Spoil: this means the people’s possessions, their valuables, which would normally be kept by the victors as a prize of war. Revised English Bible has “goods,” New Jerusalem Bible “loot,” New International Version “plunder.” An alternative translation model for this first sentence may be “Bring [or, Gather] all the possessions of the people who live there and pile them up….”

The midst of its open square: this is the public square or large flat open area, near the town gate. If such a feature is not part of a given culture, something like “the main street” or “a large flat open area in the center of town” can be used.

A whole burnt offering: this is the sacrifice that is completely burned (see Exo 29.18; Lev 6.22-23; 8.21; 1 Sam 7.9).

It shall be a heap for ever … not be built again: never again will a town or city be built on that place; never again will people live there. It will be a desolate ruin forever. An alternative translation model for this sentence is “It must be left in ruins forever and never again rebuilt.” However, it shall not be built again contains the idea that it must be left in ruins. So we may translate simply as “Don’t ever rebuild that town.”

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 .

This verse furnishes the basis or motivation for freeing slaves. The Israelites themselves had been slaves in Egypt, and they would know what it means to be set free.

Remember: Israelites were never to forget the great act of liberation that made them the people of Yahweh.

Redeemed: see 7.8; see also 4.34; 9.26; 16.12; 24.18.

I command you this today: again “today” is stressed (see verse 5).

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 .

Again the verse repeats what has already been said.

According to the instructions which they give you: this matches “they declare” in verse 10.

According to the decrees which they pronounce to you: this matches “they direct you” in verse 10. It means the decision the judge makes in any given case. The Hebrew is rather wordy and repetitive. Translators must decide whether such repetition is acceptable in their language, or whether to summarize as some translations have done; for example, Good News Translation has “accept their verdict and follow their instructions in every detail,” and Contemporary English Version is more concise, with “Do exactly what they tell you.”

You shall not turn aside, either to the right hand or to the left: see 5.32. The meaning of this figure of speech is quite clear; it means to carry out all instructions strictly, to the last detail, without neglecting anything.

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 .

This verse continues from the previous verse; but see Good News Translation as an example of beginning a new sentence here: “Do this, so that innocent people….”

Lest innocent blood be shed: that is, “so that innocent people will not be put to death.” If the phrase innocent blood is normally used in a language to indicate an innocent person who has been killed, it may be used; otherwise the meaning should be made clear. The killing here is an execution; that is why “be put to death” or its equivalent should be used.

The guilt of bloodshed be upon you: the whole nation would be guilty of having put to death an innocent person. Contemporary English Version makes this clear with “You will be guilty of murder if innocent people lose their lives.”

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 .

A hundred shekels of silver: this is twice the amount of the standard bride price a groom paid the father (see 22.29). So the young man would have to pay the bride price again, plus an additional fifty shekels. A hundred shekels was worth quite a lot. Translators should avoid transliterating the word “shekel,” as it will be meaningless to the reader. A better model is “a hundred pieces of silver” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version).

A virgin of Israel: this is a solemn title, indicating the seriousness of the man’s conduct. However, if the use of a technical term meaning virgin sounds strange in this context, we may say, for example, “because the man has disgraced an Israelite girl [or, young woman]” or “… has caused an Israelite young woman to receive shame [or, lose face].” The Contemporary English Version rendering “accused his bride of not being a virgin” doesn’t really bring out the idea of disgrace within the community of Israel.

She shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days: this is taken to be a good ruling; the young woman’s wishes are of no importance. A good alternative model is “she shall continue to be his wife, and he can never divorce her as long as he lives” (Good News Translation).

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 .

His hire: that is, his pay, wages, salary.

Before the sun goes down: so he will have money as he goes home. He would be working until dark.

He is poor and sets his heart upon it: that is, he depends on the money he will be paid every day. New International Version has “is counting on it,” the Septuagint “places his hope on it” (similarly Good News Translation), Contemporary English Version “need the money to survive.”

Lest he cry against you to the LORD: that is, “so that he will not ask the LORD to punish you.” It will be helpful to add “If you do not pay him on time” to the clause “ask the LORD to punish you” (see below).

It be sin in you: this is the opposite of “righteousness” at the end of verse 13.

An alternative translation model for this verse may be:

• Each day before sunset you must pay him for the work he has done. He is a poor person and needs that money to survive. If you do not pay him on time, he will complain about you to Yahweh, who will punish you for your sin.

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 .

He will set you high above all nations: God promises that, if the people obey his commands, Israel will be the most powerful nation on earth. This promise is repeated in 28.1. Good News Translation has “He will make you greater than any other nation that he has created”; or we may say “The LORD created all nations, but he will make you greater than any of them” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

All nations that he has made: God is the Creator of all peoples, not just of Israel.

In praise and in fame and in honor: again there are three terms similar in meaning, emphasizing the high status that God will give Israel. This phrase, however, can also be understood to refer to the “praise, fame, and honor” that people will give God because of Israel’s power: “to bring him praise and fame and glory” (Revised English Bible, Revised English Bible, also Mayes). Those who favor this interpretation refer to the same expression in Jer 13.11; but no other major translation agrees with New English Bible and Revised English Bible. It is recommended that the meaning given by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation be followed. Another model may be “People will praise and honor you.”

A people holy to the LORD your God: see 7.6; 14.2, 21.

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 .