Judges 9:29

If only these men ¹  were under my command, ²  I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech, ³  “Muster ⁴  your army and come out for battle!” ⁵ 

If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Call out your whole army!’"

"Would, therefore, that this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech." And he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army and come out."

If I were in charge, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, ‘Get some more soldiers, and come out and fight!’"

If I were in charge of this people, the first thing I'd do is get rid of Abimelech! I'd say, 'Show me your stuff, Abimelech--let's see who's boss here!'"

If only I had authority over this people! I would put Abimelech out of the way, and I would say to Abimelech, Make your army strong, and come out.

If only this people were under my command! Then I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Increase your army, and come out.’"

"If only this people were under my authority! Then I would remove Abimelech." So he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army and come out!"

If only these men ¹  were under my command, ²  I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech, ³  “Muster ⁴  your army and come out for battle!” ⁵ 

¹ tn Heb “people.”

² tn Heb “in my hand.”

sn If only these men were under my command. One might assume from v. 26b that the men were already at his disposal, but perhaps that was not one of the terms of the agreement. Another possibility is that v. 26 is a general summary statement, with vv. 27-29 then detailing how the alliance with Gaal came about.

³ tn Heb “said to Abimelech.” On the other hand, the preposition ל (lamed) prefixed to the proper name may be vocative (see R. G. Boling, Judges [AB], 178). If so, one could translate, “He boasted, ‘Abimelech…’”

⁴ tn Heb “Make numerous.”

⁵ tn The words “for battle” are interpretive.