We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

16:18 Variant note: ל/ה: (x-qere) ’לִ֖/י’: lemma_l n_1.0 morph_HR/Sp1cs id_07TmX לִ֖/י

16:21 Variant note: ה/אסירים: (x-qere) ’הָ/אֲסוּרִֽים’: lemma_d/631 n_0 morph_HTd/Vqsmpa id_07oxz הָ/אֲסוּרִֽים

16:23 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

16:25 Variant note: כי טוב: (x-qere) ’כְּ/ט֣וֹב’: lemma_k/2896 a morph_HR/Vqc id_07URH כְּ/ט֣וֹב

16:25 Variant note: ה/אסירים: (x-qere) ’הָ/אֲסוּרִ֗ים’: lemma_d/631 n_0.1.1 morph_HTd/Vqsmpa id_07yyH הָ/אֲסוּרִ֗ים

16:26 Variant note: ו/הימש/ני: (x-qere) ’וַ/הֲמִשֵׁ֨/נִי֙’: lemma_c/4184 n_1.1.0 morph_HC/Vhv2ms/Sp1cs id_07nfk וַ/הֲמִשֵׁ֨/נִי֙

17:2 Variant note: ו/אתי: (x-qere) ’וְ/אַ֤תְּ’: lemma_c/859 c morph_HC/Pp2fs id_07bTH וְ/אַ֤תְּ

18:30 Note: Suspended letter(s). Shown as suspended letters without a superscript note number.

19:3 Variant note: ל/השיב/ו: (x-qere) ’לַ/הֲשִׁיבָ֔/הּ’: lemma_l/7725 n_1.1 morph_HR/Vhc/Sp3fs id_079hY לַ/הֲשִׁיבָ֔/הּ

19:13 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

19:13 Note: We have abandoned or added a ketib/qere relative to BHS. In doing this we agree with L against BHS.

19:17 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

19:17 Note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

19:21 Note: Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.

19:21 Note: Marks an anomalous form.

19:21 Note: We have abandoned or added a ketib/qere relative to BHS. In doing this we agree with L against BHS.

19:23 Note: We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

19:25 Variant note: ב/עלות: (x-qere) ’כַּ/עֲל֥וֹת’: lemma_k/5927 morph_HR/Vqc id_07mev כַּ/עֲל֥וֹת

20:13 Variant note: (x-qere) ’בְּנֵ֣י’: lemma_1121 a morph_HNcmpc id_07Kvd בְּנֵ֣י

20:13 Note: Adaptations to a Qere which L and BHS, by their design, do not indicate.

21:20 Variant note: ו/יצו: (x-qere) ’וַ/יְצַוּ֕וּ’: lemma_c/6680 n_1.1 morph_HC/Vpw3mp id_07VKr וַ/יְצַוּ֕וּ

21:20 Note: Adaptations to a Qere which L and BHS, by their design, do not indicate.

21:22 Variant note: ל/רוב: (x-qere) ’לָ/רִ֣יב’: lemma_l/7378 n_1.1.1.0 morph_HR/Vqc id_0752H לָ/רִ֣יב