Judges 2:2

2:2 but you must not make an agreement with the people who live in this land. You should tear down the altars where they worship.’ ¹  But you have disobeyed me. ²  Why would you do such a thing? ³ 

Judges 8:19

8:19 He said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. I swear, ⁴  as surely as the Lord is alive, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.”

Judges 10:18

10:18 The leaders ⁵  of Gilead said to one another, “Who is willing to lead the charge ⁶  against the Ammonites? He will become the leader of all who live in Gilead!”

Judges 11:8

11:8 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That may be true, ⁷  but now we pledge to you our loyalty. ⁸  Come with us and fight with the Ammonites. Then you will become the leader ⁹  of all who live in Gilead.” ¹⁰ 

Judges 17:8

17:8 This man left the town of Bethlehem in Judah to find another place to live. He came to the Ephraimite hill country and made his way to Micah’s house. ¹¹ 

---

¹ tn Heb “their altars.”

² tn Heb “you have not listened to my voice.”

³ tn Heb “What is this you have done?”

⁴ tn The words “I swear” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

⁵ tn Heb “the people, the officers.”

⁶ tn Heb “Who is the man who will begin fighting.”

⁷ tn Heb “therefore”; “even so.” For MT לָכֵן (lakhen, “therefore”) the LXX has an opposite reading, “not so,” which seems to be based on the Hebrew words לֹא כֵן (lo’ khen).

⁸ tn Heb “we have returned to you.” For another example of שׁוּב אֶל (shuv ’el) in the sense of “give allegiance to,” see 1 Kgs 12:27b.

⁹ sn Then you will become the leader. The leaders of Gilead now use the word רֹאשׁ (ro’sh, “head, leader”), the same term that appeared in their original, general offer (see 10:18). In their initial offer to Jephthah they had simply invited him to be their קָצִין (qatsin, “commander”; v. 6). When he resists they must offer him a more attractive reward – rulership over the region. See R. G. Boling, Judges (AB), 198.

¹⁰ tn Heb “leader of us and all who live in Gilead.”

¹¹ tn Heb “He came to the Ephraimite hill country, to Micah’s house, making his way.”