complete verse (Judges 11:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 11:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “Jephthah was told, ‘Come and lead us so we can fight the Ammonites.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They said to him — "Be our commanding general, so that we will be able to fight with the Ammonites."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They said, ‘Lead us (excl.) in our (excl.) fighting against the Ammonhon.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They said to him, ‘Come with us and lead our army, and help us to fight against the men from the Ammon people-group!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 11:6

And they said to Jephthah: Many versions omit the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and. The pronoun they refers to the elders of Gilead. In many cultures it would be unlikely that the elders would actually move from one place to another to make this request. They probably sent someone, but the text gives no details on this point. Said to Jephthah may be rendered “said to him” (Revised English Bible).

Come and be our leader: The Hebrew verb rendered Come is actually the one meaning “go,” but the meaning is clear: “Come back to Gilead” (Contemporary English Version). Here the Hebrew word for leader means “commander” or “captain” (see verse 10.24, where it is translated “chiefs”). It is not the same word rendered “head” in verse 10.18. In this context it refers to military leadership. It is possible the elders did not want Jephthah’s leadership to continue after the battle.

This verse marks a significant change in the way leaders were chosen. Up to this point, when the Israelites were oppressed and cried to the LORD for help, the LORD sent them a “deliverer” equipped for the task. However, now it is the people themselves who choose their leader, and not the LORD. This constitutes yet another step down in the “bad to worse” scenario described in this book.

That we may fight with the Ammonites is literally “and we will fight with/against the sons/children of Ammon.” The elders want to put Jephthah in command so that they can fight the Ammonites. verse 10.17-18 makes it clear that though they have prepared to fight, they do not have a military commander to lead them into battle. The pronoun we is inclusive. Fight renders the same Hebrew verb translated “made war” in verse 11.4-5. Its form here may be translated “let us fight.” The phrase fight with the Ammonites is repeated in verse 11.8-9. The Hebrew preposition rendered with more often means “against.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• They said to Jephthah, “Come and command our army so we can fight the Ammonites!”

• Then they invited Jephthah to lead them and to fight the Ammonites.

The last model uses indirect speech, which robs the text of its liveliness.

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 .