While the previous verse explained what the Israelites had done to merit their punishment, this verse describes it. In most languages this order will make sense. If not, 2.20-21 might be combined. If there is a full stop at the end of the previous verse, it may be helpful to begin this verse with “Therefore,” “Because of this,” or “That’s why.”

I will not henceforth drive out before them …: In Hebrew this is an emphatic statement from God, similar to verse 2.3, beginning with the words “also I,” conveying the idea that a conclusion is being expressed. Revised Standard Version does not render this emphasis. It may be expressed by saying “So, this is what I’ve decided to do….” Revised English Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh have “I for my part…,” an emphatic phrase that could serve as a model in some languages.

The emphatic opening is followed by an emphatic negative statement, will not henceforth drive out (literally “will not add to drive out a man”), which means God will not continue to drive out any more Canaanites. The period of divine assistance is now at an end. Good News Translation translates “I will no longer drive out.” For drive out see verse 1.19. Here the verb has a direct object, “a man,” not expressed by Revised Standard Version. This is an emphatic way of saying “not a single man,” “not even one,” or “not any.” If possible, translators should try to express this emphasis. Before them refers to the Israelites and this can be made explicit if need be. Some versions leave this phrase out, since it may be understood from the context.

Any of the nations that Joshua left when he died: This clause completes and adds emphasis to the declaration of the LORD. It mentions a number of important elements. First, the Hebrew word for nations (goyim) ties back to the ironic remark made in verse 2.20, where Israel is designated a goy, a nation like any other. Also the mention of Joshua evokes a time when Israel was successful in entering the Promised Land and driving out their enemies. Joshua’s death is seen as a decisive turning point, when things start to go downhill, as the people no longer serve the LORD. Very often the term nations has to be rendered according to context. Here it refers to non-Israelite nations, but these are not large countries as the modern term might imply. Rather, these nations are tribal groups, whether large or small, such as the Canaanites (verse 1.4), the Jebusites (verse 1.21), and the Amorites (verse 1.34). If possible, the translation should imply that these are peoples who do not worship Yahweh. So we might speak of “foreign peoples,” “foreign clans,” or “foreign tribes.” The nations that Joshua left when he died refers to the non-Israelite tribes that were still living in the Promised Land when Joshua died. We might speak of “the foreign peoples who remained when Joshua died” or “the foreign tribes who were still there after Joshua died.” Good News Translation translates “the nations that were still in the land when Joshua died.” This is a good model to follow.

Translation suggestions for this verse are:

• Because of this, I have firmly decided I will no longer drive out even one of the foreign peoples/tribes remaining in the land when Joshua died.

• So here is my decision: I will no longer help them remove any of these pagan peoples who remained in the land after Joshua’s death.

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 .