Gaal spoke again and said is literally “And Gaal added again to speak and he said.” Gaal’s consternation is expressed in the quantity of words used here. It is as if Gaal is babbling and trembling with fear. What makes the situation more humorous is that Gaal sees what is really happening, but Zebul keeps trying to make him think otherwise. This sentence may be rendered “But Gaal kept repeating” or “But Gaal kept insisting.”
Look, men are coming down from the center of the land: Gaal cries out again, once again using the Hebrew word hinneh, urging Zebul to have another Look. This word may be rendered “No, look, [I say].” For men are coming down, see verse 9.36. The center of the land is literally “the navel of the earth” (New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). This phrase may refer to Mount Gerizim, a mountain close to Shechem which was considered sacred. In Ezek 38.12 this phrase refers to the sanctuary or holy place that was thought to be the point of contact between heaven and earth. Gaal may be imagining (as in the following clause) that the people are coming from some worship rituals high up on the mountains, an element that would add a bit of irony here. Indeed, the mention of the land (ha-ʾerets in Hebrew) seems to be yet another ironic touch from the narrator. New Revised Standard Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh transliterate this phrase, saying “Tabbur-erez,” which conveys no meaning for today’s reader/hearer and so is not a helpful rendering. Translators will have to decide if the meaning is the center of the land or “the sacred mountain” (Contemporary English Version). Possible models for this sentence are:
• “No, look! Those are people coming down from the holy place on the mountain.
• “I’m telling you, look! Men are marching down the middle of the mountain.*
* The Hebrew text has “the navel of the land,” which probably refers to Mount Gerizim and the holy place there.
And one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners’ Oak: Abimelech had divided his men into four companies or military groups (verse 9.34). One company (literally “one head”) refers to the group of men Gaal sees coming toward the town. Is coming renders a Hebrew participle, which emphasizes the immediacy of the action. The men are coming from the direction of the Diviners’ Oak. From the direction is literally “from the way” or “from the road,” evidently a route known to Gaal and probably those listening to the story.
The Diviners’ Oak also refers to a known place. As reflected in many biblical texts, during ancient times trees—especially Oak trees—were often associated with the worship of both Canaanite gods and Yahweh (Gen 35.4; Jdg 6.11). Some scholars think this Oak was actually the oak of Moreh (Gen 12.6; Deut 11.30). For Oak see the comments on verse 4.11. The Hebrew word for Diviner comes from a root meaning “practice magic” or “conjure up spirits,” so it is likely that this particular tree was sacred and probably associated with those who practiced magic to foretell the future. Languages may have many words for soothsayers, clairvoyants, and witches, with the latter being divided into two categories: those who practice good magic and those who practice evil magic. In this case it is better to choose the most neutral expression for Diviner, such as “those who tell the future” or “those who see clear.” Contemporary English Version says “the tree where people talk with the spirits of the dead,” which is too specific. A better model is “the big tree where the fortunetellers sit/work.” The reference to one company means that there are several groups, so a possible model for this whole clause is “And there is another group coming down on the road of the Fortunetellers’ Tree!”
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 .