complete verse (Judges 10:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 10:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Tola was dead, a man from Gilead who was called Jair became adviser in Israel. That made advised/judged Israel for twenty-two years.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After him, Jair son of Gilead became judge. He led the Israelites for 22 years.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Next to Tola was-particularly Jair who comes-from-Gilead. He led Israel within a period/[lit. inside] of 22 years.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After Tola died, Jair, from the Gilead region, became the Israelis’ leader, and he ruled them for 22 years.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 10:3

After him arose Jair the Gileadite: This verse begins with the Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “And”), but most versions omit it here. Some languages might say “Then.” Jair was the deliverer or leader after Tola. After him may be rendered “After Tola died” (New Living Translation). For arose see verse 10.1. Jair was a Gileadite, which means he came from the region of Gilead. This place name forms an inclusio around 10.3-5.

Who judged Israel twenty-two years: See verse 10.2. Unlike Tola, Jair is not said to have delivered the people of Israel, but only to have judged them.

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 .