Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves: In translating clans, Revised Standard Version is reading the Hebrew consonants with vowels slightly different from those of the traditional text. The traditional vowels give a word meaning “leaders” (New International Version) or “rulers” (New Jerusalem Bible). Most modern English versions have something like Revised Standard Version clans or “families” (Revised English Bible), but since the leaders would in any case speak on behalf of the clans, the difference is slight. There seems no strong reason to change the traditional text (compare Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project) and translators are advised to say “leaders.” Say to themselves is the natural expression in English for the Hebrew idiom “say in their hearts” (compare King James Version, Revised Version, New International Version). In some languages translators may be able to retain the Hebrew idiom. However, in other languages “think” or “realize” (Contemporary English Version) will be more natural style.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God: Some English versions (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible/ Revised English Bible but not Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, or Contemporary English Version) make it clear in a footnote that the rendering The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength involves deleting one letter from the traditional Hebrew text. The Hebrew literally reads “The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength” (Revised Version). Though this is a little awkward, it is by no means unintelligible as some commentators claim. Its meaning would be that the confidence in the LORD which the inhabitants of Jerusalem showed while under siege was a source of inspiration to the leaders and people of Judah who were up to that point among the besiegers (compare Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project). This could be expressed as “The example of the inhabitants of Jerusalem gives us strength through the LORD Almighty, their God.” In fact, it gave them courage to change sides, as verses 6-7 indicate. As Revised Standard Version translates it, the statement is an observation by the leaders of Judah about the source of the strength enjoyed by the people of Jerusalem. The overall effect in the total context is not widely different whichever rendering is preferred. Probably most translators will choose to take the same interpretation as the dominant language in their region.

For LORD of hosts, see Hag 1.2. Their God will need to be restructured in languages that cannot use possessives with God. A common approach is to say “the God they worship.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .