And went up: The Hebrew verb rendered went up (ʿalah) is often associated with a military attack as it is here (see verse 1.1). Some versions omit this clause (Contemporary English Version), or say simply “They went” (Bible en français courant). New International Version has “On their way.” However, if the same vocabulary items can be used throughout, the unity of the book will be more evident.
And encamped at Kiriath-jearim in Judah: The verb encamped means the Danites pitched their tents and set up a temporary camp (see verse 6.4). The focus here is on the temporary nature of this camp, so the verb used should convey this idea. We may say “set up their camp” or simply “camped” (Good News Translation). The text does not say how long they stayed at this place, though Contemporary English Version seems to think it was only one night, saying “One night they camped near….” We may also say “They spent the night at….” At Kiriath-jearim in Judah indicates that the Danites had to pass through the region of Judah on their way north to the hill country of Ephraim. The Hebrew preposition rendered at can also mean “in” ( NET Bible, Revised English Bible), “near” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version) or “by.” It would be unusual for 600 men to set up camp inside a small town, so they were probably just somewhere “near” or “in the region of” this town. Kiriath-jearim was a town about 13 kilometers (8 miles) northwest of Jerusalem. The name Kiriath means “city [of],” but the meaning of jearim is unsure, though some scholars think it might mean “forests.” Here Judah refers to a region and not a tribe. We might say “and they set up camp near the town of Kiriath-jearim in the territory of Judah.”
On this account that place is called Mahaneh-dan to this day: The Hebrew phrase rendered On this account (literally “Upon thus”) introduces an explanation about the name of the Danites’ camping site (see verse 15.19). This phrase may be translated “Therefore” or “For this reason.” New International Version has “This is why,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “That is why.” That place refers to where the Danites set up camp. That place is called is literally “they called the place.” Mahaneh-dan means “the camp of Dan” (see verse 13.25). It is important that readers understand the meaning behind this place name. A footnote can give this information, but it is easier for readers if this information is placed within the text itself, as in Contemporary English Version‘s “Dan’s Camp.” We could also transliterate this name and give its meaning: “Mahaneh-dan (which means ‘Dan’s camp’).” To this day refers only to the time of the narrator (see comments on verse 1.21). Translators need to be careful not to give the impression that the place is still called by that name today, even if it is possible to identify its location. We might say “from that time on.”
Behold, it is west of Kiriath-jearim: The Hebrew word hinneh rendered behold seems somewhat out of place here. This word usually marks an important event, but it is hard to see what this word is marking here. Thus many versions simply omit this word (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). It is west of Kiriath-jearim is literally “[it is] behind Kiriath-jearim.” In this context the Hebrew word for “behind” has the sense of west. Good News Translation combines this clause with the first half of the verse, saying “They went up and camped west of Kiriath Jearim in Judah,” which is an acceptable model.
Translation models for this verse are:
• The soldiers arrived near the town of Kiriath-jearim in the region of Judah and set up camp there. That is why the place is called “Dan’s Camp” till this day. This place is located west of the town.
• They came as far as Kiriath-jearim in Judah and pitched their tents west of the town. For that reason this place was called Mahaneh-dan (“Camp of Dan”) from that time on.
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 .