In a kind of flashback, this verse repeats and emphasizes information in the previous verse.

For when the people were mustered renders an independent clause in Hebrew, literally “And the people were numbered.” Some languages may choose to render the Hebrew waw conjunction (For) as “Indeed” or “In fact.” The people refers to the Israelites. In verse 20.15 the Hebrew verb rendered mustered refers to taking position in a battle, but here it seems to refer to some kind of review of the troops. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “For, when the roll of the troops was taken,” and Good News Translation has “at the roll call of the army.” If possible, translators should find an expression that fits this military context.

Behold, not one of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was there is literally “and behold there was not a man from those living in Jabesh-gilead.” This clause gives the same information as in verse 21.8, but with even greater emphasis. Once again the Hebrew word hinneh (behold) marks this important discovery. Some languages will appreciate the repetition here, which is meant to heighten the suspense. But in other languages it will not be appreciated. If so, 21.8-9 may be combined as follows:

• Then they asked, “Which one of the tribes did not attend the meeting before the LORD at Mizpah?” And when they went over the count made of the people at the assembly, they were surprised to see that not a single person from Jabesh-gilead had come.

A possible model for 21.9 alone is:

• For at the roll call of the army in Mizpah, [would you believe it that] not one man from Jabesh in Gilead was to be found.

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 .