complete verse (Judges 4:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 4:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “Barak answered Deborah, ‘If we go together, I shall go, but if we do not go together, I shall not go.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Barak responded, "I will only go if you come with me. If you do not come, I also will not go."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Barak said to Debora, ‘I will-go if you (sing.) go-with, but if you (sing.) will- not -go-with, I will- not -go.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Barak replied, ‘I will go only if you go with me.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (itte)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, itte (行って) or “go” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Judges 4:8

This verse begins with the Hebrew waw conjunction, which Revised Standard Version does not translate here. However, as Barak shows hesitation in responding to the LORD’s call, it is probably better to say “But” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Barak said to her: Since Barak is answering Deborah, the verb said may be rendered “answered” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible), “replied” (Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible), or “responded.”

If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go: Barak responds with two conditional statements, one positive and one negative: if Deborah will accompany him, he will do as Yahweh has commanded; otherwise he will not go to battle. Barak’s answer is a very good example of Hebrew parallelism, which reads literally:

If you go with me
then I will go
But if not you go with me
not I will go

This is certainly an emphatic statement, but it is hard to know if the tone is solemn or, as it appears in English, almost childish. The text also does not say why Barak insists Deborah should accompany him into battle. Is he afraid? Is the presence of Deborah the prophetess an assurance of God’s presence? It is interesting to note that the Septuagint has a longer text at this point that reads “because I do not know what day [time] the LORD’s angel will be good to me.” New Jerusalem Bible includes this reading, but the majority of versions do not.

The verb go appears four times in Barak’s response. It renders the general Hebrew word for “go,” but in this context it seems to refer to going to battle. In English it is more natural to use two different verbs by saying “If you will come with me, I will go. If you don’t come with me, I won’t go.” Another possible model is “If you will go with me, then I will fight, but if you won’t, then I won’t go and fight.” In Hebrew these balanced repetitive clauses are appreciated, and may even be considered humorous. However, many languages do not appreciate such repetition. Contemporary English Version, for example, reduces the four clauses to two, saying “I’m not going unless you go!” This is also a possibility.

In translating these conditional clauses, the translator can follow the Hebrew order, or turn that order around by placing the main clauses before the conditions as follows: “I will go if you go with me, but I will not go if you will not go.” However, in many languages the Hebrew order will be preferred.

A translation model for this verse is:

• But Barak answered her, “If you will go to battle with me, I will go. But if you don’t come with me, I won’t go either.”

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 .