Israel then sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying: Here Jephthah continues to tell the story of the Israelites. There is probably quite a time gap between the events described in verse 11.16 and here. Therefore a conjunction such as “Later” might be more appropriate than then. There is a certain sense in which this “story within a story” reflects Jephthah’s present situation. As he sends his messengers to the Ammonite king, so the Israelites of that day sent messengers to the king of Edom (see verse 11.12). Edom was the territory to the southeast of the Dead Sea, with Moab on its northern border (see verse 5.4). The Edomites were related to the Israelites, but very early on they became their enemies.

Let us pass, we pray, through your land is the appeal of the Israelites to the king of Edom. Let us pass is literally “Let me pass,” since Israel as a nation is speaking here. However, like Revised Standard Version, many languages will prefer to use a plural expression here. For the Hebrew verb translated pass (ʿavar), which is found in many Old Testament books, see verse 3.26. We pray renders the Hebrew particle naʾ, which may be translated “Please” (Contemporary English Version). The phrase through your land shows that the Israelites recognized the Edomites’ claim to this territory. Land renders the Hebrew word ʾerets, which often refers to the Promised Land in Judges (see comments on verse 11.12). Good News Translation uses indirect discourse for this embedded quotation by beginning this verse with “Then they sent messengers to the king of Edom to ask permission to go through his land.” This may be a helpful model for other languages.

But the king of Edom would not listen: The Hebrew waw conjunction at the beginning of this clause introduces a contrast, so but is a good rendering. We may also say “Despite their pleas.” The king of Edom would not listen is a literal rendering of the Hebrew, which does not mean that he did not hear, but rather that he did not grant their request. We might say “But the king of Edom would not allow them to do so” or “But the king of Edom did not agree.”

And they sent also to the king of Moab: Sent renders the Hebrew verb shalach, which occurs frequently in this book (see, for example, verse 4.6; verse 6.35; verse 9.31). In some languages it will be necessary to supply an object for this verb, such as “messengers” or “a message.” This clause may be rendered “They also asked the king of Moab for permission to pass through his land.”

But he would not consent: The king of Moab was not willing either to let the Israelites pass through his land. Consent renders a Hebrew verb meaning “agree” or “be willing.” This clause may be translated “but he was not willing either” or “but he would not let them pass through his land either.”

So Israel remained at Kadesh: So renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here, since this clause closes an incident. The verb remained is literally “settled” or “lived,” and appropriate equivalents may be used here.

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 .