The scene now changes, switching back to the hero of the story, Ehud. In some languages a new paragraph will begin here. A new term, “escape,” occurs twice, forming an inclusio with 3.29. This verse begins with a Hebrew waw conjunction, which is not rendered by Revised Standard Version. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “But.” New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model with “Meanwhile,” expressing well that the focus switches now to Ehud.

Ehud escaped: The Hebrew verb for escaped may be rendered “fled,” “got away,” or “slipped away.” There is no question of cowardice here. This is part of Ehud’s crafty plan. Several versions say “made good his escape” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

While they delayed: Ehud managed to escape from the king’s residence while the servants were preoccupied with what to do next. The pronoun they refers to the king’s servants. The verb delayed renders an unusual form of the Hebrew verb for “tarry” (hitmahmeham). Here we might say “while they were waiting” (Good News Translation) or even “while they were discussing [or, wondering] what they should do.” Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew word order, but in many languages it will be more natural to put the time clause first, for example, “While they were discussing what they should do, Ehud had [already] escaped.” In some languages the use of a past anterior verb tense will help set the time frame of these various actions.

And passed beyond the sculptured stones refers to Ehud. He seems to have taken the same route as he and his men had earlier (verse 3.19). Passed beyond renders the Hebrew verb meaning “pass over” (ʿavar), often used in the Old Testament accounts. Here it evokes Israel’s past victories, as when the LORD “passed over” and spared the Israelites (Exo 12.23), and when the Israelites themselves “passed over” the Jordan River (verse 3.17). The word appears again in this section (verse 3.28) and throughout the rest of this book (verse 8.4; verse 11.17, 29; verse 18.13; verse 19.12), subtly evoking happier times. Passed beyond in this context may be rendered “went past” (Good News Translation) or “went by.” The implication is that once Ehud passed this point, he had reached his own territory and was safe. For the sculptured stones, see verse 3.19. These stones were near Gilgal on the west side of the Jordan River, which means that Ehud had crossed that river.

And escaped to Se-irah: This clause rounds out the inclusio, with the reappearance of the verb escaped. Now Ehud is free to rally his men. The name Se-irah only occurs here in the Old Testament. It may be a town north of Jericho. However, many scholars think Se-irah is a variant of the name “Seir,” which refers to a mountainous region where the Horites once lived (Gen 14.6). “Seir” is often cited in the books of Genesis, Deuteronomy, and Joshua (verse 11.17; verse 12.7; verse 15.10; verse 24.4). However, no versions make reference to Seir here, so it is better to maintain the name Se-irah.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• While the servants were discussing what to do, Ehud had already escaped! He fled, passing the memorial stones near Gilgal and going as far as Seirah.

• [As for] Ehud, he escaped while the servants were busy discussing what they should do. He crossed over the river at the stone memorial and went to Seirah.

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 .