23:11
The reason why a person should not take the land of orphans who cannot defend themselves is that they do in fact have someone who will defend them. The first line of this verse describes what this defender is like. The second line describes what he will do to defend orphans whose land has been wrongfully taken.
11a for their Redeemer is strong;
11b He will take up their case against you.
23:11a
for their Redeemer is strong: This line contains a metaphor that leaves a lot of information implied. It compares the LORD to a close relative of a needy person. This relative was responsible to defend and protect the rights of the needy person. He was also responsible to take legal action against anyone who wronged them.
Redeemer: In Hebrew, the noun used here is a technical legal term. It refers specifically to a particular relative who had these responsibilities. The same term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz (see Ruth 2:20; 3:9; and 4:1, 3). In that context, the Berean Standard Bible translated it as “kinsman-redeemer.” Another expression is:
the one who is responsible for them (God’s Word)
If your language has an expression for such a person, you may be able to use it here.
strong: In this context, the word strong refers to the authority and power that a person needs to successfully defend the rights of orphans.
In Hebrew, this metaphor does not indicate explicitly who the defender is. Some English versions indicate that the Redeemer is the LORD, but they do not clarify that he functions here as a “kinsman-redeemer.” In most translations, it will be helpful to supply at least some of the implied information. For example:
• Make explicit that the one who redeems orphans is the LORD. For example:
The Lord is their powerful defender (Good News Translation)
-or-
God, their defender, is strong (New Century Version)
• Imply that the one who defends/redeems orphans is the LORD by using a capital letter, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. For example:
for their Redeemer is strong (English Standard Version)
-or-
for their Protector is strong (NET Bible)
-or-
they have a powerful Guardian (Revised English Bible)
If you use this option, remember that it will be helpful only to readers, not to listeners.
• Make explicit that the LORD fulfills the responsibilities of a close relative. For example:
The Lord is like a relative who has the responsibility of helping them, and he is very strong.
• Add a footnote that explains the meaning of the word used here and lists some of verses where it is used. For example:
In Hebrew, this word refers to a close relative who was responsible to defend the rights of a person who was in trouble or danger. This relative often helped the person not to lose his ancestral land. See Leviticus 25:25, 48–49; and Ruth 2:20; 3:9; 4:1, 3.
Consider which option or combination of options will effectively express the meaning in your language.
23:11b
He will take up their case against you: In this clause the pronoun He is emphatic. It emphasizes that the LORD himself will defend them as their lawyer. He will also serve as a judge who will punish the person who takes their land. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
he himself will bring their charges against you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
he will defend their rights and will condemn you
This clause and the context are very similar to 22:23a. See the notes there for other translation advice.
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