complete verse (Judges 8:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 8:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that he tore down that thing which was build up/high in Penuel and killed the men of that city.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that He went to town Peniel and He tore down the fortress there and killed the men of the city.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Afterwards he had- the tower of Penuel -destroyed and killed the males/men there.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then they went to Peniel and tore down the tower, and killed all the men in the town.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 8:17

Once again there are steps left out of the narration. In his search for revenge, Gideon moves on to the next city, Penuel. The combination of sentences in verse 8.16-17 shows that in a short period of time, Gideon takes his revenge on all those who wronged him. In some languages it may be necessary to add the implicit information, beginning this verse with “Then Gideon went to the town of Penuel….” However, such an addition should not slow down the narrative. In Hebrew, word choice and quick short sentences portray Gideon’s decisive acts of vengeance.

The message in this verse is highlighted in Hebrew since it is in chiastic form.

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 .