complete verse (Judges 18:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 18:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “At that time the other six hundred soldiers of the clan of Dan were standing at the gate.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The 600 men of the tribe of Dan stood at the main door, holding weapons.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “While the priest and the 600 armed men of the tribe of Dan were-standing at the gate of the town, the five spies entered into the house of Micas and they took-away the special cloth, the image that was-overlayed/coated with silver, and the other little-gods.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The 600 men of the tribe of Dan stood outside the gate of the house, carrying their weapons.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 18:16

Now the six hundred men of the Danites …: Now renders the Hebrew waw conjunction. Good News Translation uses “Meanwhile,” which is a good way to heighten the drama. As the Danite spies greet the Levite, their fellow 600 soldiers wait at the gate of Micah’s compound. The Hebrew phrase rendered of the Danites (literally “from the sons/children of Dan”) occurs at the end of this verse, perhaps heightening the suspense. The beginning of this verse repeats the sh sound in Hebrew, which adds to the dramatic effect.

For armed with their weapons of war, see verse 18.11.

Stood by the entrance of the gate: The Hebrew verb rendered stood is a participle, which Good News Translation translates “were standing.” Boling believes this verb has a military sense here, so he says “had stationed themselves.” Another possible rendering is “took position.” The situation described borders on the ridiculous and would make any audience laugh, as 600 men are called into service to intervene at one individual’s house. The entrance of the gate probably refers to the gateway into Micah’s compound, which had a wall around it (see comments on verse 9.35). Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version say simply “the gate.”

A translation model for this verse is:

• Meanwhile the 600 Danites, fully armed for battle, took up their positions outside Micah’s compound.

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 18:16

18:16 The six hundred Danites stood at the entrance of the gate, armed with their weapons of war.

The six hundred men from Dan, armed and ready for battle, waited at the gate entrance.
-or-
The six hundred (600) soldiers from Dan stood at the entryway to Micah’s yard. And they had their weapons ready for war.

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