complete verse (Judges 20:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 20:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “And the next day, the other soldiers of Israel fought those (soldiers) of Benjamin as before.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So on the third day, the Israelites advanced to fight with the Benjaminites, and they put the army in the place [where it had been] before.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They again positioned in the same place. This is now the third day of their attacking.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The other Israeli men went and stood in their positions for fighting a battle just like they had done on the previous days.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 20:30

And the people of Israel went up against the Benjaminites on the third day: The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And may be translated “Then” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) to introduce the next event. Once again the people of Israel and the Benjaminites are literally “the sons [or, children] of Israel” and “the sons [or, children] of Benjamin.” These two phrases underline the disaster that has come upon Israel, as the descendants of brothers fight against each other. For went up against, see verse 1.1. On the third day sets the time of this attack in relation to the second attack (verse 20.25). These words might suggest that there were three battles on three successive days, or possibly that this attack took place on the third day after the LORD gave his go-ahead. Given the enormous casualties, the movement of troops, and the efforts made to consult the LORD, this later scenario seems more realistic. It is possible in this context that the word day may mean “occasion” or “time.” For example, New American Bible says “for the third time.” Many languages will prefer to put this time phrase at the beginning of the verse.

And set themselves in array against Gibe-ah: Set themselves in array renders the same Hebrew verb translated “drew up [the battle] line” in verse 20.20. The Israelite troops positioned themselves for battle.

For as at other times (literally “as footstep by footstep”), see the comments on verse 16.20. While most of the Israelites were in hiding, waiting in ambush, many took battle positions as they always had, giving the impression that they were simply arranged for battle, as previously. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “as before,” which is a good rendering.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Then the Israelites went to attack the Benjaminites a third time, positioning themselves for battle against Gibeah, as they had previously.

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 20:30

20:30a On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites

On the third day ⌊of fighting,⌋ they went out again to fight the Benjamin people.
-or-
On day three, they went back out to attack the people of Benjamin.

20:30b and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before.

They stood in the same place they had stood before. They stood facing ⌊Gibeah town⌋ ready to fight.
-or-
They stood again where they had been on the other days ⌊of fighting⌋ .

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