complete verse (Judges 1:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 1:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “The clan of Zebulun did not manage to chase away the people who lived in the cities of Kitron and Nahalol. (They) stayed together with the Canaanites and made them to become slaves.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those of the tribe of Zebulun were also not able to drive out the Canaanites of the cities of Nahalol and Kitron. The Canaanites were living there with them and Zebulun forced to them work as slave labor.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The tribe of Zebulun was- not also -able-to-drive-out the residents of Kitron and Nahalol. Therefore these Canaanhon continue to live together-with them. But they were-forced to work for them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The men of the tribe of Zebulun did nor compel the people of the Canaan people-group who were living in Kitron and Nahalol cities to leave. They stayed there and lived among the people of the tribe of Zebulun, but the people of Zebulun forced them to work for them as their slaves.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 1:30

Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, or the inhabitants of Nahalol: Unlike the previous verse, this verse does not begin with the Hebrew waw conjunction, showing a slight break in the narration. We could begin a new paragraph here and perhaps say “As for the tribe/people/clan of Zebulun….” Zebulun was Jacob’s tenth son, born to Leah (Gen 30.19-20). His descendants made up a small tribe that occupied the territory in the western hills north of the Jezreel Valley (verse 19.10-16). However, like the other Israelite tribes, the soldiers of Zebulun could not drive out the local population. Two towns, Kitron and Nahalol, are mentioned as having inhabitants who could not be driven out. The local Canaanite population continued to live in these towns, though eventually some of them became part of the forced labor working force. For did not drive out, see verse 1.19.

But the Canaanites dwelt among them: See comments on verse 1.29. Some see the waw conjunction rendered but as introducing a contrast. However, we might also say “And” or “So.” Another approach would be to omit the conjunction and simply say “The Canaanites continued to live among them.”

And became subject to forced labor is literally “and they were [or, became] to forced labor.” The Hebrew waw conjunction at the beginning of this clause seems to introduce additional information. We might say “and the people of Zebulun forced the Canaanites to work for them” or “and they were forced to work for the people of Zebulun.” NET Bible says “and were forced to do hard labor.” For forced labor, see verse 1.28.

Translation models for this verse are:

• As for the tribe of Zebulun, they did not drive out those living in Kitron and Nahalol. So the Canaanites continued to live among them, though eventually the tribe of Zebulun reduced them to forced labor.

• As well, the people of Zebulun were not able to remove the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol. So the Canaanites continued to live among them, but the people of Zebulun [eventually] subjected them to forced labor.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Judges 1:30

1:30a Zebulun failed to drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and Nahalol;

The clan of Zebulun could not force the people of Canaan who lived in Kitron and Nahalol to leave.
-or-
⌊The same thing happened to⌋ the descendants of Zebulun. They were not able to defeat the people of Canaan in the towns of Kitron and Nahalol. They could not send them away.

1:30b so the Canaanites lived among them

So the people of Zebulun and the people of Canaan continued to live together.
-or-
These people of Canaan stayed in the same land with the clan of Zebulun.

1:30c and served as forced laborers.

But the people of Zebulun forced the Canaanites to work as slaves.
-or-
The clan of Zebulun made the people of these towns be slaves to work ⌊for them⌋ .

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