And Gideon said to him: Gideon does not hesitate to respond to the words of the LORD’s messenger. Indeed, in a series of rhetorical questions and strong statements, Gideon shows his frustration over the current situation in Israel.
Pray, sir: Revised Standard Version uses an old English phrase to render Gideon’s initial response, which is literally “With me, my lord [or, master].” It seems to be a polite way of introducing a conversation with someone of higher rank. Good News Translation says “If I may ask, sir.” It may be that Gideon is already doubting the messenger’s words, as in Jerusalem Bible‘s “Forgive me, my lord” or New Jerusalem Bible‘s “Excuse me, my lord.” Contemporary English Version‘s “Please don’t take this wrong” expresses the same idea but is too informal here. Translators should look for a polite response that expresses some of the hesitation in Gideon’s response.
Sir renders the Hebrew word meaning “lord” or “master” (ʾadon). Though it is the same word used to refer to the Lord God in other contexts, here most versions take it to be a polite form of address to another human being. Contemporary English Version does not translate this word. This is perhaps justifiable given that in modern English conversational speech, such forms of address are rarely used. However, in most languages an appropriate word of address can be easily found.
If the LORD is with us, why then has all this befallen us?: Gideon’s response here seems shocking and bordering on irreverent. He turns the personal greeting addressed to him into what seems to be an accusation. Gideon’s question reflects the state of despair he and his fellow Israelites feel. It also raises important questions about the relationship between God and his people. In the deuteronomic tradition God promised to lead his people into the land of Canaan and to drive out their enemies (see Deut 20.1-4; verse 31.3-8). But for Gideon there is a contradiction: how can God be with him and his people when they are in this miserable situation? Gideon turns the angel’s statement around, using us, rather than the expected response “me.” He is clearly hoping to understand why the people are so oppressed: “If it really is true that Yahweh is present with us, why then…?” He wants an answer to a difficult problem. Actually, in Hebrew there is no conditional word if. Rather, the text says “and there is Yahweh with us, then why…?” So translators might use an ironic question, for example, “[are you saying] Yahweh is with us? Then why…?” If this form is not possible, translators might use a negative statement, for example, “the LORD is not with us! If he were with us…” though this goes slightly beyond the Hebrew text.
Why then has all this befallen us? is a rhetorical question, so it does not require an answer. This is Gideon’s way of saying he does not believe the LORD is with them. The text says literally “and why did all this find us?” All this refers to the oppression of the Midianites recounted in verse 6.1-6. In place of the verb “find,” Revised Standard Version uses the old English verb befallen, which expresses the sense of trouble coming upon a person (compare Deut 4.30; verse 31.17). It is important that translators make the negative implications of this question clear. New Revised Standard Version says “why then has all this happened to us?” and Contemporary English Version has “then why have all of these awful things happened?” In some languages it will be best to turn the rhetorical question into a negative statement, for example, “none of this would have happened to us” or “we wouldn’t be in this bad situation.” Some languages may prefer to put the question before the conditional clause, as Good News Translation does with “why has all this happened to us if the LORD is with us?”
And where are all his wonderful deeds which our fathers recounted to us…?: This is another rhetorical question. Clearly Gideon is complaining or is despondent. He cannot see the LORD acting to rescue his people as was promised. This question expresses bitterness, denial, or disbelief. Gideon asks why the LORD is not performing the marvelous acts that he did for their ancestors. In fact, behind these words Gideon is saying, “I cannot see God acting in our lives now,” as well as asking, “Why doesn’t God repeat his deeds now for us?”
All his wonderful deeds renders a Hebrew word that refers to something extraordinary, either in a positive or negative sense. When referring to Yahweh, it speaks of all his marvelous acts, including the special miracles he did through Moses in Egypt that resulted in Israel’s freedom from Pharaoh. These deeds also include God’s provision of food and water in the desert, and his victories over Israel’s enemies along the way, See, for example, Deut 6.20-25; verse 24.1-13; Psalm 105; verse 107. Which our fathers recounted to us refers to the Israelite practice of coming together to remind each other of the Exodus. During festival times the Israelites repeated the story of how God led their ancestors out of Egypt and led them through the desert to the Promised Land. Sometimes our fathers refers to the very first ancestors of the Israelites, that is, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their families. But at other times it refers to the previous generation. Here it seems to refer to both, though the emphasis is probably on the latter. Many languages use the word fathers in similar ways. The Hebrew verb rendered recounted comes from a root meaning “number” or “count.” However, most versions use a verb of speaking here, such as “told” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible).
Saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’: Saying renders the Hebrew quote formula “to say.” Translators can use any natural equivalent in their language. Each generation of Israelites learned how Yahweh performed miracles for their ancestors, and they also heard the reproach Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? For this part of the question, see the comments on verse 2.1. It may be rendered “Oh yes, our fathers kept telling us, ‘The LORD freed us from slavery out of Egypt, didn’t he?’ ” Gideon is wondering why this same God is not delivering the Israelites in the current crisis. This idea may also be expressed in statement form, as a kind of concession to the last part of the verse, for example, “Yes, we all learned that the LORD brought us up from Egypt, but now….” Translators should look for a forceful way of expressing Gideon’s bewilderment and even his outrage. Contemporary English Version takes a slightly different approach, saying “We’ve heard how the LORD performed miracles and rescued our ancestors from Egypt. But those things happened long ago.” The unspoken question is “Where are they now?” or “Why don’t we see them now?”
But now the LORD has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian: This is the heart of what Gideon has been trying to say. He believes God has given up on his people. He comes to the conclusion that if the people of Israel are now having a difficult time, it is because Yahweh is no longer present with them. The Hebrew expression rendered But now conveys the contrast between the past victories God gave his people and their current despondent situation.
The LORD has cast us off means God has “abandoned” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) the Israelites. Other possible renderings for this verb are “deserted” (New Jerusalem Bible), “forsaken,” and “rejected.” Gideon’s reply shows what conclusion he is drawing from the current crisis, but it also shows that he is shortsighted, since God does, in fact, have plans to deliver his people!
And given us into the hand of Midian is a literal rendering of the Hebrew idiomatic expression (see comments on verse 1.2). This statement shows that Gideon believes God is behind the problems of the Israelites. While it might seem like Gideon lacks faith in this situation, it is clear that he has thought about the current crisis and has tried to understand the reasons behind it. The Hebrew word rendered hand (kaf) is not the usual word for it in this book. The word here refers specifically to the “palm” of the hand. Revised Standard Version‘s literal rendering of this clause may be acceptable in some languages. If not, translators may say “and he has allowed the Midianites to have control over us.” Possible models here might be “But now, he has abandoned us! He has allowed the Midianites to have complete control over us!” and “But now he has forsaken us! We are completely under the power of the Midianites.”
The whole verse may be rendered:
• Then Gideon replied, “Sir, excuse me. Are you saying Yahweh is with us? Then why are all these terrible things happening to us? Why doesn’t he do some miracles like our fathers told us about? They told us how Yahweh brought our people out of Egypt. But now he has abandoned us into the hands of the Midianites!”
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 .