Translation commentary on Judges 6:2

And the hand of Midian prevailed over Israel means Israel was completely dominated by the powerful Midianites. And, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, seems to introduce the result of the LORD’s handing the Israelites over to the Midianites. An appropriate transition here might be “So.” This is the second time that the phrase the hand of Midian is used in this narrative (see verse 6.1), showing once again the role the keyword hand plays in this book. The verb rendered prevailed comes from a Hebrew root meaning “be strong” (see comments on verse 3.10). This verb suggests that every time the Israelites attempted to overthrow the Midianites, they were unable to do so. For this whole clause Revised English Bible has “The Midianites were too strong for Israel,” and Good News Translation says “The Midianites were stronger than Israel.” Translators can also use idiomatic expressions, for example, “Midian bore down heavily on Israel” (New Jerusalem Bible). In some languages it may be better to present this clause from the viewpoint of the Israelites by saying “The Israelites were [constantly] oppressed by the Midianites” or “… were powerless before the Midianites.”

And because of Midian is literally “from faces of Midian.” It introduces a clause telling what happened as a result of the Midianite oppression. There is no conjunction in Hebrew here, but many versions add and, as Revised Standard Version has done. The repetition of the proper name Midian for the third time here in two verses emphasizes the power of these people. This phrase may be rendered “Because of the Midianites,” “Because of the attacks of the Midianites,” or “Because of the Midianite oppression.” New American Bible has “For fear of Midian,” and New Jerusalem Bible says “To escape from the Midianites,” which is a good model. We could also repeat the previous clause by saying “The Midianites oppressed the Israelites so much that….”

The people of Israel made for themselves the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves and the strongholds: Because of the Midianite oppression, the Israelites are forced to go into hiding. The phrase the people of Israel also occurs at the beginning of verse 6.1. If this repetition is not natural, a pronoun can be used here. Made for themselves is a literal rendering of the Hebrew. New International Version says “prepared … for themselves.” However, in light of the objects mentioned, dens … caves … strongholds, a more specific verb may be needed, for example, “arranged.” In some languages each of the objects may need its own specific verb. For themselves renders an idiomatic expression in Hebrew that can be kept, if it is natural. Otherwise, it can be omitted.

The use of three similar terms, dens, caves and strongholds, emphasizes to what extent the Israelites had to go to protect themselves. This detailed list seems to evoke a note of sadness or shame, as if to say, “Look to what extent we were humiliated!” This humiliation will later contrast with the greatness of God’s victory in this region (verse 7.22). The Hebrew word rendered dens occurs only here in the Old Testament, so its meaning is uncertain. However, most scholars believe it refers to natural openings or holes where wild animals such as lions and wolves live. In languages where this word does not exist, translators can refer to “holes where animals live.” These dens were in the mountains, showing that the Israelites were pushed back, moving away from the cities and plains, which were open to attack. These mountains, which were probably located on the western side of the Jordan River, enabled the people to hide from their aggressive enemies. For the Hebrew word rendered mountains (har), see verse 1.9, where it is translated “hill country.” Like dens, caves are also natural openings in the mountains and so can be used as hiding places. If a word for caves does not exist, translators might say “holes [or, openings] in the rocks” or “hollow places in the mountains.” If two words cannot be found for dens and caves, one expression may serve for both. The Hebrew word for strongholds can refer to fortified structures or fortresses such as the citadel of Jerusalem, but in this context the word probably refers to places that were difficult to reach or inaccessible, perhaps rocks at the tops of the mountains. What is clear is these are all places where Israelites could hide and feel safe. As noted above, translators will need to find the proper verbs for preparing each of these objects. The Israelites probably did not actually dig dens and caves, but more likely found spots that could be turned into hiding places. In many cultures where mountains are not known, it may be better to reduce the number of locations mentioned. For example, the clause may be rendered “the Israelites found holes in the ground and high rocks to hide themselves from their enemies” or “… had to find places far away to hide from their enemies.” ver GNTver* and ver CEVver* also shorten this clause. Good News Translation says “the people of Israel hid from them in caves and other safe places in the hills.” Contemporary English Version provides a good model: “many Israelites ran to the mountains and hid in caves.”

Other translation models for the last sentence of this verse are:

• The Midianites pressed them so hard, the Israelites were forced to hide themselves in the caves in the mountains.

• For fear of the Midianites, the Israelites went into hiding, making places to stay in the caves and dens of mountains and in other places where they could be safe.

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 .

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