Satisfied with and full of mean exactly the same thing, as do favor and the blessing of the LORD. New International Version does a good job of combining the various elements: “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORD, and is full of his blessing.”

In some cases it will be better to change and make Naphtali the object of Yahweh’s action: “The LORD has been good to [the tribe of] Naphtali, and has poured out his blessings on him [or, them].” However, in a number of languages translators will need to make the meaning of blessing clear; for example:

• About the people of the tribe of Naphtali he said,
“Yahweh has been very kind to you
and given you many good things….”

Possess the lake and the south: some translations use the indicative mood (Good News Translation “their land reaches to”; also Revised English Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje), but it seems better to retain the imperative.

The lake translates the Hebrew word “the sea,” which also bears the meaning “west.” Since the territory of the tribe of Naphtali was west of Lake Galilee, “the sea” would be Lake Galilee itself. It is recommended that the following serve as a model: “Take possession of territory to the west and to the south of your land” (so Bible en français courant).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

As at the beginning of other sections, it will be helpful to start this section with something like “Moses said to the people of Israel.”

The Hebrew sentence extends into the next verse, and in many instances it will have to be divided into two or more sentences. These are instructions on how the people are to proceed, should the time come when they want a king. So Bible en français courant has “Perhaps you will want to have a king….”

Come to the land … possess it and dwell in it: these are three distinct stages in the process of crossing the Jordan River, conquering the land, and settling down in the Canaanite towns and villages.

The land which the LORD your God gives you: everything the Israelites do is a consequence of God’s action. This is the note that is always struck. They are constantly reminded of the fact that the land of Canaan is God’s gift to them.

And then say, ‘I will set a king…’: if the direct quotation is awkward or unnatural in a given language, it may be better to go to indirect discourse, “and then you decide that you want a king to rule you” (see Good News Translation). For king see 1.4.

As always, the Hebrew text for you and I is singular for both pronouns; the people are addressed as though they were an individual. It will be necessary in most cases to use the plural: “say, ‘We want a king’ ” (if direct discourse is used), or “decide that you [plural] want a king” (if indirect discourse is preferred).

I will set a king over me: the verb set means “to place”; in this context “to choose” seems better than “to appoint” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible). Or else we may say “You will want to have a king to rule over you” (Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, BÍBLIA para todos Edição Comum), or, more simply, “you will want to have a king” (Bible en français courant).

All the nations that are round about me: this is more simply and clearly expressed as “all the surrounding [or, neighboring] nations.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Moses wrote this law: see 1.5. This means the book of Deuteronomy; thus Contemporary English Version translates “Moses wrote down all of these laws and teachings,” or we may say “Moses wrote down all these laws and teachings in The Book of God’s Law and gave it to the….”

Gave it: he gave the written record, that is, the book in which he had written the Law.

The priests the sons of Levi: see 18.1.

Who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: see 10.8.

Elders: see 5.23.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

You would not go up, but rebelled: something stronger than “disobeyed” should be used here, and in English rebelled is the exact word to use. This was an open revolt, a mutiny, against God’s order through Moses.

The LORD your God: see verse 10.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Moses continues speaking to the Israelites (recalling the words of Yahweh), and this should be stated clearly in translation; for example, “Moses said to the Israelites: After we had traveled through Moab, the LORD told us, ….”

Contemporary English Version makes verses 24-25 a new section, but translators are advised to begin a new section at verse 26 (see Good News Translation).

Rise up, take your journey, and go over: as in other similar instances, this can be expressed more naturally, as in New Revised Standard Version: “Proceed on your journey and cross….” Contemporary English Version is even clearer, with “Pack up your belongings, take down your tents, and cross over….”

The valley of the Arnon: the Arnon river flowed from east to west into the east side of the Dead Sea (see the map, page xii). So this phrase can be translated, as Good News Translation does, “[cross] the Arnon River.”

I have given into your hand: it is Yahweh who makes it possible for the Israelites to defeat their enemies. Yahweh, so to speak, hands the enemies over to the Israelites, who thus overpower them. Have given into your hand may also be expressed as “give into your power” or “let you have power over.”

Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon: see 1.4, 7.

Begin to take possession, and contend with him: the order is given for the Israelites to begin their conquest of the land on the east side of the Jordan River. The language is similar to that in verse 9.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

When you are in tribulation: “When you are in trouble,” “When you are suffering [or, being mistreated].” This still refers to their exile.

All these things come upon you: these things are their deportation, their loss of freedom, and eventual idolatry.

In the latter days: in some contexts this phrase has the technical sense of the time when God will intervene forcibly into human affairs and establish his rule over the world (the Septuagint translation favors this interpretation). Here, however, it is more likely that the phrase refers to a decisive turning point in the future (see Ezek 38.8, 16; Hos 3.5). Revised English Bible has “in days to come”; Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “finally.” It should be noted that this phrase goes with what is before, not with what follows.

You will return to the LORD your God: they will once more acknowledge Yahweh as their God and worship and serve him alone. Contemporary English Version has “you may finally decide that you want to worship only the LORD.”

Obey his voice: the verb can be translated “hear” or “listen to”; here “hear” means to heed, or obey.

It is possible to combine verses 29 and 30 as follows:

• When you are there [or, in that land] and the time comes when you will endure all kinds of trouble, you may then decide to turn back to the LORD your God and obey him. If at that time you pray to him wholeheartedly, he will answer you [or, come and help you].

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Neither shall you steal: some commentators believe that the primary, if not exclusive, force of this command had to do with kidnaping, that is, taking a fellow Israelite by force. But this is contested, and the prohibition here has to do with taking something belonging to someone else without their permission.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .