Then down marched the remnant of the noble: These words are similar to those in verse 5.11b Revised Standard Version, and begin with the same Hebrew connector for Then (ʾaz). As there, it is difficult to tell if this is really reporting an action or serving rather as a kind of refrain. The Hebrew verb rendered down marched is emphasized since it appears sentence initially and is repeated in the next line. Both times it has a military meaning. The remnant of the noble is a new phrase, which presents exegetical and textual difficulties. The first Hebrew noun in this phrase is sarid, which could be a proper name, “Sarid,” a town near Taanach mentioned in verse 19.10, 12, or it could be a word meaning remnant. Though Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives an {A} rating to the proper name “Sarid,” most versions render the word as remnant, coming from a root meaning “survive” or “remain.” This root is a keyword in many books of the Old Testament, especially in reference to the Exile. If the reading with remnant is followed, in this context the most logical reference would be to the Israelite survivors of the battle that has just been won. Although this word a is singular in Hebrew, it clearly has a collective sense. New International Version speaks of “the men who were left,” and Contemporary English Version of “the [LORD’s] people who were left.” These are good models to follow, or we might say “those who were left after the battle” or “those who survived the battle.”

The Hebrew noun rendered noble comes from a root meaning “majestic” and refers to those who have a high social position. Thus Revised English Bible calls them “chieftains,” and Contemporary English Version and Good News Translation “leaders.” But within the context of this song, the noble (literally “the noblemen”) may rather be a praise name for the deliverers of Israel or the survivors of the battle. Thus NET Bible calls them “the mighty ones,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “the mighty.” However, there is another problem of interpretation here since the Hebrew does not have of, but the preposition l-, meaning “to,” “belonging to,” “for,” or even “over.” Thus while some versions opt for a rendering close to Revised Standard Version, with a meaning “remnant of the nobles,” New International Version says “the men who were left came down to the nobles,” and Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version adopt a similar reading. Translators will have to decide which interpretation to follow before translating this line.

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 .