This verse is an “aside,” since it does not contribute directly to the current story line. Rather, it provides readers with background information on the movement of the Kenites and in particular, Heber, the husband of Jael, a main character in this story (verse 4.17). However, there is a link to the present story with the mention of Kedesh, Barak’s hometown. Most versions put this verse into a paragraph of its own.

Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites: Now translates the Hebrew waw conjunction. It would be good to use a connector that introduces a side statement, for example, “In the meantime” (Good News Translation) or “At this time” (Contemporary English Version). Heber is a name that is first mentioned in Gen 46.17 as belonging to a man from the tribe of Asher. Here it refers to an individual whose wife will play an important role in this story. For the Kenite, see verse 1.16.

Had separated from the Kenites indicates that Heber and his family decided to move away from their clan, the Kenites. The Hebrew verb rendered had separated means “divided,” as when a river divides into two parts. Thus Heber and his family “broke away” from their original group. The text does not give a reason for this separation, but this was a common occurrence when there were disputes or when the land was not suitable or big enough for a given group (see, for example, Gen 13.11). Separated may also be rendered “migrated” or “moved away.” Revised Standard Version uses the past anterior verb tense, had separated, to show this is background information.

From the Kenites is literally “from Qayin” (seemingly related to the name “Cain”), which may be a reference to a location in the south of Judah or to the people. However, the further description, the descendants of Hobab, makes it clear that the clan or people group is intended. In some languages it may be unusual to repeat Kenites, so we might rather say “At that time Heber and his family had separated off from his clan, the Kenites.”

The descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses: In Num 10.29 Hobab is referred to as the son of Reuel the Midianite, and as Moses’ father-in-law. This person is first mentioned in verse 1.16, but without his name.

And had pitched his tent …: Heber and his family moved into a new region. Pitched his tent renders an idiomatic Hebrew expression that means “settled” or “set up a home” in a given place. “Tents” were made of animal skins and were the traditional form of housing for a nomadic or semi-nomadic people. Heber and his clan migrated and set up their new home in this northern region. In many languages it will be better to use a functional equivalent for pitched his tent, such as “was living,” “moved his family,” or “installed himself and his family,” but this expression is certainly introduced here to set the scene for what follows, when Jael invites Sisera into her tent. Thus if possible, it is best to keep this word here. Revised Standard Version once again uses the past anterior tense, had pitched, to show that this event occurred before the present story.

As far away as the oak in Za-anannim: The Hebrew preposition for as far away as can be rendered “at” (New International Version), “near” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), or “by” (New American Bible). The oak in Za-anannim refers to what must have been a significant landmark, a large oak tree near to the town of Za-anannim (see verse 19.33). Some scholars assume this was a sacred tree. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh transliterates the entire place name as “at Elon-bezaanannim,” but it will be easier for readers if part of this long name is translated. For oak tree. Since many languages will not have a name for oak, this whole phrase may be rendered “near the big/great tree in the town of Zaanannim.”

Which is near Kedesh: Za-anannim was near the town of Kedesh in the north. By going to Kedesh, Heber moved a very long way from his tribal home. This town is first mentioned in verse 4.6.

Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version change the order of this verse by saying first that Heber lived near the oak tree and then stating that he had moved away from his clan. There is a lot of information in this verse, and translators should arrange this background material in a natural way in their language. Translation examples for this verse are:

• Now it so happened that Heber, a Kenite, from the clan of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, had left the rest of the tribe and migrated north, settling near the oak tree by the town of Zaanannim near Kedesh.

• Meanwhile a Kenite man by the name of Heber took his family and moved north toward Kedesh, away from the rest of the clan. They settled down in a place called Zaanannim close to the big tree there. Heber and his family were descendants of Hobab, who was the father-in-law of Moses.

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 .