As with many parts of this song, the text here presents many problems for interpretation. Despite this challenge, translators should try to respect the rhythmic parallel lines, each one beginning in Hebrew with a prepositional phrase. They paint a strong image of armies coming from all sides to help their brothers. In this passage there is some ellipsis, so implicit information may need to be made explicit in translation.

From Ephraim they set out thither into the valley: Ephraim can refer to either the region named Ephraim or the tribe of the same name (see comments on verse 1.29). Benjamin, Machir, and Zebulun, which are mentioned in the following lines, can also refer to either regions or tribes. However, most versions see here a picture of people moving out from the various regions, coming to help their kinsmen. They set out thither into the valley means the soldiers from Ephraim came from their region into the Jezreel Valley, where the battle against Sisera’s army took place (see verse 4.7). A valley refers to flat, fertile land between two mountains or mountain ranges. It would have been easy for troops to pass through this “flat place” or “lowland.”

This line presents a serious textual problem. While Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and Revised English Bible follow the Septuagint, the Hebrew text has “From Ephraim their root [was] in Amalek,” meaning the Ephraimites occupied the Amalekite territory. The Amalekites were an ancient people who lived in the southern part of Canaan (see verse 1.16; verse 3.13). They were fierce warriors and attacked the Israelites during the Exodus. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh follows the Hebrew text by saying “From Ephraim came those whose roots are in Amalek.” New International Version is similar, and so is Contemporary English Version, which provides the following helpful model: “Troops came from Ephraim, where Amalekites once lived.” But the Hebrew reading gets only a {C} rating from Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, so it is probably better to follow the ver Septuagintver*, and say “They came from Ephraim into the valley” (Good News Translation) or even “The Ephraimites rallied in the valley.” Whichever reading is chosen, translators may want to include a footnote with the alternative one.

Following you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen is another line whose meaning and rendering is challenging for the translator. Literally the Hebrew text reads “after you Benjamin among your people.” The proper name Benjamin is used as if referring to one person, as if this individual was leading an army. But of course, Benjamin, the ancestor of this tribe, is already dead, so translators may need to say “the Benjaminite army” or “the troops from the territory of Benjamin” if the name cannot refer to Benjamin’s descendants. Revised Standard Version thinks that the tribe of Benjamin is taking the lead, as do New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. However, the Hebrew phrase rendered following you also occurs in Hosea 5.8, where it seems to mean that Benjamin is “bringing up the rear,” that is, at the back of the troops. This interpretation would fit better with the way the tribe of Benjamin is portrayed in this book. First, they failed to drive out the inhabitants of Jerusalem (verse 1.21), and later, they involved Israel in a deadly civil war (verse 19.1b–21.24). Many versions take this latter approach, saying, for example, “Behind you, Benjamin is in your ranks” (New Jerusalem Bible; similarly New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). For New Jerusalem Bible the referent for the pronouns you and your is Ephraim, but for Revised Standard Version the referent is Benjamin. Revised English Bible sees this line as a battle cry addressed to the Benjaminites, saying:

The men of Ephraim rallied in the vale,
crying, “We are with you, Benjamin!
Your clansmen are here!”

Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version try to solve the problem by removing all references to you. We might say:

• “From Ephraim came warriors down into the valley,
in support of Benjamin and its troops.*
* The meaning of these two lines in Hebrew is uncertain.

• “From the place the Amalekites once ruled,
here come the Ephraimites.
Your relatives, the Benjaminites are behind you!

From Machir marched down the commanders: From Machir is parallel to From Ephraim. Machir was the firstborn son of Manasseh, one of Joseph’s sons. In verse 17.1-13 this name is linked to the area around Shechem in Ephraim, extending toward the Mediterranean Sea. Since this name is not well known, many translations put the name Manasseh here with a footnote stating that Machir is a clan and part of the larger Manasseh tribe. Marched down renders the Hebrew verb meaning “go down” (yarad), used here to speak of going to battle (see verse 1.9). For commanders see verse 5.9.

And from Zebulun those who bear the marshal’s staff: From Zebulun is parallel to From Ephraim and from Machir. Zebulun refers to the tribal people who lived in the central region of the Jezreel Valley, the site of the battle (see verse 1.30). In Hebrew there is no verb here, but marched down is implied from the previous line. As appropriate in their language, translators can either keep the ellipsis or fill in the missing verb. The expression those who bear the marshal’s staff is parallel to the commanders, and is a poetic way of describing the military leaders from Zebulun. This phrase is literally “those who march with [the] staff of [the] leader.” In this context the Hebrew word for marshal refers to a leader who musters people or calls them to service (compare verse 2 Kgs 25.19). The Hebrew word rendered staff comes from the same root as the word for “tribe,” so there is a play on words here. In many cultures scepters are carried by kings and chiefs as a sign of authority. Good News Translation omits this word by saying simply “the officers” (similarly Contemporary English Version). However, this rendering takes away from the beauty of what many would describe as a “praise name” for these important leaders.

Models for translating the second half of the verse are:

• From the tribe of Manasseh arrive commanders,
along with officers from the tribe of Zebulun bearing their staffs.

• From the clan of Manasseh marched down those commanding the battle.
From Zebulun came officers, bearing their batons of authority.

This verse has four parallel lines and translators should try to capture some of the poetic structure. For example, all the lines could begin with a preposition, as in Hebrew, or some other means could be used to imitate the parallel structures here.

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 .