And his mother’s kinsmen spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the men of Shechem …: Abimelech’s uncles did as he requested, and as a result, the leaders of Shechem decided to follow him. The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And is better translated “So” (New Revised Standard Version) to introduce their response to Abimelech’s request. For his mother’s kinsmen, see verse 9.1. All these words refers to Abimelech’s message for the leaders of Shechem in the last half of 9.2. The Hebrew expression rendered on his behalf could mean “about him” or “in front of him,” but Revised Standard Version‘s rendering fits this context best. Good News Translation is similar with “for him.” For the Hebrew expression rendered in the ears of all the men of Shechem, see verse 9.2, where it is translated “in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem.” It is advisable to use the same expression here as in 9.2, if possible. It is noteworthy that the body part ears occurs twice, before the next body part hearts occurs.

And their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech is literally “and their heart inclined after Abimelech.” The Hebrew word for hearts refers more to the will than the feelings (see verse 5.9), but here this body part represents the whole person. Thus some versions simply say “they” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The Hebrew verb rendered inclined normally means “extend,” “bend down,” or “turn toward.” To say that the leaders’ hearts “inclined after” Abimelech means they decided to support him. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh uses another expression, saying “and they were won over to Abimelech,” but Good News Translation is more direct: “and the men of Shechem decided to follow Abimelech.”

For they said, “He is our brother”: This clause gives the reason for the leaders’ decision to follow Abimelech. The leaders of Shechem consider he is their relative and think if he rules over them they will be favored. The Hebrew word ki rendered for introduces this reason. It may be translated “because” (Revised English Bible). The pronoun they refers to the leaders of Shechem, not to Abimelech’s uncles. Said renders the general Hebrew verb for speaking, but it is also used for interior dialogue, when people are thinking to themselves, so this verb may be rendered “said to themselves” or “reasoned [within themselves].”

In 9.2 Abimelech told his relatives to tell the town leaders they are related by blood. Here these leaders say He is our brother. As is the case in many parts of the world, villages or towns begin as one family or clan moves into an area. Even if the population grows, most families in a given location are often related one way or another. Thus everyone in a given locality is considered a brother. If a language has several expressions for brother, translators should choose the one with a wider meaning, referring to members of the same clan or even the same town. Alternative expressions for this clause are “He is one of us,” “He belongs to our clan,” and “He is our relative” (similarly Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version says “Yes, it would be better for one of our relatives to be king,” but this is not recommended since it introduces the word “king” before it occurs in verse 9.6. Good News Translation uses indirect speech here, which some may prefer (see also the first model below).

In some languages this reason clause can be placed before the result by saying “They said [to themselves] that Abimelech was one of them, so they decided to support him.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• So Abimelech’s uncles spoke to all the leaders of Shechem on his behalf, and they decided they would support him because he belonged to their clan.

• So Abimelech’s maternal uncles communicated this message to all the leaders of the town of Shechem, and the leaders reasoned, “He is our brother.” So they agreed to give him their support.

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 .