And I said to you introduces what God said to the Israelites after he delivered them from Egypt and gave them the land of Canaan. The prophet is speaking here, but he is quoting the LORD. The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and may be translated “Then.” Some languages have emphatic speech formulas, such as “I said, I say,” which may be an appropriate rendering for I said. Good News Translation uses indirect speech for the quote that follows, but the translation will have more impact if a direct quote is maintained here.

I am the LORD your God is an expression drawn from the Sinai covenant story. See Exo 20.2, which spells out this special relationship between Yahweh and the people of Israel. The Hebrew is literally “I [am] Yahweh your God,” with an emphatic first person pronoun. For the LORD, see verse 1.1. In some cultures it is impossible for someone to possess God, so the expression your God could pose some problems. If translators cannot render this expression literally, they might say “the God you worship.”

You shall not pay reverence to the gods of the Amorites: This command resembles the orders given to the people through Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exo 20.3; verse 23.13). The Hebrew verb translated pay reverence (yareʾ) is the same one often used in the Old Testament, meaning to serve, worship and follow Yahweh (see, for example, Deut 6.2, where it is rendered “fear”). Its meaning is similar here, but in this context the Israelites are warned against worshiping or adoring the Amorite gods. Many versions translate it “adore” (Bible en français courant) or “worship” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible). A word must be found that can be used in worshiping idols or foreign gods. In some languages you shall not pay reverence to may be expressed as “don’t pray to,” which has a wider meaning of “don’t worship.”

In Hebrew there is a direct contrast between the LORD your God and the gods of the Amorites. Both God and gods render the plural Hebrew word ʾelohim. See verse 1.7. The Amorites were another group who lived in Canaan (see comments on verse 1.34). On occasion they are distinguished from the Canaanites, while at other times they are considered part of the broader group known as Canaanites.

In whose land you dwell: This clause is also found in verse 24.15, where it is linked with the Amorites. So there is a clear connection then between this section in Jdg 6 and the statement of faith found in Josh 24. Some languages may prefer to reverse the order of this clause and the previous one by saying “You are living among the Amorites, but don’t worship [or, bow down] to their gods/idols.” This ends the quotation of what the LORD had said to the Israelites previously, and now the LORD goes on to make an important observation.

But you have not given heed to my voice: This last line rounds out this quote, but is outside the quote within a quote above. The LORD’s words here are brief, sad, and ominous. He sees that despite his clear commands, his people do not obey him. See the comments on verse 2.2, where the Hebrew here is translated “But you have not obeyed my command.” But is a good rendering of the contrastive waw conjunction here. Given heed renders the key Hebrew verb shamaʿ, which means “hear” or “obey.” Possible models are “But you have not listened to me” (New International Version) and “But you have disobeyed me” ( NET Bible). But many translators may want to keep the poetic language here: “but you did not hear my voice.”

For the translation of this verse we can say:

• Then I said to you:
“Me, I am the LORD your God.
Though you are living in Amorite land,
you must not pray to their idols.”
But you have not listened to my voice!’ ”

• I told you, I said:
“I am Yahweh, the God you worship.
You must not worship the gods of the Amorites,
in the land where you are living.”
But you have not listened to me.’ ”

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 .