And the people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years: This verse uses words that have been discussed in the previous text. And, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, introduces consecutive action here, but also the result. Thus a conjunction such as “So” (New Revised Standard Version) would also be appropriate. For served see verse 3.8. In this context the verb does not mean “worshiped” or “followed,” but “were subject to” (Good News Translation) or “worked [as servants/slaves] for.” Translators should render eighteen years as it stands.

One translation possibility for this verse is:

• The Israelites were enslaved by Eglon, the king of the Moabites, for eighteen years.

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 .