9:19a
All the leaders answered: The subject and the object of this sentence are repeated in the Hebrew text for emphasis. In some languages it may be more natural to use pronouns. For example:
But they answered (Good News Translation)
-or-
But the leaders said to them
9:19b
We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel: It may be more natural in some languages to introduce this clause with a word which shows it is the reason for the action. For example:
Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them (New Living Translation (2004))
9:19c
and now we cannot touch them: The clause we cannot touch them indicates that the Israelites could not attack the Gibeonites or harm them. This was because they made a vow to them in the name of Yahweh and this vow was binding.
General Comment on 9:19b-c
It may be more natural in some languages to switch the order of 19b and 19c, and put the reason for the action at the end of the sentence. For example:
19c We must not harm them in any way, 19b because we have made a promise to them in the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
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