complete verse (Judges 20:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 20:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, let the people of Israel deliberate and decide what they are going to decide.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Now all of you Israelites, Listen, please say what is to be done about this! You make the decision."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So/Well, we (incl.) all Israelinhon, what shall- we (incl.) -do now?’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So now, all you Israeli people, speak, and tell me what you think should be done!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Japanese benefactives (sōdanshite)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, sōdanshite (相談して) or “advice” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Judges 20:7

It seems clear that the Levite’s goal was to call all the Israelites together, hoping that they would take action. Many biblical scholars see a contrast here between the judges who saved Israel, and this individual whose actions played a crucial role in Israel’s destruction.

Behold …: Having explained his actions, the Levite now calls on the people to respond. The word Behold (hinneh in Hebrew) shows that the Levite is calling for action. We might say “Listen!” or use some concluding marker, such as “So now” (New Revised Standard Version) or “Now then” (New Living Translation). Once again there is strong irony here as the Levite, who has, in fact, acted in a cowardly manner, suddenly becomes very bold and calls for action.

You people of Israel, all of you renders an emphatic vocative expression in Hebrew, literally “all of you, sons [or, children] of Israel.” It may be translated “all you Israelites, every one of you.” This expression may be an affirmation, meaning “all of you [here] are Israelites.” This understanding also fits the context, so we might say “Now then, you are all Israelites, so….”

Give your advice and counsel here is literally “provide for yourselves a word and counsel here.” The Levite challenges the people to think about what they should do. The Hebrew word for advice (dabar) often refers to speech, but here it may refer to their decision or judgment about what happened, while the word for counsel (ʿetsah) might refer to their plan in response. Here renders a locative Hebrew adverb, which may apply to the situation, the time frame, or the present location. Translators should avoid a word-for-word rendering of this challenge, but rather look for an idiomatic expression that fits the context. New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model: “discuss the matter and give your decision here and now.” A more dynamic rendering might be “What do you think? Decide what we should do!”

A translation model for this verse is:

• Now then, all of you Israelites, every one of you, give some thought to this and decide what to do!”

Contemporary English Version also gives a good model:

• You are the people of Israel, and you must decide today what to do about the men of Gibeah.”

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 .