OET interlinear JOS 7:6

7:6a

Then: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as Then introduces the next event in the storyline. There is some implied information here. The Israelite soldiers returned to their camp and told Joshua what happened in the battle. In some languages it may be clearer to make this information explicit. For example:

When the soldiers returned to camp and reported to Joshua, he tore his clothes

Joshua: In the Hebrew text Joshua is mentioned alone as the subject of the sentence. Later in the verse, the elders of Israel also acted along with Joshua. This is a way to emphasize Joshua because he was the leader, and his reaction was the most important.

In some languages it may be more natural to include the elders of Israel as part of the subject. For example:

Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothes

tore his clothes: The phrase tore his clothes means that Joshua intentionally tore his clothes open. This dramatic action was a way to express grief or sorrow. Joshua ripped open his upper and under garment in front of his chest, as a symbol of the pain in his heart.7:6 This dramatic action was an expression of heartfelt grief. TWOT says that he tore both outer and inner garments (p. 816). Holladay’s lexicon defines this word as “to tear, to tear in pieces.” However, Bratcher and Newman says this was “probably only a tear along the edge of the outer garment” (p. 89). This seems unlikely because it is difficult to make a small tear along the edge of a garment with only the bare hands. It is recommended that you translate this as tearing his clothes completely open.

It may be helpful to make the reason for this action explicit. For example:

tore their clothes in grief (GNT)

7:6b

and fell facedown: Joshua lay down on the ground with his face downward. The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as fell means that Joshua deliberately lay down on the ground. This was one of the ways that he showed his humility and sorrow.

7:6c

before: The word before indicates “in front of” the ark.

the ark of the LORD: the ark of the LORD was a wooden box that represented the presence of Yahweh among the people. You should use the same word for ark as you did in 3:3.

until evening: Joshua lay this way until the sun set.

7:6d

as did the elders of Israel: The Hebrew is an ellipsis. In many languages it may be necessary to express it in a different way. For example:

he and the elders of Israel all did this

The leaders of Israel did the same thing. (NCV)

The elders of Israel also did these things along with Joshua.

The Hebrew text puts this reference to the elders at an unusual place in the verse. In some languages it may not be natural to keep the order of the Hebrew text. Some English versions include the elders, along with Joshua, as the subject of the sentence in 7:6a. For example:

^6aJoshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes in grief (GNT)

Express this in a way that is natural in your language.

the elders of Israel: The elders of Israel were older men who were the leaders of Israel.

7:6e

and they all sprinkled dust on their heads: It was the custom for people to put dust on their heads to show sorrow. In some languages the reason for this action must be made explicit. For example:

with dust on their heads to show their sorrow (GNT)

sprinkled: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as sprinkled is more literally “to cause to go up.” The precise action that the people used is not clear. Some English versions translate this word as “threw” (REB, NCV, NET). Choose a word that seems natural in your language.

dust: The word dust can also be translated as “dirt.”