complete verse (Judges 18:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 18:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those people shouted to the people of the clan of Dan. Then they looked behind and asked Micah, ‘What is troubling you so that you come with all those soldiers?’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They called to the men of the tribe of Dan, crying out loudly, and turning around Dan’s people said to Micah — "What happened to you? Why are you calling [your] men to fight with us?"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They kept-shouting at-them, and the descendants of Dan turned-around and asked Micas, ‘What has-happened that you (plur.) are-pursuing us (excl.)?’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They shouted at them. The men of the tribe of Dan turned around and said to Micah, ‘What is the problem? Why have you gathered these men to pursue us?’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 18:23

And they shouted to the Danites: And, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, introduces the next event, but in many languages it can be omitted. The pronoun they refers to Micah and his neighbors. Shouted renders the Hebrew verb meaning “call,” which figures so prominently in the Samson story. Here Micah and his people cried out in a loud voice to catch the Danites’ attention. This clause conveys some humor, since this handful of men is trying to “shout down” and stop hundreds of people.

Who turned round renders an independent clause in Hebrew, which is literally “and they turned their faces.” As Micah and his band are calling out to them, the Danites turn around to see who is shouting. Contemporary English Version gives a good rendering with “They turned to face him [that is, Micah].”

And said to Micah: The general verb said may be rendered “asked” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) since a question follows.

What ails you…? is literally “What to you…?” (compare the last question in verse 18.3). In most languages translators may say “What do you want?” Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible say “What is the matter with you…?” This rendering carries a note of contempt, which seems appropriate in this context.

That you come with such a company is literally “that you were called out,” which has the same Hebrew verb as in verse 18.22. We might say “Why did you bring all these men?” (Contemporary English Version) or “Why have you called out all these people?” Again there is sarcasm here, as the Danites far outnumber Micah’s men.

Translation models for this verse are:

• They shouted for the Danites to stop, and so they turned around and asked Micah, “What do you want? Why have you called out all these people [against us]?”

• They called out to the Danites, who looked around and said to Micah, “What’s the matter? Why did you bring all these men?”

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 18:23

18:23a When they called out after them,

While they were yelling at them from behind,
-or-
They shouted at them ⌊to make them stop⌋ .

18:23b the Danites turned to face them and said to Micah,

the people from Dan turned around. They asked Micah,
-or-
But the Dan people shouted back at Micah, asking him

18:23c “What is the matter with you that you have called out such a company?”

“Why have you gathered together your soldiers to fight us?”
-or-
why he had called his men together for a fight.

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