Abimelech was told that …: For the third time someone informs Abimelech about a situation (see verse 9.25, verse 42). This statement slows down the action and heightens suspense. This verse begins with a Hebrew waw conjunction, which Revised Standard Version and several other versions do not translate. Some versions choose to express this sentence as a time clause. For example, New Jerusalem Bible has “As soon as Abimelech heard that…,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “When Abimelech was informed that….”

For all the people of the Tower of Shechem, see verse 9.46. This phrase refers again to the leaders of the tower, not its inhabitants.

The Hebrew verb form rendered were gathered together expresses a reflexive action, so it is literally “gathered themselves.” It might be rendered “came together,” “assembled,” or simply “gathered.” It is clear that these people “were hiding,” so this is another possible rendering. In English some versions use the pluperfect verb form “had gathered” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), which is appropriate here. Many versions add the word “there” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible), referring back to the Tower of Shechem.

While in Hebrew the repetition of all the people of the Tower of Shechem carries a mocking tone, in many languages this repetition will not be appreciated. Contemporary English Version reduces the verse by saying simply “but Abimelech found out where they were.” Other possible models are:

• Abimelech found out that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem had gathered there.

• When Abimelech was informed that they were all hiding together there….

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 .