And this he said of Judah: Good News Translation says “About the tribe of Judah he said.” Translators may follow these models, or introduce the name of Judah into the first line:

• People of the tribe of Judah, the LORD will listen to you, as….

Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah: this is a request, or prayer, that the LORD will answer the prayer for help made by the people of Judah.

Bring him in to his people: this is a prayer that the LORD will make the tribe of Judah a part of the people of Israel again. When the northern tribes rebelled and became a separate nation, Judah was left alone as a separate nation, the Kingdom of Judah (see 1 Kgs 12.16-17). Alternative translation models are “and bring them [or, you] back to the other tribes,” or “unite you with the other tribes.”

With thy hands contend for him: the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates that this is a conjecture; the Hebrew is literally “with his hands he contended.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project ({B} rating) prefers “with his hands he contends for him,” meaning that he, Judah, fights for (or, defends) himself (see also Good News Translation footnote). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “Though his own hands strive for him,” but in a footnote says “better ‘Make his hands strong for him.’ ” This is how Revised English Bible and New Revised Standard Version translate: “strengthen his hands for him”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “Defend him with your power.” It is recommended that translators follow New Revised Standard Version, perhaps with a footnote indicating that the Hebrew text has “with his hands he contended.” The translation can be “Make them [that is, the people of the tribe of Judah] strong,” or “May the LORD make you strong.”

Be a help against his adversaries: this request complements the previous one; it asks God to help the people of Judah as they fight their enemies. Contemporary English Version has “now the LORD will help you.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .