complete verse (Judges 20:41)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 20:41:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then the soldiers of Israel quickly turned around and fought against them. The soldiers of the clan of Benjamin knew/realized from that that calamity/disaster was coming to them. They became much afraid.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the Israelites turned and attacked the Benjaminites. Seeing that the time of their destruction had come, the Benjaminites were afraid and went into panic.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the Israelinhon turned and they attacked the Benjaminhon. The Benjaminhon became-afraid because they realized that their end is soon already.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the main group of Israeli men also saw the smoke, and they knew that the smoke signaled that they should turn around and begin to attack. The men of the tribe of Benjamin were very afraid, because they realized that they were about to suffer a disastrous defeat.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 20:41

Then the men of Israel turned: The main part of the Israelite army, who had been drawing out the Benjaminites, stopped suddenly and turned to attack the Benjaminites. For the Hebrew verb rendered turned, see verse 20.39.

And the men of Benjamin were dismayed: This is the first time that the Benjaminite army is called the men of Benjamin. The Hebrew verb rendered dismayed occurs only here in Judges. Its root refers to the fear and loss of courage when faced by a terrifying or deadly situation (see, for example, verse 1 Sam 28.21). Dismayed seems a rather weak rendering in such a context. We might say “terrified” (New International Version) or “thrown into panic” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

For they saw that disaster was close upon them: This clause explains why the Benjaminites were terrified. They saw that their town was burning, and they realized that they could not retreat back into it and gain protection. For renders the Hebrew particle ki. Another possible connector is “because” (Good News Translation, New International Version). The verb saw may be rendered “realized” (Good News Translation, New International Version). For disaster was close upon them, see verse 20.34. This is a high point in the narrative, since the Hebrew word rendered disaster (raʿah) reappears. Its root can also mean “evil.” In the judges’ stories the people did “evil” in the LORD’s eyes (see verse 2.11). Here “evil” is close upon them. This clause and the previous one may be reversed by saying “The men of Benjamin saw that disaster was upon them and were terrified.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• Then the main Israelite army turned to fight, and the Benjaminite soldiers were thrown into a panic. They realized that they faced immediate defeat.

• Then the Israelite soldiers turned back to attack the Benjaminites. Terrified, the Benjaminites knew that disaster was upon them.

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 .