And when he saw her: And renders the Hebrew expression wayehi (literally “And it was”). This whole clause gives a sense of the horror that Jephthah felt the moment he saw his daughter come from the house. A good model for it is “As soon as he saw her.”
He rent his clothes …: Jephthah’s natural reaction to seeing his daughter emerge from the house is one of great anguish and pain. As part of the drama of this scene, the storyteller uses a play on words, with several words sounding alike: the Hebrew word for rent is qaraʿ, the word for brought very low is karaʿ, and the word for trouble is ʿakar. The purpose of these repeated sounds is to reflect Jephthah’s pain. It will be rare that these same sounds would evoke pain in the target language, but translators may find other means to express the pain in the text, for example through ideophones.
The Hebrew verb rendered rent means “tear” or “tear apart.” Clothes translates a general Hebrew word that can refer to the most common or the most expensive type of clothing (see verse 8.26, where it is rendered “garments”). In biblical culture people in great anguish or grief tore their clothing. In some parts of the world, tearing or removing one’s clothing as part of grief is still practiced. But if the meaning of this act is not understood, it can be made clear by saying “he tore his clothes to show his sadness/horror.” Good News Translation says “he tore his clothes in sorrow,” which is a good model.
And said: In this context the general verb said may be rendered “cried” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version) or “cried out [in anguish].”
Alas, my daughter! is a cry of deep anguish and pain. Alas renders a Hebrew interjection that sounds like “ahh.” It is the same cry that Gideon made when he saw the angel of the LORD and believed he would die (see verse 6.22). Translators should find an interjection or exclamation that expresses grief or shock. Good News Translation, New International Version and Revised English Bible use “Oh,” and NET Bible has “Oh no!” The order of the words in this cry may be reversed by saying “My daughter, oh no!”
You have brought me very low renders an emphatic expression in Hebrew, which is literally “bringing down to knees, you have brought me down to my knees.” The causative form of the Hebrew verb meaning “kneel” is repeated here (see verse 7.5; see also verse 5.27, where it is rendered “sank”). Revised Standard Version uses the adverb low to express the emphasis. It is not clear whether Jephthah is shifting the blame onto his daughter for his hasty words, or if he is simply overwhelmed by the situation. He is obviously heartbroken, as Good News Translation and Revised English Bible suggest. Translators should try to remain close to the text here, without making it seem that the girl was at fault. They may say “You are my downfall” or “You have really brought me down.”
And you have become the cause of great trouble to me is another emphatic statement in Hebrew, which is literally “and you, you are among those who trouble me.” Jephthah expresses the deep pain he feels because of what his daughter has done. Once again translators should stay close to the text, without placing blame on the girl, for example, “My heart aches for what I must do to you now.” Contemporary English Version joins this clause with the previous one by saying “Your coming out to greet me breaks my heart.”
For I have opened my mouth to the LORD …: Jephthah now explains to his daughter why her actions have caused him deep pain. Here there is another emphatic statement in Hebrew, which is literally “and I, I have opened my mouth.” It is a figurative way of referring to Jephthah’s vow to Yahweh. This clause is introduced by the Hebrew waw conjunction, which Revised Standard Version renders For. New International Version is similar with “because.” But several versions omit the conjunction (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). It is even possible to see this clause as a contrast (“but”) with what has preceded. Translators should read this section out loud and see how to best join the clauses. We might say “But it is I who has made this vow to the LORD.” These lines are meant to evoke pity, and indeed the Hebrew words for I have opened my mouth (ʾanoki patsiti pi) with a repetitive i do so. Translators should try to find some stylistic device or ideophone in their language to express this emotion. We might even find an equivalent of the old-fashioned “Alas” interjection: “Alas [my daughter], I have vowed a vow to the LORD.”
And I cannot take back my vow: Deut 23.21-23 indicates that when a vow is made, it must be fulfilled. Otherwise, it is considered a sin. Jephthah made a vow to the LORD that if he was victorious, he would sacrifice the animal or person who met him first coming out from his home. The LORD granted his request, and now Jephthah must keep his part of the bargain. And I cannot take back my vow is literally “and I am not able to turn back.” Revised Standard Version adds the word vow. The Hebrew verb for “turn back” is shuv, which is used throughout this book with a variety of meanings (see verse 2.19). Here it expresses Jephthah’s determination to not go back on his word. A model for the last two clauses of this verse is “For I have vowed a vow to the LORD, and I must fulfill it [or, I cannot take back my words].”
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 .