living securely

The Hebrew in Judges 18:7 that is translated as “living securely” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as “without fear.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also securely.

complete verse (Judges 18:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 18:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those five men left the place and went to the city of Laish. They saw people who were gentle/peaceful like the people of Sidon. The people of that land stayed in a proud way and did not sense any danger. They were wealthy because the soil was fertile. They were far from Sidon and did not rely on any other community.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Leaving that place, the five men arrived in Laish. They saw that, like the people of Sidon, the people there were living in peace and security. And because there were no shortages or lacks in their land, they were flourishing. And they were very far from the Sidonians. And they also had no connection of any kind with other peoples.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “These five men continued and they arrived at Laish. They saw that the way-of-living of the people there was peaceful like the Sidonhon. This place was peaceful, and the situation/life-conditions of the people was good. The residents were- very -confident/trusting that no one would-harm them. This place was far from the Sidonhon, and they had no allied town.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The next day the five men left. When they came to Laish city, they saw that the people there lived safely, like the people in Sidon city did. The people there thought that they were safe/protected from any enemies, and they had plenty of good fertile land. They lived very far from the people of Sidon, so the people of Sidon would not be able to help defend/protect them. They had no other allies/groups nearby that would help them in battles.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Judges 18:7

18:7a So the five men departed and came to Laish,

The five spies left there and went to the town of Laish.
-or-
Then the five men traveled on and came to the town of Laish.

18:7b where they saw that the people were living securely,

They saw that the people who lived there were safe ⌊from attack⌋ .
-or-
They noticed that the people ⌊thought they⌋ were living in safety.

18:7c like the Sidonians, tranquil and unsuspecting.

Just as the people of Sidon town lived in peace and security, so did the people of Laish town.
-or-
They were like the people of the town of Sidon, who were at peace ⌊with surrounding peoples⌋ , and secure ⌊from attack⌋ .

18:7d There was nothing lacking in the land and no oppressive ruler.

They had all they needed because their land was good.
-or-
They were rich because they had fertile land.

18:7e And they were far away from the Sidonians

In addition, they lived far away from the people of Sidon
-or-
Also, they were a long way away from Sidon ⌊so the people of Sidon would not be able to help them⌋ ,

18:7f and had no alliance with anyone.

and had no dealings with any other town.
-or-
and they had no other friends.

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