The ten leading men of the community who were with him, the heads of families of the western tribes may be narrowed down to either “the ten leaders who had come with him from the western tribes” or “the ten leaders from the western tribes.”

In the clause heard what the people … had to say, the verb heard must be translated so as to indicate intentional hearing rather than accidental hearing: “listened to the explanation given by the men from the tribes of….”

As verse 30 indicates, Phinehas himself is a priest, even though he may also be referred to as the son of Eleazar the priest (verse 31). Again, this was information of some significance to the original readers, though it is not necessary for it to be carried over into the discourse of other languages. One may translate “30 Phinehas the priest…. 31 Phinehas said to them….”

Now we know that the LORD is with us must be translated with inclusive first personal pronouns for we and us, if such a distinction exists in the receptor language. For languages which do not have the inclusive and exclusive forms, it may be rendered: “Now we all know that the LORD is with our people (or, nation).”

It is possible to rearrange the reply of Phinehas: “You did not rebel against the LORD. So now we know that the LORD is with us, and he will not have to punish our people.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .