Then her husband arose: Her husband is literally “her man.” In English the word husband usually refers to someone who is legally married. But in many cultures around the world, even in informal unions, the man is known as the husband. Translators should use a term that is appropriate to this situation. Arose renders the key Hebrew verb qum, which is often used to introduce deliverers (see, for example, verse 3.9, 15). Here in yet another ironic twist, it describes a villain, a man whose acts are in part responsible for the biggest civil war in the history of Israel. If possible, the verb arose should be kept to underline the thematic links throughout the book.
And went after her may be rendered “and went to find his wife” or “and went looking for her.” Of course, Revised Standard Version‘s rendering does not mean he went to attack her.
To speak kindly to her and bring her back: These two infinitive clauses explain why the Levite went to find his wife. First, he wants to speak kindly to her, which seems to suggest that the first Hebrew verb in verse 19.2 means “be angry” or “desert,” rather than “be unfaithful.” In most cultures his attempt to bring her back would be an indication that he was the one originally at fault. However, many things in this story are shocking, so no interpretation, even her infidelity, can be excluded. To speak kindly to her is literally “to speak to her heart,” meaning “to speak tenderly to her” (New Revised Standard Version). However, in Hebrew the “heart” is the seat not just of the emotions but also of the mind, so the Levite could be trying “to persuade her” (Good News Translation). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh’s “to woo her” and New American Bible‘s “to forgive her” are not very convincing.
Bring her back gives the second reason the Levite went after his wife, here with a causative form of the key Hebrew verb shuv (“return”). For these two clauses we might say “to persuade her to return home” or “to persuade her to come back with him.”
He had with him his servant and a couple of asses: These details show that the Levite was a well-off man. Not everyone had servants and most people walked on foot. The Hebrew word rendered servant (naʿar) can mean “male servant” or “young man” (see verse 7.10). There may be some irony here, since in the beginning of the first appendix, a Levite (perhaps the same one) is himself described as a “young man” (see verse 17.7). If this is the same Levite, that “young man” would have grown in status, having now himself a servant. Translating “young man” here rather than servant will preserve this literary tie. But in many languages this will not be natural. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “attendant,” which is one possibility. For asses see verse 1.14. A couple of asses may be rendered “a pair of donkeys” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or simply “two donkeys” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Probably the Levite brought two donkeys instead of one, so that he and his wife could both ride instead of walk. These animals play an important role in the remainder of this section. Indeed, at some point the Levite’s concern and care for his donkeys seem greater than his care and concern for his wife (compare verse 19.19, 21).
And he came to her father’s house: This rendering is based on the Septuagint. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and many versions prefer the Hebrew text here, which reads “And she brought him to her father’s house” (followed by Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). However, the ver Septuagintver* rendering seems to make more sense in this context, since the Levite’s wife had already been at her father’s home for four months. But the Hebrew may reflect the practices of that day: it is possible that after she heard her husband was on his way, she went out to meet him, leading him back to her father’s house.
And when the girl’s father saw him renders an independent clause in Hebrew, literally “and the father of the young woman saw him.” Girl renders the feminine form of the Hebrew word translated servant. Here it refers to a young woman of marriageable age. Here it probably also reflects her lower status (compared to a wife). The word father is repeated twice here for emphasis. The text does not say whether the father saw this son-in-law for the first time, but the text that follows seems to imply they had already met, and this certainly would have been the cultural norm. We might say “When the young woman’s father saw her husband.”
He came with joy to meet him: Most parents want their children’s marriages to succeed, so this would explain the father’s joy. Also, as explained above (verse 19.2), the dissolving of a marriage contract was a family affair and often involved the loss of money. The Hebrew verb rendered came with joy is literally “was glad” or “rejoiced” (see comments on verse 9.19). The Hebrew verb translated meet usually means “meet unexpectedly.” Since it seems the two men knew each other, translators might rather say “he was overjoyed to see him [again].” Other models might be “he gave him a hearty greeting” (Good News Translation), “he gladly welcomed him” (New International Version), and “he received him warmly” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Contemporary English Version has “Her father was glad to see him,” which does not seem strong enough.
The storyteller’s skill can be seen here. The Levite’s father-in-law is overjoyed to see him and does everything he can to please him. However, the audience knows the Levite will soon be responsible for the brutal murder of this man’s daughter.
Translation models for this verse are:
• Then her husband [or, the Levite] went to persuade her to come back [with him]. He took along a young lad and two donkeys and arrived at her father’s house. When her father saw him, he welcomed him with joy.
• Then the Levite set off, with his servant and two donkeys, to convince his concubine to come back home with him. She led him to her father’s house, and her father was overjoyed to see him.
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 .