Translation commentary on Judges 9:16

Jotham’s fable ends in the previous verse, and here he begins to explain its meaning to the people of Shechem. In most languages it will be appropriate to indicate this. Good News Translation adds “Jotham continued,” and Revised English Bible begins with “Jotham said.” Contemporary English Version provides a fuller introduction by saying “After Jotham had finished telling this story, he said.” This model adds no new information to the story, but helps the readers understand what is happening. Formatting may also help them.

Now, therefore is literally “And now.” Jotham begins his explanation of the fable with these words. Translators should find an expression that can introduce the meaning of a fable or parable. Some languages may say “And so.” Many versions use “Now then” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

If you acted in good faith and honor (literally “if in truth and in integrity you acted”) is the first of three conditional clauses in this verse. The pronoun you refers to the people of Shechem. Acted renders the general Hebrew verb meaning “do” or “make.” Here it refers to the people’s making Abimelech king. For in good faith, see verse 9.15. The Hebrew word for honor refers to completeness or even perfection. Good faith and honor refer to the same thing, so they may be combined. We might say “if you people of Shechem were really sincere and honest.”

When you made Abimelech king: Made … king renders the Hebrew verb malak. As noted earlier, the name Abimelech means “my father is king,” so there is an important wordplay here, with the Hebrew saying literally “and you made king My-father-is-king.”

And if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house is literally “and if good you have done with Jerubbaal and with his house.” This conditional clause parallels the previous one. Well renders the same Hebrew word (tovah) translated “good” in verse 8.35. Revised English Bible says “the right thing.” Jerubbaal is the name used for Gideon throughout this passage (see comments on verse 9.1). His house refers to his family, including all his sons and daughters. We may say “his household” (Revised English Bible) or “his family” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version). Translators may find that they need two different verbs to go with the objects Jerubbaal and his house. For example, Good News Translation renders this clause as “Did you respect Gideon’s memory and treat his family properly?” However, in most languages one verb will suffice: “if you have dealt honourably with Jerubbaal and his family” (New Jerusalem Bible).

And have done to him as his deeds deserved is literally “and if according to the dealing of his hands you have done to him.” Revised Standard Version omits the conjunction “if,” but in many languages it will have to be kept. The Hebrew phrase for “according to the dealing of his hands” comes right after this conjunction, but Revised Standard Version places it at the end of this clause, saying as his deeds deserved. The keyword “hand” appears once again, “his hands” representing Gideon. Translators should look for a natural way to express this whole phrase: “as he deserved” (New American Bible) or “as his actions deserved” (Good News Translation). We might say “and if you treated him as he deserved.”

Though there are three conditional clauses here in Hebrew, Revised English Bible expresses each one as a rhetorical question as follows: “Now have you acted fairly and honourably in making Abimelech king? Have you done the right thing by Jerubbaal and his household? Have you given my father his proper due…?” (similarly Good News Translation). Using these questions helps to show that the people did not do as they should have, since the implied answer is No. Contemporary English Version makes this clear by saying “Did you reward Gideon by being kind to his family? No, you did not!” Whether conditional clauses or rhetorical questions are used, the important thing is to make it clear that Jotham is accusing the people of Shechem of not doing these things.

Translation models for this verse are:

• “So, if you have acted in complete good faith when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done the right thing toward Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have honored Jerubbaal for the good he did to you….

• Jotham continued, “Were you really sincere when you made Abimelech your king? Did you respect Gideon and his family as you should have, considering all he did for you?

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 .

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments