But the fig tree said to them …: Following the pattern of the previous response, the fig tree also declines the invitation of the other trees. Since this is a refusal, But is an appropriate connector here. In Hebrew the word for “olive tree” is masculine, while the word for fig tree is feminine, so the fig tree said is literally “she said the fig tree.” Translators will need to use whatever pronouns or agreement is necessary. In some languages trees belong to a special noun class category and will have their own special forms of agreement. For said see verse 9.9.

Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit…?: This is another rhetorical question. For Shall I leave, see verse 9.9. The same wording used there should be used here, whether an interrogative or statement form. My sweetness refers to the flavor of the fig and parallels “my fatness” of the olive tree. In many languages it will not be possible to speak abstractly of my sweetness. Translators may have to combine it with my good fruit by saying “my good sweet fruit” (Good News Translation). The general Hebrew word for good (tov), often found in this part of the book, could refer to size and sweetness and implies the fruit is good to eat.

And go to sway over the trees: See verse 9.9. It is important that the same wording be used throughout the fable since repetition is an important characteristic of this genre.

We can translate this verse as follows:

• But Fig Tree also declined their offer, saying, ‘How could I stop producing my good sweet fruit just to rule over some trees?’

• But the fig tree answered, ‘What, give up production of my good sweet fruit? I won’t give this up to rule trees!’

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 .