So they turned and departed: There is a change in scene here, so some versions insert a paragraph break here (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). However, many other versions let the story flow (Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible). In Hebrew there is little to indicate a break. So renders the Hebrew waw conjunction here, but we could also say “Then” (Contemporary English Version).

They turned and departed means the Danites left Micah’s compound and continued their journey. The pronoun they designates the 600 soldiers, the five spies, and the young Levite. Some languages may prefer to say “the Danites” for clarity. Turned does not render the same Hebrew verb translated “turned aside” in verse 18.3, 15. The verb here means “turn away” or “turn around.” Departed renders the Hebrew verb meaning “go.” This clause may be translated “Then they turned and left” (Contemporary English Version) or “They set out again” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Putting the little ones and the cattle and the goods in front of them: Once again the author’s irony and mockery are clear here. Up till now the readers or listeners have only heard about the Danite soldiers, but suddenly here is the whole population, organizing their group just as the Israelites did in the past (see, for example, Gen 33.2). In many cultures worldwide, when groups are moving across large distances, they organize themselves into a certain pattern with the weaker members (women, children, old and sick) in the front and the stronger members in the back. This clause is an independent one in Hebrew, literally “and they put the little ones, the livestock, and the heavy things before them.” Though some versions mention “the women and children,” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives an {A} rating to the Hebrew text. But scholars agree that the Hebrew word rendered little ones (taf) does not refer just to children, but to all who are defenseless, that is, children, women, and elderly people. While many versions render little ones as “children” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), it would be good to use a broader term if one exists in the target language, such as “weaker ones” or “defenseless ones.” The Hebrew noun for cattle is a generic one, including various types of domesticated animals (see verse 6.5). Some languages make a distinction between “animals of the village” (domesticated animals) and “animals of the bush” (wild animals), and here it is the former that is in view. The goods (literally “the heavy things”) refers to their property, including their tents, cooking utensils, and other personal belongings. These things were often loaded on carts pulled by oxen. We might use a generic term here, such as “belongings” (Good News Translation), “possessions” (New International Version), or “property.” In front of them means this group moved out first in front of the Danite soldiers, as in Good News Translation: “with their children, their livestock, and their belongings going ahead.” We might also say “they sent ahead all the children, women, elderly, livestock, and possessions [and followed after them].” In many Western cultures, in dangerous situations, the stronger often go first to lead the way, but in many parts of the world, it is the opposite. If this needs an explanation, a footnote can be added.

Translations models for this verse are:

• Then they left and continued on their journey, with the weaker members, cattle and belongings taking the lead.

• And they set out again, with their children, women, elderly, cattle and goods going ahead.

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 .