And when the Ammonites made war against Israel: This verse once again opens with the Hebrew word wayehi (literally “And it was”). The repetition of the Ammonites made war against Israel from 11.4 slows down the story and builds suspense. It is this precise situation that leads the people of Gilead to reverse their decision and to go seek Jephthah’s help. If there is too much repetition here, translators may say “When this happened” or simply “At that point.”

The elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob: In verse 10.18 the narrator refers to “the leaders of Gilead,” which may have referred to military commanders. Here the elders of Gilead seems to refer to the leaders of the region. The Hebrew word for elders was first used in verse 2.7, where it referred to the elderly leaders who outlived Joshua. In many cultures elders are respected and the natural heads of the community. If a reference to age does not convey the idea of leadership, it would be better to say “leaders” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Gilead obviously refers to the region of Gilead, not to an individual (see verse 11.1). Went to bring Jephthah is literally “went to take Jephthah.” The leaders either made the journey themselves or sent someone to persuade Jephthah to come back home to Gilead. For the land of Tob, see verse 11.3.

Translation models for this verse are:

• And after the Ammonites attacked Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.

• When the Ammonites attacked Israel, the leaders of Gilead went to Jephthah to bring him back from the land of Tob.

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 .