So the people of Israel came near against the Benjaminites the second day: So renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here. It introduces the result of the exchange between the Israelites and the LORD. The people of Israel and the Benjaminites are literally “the sons [or, children] of Israel” and “the sons [or, children] of Benjamin.” Again there is irony here because “the children of Benjamin” were also “children of Israel.” Came near renders a different Hebrew verb than the one translated “draw near” in verse 20.23. Though it is possible that this verb means the Israelites “attacked,” it more likely refers to the positioning of the troops. Once again they waited for the Benjaminites to come out of the town of Gibeah before attacking. Came near against the Benjaminites may be rendered “came toward the Benjaminites” or “positioned themselves for battle against the Benjaminites.”

The second day seems to imply that Israel fought on one day, consulted the LORD, and then regrouped to fight “the next day” (New Living Translation). However, this seems unlikely. Good News Translation tries to resolve the problem by saying “They marched against the army of Benjamin a second time.” Some versions bring this time phrase forward. For example, Revised English Bible says “So on the second day….”

A translation model for this verse is:

• So for a second time the Israelites repositioned themselves to fight against the Benjaminites.

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 .