Though seemingly straightforward, this verse poses several problems for translators. First, the rendering by Revised Standard Version of the initial Hebrew waw conjunction as And is questionable, since this verse does not seem directly linked to what precedes. Most versions do not translate this conjunction. However, NET Bible‘s “Now” seems appropriate to introduce this new material.

The descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law describes people related through marriage to Moses. Though the descendants of the Kenite is literally “the sons/children of [the] Kenite,” no personal name is given here. However, in other parts of Scripture (Exo 3.1; Num 10.29), Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite priest, is presented by two different names: Jethro or Hobab. The Kenites are a clan or tribe of people who lived in the desert south of Israel. The LORD had promised the Israelites that the land of the Kenites would become part of the Promised Land, to be inherited by the people of Israel (Gen 15.19). According to Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, two translations are possible here; first, “the descendants of the Kenite [who was] Moses’ father-in-law,” and second, “the Kenites [who descended] from Moses’ father-in-law.”

The expression Moses’ father-in-law causes other problems for translators and interpreters. Revised Standard Version follows the Masoretic Text, which has the Hebrew word chothen, meaning “father-in-law.” But some manuscripts of the ver Septuagintver* read “brother-in-law.” However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not support this reading. To avoid this problem we might say “The Kenite clan, in-laws of Moses” or “The Kenites, of which Moses was the in-law.” Translators will have to decide which interpretation to follow, and if they so desire, put the alternative in a footnote. Most English versions are similar to Revised Standard Version, translating “father-in-law.”

Went up with the people of Judah: In verse 1.1 the Hebrew verb for “go up” means “fight against,” but in this context went up seems to refer to some kind of group migration. Indeed if, as most believe, the city of palms is Jericho, the people would be leaving a lower area for the higher Negeb region. Some see rather the verb as meaning “get up and leave,” as in Contemporary English Version‘s “left.” For the people of Judah (literally “the sons/children of Judah”), see verse 1.8.

From the city of palms: From means this was their point of departure. The city of palms is a descriptive name for Jericho, a well-known town slightly northeast of Jerusalem and east of the Judean hills in the Jordan Valley. In biblical times anyone hearing or reading the phrase “the city of palms” would know immediately what this expression was referring to (see verse 2 Chr 28.15). For modern-day readers, it may be better to include at least the known name. Good News Translation, for example, says “from Jericho, the city of palm trees.” Palm trees are fairly well known the world over. The reference here is to date palms, which grew even in desert regions near oases. If date palms are not known, a general word for palm tree may be used. Note, however, that these palms were not the kind that bears coconuts.

Into the wilderness of Judah: Even though the word into does not occur in Hebrew, this word gives the direction of the migration. Some languages will have to expand here by saying “and they went [or, traveled] to….” The Hebrew word for wilderness (midbar) refers to a desert, that is, a dry, sandy region with very little vegetation. Within the tribal territory of Judah to the south, there were large expanses of desert. Due to lack of water and vegetation, these areas were rarely inhabited. However, during some times in the year, there was rainfall, and grass could grow and flocks could graze there. This is not the same wilderness where Jesus was tempted, which was farther to the north. However, the term used in the New Testament may be used here, if it fits this context. Good News Translation says “barren country.” The reference to the wilderness of Judah is from the perspective of a later time, since this land did not yet belong to Judah.

Which lies in the Negeb near Arad: The Hebrew text has “which [is] in Negeb of Arad.” For Negeb see verse 1.9. Arad was a city located in the southern region of Palestine. It was almost directly south of Hebron and a little northeast of Beersheba. Contemporary English Version offers a good model, saying “near Arad in the Southern Desert of Judah.”

And they went and settled with the people: This clause, introduced by the Hebrew waw conjunction, can be seen as a kind of summary statement. Though the Hebrew has a singular “and he went and settled…,” Revised Standard Version and most other versions use the plural pronoun they. Went translates the simple Hebrew verb for “go,” while settled renders a verb meaning “sit,” “dwell,” “inhabit,” or “settle” (more or less permanently). See verse 1.9. However, many languages omit went here as it repeats information. The verbs might also be combined to say “went to settle.” With the people (similarly New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) renders the Masoretic Text, but many versions, including New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible and New American Bible, have decided to follow some manuscripts of the ver Septuagintver*, which says “with the Amalekites.” In fact, the beginning of the Hebrew words for people and “Amalek” are identical. Also the southern area described here was the traditional homeland of the Amalekite people (see Exo 17.8-16). Translators may follow either reading, but if the Septuagint is followed, it is good to mark the Hebrew in a footnote (see second model below).

Models for the translation of this verse are:

• The descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, the Kenites, joined together with the people of Judah and left the town of Jericho. They headed south to the desert near Arad in the wilderness of Judah and settled with the people there.

• The Kenites, in-laws of Moses,* joined with the people of Judah and went south from Jericho, the Town of Palm Trees, and settled in the southern desert, near the town of Arad among the Amalekites.*
* Some think this is a reference to the father-in-law of Moses, while others think it refers to his brother-in-law.
* This follows some manuscripts of the Septuagint. The Hebrew says “with the people.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .