JDG (Judges)
JDG.1 • JDG.2 • JDG.3 • JDG.4 • JDG.5 • JDG.6 • JDG.7 • JDG.8 • JDG.9 • JDG.10 • JDG.11 • JDG.12 • JDG.13 • JDG.14 • JDG.15 • JDG.16 • JDG.17 • JDG.18 • JDG.19 • JDG.20 • JDG.21
JDG.1
[JDG.1.1] And it happened after the death of Joshua, and the children of Israel asked Yahveh, saying, Who will go up for us to the Canaanite at the beginning to fight with him. [§]
Vayehi acharei mot Yehoshua vayisha'lu benei Yisrael baYahveh le'emor mi ya'aleh lanu el hakna'ani batechilah lehilachem bo.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was' or 'and it happened', 'acharei' means 'after', 'mot' means 'the death', 'Yehoshua' is the name Joshua, 'vayisha'lu' means 'and they asked', 'benei' means 'the children/sons of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'baYahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the name of God rendered as Yahveh), 'le'emor' means 'saying', 'mi' means 'who', 'ya'aleh' means 'will go up', 'lanu' means 'for us', 'el' means 'to/toward', 'hakna'ani' means 'the Canaanite', 'batechilah' means 'at the beginning' or 'in the outset', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bo' means 'with him'.
[JDG.1.2] And said the LORD, Judah shall go up; behold, I have given the land into his hand. [§]
Vayomer Yahveh Judah yaaleh hineh natati et haaretz beyado.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Yahveh' is the literal name for YHVH, 'Judah' is the proper name of the tribe or region, 'yaaleh' means 'shall go up' or 'will ascend', 'hineh' means 'behold' or 'look', 'natati' means 'I have given', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'haaretz' means 'the land', 'beyado' means 'into his hand' or 'by his hand'.
[JDG.1.3] And Judah said to his brother Shimon, "Come with me in my lot and we will fight the Canaanite, and I also will go with you in your lot." And Shimon went with him. [§]
vayomer Yehudah l'Shimon achiv aleh itti be-goral-i ve-nilachamah ba-knaani ve-halakh-ti gam-ani itcha be-goral-cha vayelekh itto Shimon.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Yehudah' is the proper name Judah, 'l'Shimon' means 'to Shimon', 'achiv' means 'his brother', 'aleh' means 'go up' or 'come', 'itti' means 'with me', 'be-goral-i' means 'in my lot' (my portion), 've-nilachamah' means 'and we will fight', 'ba-knaani' means 'the Canaanite', 've-halakh-ti' means 'and I will go', 'gam-ani' means 'also I', 'itcha' means 'with you', 'be-goral-cha' means 'in your lot', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'itto' means 'with him', 'Shimon' is the proper name Shimon.
[JDG.1.4] And Judah went up, and Yahveh gave the Canaanite and the Perizzite into their hand, and they struck them with the sword, ten thousand men. [§]
Vayya'al Yehudah vayitten Yahveh et-hakena'ani vehap'rizi be-yadam vayakkum be-bezek aseret alafim ish.
'Vayya'al' means 'and he went up', 'Yehudah' is the name Judah, 'vayitten' means 'and He gave', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'et-hakena'ani' means 'the Canaanite', 'vehap'rizi' means 'and the Perizzite', 'be-yadam' means 'into their hand', 'vayakkum' means 'and they struck them', 'be-bezek' means 'with the sword', 'aseret' means 'ten', 'alafim' means 'thousands', and 'ish' means 'men' (each).
[JDG.1.5] They found my Lord in great haste, they fought him, and they struck the Canaanite and the Perizzite. [§]
Vayyimtzéu et-Adoni bezeq be'vezek vayillachamu bo vayakú et-hakna'ani ve'et-haprezi.
'Vayyimtzéu' means 'they found'; 'et-Adoni' means 'my Lord' (Adonai translated as my Lord); 'bezeq' means 'in haste' or 'quickly'; 'be'vezek' intensifies the haste, essentially 'very quickly'; 'vayillachamu' means 'they fought'; 'bo' means 'against him'; 'vayakú' means 'they struck' or 'they hit'; 'et-hakna'ani' means 'the Canaanite' (the people of Canaan); 've'et-haprezi' means 'and the Perizzite' (another Canaanite group).
[JDG.1.6] My Lord fled in haste, and they pursued after him, and they seized him, and they crushed the palms of his hands and his feet. [§]
vayanas Adoni bezek vayirdefu acherav vayyoachazu oto vayekatzetsu et-behonot yadav ve raglav
'vayanas' means 'and fled', 'Adoni' means 'my Lord', 'bezek' means 'in haste', 'vayirdefu' means 'and they pursued', 'acherav' means 'after him', 'vayyoachazu' means 'and they seized', 'oto' means 'him', 'vayekatzetsu' means 'and they crushed', 'et-behonot' means 'the palms', 'yadav' means 'of his hands', 've raglav' means 'and his feet'.
[JDG.1.7] And he said, my Lord Bezek, seventy kings in the shops their hands and their feet crushed were collecting under my table as I did, thus they paid me the Gods, and they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there. [§]
Vayomer Adoni-Bezek shiv'im melachim b'henot yedeihem ve'raglehem mekutzatzim hayu melak'tim tachat shulchani ka'asher asiti ken shillam-li Elohim vay'vi'uhu Yerushalam vayamat sham.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Adoni' means 'my Lord', 'Bezek' is a proper name, combined as 'my Lord Bezek'. 'Shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'melachim' means 'kings', 'b'henot' means 'in the shops', 'yedeihem' means 'their hands', 've'raglehem' means 'and their feet', 'mekutzatzim' means 'crushed' or 'in pieces', 'hayu' means 'were', 'melak'tim' means 'collecting', 'tachat' means 'under', 'shulchani' means 'my table', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'asiti' means 'I did', 'ken' means 'thus', 'shillam-li' means 'they paid me', 'Elohim' is translated as 'the Gods', 'vay'vi'uhu' means 'and they brought him', 'Yerushalam' means 'Jerusalem', 'vayamat' means 'and he died', 'sham' means 'there'.
[JDG.1.8] And the sons of Judah fought in Jerusalem, and they captured it, and struck it with a sword, and burned the city with fire. [§]
Vayilachamu b'nei Yehudah biYerushalayim vayilkedu otah vayakkhuha lefi kharev ve'et ha'ir shil'chu baesh.
'Vayilachamu' means 'and they fought', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'biYerushalayim' means 'in Jerusalem', 'vayilkedu' means 'and they captured', 'otah' means 'it (referring to the city)', 'vayakkhuha' means 'and they struck it', 'lefi' means 'with the edge of', 'kharev' means 'a sword', 've'et' means 'and', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'shil'chu' means 'they sent' or idiomatically 'they burned', 'baesh' means 'with fire'.
[JDG.1.9] And after the children of Judah went down to fight the Canaanite dweller of the mountain, the south, and the lowland. [§]
ve achar yardeu b'nei Yehudah lehilachem baKnaani yoshev ha har ve ha negev ve ha shpela
've' means 'and', 'achar' means 'after', 'yardeu' means 'they went down', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'baKnaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'yoshev' means 'dweller', 'ha har' means 'the mountain', 've' means 'and', 'ha negev' means 'the south', 've' means 'and', 'ha shpela' means 'the lowland'.
[JDG.1.10] And Judah went to the Canaanite who dwelt in Hebron, and the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba; and they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai. [§]
Vayeilekh Yehudah el haknaani hayoshev behevron ve-shem Hevron lefanim Kiryat Arba vayakhu et Sheshai ve-et Ahiman ve-et Talmai.
'Vayeilekh' means 'and went', 'Yehudah' is the proper name 'Judah', 'el' means 'to', 'haknaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'hayoshev' means 'who dwells', 'behevron' means 'in Hebron', 've-shem' means 'and name', 'Hevron' is the place name 'Hebron', 'lefanim' means 'before', 'Kiryat Arba' means 'city of four', 'vayakhu' means 'and they struck', 'et' is the accusative marker (often left untranslated), 'Sheshai' is a personal name, 've-et' means 'and [object]', 'Ahiman' is a personal name, 'Talmai' is a personal name.
[JDG.1.11] And he went from there to the inhabitants of Debir; and the name of Debir before was Kirjath-sepher. [§]
vayelekh misham el-yoshevei devir ve-shem devir lefanim qiryat-sepher.
'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'misham' means 'from there', 'el' means 'to', 'yoshevei' means 'the inhabitants', 'devir' means 'Debir (a town)', 've' means 'and', 'shem' means 'name', the second 'devir' repeats the town name, 'lefanim' means 'formerly' or 'before', 'qiryat' means 'city of', and 'sepher' means 'book'; together they give the former name of the town, Kirjath-sepher, meaning 'city of the book'.
[JDG.1.12] And Kaleb said, 'who will strike the town of the book and capture her, and I will give him Aksah, my daughter, to a woman.' [§]
Vayomer Kaleb asher yakke et Qiryat sefer ulekadah venatati lo et Aksah biti leisha.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Kaleb' is a personal name (literally 'dog' but used as a name), 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 'yakke' means 'will strike' or 'will kill', 'et' is the direct‑object marker (no translation), 'Qiryat' means 'town' or 'city', 'sefer' means 'book', 'ulekadah' means 'and capture her' or 'and seize her', 'venatati' means 'and I will give', 'lo' means 'to him', another 'et' is the object marker, 'Aksah' is a personal name, 'biti' means 'my daughter', and 'leisha' means 'to a woman'.
[JDG.1.13] And Atniel son of Kenaz, the younger brother of Caleb, seized her and gave him Acsah his daughter as a wife. [§]
va-yilkeda atniel ben-kenaz achi caleb ha-katon mimenu va-yiten-lo et-aksah beto le-isha.
'va-yilkeda' means 'and he seized', 'atniel' is a personal name, 'ben-kenaz' means 'son of Kenaz', 'achi' means 'brother', 'caleb' is a personal name, 'ha-katon' means 'the younger', 'mimenu' means 'than him', 'va-yiten-lo' means 'and gave him', 'et-aksah' is the name Acsah, 'beto' means 'his daughter', 'le-isha' means 'as a wife'.
[JDG.1.14] And it happened as she arrived, and she led him to ask for something from her father in the field; she then came down from the donkey, and he said to her, 'Dog, what are you doing?' [§]
vayehi beve'ah vatesitehu lish'al me'et avihah hasadeh vatznach me'al hachamor vayomer lah kalev ma-lakh.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'beve'ah' means 'when she came', 'vatesitehu' means 'and she tempted him', 'lish'al' means 'to ask', 'me'et' means 'from', 'avihah' means 'her father', 'hasadeh' means 'the field', 'vatznach' means 'and she descended', 'me'al' means 'from upon', 'hachamor' means 'the donkey', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lah' means 'to her', 'kalev' means 'dog', and 'ma-lakh' means 'what (are) you doing?'.
[JDG.1.15] And he said to him, Give me a blessing, because you gave me the land of the south and you will give me buckets of water, and he gave her all the upper buckets and the lower buckets. [§]
vatomer lo havah-li beracha ki eretz hanegev netatani ve'natata li gulloth mayim vayiten la kalev et gulloth ilit ve'et gulloth tachtit.
'vatomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'havah-li' means 'give to me', 'beracha' means 'blessing', 'ki' means 'because', 'eretz' means 'land', 'hanegev' means 'the south', 'netatani' means 'you gave me', 've'natata' means 'and you will give', 'li' means 'to me', 'gulloth' means 'buckets', 'mayim' means 'water', 'vayiten' means 'and he gave', 'la' means 'to her', 'kalev' means 'all', 'et' is the accusative marker, the second 'gulloth' means 'buckets', 'ilit' means 'upper', 've'et' means 'and the', the third 'gulloth' means 'buckets', 'tachtit' means 'lower'.
[JDG.1.16] And the sons of Keini, Moses' son‑in‑law, rose up from the city of the palms, the children of Judah, the wilderness of Judah which is in the south of Arad, and he went and settled the people. [§]
uv'nei keini choten moshe aloo me'ir hatemarim et-b'nei yehudah midbar yehudah asher b'negev erad vayelekh vayeshav et-haam.
'uv'nei' means 'and the sons', 'keini' is a proper name (Keini), 'choten' means 'son‑in‑law', 'moshe' means 'Moses', 'aloo' means 'rose up', 'me'ir' means 'from the city', 'hatemarim' means 'of the palms', 'et-b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'yehudah' means 'Judah', 'midbar' means 'wilderness', 'ashera' is a conjunction 'that', 'b'negev' means 'in the south', 'erad' is a place name (Arad), 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'vayeshav' means 'and he dwelt/settled', 'et-haam' means 'the people'.
[JDG.1.17] And Judah went with his brother Simon, and they struck the Canaanite who dwelt in Zefat, and they captured it, and he called the name of the city Harmah. [§]
Vayelekh Yehudah et-Shimon achiv vayakhu et-haknaani yoshav Tzefat vayacharimu otah vayikra et-shem hair Harmah.
'Vayelekh' means 'and went', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'et' is the direct‑object marker (no English equivalent), 'Shimon' means 'Simon', 'achiv' means 'his brother', 'vayakhu' means 'and they struck', 'haknaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'yoshav' means 'dwelling', 'Tzefat' is a place name (Zefat), 'vayacharimu' means 'and they captured it', 'otah' means 'her/it', 'vayikra' means 'and he called', 'et-shem' means 'the name (of)', 'hair' means 'the city', 'Harmah' is the new name given to the city.
[JDG.1.18] And Judah took Azza and its border, and Ashkelon and its border, and Ekron and its border. [§]
va-yilkod Yehudah et Azza ve-et gebulah ve-et Ashkelon ve-et gebulah ve-et Ekron ve-et gebulah.
'va' means 'and', 'yilkod' means 'took' or 'seized', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'et' is a grammatical marker for the direct object, 'Azza' is the name of a town, 've-et' means 'and', 'gebulah' means 'its border', 'Ashkelon' is the name of a city, 'Ekron' is the name of a city.
[JDG.1.19] And Yahveh was with Judah and he uprooted the mountain because he would not drive out the dwellers of the valley, for they had iron chariots. [§]
Vayehi Yahveh et Yehudah vayoreish et ha-har ki lo lehorish et yoshevei ha-emek ki-rechev barzel lahem.
"Vayehi" means "and it was" (conjunction plus verb), "Yahveh" is the literal translation of YHVH, "et" is the Hebrew direct‑object marker (no English equivalent), "Yehudah" means "Judah", "vayoreish" means "and he uprooted", "ha-har" means "the mountain", "ki" means "because", "lo" means "not", "lehorish" means "to drive out", "yoshevei" means "the dwellers (of)", "ha-emek" means "the valley", "rechev" means "chariot", "barzel" means "iron", "lahem" means "they had" or "for them".
[JDG.1.20] And they gave Hebron to Caleb as Moses had spoken, and he drove out from there the three sons of the Anak. [§]
Vayittenu leKalev et Hebron ka'asher diber Moshe vayoresh misham et shlosha b'nei ha'anak.
'Vayittenu' means 'and they gave', 'leKalev' means 'to Caleb', 'et' is a grammatical marker with no direct English equivalent, 'Hebron' is the name of a city, 'ka'asher' means 'as' or 'just as', 'diber' means 'spoke' or 'said', 'Moshe' means 'Moses', 'vayoresh' means 'and he drove out', 'misham' means 'from there', 'shlosha' means 'three', 'b'nei' means 'sons of', 'ha'anak' means 'the Anak (giants)'.
[JDG.1.21] And the Jebusite who dwelt in Jerusalem, the sons of Benjamin did not drive him out, and the Jebusite dwelt among the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem until this day. [§]
ve-et hayevusi yosev yerushalayim lo horishu b'nei binyamin vayyeshev hayevusi et-b'nei binyamin birushalayim ad hayom hazeh.
've-et' means 'and (the) [object]', 'hayevusi' means 'the Jebusite', 'yosev' means 'dwelling' or 'who dwelt', 'yerushalayim' means 'Jerusalem', 'lo' means 'not', 'horishu' means 'they drove out' or 'expelled', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'vayyeshev' means 'and he dwelt', 'et-b'nei' means 'among the sons of', 'binyamin' again 'Benjamin', 'birushalayim' means 'in Jerusalem', 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this'.
[JDG.1.22] They went up to Joseph's house, and also to the house of God, and Yahveh was with them. [§]
Vayyaalu beit-Yosef gam-hem beit-El vayYahveh immam.
'Vayyaalu' means 'and they went up', 'beit-Yosef' means 'house of Joseph', 'gam-hem' means 'also they', 'beit-El' means 'house of God', 'vayYahveh' means 'and Yahveh', 'immam' means 'with them'.
[JDG.1.23] And they left the house of Joseph in the house of God, and the name of the city was before Luz. [§]
Vayatiru beit-Yosef bebeit-El ve-shem-ha'ir lefanim Luz.
'Vayatiru' means 'and they left', 'beit-Yosef' means 'house of Joseph', 'bebeit-El' means 'in the house of God' (El = God), 've-shem' means 'and the name', 'ha'ir' means 'of the city', 'lefanim' means 'before' or 'in front of', 'Luz' is a place name.
[JDG.1.24] And the watchmen saw a man going out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, please, the entrance of the city, and we will do kindness with you." [§]
vayiro'u hashshomrim ish yotze min ha'ir vayomru lo hareinu na et mevo ha'ir ve'asinu imkha chesed
'vayiro\'u' means 'they saw', 'hashshomrim' means 'the watchmen', 'ish' means 'a man', 'yotze' means 'going out', 'min' means 'from', 'ha\'ir' means 'the city', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'hareinu' means 'show us', 'na' means 'please', 'et' is a direct‑object marker (not translated), 'mevo' means 'entrance', 'ha\'ir' means 'of the city', 've\'asinu' means 'and we will do', 'imkha' means 'with you', 'chesed' means 'kindness'.
[JDG.1.25] He saw the entrance of the city, and they struck the city with the sword, and they sent the man and all his household away. [§]
Vayare'em et mevo ha'ir vayakku et ha'ir lefi charev ve'et ha'ish ve'et kol mishpachto shillechu.
'Vayare'em' means 'and he saw (them)'. 'et' is the direct‑object marker (not rendered in English). 'mevo' means 'entrance'. 'ha'ir' means 'the city'. 'vayakku' means 'and they struck' or 'killed'. 'lefi' means 'by the edge of' i.e., 'with'. 'charev' means 'sword'. 've'et' means 'and (the)'. 'ha'ish' means 'the man'. 've'et' again means 'and (the)'. 'kol' means 'all'. 'mishpachto' means 'his household' or 'his family'. 'shillechu' means 'they sent away'.
[JDG.1.26] And the man went to the land of the Hittites and built a city and called its name Luz; that is its name until this day. [§]
Vayelech ha-ish erets ha-chitim vayiven ir vayikra shemah Luz hu shemah ad hayom hazeh.
'Vayelech' means 'and he went', 'ha-ish' means 'the man', 'erets' means 'the land', 'ha-chitim' means 'of the Hittites', 'vayiven' means 'and he built', 'ir' means 'a city', 'vayikra' means 'and he called', 'shemah' means 'its name', 'Luz' is a proper name, 'hu' means 'it is', 'shemah' again means 'the name', 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this'.
[JDG.1.27] And Menashe shall not drive out the house of Shaan and her daughters and Ta'anach and her daughters and the inhabitants of Dor and their daughters and the inhabitants of Yiblaam and their daughters and the inhabitants of Megiddo and their daughters, and the Canaanite went to dwell in this land. [§]
ve lo horish Menashe et beit Shaan ve et benoteha ve et Ta'anach ve et benoteha ve et yoshevedor ve et benoteha ve et yoshevi Yiblaam ve et benoteha ve et yoshevi Megiddo ve et benoteha vayyoel hakena'ani la'shevet baaretz hazot.
've' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'horish' means 'drive out', 'Menashe' is a proper name, 'et' is the accusative particle, 'beit' means 'house of', 'Shaan' is a proper name, 've' = 'and', 'benoteha' means 'her daughters', 'Ta'anach' is a proper name, 'yoshevedor' means 'inhabitants of Dor', 'yoshevi' means 'inhabitants of', 'Yiblaam' is a proper name, 'Megiddo' is a proper name, 'vayyoel' means 'and went', 'hakena'ani' means 'the Canaanite', 'la'shevet' means 'to dwell', 'baaretz' means 'in the land', 'hazot' means 'this'.
[JDG.1.28] And it was because Israel was strong, and he placed the Canaanite for bondage, and he did not drive him out. [§]
vayehi ki-chazak Yisrael vayyasem et-hakena'ani lamash vehorish lo horisho.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'ki' means 'because', 'chazak' means 'strong', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayyasem' means 'and he placed/made', 'et' is a grammatical marker with no English equivalent, 'hakena'ani' means 'the Canaanite', 'lamash' means 'for a slave or bondage', 'vehorish' means 'and he did not drive out', 'lo' means 'not', 'horisho' means 'him out'.
[JDG.1.29] And Ephraim does not expel the Canaanite who dwells in Gazer, and the Canaanite settled in his midst in Gazer. [§]
veEphrayim lo horish et-haknaani hayoshev beGazer vayyeshev haknaani bikarbo beGazer.
've' means 'and', 'Ephrayim' is the name Ephraim, 'lo' means 'not', 'horish' means 'drive out' or 'expel', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'haknaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'hayoshev' means 'who dwells' or 'the dweller', 'beGazer' means 'in Gazer' (a place), 'vayyeshev' means 'and dwelt' or 'sat', 'bikarbo' means 'in his midst' or 'among his own', the second 'beGazer' repeats 'in Gazer'.
[JDG.1.30] Zebulun did not drive out the inhabitants of Kitron and the inhabitants of Nahalol, and the Canaanite dwelt among them, and they became a blemish. [§]
Zebulun lo horish et-yoshvei Kitron ve-et-yoshvei Nahalol vayyeshev hakanaani beqirbo vayihu lamas.
'Zebulun' is the name of the tribe. 'lo' means 'not'. 'horish' means 'to drive out' or 'expel'. 'et-yoshvei' means 'the inhabitants of'. 'Kitron' and 'Nahalol' are place names. 'vayyeshev' means 'and (he) dwelt' or 'sat'. 'hakanaani' means 'the Canaanite'. 'beqirbo' means 'in the midst of them' or 'among them'. 'vayihu' means 'and they became'. 'lamas' is a noun meaning 'a blemish, disgrace, or defilement'.
[JDG.1.31] Who does not expel the inhabitants of Akko, and the inhabitants of Sidon, and of Achlav, and of Akhziv, and of Chelba, and of Apik, and of Rechov. [§]
Asher lo horish et-yoshvei Akko ve-et-yoshvei Sidon ve-et-Achlav ve-et-Akhziv ve-et-Chelba ve-et-Apik ve-et-Rechov.
'Asher' means 'who' or 'the one who'; 'lo' means 'not'; 'horish' means 'drives out' or 'expels'; 'et' is a direct‑object marker with no lexical meaning in English; 'yoshvei' means 'those who dwell' or 'inhabitants'; 'Akko' is the name of a city; 've' means 'and'; 'Sidon' is another city name; 'Achlav', 'Akhziv', 'Chelba', 'Apik', and 'Rechov' are proper names of places, each preceded by 've-et' meaning 'and the (inhabitants of)'.
[JDG.1.32] And the Asheri dwelt among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, for they did not drive him out. [§]
Vayyeshev haasheri be'kerev haknaani yoshevei haaretz ki lo horisho.
'Vayyeshev' means 'and he dwelt' or 'and he sat', 'haasheri' means 'the Asheri' (a person from Ashur or Assyria), 'be'kerev' means 'among' or 'in the midst of', 'haknaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'yoshevei' means 'inhabitants' or 'dwellers (of)', 'haaretz' means 'the land', 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'lo' means 'not', and 'horisho' means 'he drove out' or 'expelled'.
[JDG.1.33] Naptali will not expel the inhabitants of the house of the sun and the inhabitants of the house of Anat, and he settled among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, and the inhabitants of the house of the sun and the house of Anat were a shame to them. [§]
Naptali lo horish et yoshvei beit-shemesh ve et yoshvei beit-anat vayeshav be keret ha knaani yoshvei ha aretz ve yoshvei beit-shemesh u beit anat hayu lahem lammas.
'Naptali' is a proper name, 'lo' means 'not', 'horish' means 'to drive away' or 'to expel', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'yoshvei' means 'those who dwell' or 'inhabitants', 'beit-shemesh' means 'house of the sun' (the town of Shemesh), 've' means 'and', 'beit-anat' means 'house of Anat' (the town of Anat), 'vayeshev' means 'and he sat' or 'and he settled', 'be' means 'in', 'keret' means 'midst' or 'inside', 'ha' is the definite article 'the', 'knaani' means 'Canaanite', 'yoshvei' again 'inhabitants', 'ha aretz' means 'the land', 'u' means 'and', 'hayu' means 'were', 'lahen' means 'to them', 'lammas' means 'a disgrace' or 'shame'.
[JDG.1.34] And the Amorite cut the sons of Dan on the hill, because he did not let them go down to the valley. [§]
Vayilchatsu haamori et-bnei Dan ha-harah ki lo netano laredet laemek.
'Vayilchatsu' means 'and they cut', 'haamori' means 'the Amorite', 'et' is the accusative marker (no direct English), 'bnei' means 'sons of', 'Dan' is the name Dan, 'ha-harah' means 'the hill', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo' means 'not', 'netano' means 'he gave him/it' (with negation: did not give), 'laredet' means 'to go down', 'laemek' means 'to the valley'.
[JDG.1.35] And the Amorite went to sit on the mountain of Cheres, in the thickets and at night; the hand of the house of Joseph was heavy, and they were a burden. [§]
vay'oel ha'emorí la'shevet behar-cheres be'ayalon u'vesha'alvim vatikbad yad beit-yosef vayihyu lamas.
'vay'oel' means 'and he went', 'ha'emorí' means 'the Amorite', 'la'shevet' means 'to sit', 'behar-cheres' means 'on the mountain of Cheres', 'be'ayalon' means 'in the thickets' (literally 'in the gazelle-place'), 'u'vesha'alvim' means 'and in the night', 'vatikbad' means 'was heavy', 'yad' means 'hand', 'beit-yosef' means 'the house of Joseph', 'vayihyu' means 'they became', 'lamas' means 'a burden' or 'a load'.
[JDG.1.36] And the border of the Amorite from the ascent of Akrabim from the rock and above. [§]
Ugevu l haamori mimma'ale akrabim mehasela vamaala.
'Ugevu l' means 'and the border', 'haamori' means 'the Amorite', 'mimma'ale' means 'from the ascent', 'akrabim' is a place name, 'mehasela' means 'from the rock', 'vamaala' means 'and above'.
JDG.2
[JDG.2.1] And the angel of Yahveh went up from the wheel to the mourners; there he said, I will raise you from Egypt and I will bring you to the land that I swore to your fathers and I say I will not break my covenant with you forever. [§]
vayya'al mal'ach Yahveh min ha-gilgal el ha-bokhim po yom'er a'aleh etchem mimitzrayim vav-avi etchem el ha-aretz asher nishba'ti la'avoteichem va'omar lo-aper beriti itchem le'olam.
'vayya'al' means 'and he went up', 'mal'ach Yahveh' means 'angel of Yahveh', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-gilgal' means 'the wheel', 'el' means 'to', 'ha-bokhim' means 'the mourners' (the weeping ones), 'po' means 'there', 'yom'er' means 'he said', 'a'aleh' means 'I will raise', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)', 'mimitzrayim' means 'from Egypt', 'vav-avi' means 'and I will bring', 'el ha-aretz' means 'to the land', 'asher' means 'that', 'nishba'ti' means 'I swore', 'la'avoteichem' means 'to your fathers', 'va'omar' means 'and I said', 'lo-aper' means 'I will not break', 'beriti' means 'my covenant', 'itchem' means 'with you', 'le'olam' means 'forever'. The divine name YHVH is rendered as 'Yahveh' according to the given rule.
[JDG.2.2] And you will not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you will cut down their altars, and you have not listened to my voice—what is this you have done? [§]
veatem lo tichretu berit leyoshevei haaretz haze mitzbochoteihem titotsun ve'lo shma'tem bekoli mah hazot asitem.
'veatem' means 'and you (plural)'; 'lo' means 'not'; 'tichretu' means 'will make a covenant'; 'berit' means 'covenant'; 'leyoshevei' means 'with the dwellers of'; 'haaretz' means 'the land'; 'haze' means 'this'; 'mitzbochoteihem' means 'their altars'; 'titotsun' means 'you will cut down'; 've'lo' means 'and not'; 'shma'tem' means 'you have heard/listened'; 'beko li' means 'to my voice'; 'mah' means 'what'; 'hazot' means 'this'; 'asitem' means 'you have done'.
[JDG.2.3] And also I said, I will not drive them out before you, and they will be yours as a side, and their Gods will be yours for a snare. [§]
vegam amarti lo-agaresh otam mip'neichem vehayu lachem le-tziddim ve'elohayhem yihyu lachem le-mokes.
"vegam" means "and also", "amarti" means "I said", "lo-agaresh" means "I will not drive out/expel", "otam" means "them", "mip'neichem" means "before you" or "in front of you", "vehayu" means "and they will be", "lachem" means "to you/ yours", "le-tziddim" is an idiom meaning "as a side" or "for a border", "ve'elohayhem" means "and their Gods" (plural), "yihyu" means "will be", "lachem" again "to you", and "le-mokes" is another idiom meaning "for a snare/ trouble/ oppression".
[JDG.2.4] And it was when the angel Yahveh spoke these words to all the children of Israel, and the people lifted up their voice and wept. [§]
Vayehi kedaber mal'ach Yahveh et-hadvarim ha'eleh el kol-bnei Yisrael vayisa'u ha'am et-kolam vayiv'chu.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'kedaber' means 'when (he) spoke', 'mal'ach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'et' is a direct object marker (no English equivalent), 'hadvarim' means 'the words', 'ha'eleh' means 'these', 'el' means 'to', 'kol-bnei' means 'all the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayisa'u' means 'and they lifted up', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'et-kolam' means 'their voice', 'vayiv'chu' means 'and they wept'.
[JDG.2.5] And they called the name of that place Bochim and there they offered sacrifice to Yahveh. [§]
Va-yikreu shem ha-makom ha-hu Bochim va-yizbechu sham la-Yahveh.
'Va-yikreu' means 'and they called', 'shem' means 'name', 'ha-makom' means 'the place', 'ha-hu' means 'that', 'Bochim' is a proper name meaning 'weeping', 'va-yizbechu' means 'and they offered sacrifice', 'sham' means 'there', 'la-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the translation of YHVH).
[JDG.2.6] And Joshua sent the people, and the children of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land. [§]
Vayeshallach Yehoshua et-haam vayelechu b'nei Yisrael ish le'naḥalato lareshet et-haaretz.
'Vayeshallach' means 'and he sent', 'Yehoshua' is the name Joshua, 'et-haam' means 'the people', 'vayelechu' means 'and they went', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' is Israel, 'ish' means 'each (man)', 'le'naḥalato' means 'to his inheritance', 'lareshet' means 'to possess', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'haaretz' means 'the land'.
[JDG.2.7] The people served Yahveh all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who lengthened the days after Joshua, who saw all the great work Yahveh did for Israel. [§]
Vay'avadū ha'am et-Yahveh kol yemei Yehoshua vekol yemei hazekenim asher he'eri'chu yamim acharei Yehoshua asher ra'u et kol-ma'aseh Yahveh hagadol asher asah leYisrael.
'Vay'avadū' means 'they served', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'kol' means 'all', 'yemei' means 'days of', 'Yehoshua' is the name Joshua, 'vekol' means 'and all', 'hazekenim' means 'the elders', 'asher' means 'who', 'he'eri'chu' means 'they lengthened', 'yamim' means 'days', 'acharei' means 'after', 'ra'u' means 'they saw', 'kol-ma'aseh' means 'all the work', 'hagadol' means 'great', 'asah' means 'did', 'leYisrael' means 'for Israel'.
[JDG.2.8] And died Joshua son of Nun, servant of Yahveh, one hundred and ten years. [§]
Vayyamat Yehoshua ben Nun eved Yahveh ben meah ve'eser shanim.
'Vayyamat' means 'and died', 'Yehoshua' is the personal name Joshua, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Nun' is a proper name, 'eved' means 'servant', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH, 'meah' means 'one hundred', 've'eser' means 'and ten', 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.2.9] And they buried him in the border of his inheritance, in the copper field, on the mountain of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. [§]
vayikberu oto bigboul nachalato betimnat-cheres behar efrayim mitsfon lehar-gaash
'vayikberu' means 'and they buried', 'oto' means 'him', 'bigboul' means 'in the border', 'nachalato' means 'of his inheritance', 'betimnat-cheres' means 'in the copper field', 'behar' means 'on the mountain', 'efrayim' means 'Ephraim', 'mitsfon' means 'north', 'lehar-gaash' means 'to/at Mount Gaash'.
[JDG.2.10] And also all the generation then gathered to their fathers, and a later generation rose after them that did not know Yahveh, nor the work that He did for Israel. [§]
vegam kol-hadodor hahu ne'esfu el-avotav vayakam dor acher achareihem asher lo-yad'u et-Yahveh vegam et-hama'aseh asher asah leYisrael.
'vegam' means 'and also', 'kol' means 'all', 'hadodor' means 'the generation', 'hahu' means 'that', 'ne'esfu' means 'were gathered', 'el' means 'to', 'avotav' means 'their fathers', 'vayakam' means 'and rose', 'dor' means 'a generation', 'acher' means 'another', 'achareihem' means 'after them', 'asher' means 'that', 'lo-yad'u' means 'did not know', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'Yahveh' is the transliteration of YHVH, 'vegam' means 'and also', 'et' again the direct object marker, 'hama'aseh' means 'the work', 'asher' means 'that', 'asah' means 'He did', 'leYisrael' means 'for Israel'.
[JDG.2.11] The children of Israel did evil in the eyes of Yahveh and they served the Baals. [§]
Vayaa'su bnei Yisrael et hara b'enei Yahveh vayaa'vdu et haBaalim.
'Vayaa'su' means 'and they did', 'bnei' means 'children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'hara' means 'evil', 'b'enei' means 'in the eyes of', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayaa'vdu' means 'and they served', 'haBaalim' means 'the Baals' (the foreign gods called Baal).
[JDG.2.12] they abandoned Yahveh the Gods of their fathers who brings them out from the land of Egypt and they went after other Gods from the Gods of the peoples that were around them and they worshiped them and they provoked Yahveh. [§]
vayaazvu et-Yahveh Elohei avotam hamotzi otam me'eres Mitzrayim vayelechu acharei Elohim acherim meElohei haamim asher sevivotam vayishtachu lahem vayyakasu et-Yahveh.
'vayaazvu' means 'they abandoned', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'Elohei' is the genitive form of Elohim meaning 'the Gods'' (as per guidelines), 'avotam' means 'their fathers', 'hamotzi' means 'who brings out', 'otam' means 'them', 'me'eres' means 'from the land', 'Mitzrayim' means 'Egypt', 'vayelechu' means 'they went', 'acharei' means 'after', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'acherim' means 'other', 'meElohei' means 'from the Gods of', 'haamim' means 'the peoples/nations', 'asher' means 'who', 'sevivotam' means 'their surroundings/around them', 'vayishtachu' means 'they worshiped', 'lahem' means 'them', 'vayyakas'u' means 'they provoked' or 'they incited', 'et' again direct object marker, 'Yahveh' again the divine name.
[JDG.2.13] They abandoned Yahveh and served Baal and Ashtoret. [§]
Vayyaazbu et Yahveh vayyaavdu la Baal ve la Ashtoret.
'Vayyaazbu' means 'and they abandoned' (the conjunction 'va' = and, the third‑person plural prefix 'ya', and the root 'azab' = to abandon). 'et' is the direct‑object marker. 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH. 'Vayyaavdu' means 'and they served' (same structure as above, with the root 'avad' = to serve). 'la' is the preposition meaning 'to/for' introducing the deity they served. 'Baal' is the name of the Canaanite god, left unchanged. 've' means 'and'. The second 'la' again introduces the next deity. 'Ashtoret' is the name of the goddess, left unchanged.
[JDG.2.14] And Yahveh's anger burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers, and they plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their surrounding enemies, and they could no longer stand before their enemies. [§]
Vayichar-afe Yahveh beYisrael vayitenem beyad shosim vayashosoo otam vayimkrem beyad oyeivehem misaviv velo-yachlu od laamod lifnei oyeivehem.
'Vayichar-afe' means 'and He was angry'; 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH; 'beYisrael' means 'against Israel'; 'vayitenem' means 'and He gave them'; 'beyad' means 'into the hand of'; 'shosim' means 'plunderers' or 'those who would spoil'; 'vayashosoo' means 'and they plundered'; 'otam' means 'them'; 'vayimkrem' means 'and He sold them'; 'oyeivehem' means 'their enemies'; 'misaviv' means 'from around' or 'surrounding'; 'velo-yachlu' means 'and they could not'; 'od' means 'anymore'; 'laamod' means 'to stand'; 'lifnei' means 'before'; 'oyeivehem' again means 'their enemies'.
[JDG.2.15] In all that they went out, the hand of Yahveh was among them for evil, as Yahveh spoke, and as Yahveh swore to them, and Yahveh was greatly angry with them. [§]
bechol asher yatz'u yad Yahveh hayetah-bam lera'ah ka'asher diber Yahveh ve ka'asher nishba Yahveh lahem vayetzar lahem meod.
'bechol' means 'in all', 'asher' means 'that which' or 'that', 'yatz'u' means 'went out', 'yad' means 'hand', 'Yahveh' is the translation of the divine name YHVH, 'hayetah-bam' means 'was among them', 'lera'ah' means 'for evil', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'diber' means 'spoke', 've' means 'and', 'nishba' means 'swore', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'vayetzar' means 'and was angry', 'meod' means 'greatly'.
[JDG.2.16] And Yahveh established judges and saved them from the hand of their oppressors. [§]
vayyāqem YHWH shoftim vayyoshium miyad soseshem.
'vayyāqem' means 'and He established', 'YHWH' is the divine name rendered as 'Yahveh', 'shoftim' means 'judges', 'vayyoshium' means 'and He saved them', 'miyad' means 'from the hand of', and 'soseshem' means 'their oppressors'.
[JDG.2.17] Also against their judges they did not listen, because they turned after other the Gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the road that their fathers had walked, to hear the commandments of Yahveh, but they did not do so. [§]
vegam el-shofteihem lo shameu ki zanu acharei elohim acherim vayishtachavu lam saru maher min-hadderach asher halchu avotam lishmoa mitzvot-Yahveh lo-asu ken.
'vegam' means 'and also', 'el-shofteihem' means 'against their judges', 'lo' means 'not', 'shameu' means 'they heard/listened', 'ki' means 'because', 'zanu' means 'they turned aside', 'acharei' means 'after', 'elohim' means 'the Gods', 'acherim' means 'other', 'vayishtachavu' means 'they bowed down', 'lam' means 'to them', 'saru' means 'they turned', 'maher' means 'quickly', 'min-hadderach' means 'from the way/road', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'halchu' means 'they went', 'avotam' means 'their fathers', 'lishmoa' means 'to hear/listen', 'mitzvot-Yahveh' means 'the commandments of Yahveh', 'lo-asu' means 'they did not do', 'ken' means 'thus'.
[JDG.2.18] And if Yahveh establishes judges for them, and Yahveh will be with the judge, and will save them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge, for Yahveh will cease from their oppression because of those who press them and those who push them. [§]
Ve-ki-hekim Yahveh lahem shoftim ve-haya Yahveh im-hashofet ve-hoshiam miyad oyvehem kol yemei hashofet ki-yinahem Yahveh minnaaqatam mipnei lochatzeyhem ve-dochakehem.
'Ve-ki' means 'and if', 'hekim' means 'establish', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHWH, 'lahem' means 'for them', 'shoftim' means 'judges', 've-haya' means 'and will be', 'im' means 'with', 'hashofet' means 'the judge', 've-hoshiam' means 'and will save', 'mi'yad' means 'from the hand of', 'oyvehem' means 'their enemies', 'kol' means 'all', 'yemei' means 'days of', 'hashofet' again 'the judge', 'ki' means 'for', 'yinahem' means 'will cease', 'minnaaqatam' means 'from their oppression', 'mipnei' means 'because of', 'lochatzeyhem' means 'those who press them', 've-dochakehem' means 'and those who push them'. The name YHWH is rendered as 'Yahveh' per the translation guideline.
[JDG.2.19] And it shall be, when the judge dies, they will return and they will destroy from their forefathers, to go after other Gods, to serve them and to worship them; they did not turn away from their deeds nor from the hard way. [§]
vehayah be-mot ha-shofet yashuvu ve-hishchitu me-avotam la-lekhet acharei elohim acherim le-avdam u-lehishtachavot lahem lo hifilu mimma'al-leihem u-midarkam hakasha.
"vehayah" means "and it shall be", "be-mot" means "when the death" (here "when the judge dies"), "ha-shofet" means "the judge", "yashuvu" means "they will return", "ve-hishchitu" means "and they will destroy", "me-avotam" means "from their forefathers", "la-lekhet" means "to go", "acharei" means "after", "elohim" (plural of El) is rendered as "the Gods", "acherim" means "other", "le-avdam" means "to serve them", "u-lehishtachavot" means "and to bow down/worship", "lahem" means "to them", "lo" means "not", "hifilu" means "they turned away", "mimma'al-leihem" means "from their deeds", "u-midarkam" means "and from their way", "hakasha" means "the hard/difficult".
[JDG.2.20] And the anger of Yahveh was kindled against Israel, and He said, because this nation has violated my covenant which I commanded their ancestors and they have not listened to My voice. [§]
Vayichar af Yahveh beYisrael vayomer ya'an asher avru hagoy hazeh et beriti asher tziviti et avotam velo shamu lekoli.
'Vayichar' means 'and (He) was angry', 'af' means 'anger', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'beYisrael' means 'against Israel', 'vayomer' means 'and He said', 'ya'an' means 'because', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'avru' means 'they have passed/violated', 'hagoy' means 'the nation', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'beriti' means 'my covenant', 'tziviti' means 'I commanded', 'avotam' means 'their ancestors', 'velo' means 'and not', 'shamu' means 'they heard/listened', 'lekoli' means 'to My voice'.
[JDG.2.21] Even I will not add to expel a man from before them from the nations that Joshua left and died. [§]
Gam-ani lo osif lehorish ish mip'neihem min-hagoyim asher azav Yehoshua vayamot.
'Gam' means 'also' or 'even', 'ani' means 'I', 'lo' means 'not', 'osif' means 'add' or 'increase', 'lehorish' means 'to drive out' or 'to expel', 'ish' means 'a man', 'mip'neihem' means 'from before them', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-goyim' means 'the nations', 'asher' means 'that', 'azav' means 'abandoned' or 'left', 'Yehoshua' is the proper name Joshua, 'va-yamot' means 'and died'.
[JDG.2.22] For the purpose of testing them, Israel, they keep the way of Yahweh to walk in it as their fathers kept, if not. [§]
lema'an nasot bam et-Yisrael hashomrim hem et-derekh Yahweh lalekhet bam ka'asher shamru avotam im lo.
'lema'an' means 'for the purpose of', 'nasot' means 'testing' or 'trying', 'bam' means 'them', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hashomrim' means 'they keep' or 'they guard', 'hem' means 'they', 'et-derekh' means 'the way', 'Yahweh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'lalekhet' means 'to walk', 'bam' again means 'in it', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'shamru' means 'they kept' or 'they guarded', 'avotam' means 'their fathers', 'im' means 'if', 'lo' means 'not'.
[JDG.2.23] And Yahveh allowed these nations not to be driven out quickly, and He did not give them into the hand of Joshua. [§]
vayanach Yahveh et ha-goyim ha-eleh levilti horisham maher velo netanam be-yad Yehoshua.
'vayanach' means 'and ... allowed' or 'caused to rest', 'Yahveh' is the translation of the divine name YHVH, 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'ha-goyim' means 'the nations', 'ha-eleh' means 'these', 'levilti' means 'without', 'horisham' means 'driving them out', 'maher' means 'quickly', 'velo' means 'and not', 'netanam' means 'He gave them', 'be-yad' means 'into the hand of', 'Yehoshua' is the personal name Joshua.
JDG.3
[JDG.3.1] These are the nations which Yahveh has set aside to test Israel, all those who did not know all the wars of Canaan. [§]
ve'eleh ha-goyim asher hini'ach Yahveh le'nasot bam et Yisrael et kol asher lo yadeu et kol milchamot kenaan.
've'eleh' means 'these', 'ha-goyim' means 'the nations', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'hini'ach' means 'has left/set aside', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'le'nasot' means 'to test', 'bam' means 'in them/among them', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'kol' means 'all', 'lo' means 'not', 'yadeu' means 'they knew', 'milchamot' means 'wars', 'kenaan' means 'Canaan'.
[JDG.3.2] Only for the purpose of knowledge of the generations of the children of Israel, to teach them war; only what was before they did not know. [§]
Rak lema'an da'at dorot b'nei Yisrael lelamdahm milchamah, rak asher lefaním lo yeda'um.
'Rak' means 'only', 'lema'an' means 'for the sake of', 'da'at' means 'knowledge', 'dorot' means 'generations', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'lelamdahm' means 'to teach them', 'milchamah' means 'war', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'lefaním' means 'of former times' or 'previously', 'lo' means 'not', 'yeda'um' means 'they knew' or 'they would know'.
[JDG.3.3] the five Sarnai of the Philistines and all the Canaanites, the Sidonians and the Hivites who lived on the Lebanon mountain, from the mountain of Baal Hermon to the border of Hamath. [§]
chameshet sarnayei plishtim vechol hakenaani vehatzi'doni vehachivi yosev har havelbanon mehar ba'al chermon ad levvo chamat
'chameshet' means 'five', 'sarnayei' means 'Sarnai' (a place name), 'plishtim' means 'Philistines', 'vechol' means 'and all', 'hakenaani' means 'the Canaanites', 'vehatzi'doni' means 'the Sidonians', 'vechivi' means 'the Hivites', 'yosev' means 'dwelling' or 'inhabitant', 'har' means 'mountain', 'havelbanon' means 'of Lebanon', 'mehar' means 'from the mountain', 'ba'al' means 'Baal', 'chermon' means 'Hermon', 'ad' means 'to', 'levvo' means 'the border' (literally 'to the turning'), 'chamat' means 'Hamath'.
[JDG.3.4] And they were testing Israel there, to know whether they would hear the commandments of Yahveh that he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. [§]
Vayyihyu le-nasot bam et Yisrael ladaat hayishmeu et mitzvot Yahveh asher tzivah et avotam be-yad Moshe.
'Vayyihyu' means 'and they were', 'le-nasot' means 'to test', 'bam' means 'in them', 'et Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ladaat' means 'to know', 'hayishmeu' means 'whether they will hear', 'et mitzvot' means 'the commandments', 'Yahveh' means 'Yahveh' (the name YHVH rendered literally), 'asher' means 'that', 'tzivah' means 'he commanded', 'et avotam' means 'their fathers', 'be-yad' means 'by the hand of', 'Moshe' means 'Moses'.
[JDG.3.5] The children of Israel settled in the midst of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. [§]
Uvenei Yisrael yashvu bekerav hakanaani hachiti vehaemori vehap'rizzi vehachivi vehayevusi.
'Uvenei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'yashvu' means 'settled', 'bekerav' means 'in the midst', 'hakanaani' means 'the Canaanite', 'hachiti' means 'the Hittite', 'vehaemori' means 'and the Amorite', 'vehap'rizzi' means 'and the Perizzite', 'vehachivi' means 'and the Hivite', 'vehayevusi' means 'and the Jebusite'.
[JDG.3.6] They took their daughters for themselves as wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and they served their gods. [§]
Vayikchu et-bnotayhem lahem le-nashim ve-et-bnotayhem natnu livneihem vayyaavdu et-elohehem.
'Vayikchu' means 'they took', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'bnotayhem' means 'their daughters', 'lahem' means 'for themselves', 'le-nashim' means 'as wives', 've' means 'and', 'et' again the object marker, 'bnotayhem' again 'their daughters', 'natnu' means 'they gave', 'livneihem' means 'to their sons', 'vayyaavdu' means 'they served', 'et' again the object marker, 'elohehem' means 'their gods'.
[JDG.3.7] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahveh, and they forgot Yahveh the Gods, and they served the Baalim and the Asheroth. [§]
vayasu b'nei Yisrael et hara be'enei Yahveh vayeshkechu et Yahveh Eloheihem vayavdu et habaalim ve'et ha'ashrot.
'vayasu' means 'and they did', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'et hara' means 'the evil', 'be'enei' means 'in the sight of', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayeshkechu' means 'and they forgot', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yahveh' again, 'Eloheihem' means 'their the Gods' (Elohim is translated as 'the Gods'), 'vayavdu' means 'and they served', 'et habaalim' means 'the Baalim' (the false gods Baal), 've'et ha'ashrot' means 'and the Asheroth' (the Asherah idols).
[JDG.3.8] And the anger of Yahveh was kindled against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Kushan Rish'atai, king of Aram of the two rivers, and the children of Israel served Kushan Rish'atai for eight years. [§]
Vayichar-af Yahveh biYisrael vayimkarem beYad Kushan Rishatayim Melekh Aram Naharayim vayaa'vdu b'neiYisrael etKushan Rishatayim shmoneh shanim.
'Vayichar-af' means 'and the anger (of)'. 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH. 'biYisrael' means 'against Israel' (literally 'in Israel'). 'vayimkarem' means 'and He sold them'. 'beYad' means 'into the hand of'. 'Kushan' is a personal name, transliterated as is. 'Rishatayim' means 'the evil one' (literally 'two wickednesses'), here a proper name. 'Melekh' means 'king'. 'Aram' is a region name. 'Naharayim' means 'two rivers'. 'vayaa'vdu' means 'and they served'. 'b'neiYisrael' means 'the children of Israel'. 'etKushan' is the direct object marker plus the name 'Kushan'. 'Rishatayim' repeats the name. 'shmoneh' means 'eight'. 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.3.9] And the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh, and Yahveh raised a savior for the children of Israel and saved them, Otniel son of Kenaz, brother of Caleb the younger, from him. [§]
Vayizaku b'nei Yisrael el Yahveh vayakem Yahveh moshia lib'nei Yisrael vayoshie'em et Otniel ben Kenaz achi Kalev haqaton mimennu.
'Vayizaku' means 'and they cried out', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'vayakem' means 'and raised up', 'moshia' means 'a savior', 'lib'nei' means 'for the children of', 'vayoshie'em' means 'and saved them', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Otniel' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Kenaz' is a personal name, 'achi' means 'brother of', 'Kalev' means 'Caleb', 'haqaton' means 'the younger', 'mimennu' means 'from him'.
[JDG.3.10] And the spirit of Yahveh was upon him, and he judged Israel, and he went out to war, and Yahveh gave in his hand Cushan of the two evils, king of Aram, and his hand was strong over Cushan of the two evils. [§]
Va'tehi alav ruach-Yahveh, va'yishpot et-Yisrael, va'yetze al milchamah, va'yiten Yahveh b'yado et-Kushan rishatayim, melekh Aram, va'ta'az yado al Kushan rishatayim.
'Va'tehi' means 'and it was', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'ruach-Yahveh' means 'the spirit of Yahveh', 'va'yishpot' means 'and he judged', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'va'yetze' means 'and he went out', 'al milchamah' means 'to war', 'va'yiten' means 'and (Yahveh) gave', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'b'yado' means 'in his hand', 'et-Kushan rishatayim' means 'Cushan of the two evils', 'melekh Aram' means 'king of Aram', 'va'ta'az' means 'and his hand was strong', 'yado' means 'his hand', 'al' means 'over', and the second 'Kushan rishatayim' repeats the name of the opponent.
[JDG.3.11] And the earth was quiet for forty years, and Atniel son of Kenaz died. [§]
Va-tishqot ha-aretz arba'im shanah va-yamat Atniel ben Kenaz.
'Va-tishqot' means 'and (it) was quiet/ceased', 'ha-aretz' means 'the earth' or 'the land', 'arba'im' means 'forty', 'shanah' means 'years', 'va-yamat' means 'and (he) died', 'Atniel' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Kenaz' is a personal name.
[JDG.3.12] And the children of Israel continued to do the evil in the eyes of Yahveh, and Yahveh strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel because they did the evil in the eyes of Yahveh. [§]
Vayosifu bnei Yisrael la'asot ha ra be'enei Yahveh vayechazek Yahveh et Eglon melekh Moab al Yisrael al ki asu et ha ra be'enei Yahveh.
'Vayosifu' means 'and they continued', 'bnei' means 'children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'la'asot' means 'to do', 'ha ra' means 'the evil', 'be'enei' means 'in the eyes of', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHWH, 'vayechazek' means 'and strengthened', 'et' is the direct object marker (untranslated), 'Eglon' is a proper name, 'melekh' means 'king', 'Moab' means 'Moab', 'al' means 'against', 'ki' means 'because', 'asu' means 'they did'.
[JDG.3.13] And he gathered to him the sons of Ammon and Amalek, and he went, and struck Israel, and they inherited the city of the palm trees. [§]
Vaye'esof elav et-b'nei Ammon va-Amalek vayelech vayach et-Yisrael vayirshu et-ir ha-tmarim.
'Vaye'esof' means 'and he gathered', 'elav' means 'to him', 'et-b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Ammon' is the name of a people, 'va-Amalek' means 'and Amalek', 'vayelech' means 'and he went', 'vayach' means 'and he struck', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayirshu' means 'and they inherited', 'et-ir' means 'the city', 'ha-tmarim' means 'of the palm trees'.
[JDG.3.14] And the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab for eighteen years. [§]
Vayyaavdu bnei Yisrael et Eglon melekh Moab shmoneh esreh shanah.
'Vayyaavdu' means 'and they served', 'bnei' means 'children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'et' is the accusative marker introducing the object, 'Eglon' is the name of the Moabite king, 'melekh' means 'king', 'Moab' is the nation, 'shmoneh' means 'eight', 'esreh' means 'ten' (together forming 'eighteen'), and 'shanah' means 'year'.
[JDG.3.15] And the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh, and Yahveh raised for them a savior, Ehud son of Gerah son of the right‑handed, a man of cunning, right hand of his, and the children of Israel sent in his hand an offering to Agelon king of Moab. [§]
Vayizaku bnei Yisrael el Yahveh vayakem Yahveh lahem Moshia et Ehud ben Gerah ben ha-yamini ish iter yad-yamino vayishlehu bnei Yisrael beyado mincha le-Agelon melekh Moab.
'Vayizaku' means 'and they cried out', 'bnei' means 'the children/sons of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayakem' means 'and he raised/established', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'Moshia' means 'a savior', 'et' is the direct object marker (not translated), 'Ehud' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Gerah' is a personal name, 'ha-yamini' means 'the right-handed', 'ish' means 'man', 'iter' means 'cunning' or 'skillful', 'yad-yamino' means 'right hand of his' (literally 'hand of his right'), 'vayishlehu' means 'and they sent', 'bnei Yisrael' again 'the children of Israel', 'beyado' means 'in his hand', 'mincha' means 'offering', 'le-Agelon' means 'to Agelon' (a proper name), 'melekh' means 'king', 'Moab' means 'Moab'.
[JDG.3.16] And he made for it an Ehud sword, and for it two blade edges of a long sword; and he girded it from underneath to his thigh, upon his right leg. [§]
Vayaas lo Ehud cherav ve'lah shenei peyot gomed arkah vayachgor otah mitachat lemedav al yerekh yemino.
'Vayaas' means 'and he made', 'lo' means 'for it', 'Ehud' is a type of curved sword, 'cherav' means 'a sword', 've'lah' means 'and for it', 'shenei' means 'two', 'peyot' means 'edges' or 'blades', 'gomed' means 'a long sword' (a type of blade), 'arkah' means 'its length', 'vayachgor' means 'and he girded' or 'belted', 'otah' means 'it', 'mitachat' means 'from underneath', 'lemedav' means 'to the thigh', 'al' means 'upon', 'yerekh' means 'the leg' or 'the thigh', 'yemino' means 'his right side'.
[JDG.3.17] And he brought the meal offering for a kid of the king of Moab, and the kid was a very healthy man. [§]
Vayakrev et ha-minchah le-eglon melech Moav ve-eglon ish bari meod.
'Vayakrev' means 'and he brought', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'ha-minchah' means 'the meal offering', 'le' is the preposition 'for', 'eglon' means 'kid (young goat)', 'melech' means 'king', 'Moav' means 'Moab', 've' is the conjunction 'and', the second 'eglon' again means 'kid', 'ish' means 'man', 'bari' means 'healthy' or 'strong', 'meod' means 'very'.
[JDG.3.18] And it happened, as he had finished to bring the offering, he sent the people who were to carry the offering. [§]
vayehi ka'asher killa lehakrib et-haminchah vayishlach et-ha'am nosei ha-minchah
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'ka'asher' means 'as' or 'when', 'killa' means 'finished' or 'completed', 'lehakrib' means 'to bring' or 'to offer', 'et-haminchah' means 'the offering' (with 'et' as the direct object marker), 'vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'et-ha'am' means 'the people', 'nosei' means 'those who carry' or 'bearers of', 'ha-minchah' means 'the offering'.
[JDG.3.19] And he returned from the pits which the wheel, and said, "A secret word to you, O king," and said, "Stop," and they went out from upon him all those who stood upon him. [§]
vehu shav min-hap-silim asher et-hagilgal vayomer devar seter li yelekha hamelek vayomer has vayetz'u me'alav kol ha'omedim alav.
'vehu' means 'and he', 'shav' means 'returned', 'min' means 'from', 'hap-silim' means 'the pits', 'asher' means 'which', 'et' is a particle with no direct translation, 'hagilgal' means 'the wheel', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'devar' means 'word', 'seter' means 'secret', 'li' means 'to me', 'yelekha' means 'to you', 'hamelek' means 'the king', the second 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'has' is an imperative meaning 'stop' or 'halt', 'vayetzu' means 'they went out', 'me'alav' means 'from upon him', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha'omedim' means 'those standing', 'alav' means 'upon him'.
[JDG.3.20] And Ehud came to him and he was sitting in the house of the source that was his alone, and Ehud said, the word of the Gods to me, to you, and he rose from the throne. [§]
Veehud ba elav vehu-yoshev baaliyat hamekerah asher lo levado vayomer Ehud dvar Elohim li eilecha vayakam me'al ha-kise
'Ve' means 'and', 'Ehud' is a proper name, 'ba' means 'came', 'elav' means 'to him', 'vehu-yoshev' means 'and he was sitting', 'baaliyat' means 'in the house of', 'hamekerah' means 'the source', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'lo' means 'his', 'levado' means 'alone', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Ehud' again is the name, 'dvar' means 'word', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'li' means 'to me', 'eilecha' means 'to you', 'vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'me'al' means 'from above/from', 'ha-kise' means 'the throne'.
[JDG.3.21] And Ehud sent his left hand, and he took the sword from his right hip, and he struck it in his belly. [§]
Vayishlach Ehud et-yad smolo vayikach et-hacherav me'al yerek yemin-o vayitka'ah bevitno.
'Vayishlach' means 'and he sent' (third person masculine singular), 'Ehud' is the personal name, 'et' is the direct‑object marker (no English equivalent), 'yad' means 'hand', 'smolo' means 'his left', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et-hacherav' means 'the sword', 'me'al' means 'from (upon) the', 'yerek' means 'hip' or 'thigh', 'yemin-o' means 'his right', 'vayitka'ah' means 'and he struck it', 'bevitno' means 'in his belly'.
[JDG.3.22] And also the standing one came after the flame and he shut the milk before the flame because he did not draw the sword from his belly and the Parshedona went out. [§]
vayavo gam-hanitzav achar halahav vayisgor hachelav be'ad halahav ki lo shalaf hacheret mibitno vayetse ha parshedona.
'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'gam' means 'also', 'hanitzav' means 'the standing one', 'achar' means 'after', 'halahav' means 'the flame', 'vayisgor' means 'and he shut', 'hachelav' means 'the milk' or 'the fat', 'be'ad' means 'in front of' or 'before', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo' means 'not', 'shalaf' means 'to draw' (as a sword), 'hacheret' means 'the sword', 'mibitno' means 'from his belly', 'vayetse' means 'and he went out', 'ha' is the definite article 'the', 'parshedona' is a proper name.
[JDG.3.23] And Ehud the Misderona went out and closed the upper doors with his hand and (it) was nailed. [§]
Vayetze Ehud hamisdronah vaysgor daltot haaliyah baado venal.
'Vayetze' means 'and he went out', 'Ehud' is a proper name, 'hamisdronah' means 'the Misderona' (a title or group name), 'vaysgor' means 'and he closed', 'daltot' means 'doors', 'haaliyah' means 'the upper' (referring to an upper part or high place), 'baado' means 'with his hand' (by his), 'venal' means 'and (it) was nailed' or 'and he nailed'.
[JDG.3.24] And he went out and his servants came and they saw, and behold the steps of the upper room were unfastened, and they said, 'Only he is tripping his feet in the inner chamber.' [§]
Vehu yatza va'avadav ba'u vayiru vehinneh dalot haaliyah ne'ulot vayomaru ach mesich hu et raglav ba'cheder hamkera.
'Vehu' means 'and he'; 'yatza' means 'went out'; 'va'avadav' means 'and his servants'; 'ba'u' means 'came'; 'vayiru' means 'and they saw'; 'vehinneh' means 'and behold'; 'dalot' means 'steps' or 'stairs'; 'haaliyah' means 'the upper (room)'; 'ne'ulot' means 'were untied' or 'unfastened'; 'vayomaru' means 'and they said'; 'ach' means 'only'; 'mesich' means 'tripping' or 'making stumble'; 'hu' means 'he'; 'et' is the accusative marker (no translation); 'raglav' means 'his feet'; 'ba'cheder' means 'in the chamber'; 'hamkera' means 'the source' or 'the fountain'.
[JDG.3.25] They began to be ashamed, and behold there was none opening the upper doors; they took the key and opened it, and behold their Lord fell to the ground dead. [§]
vayachilu ad-bosh vehineh einenu potech dalttot haaliyah vayikchu et-hamafteach vayiftachu vehineh adonehem nofel aratzah met.
'vayachilu' means 'they began'; 'ad-bosh' means 'to shame' or 'until shame'; 'vehineh' means 'and behold'; 'einenu' means 'there is none' or 'he is not'; 'potech' means 'opening'; 'dalttot' means 'doors' (plural); 'haaliyah' means 'the upper' (referring to a higher part); 'vayikchu' means 'they took'; 'et-hamafteach' means 'the key'; 'vayiftachu' means 'they opened'; 'vehineh' again means 'and behold'; 'adonehem' means 'their Lord' (Adonai translated as 'my Lord', here possessive plural); 'nofel' means 'falling' or 'fell'; 'aratzah' means 'to the ground'; 'met' means 'dead'.
[JDG.3.26] And he will be saved until they are amazed, and he passed the bridges and escaped the goat. [§]
veehod nimlat ad hitmahmahm vehu avar et-hapsilim vayimmalet hashseirah.
'veehod' means 'and (he) will be destroyed', 'nimlat' means 'will be saved', 'ad' means 'until', 'hitmahmahm' means 'they are amazed', 'vehu' means 'and he', 'avar' means 'passed', 'et-hapsilim' means 'the bridges', 'vayimmalet' means 'and escaped', 'hashseirah' means 'the goat'.
[JDG.3.27] And it was when he came, and he blew the trumpet on the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountain, and he was before them. [§]
Vayehi beveo'o vayitka bashofar behar Efrayim vayerdu immo b'nei Yisrael min hahar vehu lifneihem.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'beveo'o' means 'when he came', 'vayitka' means 'and he blew', 'bashofar' means 'the trumpet', 'behar' means 'on the mountain', 'Efrayim' is the name 'Ephraim', 'vayerdu' means 'and they went down', 'immo' means 'with him', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'min hahar' means 'from the mountain', 'vehu' means 'and he', 'lifneihem' means 'before them'.
[JDG.3.28] And He said to them, Pursue after me, for Yahveh gave your enemies the Moab into your hand, and they went after him, and they seized the fords of the Jordan for Moab, and they gave no man to pass. [§]
Vayomer alehem ridfu acharai ki-natan Yahveh et-oyveichem et-Moav be-yedchem vayeredu acharav vayilkedu et-ma'avrot haYarden le-Moav velo-natnu ish la'avor.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'ridfu' means 'pursue', 'acharai' means 'after me', 'ki-natan' means 'for has given', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'et-oyveichem' means 'your enemies', 'et-Moav' means 'the Moab', 'be-yedchem' means 'into your hand', 'vayeredu' means 'they went after', 'acharav' means 'him', 'vayilkedu' means 'they seized', 'et-ma'avrot haYarden' means 'the fords of the Jordan', 'le-Moav' means 'for Moab', 'velo-natnu' means 'and they gave not', 'ish' means 'a man', 'la'avor' means 'to pass'.
[JDG.3.29] They struck Moab at that time as ten thousand men, all the fat and every man of might, and not a single man escaped. [§]
vayaku et Moab ba'et ha hi ka'aseret alafim ish kol shamen ve'kol ish chayil velo nimlat ish.
'vayaku' means 'they struck', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Moab' is the name of the people, 'ba'et' means 'at the time', 'ha hi' means 'that', 'ka'aseret' means 'as ten', 'alafim' means 'thousands', 'ish' means 'men', 'kol' means 'all', 'shamen' means 'fat', 've'kol' means 'and all', 'ish' again means 'men', 'chayil' means 'strength' or 'might', 'velo' means 'and not', 'nimlat' means 'escaped', 'ish' again means 'a man' or 'any man'.
[JDG.3.30] And Moab bowed that day under the hand of Israel, and the land was quiet for eight years. [§]
Vattikana Moab bayyom hahu tachat yad Yisrael vattishqot haaretz shmonim shanah.
'Vattikana' means 'and (she) humbled' or 'bowed', 'Moab' is the name of the nation Moab, 'bayyom' means 'on the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'tachat' means 'under', 'yad' means 'hand', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vattishqot' means 'and (the) was quiet', 'haaretz' means 'the land', 'shmonim' means 'eight', 'shanah' means 'years'.
[JDG.3.31] After him there was Shamgar son of Anath, and he struck the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad, and he also delivered Israel. [§]
Ve'acharei av hayah Shamgar ben Anath vayach et-Pelishtim shesh-me'ot ish be-malmad ha-bakar vayyo'sha gam-hu et-Yisrael.
'Ve'acharei' means 'after', 'av' means 'him', 'hayah' means 'there was', 'Shamgar' is a proper name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Anath' is a proper name, 'vayach' means 'and he struck', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Pelishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'shesh-me'ot' means 'six hundred', 'ish' means 'men', 'be-malmad' means 'with a goad', 'ha-bakar' means 'of ox', 'vayyo'sha' means 'and he delivered', 'gam' means 'also', 'hu' means 'he', 'et' again the object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
JDG.4
[JDG.4.1] And the children of Israel continued to do evil in the eyes of Yahveh, and Ehud died. [§]
Vayosifu b'nei Yisrael la'asot ha-ra ba'einei Yahveh veEhud met.
'Vayosifu' means 'and they continued', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'la'asot' means 'to do', 'ha-ra' means 'the evil', 'ba'einei' means 'in the eyes of', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'veEhud' means 'and Ehud', 'met' means 'died'.
[JDG.4.2] And Yahveh sold them into the hand of Yavin, king of Canaan, who ruled in Hazor, and commander of his army Sisera, and he was dwelling in the courtyard of the nations. [§]
Vayimk'rem Yahweh be-yad Yavin melekh Kena'an asher malakh be-chatzor ve-shar-tzva'o Sisra ve-hu yoshev ba-charoshet ha-goyim.
'Vayimk'rem' means 'and (He) sold them', 'Yahweh' is the divine name YHVH which we translate as 'Yahveh', 'be-yad' means 'in the hand of', 'Yavin' is a personal name (Jabin), 'melek' means 'king', 'Kena'an' means 'of Canaan', 'asher' means 'who', 'malakh' means 'ruled', 'be-chatzor' means 'in Hazor', 've-shar-tzva'o' means 'and commander of his army', 'Sisra' is the name 'Sisera', 've-hu' means 'and he', 'yoshev' means 'was dwelling/settling', 'ba-charoshet' means 'in the courtyard/camp', 'ha-goyim' means 'of the nations'. The divine name is rendered as specified, all other terms are given their plain English equivalents.
[JDG.4.3] And the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh because nine hundred iron chariots were his, and he cut down the children of Israel with great might for twenty years. [§]
Vayitzt'aku Benei Yisrael El-Yahveh Ki Tesha Me'ot Rekev Barzel Lo Vehu Lachatz Et-Benei Yisrael Bechazka Esrim Shana.
'Vayitzt'aku' means 'and they cried out', 'Benei' means 'children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'El-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'Ki' means 'because', 'Tesha' means 'nine hundred', 'Me'ot' means 'hundreds', 'Rekev' means 'chariot', 'Barzel' means 'of iron', 'Lo' means 'his', 'Vehu' means 'and he', 'Lachatz' means 'cut down', 'Et' is a direct‑object marker, 'Benei' again 'children of', 'Yisrael' again 'Israel', 'Bechazka' means 'with great might', 'Esrim' means 'twenty', 'Shana' means 'years'.
[JDG.4.4] And Deborah, a woman prophetess, wife of the judges, she judged Israel in that time. [§]
Udevorah ishah neviah eshet lapidot hi shoftah et Yisrael ba'et hahi.
'Udevorah' means 'and Deborah', 'ishah' means 'woman', 'neviah' means 'prophetess', 'eshet' means 'wife of' or 'woman of', 'lapidot' means 'the judges', 'hi' means 'she', 'shoftah' means 'judged' (feminine), 'et Yisrael' means 'Israel' (direct object marker omitted in English), 'ba'et' means 'in the time', 'hahi' means 'that'.
[JDG.4.5] And she sat under the palm tree of Deborah between the height and the House of God in the hill of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went up to her for judgment. [§]
vehi yoshevet tachat tomer devora beyn harama uveyn beit-el behar Efrayim vayya'lu eileha benei Yisrael lamishpat.
'vehi' means 'and she', 'yoshevet' means 'dwelt' or 'sat', 'tachat' means 'under', 'tomer' means 'palm tree', 'devora' is a place name 'Deborah', 'beyn' means 'between', 'harama' means 'the height' (a place), 'uveyn' means 'and between', 'beit-el' means 'House of God' (with 'El' translated as 'God'), 'behar' means 'in the mountain' or 'in the hill', 'Efrayim' is the region 'Ephraim', 'vayya'lu' means 'and they went up', 'eileha' means 'to her', 'benei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'lamishpat' means 'for judgment'.
[JDG.4.6] And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh of Naphtali, and said to him, "Has not Yahveh the Gods of Israel commanded you, go and draw water from the spring of Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men, the sons of Naphtali and the sons of Zebulun?" [§]
va tishlach va tikra le varak ben Avi noam mi kedes naphtali va to omer elav halo tzi va Yahveh Elohe Yisrael lekh u mashakta be har tavor ve lakachta imkha a seret alafim ish mi bnei naphtali u mi bnei zevulun
"va" means "and" (conjunction). "tishlach" means "she sent". "tikra" means "she called". "le varak" means "to Barak". "ben Avi noam" means "son of Abinoam". "mi kedes" means "from Kedesh". "naphtali" is a tribal name. "to omer" means "she said". "elav" means "to him". "halo" means "has not". "tzi va" means "commanded". "Yahveh" is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH. "Elohe Yisrael" translates as "the Gods of Israel" (Elohim = the Gods). "lek" means "go". "u mashakta" means "and draw water". "be har tavor" means "from the spring of Tabor". "ve lakachta" means "and take with you". "imkha" means "your" (with you). "a seret alafim" means "ten thousand". "ish" means "men". "mi bnei naphtali" means "from the sons of Naphtali". "u mi bnei zevulun" means "and from the sons of Zebulun".
[JDG.4.7] And I will cast you into the Kishon stream, with Sisera the commander of the hosts, Jabin, and his chariot and his horse, and I will place it in your hand. [§]
umashakti elekha el-nachal Kishon et Sisera sar-tzeva Yavin ve-et rikbo ve-et hamo unetatihu beyadekha.
'umashakti' means 'and I will cast', 'elekha' means 'to you', 'el-nachal' means 'to the stream', 'Kishon' is the name of the Kishon River, 'et' is the direct‑object marker (not translated), 'Sisera' is a proper name, 'sar-tzeva' means 'commander of hosts', 'Yavin' is a personal name (Jabin), 've-et' means 'and (the)', 'rikbo' means 'his chariot', 've-et' again means 'and (the)', 'hamo' means 'his horse', 'unetatihu' means 'and I will give it', 'beyadekha' means 'in your hand'.
[JDG.4.8] And he said to her, Barak, if you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go. [§]
vayomer eleha Barak im-telechi immi vehalakhti ve-im lo telechi immi lo elekh.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eleha' means 'to her', 'Barak' is a proper name (meaning 'lightning'), 'im-telechi' means 'if you will go', 'immi' means 'with me', 'vehalakhti' means 'and I will go', 've-im' means 'and if not', 'lo' means 'not', 'telechi' means 'you will go', 'lo' means 'not', 'elekh' means 'I will go'.
[JDG.4.9] And she said, 'Go, I will go with you, except that you will not have your glory on the road you are walking, because by a woman's hand Yahveh will sell Sisera.' Then Deborah arose and went with Barak the holy one. [§]
vatomer haloch eleych immach efes ki lo tihyeh tif'artecha al-haderekh asher attah holekh ki b'yad isha yimkor Yahveh et-sisra vatakam Debora vatelekh im-Barak kedesha.
'vatomer' means 'and she said', 'haloch' means 'go', 'eleych' means 'I will go', 'immach' means 'with you', 'efes' means 'except', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo' means 'not', 'tihyeh' means 'you will be', 'tif'artecha' means 'your glory', 'al-haderekh' means 'on the road', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'attah' means 'you', 'holekh' means 'are walking', 'b'yad isha' means 'by the hand of a woman', 'yimkor' means 'will sell', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'et-sisra' means 'Sisera', 'vatakam' means 'and she rose', 'Debora' is the name Deborah, 'vatelekh' means 'and she went', 'im-Barak' means 'with Barak', 'kedesha' means 'the holy one'.
[JDG.4.10] And Barak cried out to Zebulun and to Naphtali, his holy one, and he rose on his feet, ten thousand men, and Deborah went up with him. [§]
Vayiz'ek Barak et-Zebulun ve'et-Naptali kedshah vay'al be'raglav aseret alfei ish ve'ta'al imvo Devorah.
'Vayiz'ek' means 'and he cried out', 'Barak' is the personal name Barak, 'et-Zebulun' means 'to Zebulun', 've'et-Naptali' means 'and to Naphtali', 'kedshah' means 'his holy (one)', 'vay'al' means 'and he rose', 'be'raglav' means 'on his feet', 'aseret alfei ish' means 'ten thousand men', 've'ta'al' means 'and went up', 'imvo' means 'with him', 'Devorah' is the personal name Deborah.
[JDG.4.11] And the wife of the Canaanite was separated from Cain, from the sons of Chovav, father‑in‑law of Moses, and he set up his tent until the oak in the thickets that is the holy. [§]
vechever hakeini nifrad mikayin mibnei chovav choten moshe vayet ahlo ad-elon betza'naim asher et kedesh
'vechever' means 'and wife (or companion)', 'hakeini' means 'the Canaanite', 'nifrad' means 'was separated' or 'was divorced', 'mikayin' means 'from Cain', 'mibnei' means 'from the sons of', 'chovav' is a proper name 'Chovav', 'choten' means 'father‑in‑law', 'moshe' is the name 'Moses', 'vayet' means 'and he pitched' or 'set up', 'ahlo' means 'his tent', 'ad-elon' means 'until the oak', 'betza'naim' means 'in the thickets', 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'et kedesh' means 'the holy' (referring to a sacred place).
[JDG.4.12] And they reported to Sisra that Barak son of Avinoam went up Mount Tabor. [§]
Vayagidu le-sisra ki ala Barak ben Avinoam har Tabor.
'Vayagidu' means 'and they reported', 'le-sisra' means 'to Sisra', 'ki' means 'that' or 'because', 'ala' means 'went up', 'Barak' is a personal name, 'ben Avinoam' means 'son of Avinoam', 'har Tabor' means 'Mount Tabor'.
[JDG.4.13] And Sisira shouted to all his chariots, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the people who were with him from the troops of the nations toward the Kishon River. [§]
Vayaz'ek Sisira et-kol-rikbo teshah me'ot rekeb barzel ve'et-kol ha'am asher ito meharoshet ha-goyim el nachal Kishon.
'Vayaz'ek' means 'and he shouted', 'Sisira' is a proper name (a leader or official), 'et' is the accusative marker (not translated), 'kol' means 'all', 'rikbo' means 'his chariots', 'teshah' means 'nine', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', 'rekeb' means 'chariot', 'barzel' means 'of iron', 've'et' means 'and (also) the', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'who', 'ito' means 'were with him', 'meharoshet' means 'from the troop/formation', 'ha-goyim' means 'of the nations', 'el' means 'to/toward', 'nachal' means 'the stream/river', 'Kishon' is the name of the river.
[JDG.4.14] And Deborah said to Barak, 'Arise, for this is the day that Yahveh has given Sisra into your hand; is not Yahveh gone before you?' And lightning descended from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. [§]
va-tomer D'vora el-Barak kum ki ze ha-yom asher natan Yahveh et-Sisra be-yadecha halo Yahveh yatza lefanekha vayered Barak me-Har Tabor va'aser alafim ish acharyav.
'va-tomer' means 'and she said', 'D'vora' is the name Deborah, 'el' means 'to', 'Barak' is a proper name meaning 'lightning', 'kum' means 'arise', 'ki' means 'for', 'ze' means 'this', 'ha-yom' means 'the day', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'natan' means 'has given', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'et' is the accusative particle, 'Sisra' is the name of the enemy commander, 'be-yadecha' means 'in your hand', 'halo' means 'is not', 'Yahveh' again the divine name, 'yatza' means 'has gone out', 'lefanekha' means 'before you', 'vayered' means 'and descended', 'Barak' means 'lightning', 'me-Har' means 'from the mountain', 'Tabor' is the name of Mount Tabor, 'va'aser' means 'and ten', 'alafim' means 'thousands', 'ish' means 'man', 'acharyav' means 'after him'.
[JDG.4.15] Yahweh smote Sisera and all the war-chariots and all the camp by the sword before the flash, and Sisera went down from the chariot and fled on his feet. [§]
vayaham Yahweh et Sisra ve-et kol harekeb ve-et kol hamachaneh lefi cherav lifnei barak vayered Sisra me'al hamerkavah vayanas beraglav.
'vayaham' means 'and smote', 'Yahweh' means the divine name YHVH, 'et' is a direct object marker with no English equivalent, 'Sisra' means the proper name Sisera, 've-et' means 'and (the) ...', 'kol' means 'all' or 'the whole', 'harekeb' means 'the war-chariot' or 'the army', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp', 'lefi' means 'by the edge of' or 'according to', 'cherav' means 'a sword', 'lifnei' means 'before' or 'in front of', 'barak' means 'lightning' or 'flash', 'vayered' means 'and went down' or 'descended', 'me'al' means 'from' or 'off', 'hamerkavah' means 'the chariot', 'vayanas' means 'and fled', 'beraglav' means 'on his feet'.
[JDG.4.16] And lightning pursued after the chariot and after the camp until the silence of the nations, and all the camp of Sisra fell by sword; not one remained. [§]
uvarak radaf acharei harechev veacharei hamachaneh ad charoshet haggoyim vaipol kol-machaneh sisra lefi cherav lo nisher ad echad.
'uvarak' means 'and lightning', 'radaf' means 'pursued', 'acharei' means 'after', 'harechev' means 'the chariot', 'veacharei' means 'and after', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp', 'ad' means 'until', 'charoshet' means 'silence', 'haggoyim' means 'the nations', 'vaipol' means 'and fell', 'kol-' means 'all', 'machaneh' means 'camp', 'sisra' is a proper name referring to the camp of Sisra, 'lefi' means 'by', 'cherav' means 'sword', 'lo' means 'not', 'nisher' means 'remained', 'ad' means 'until', 'echad' means 'one'.
[JDG.4.17] And Sisera fled on his feet to the tent of Yael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. [§]
Ve sisra nas be'raglav el ohel Yael eshet Hever haKeini ki shalom bein Yavin melech Chatzor u'vein beit Hever haKeini.
'Ve' means 'and', 'Sisra' is the personal name 'Sisera', 'nas' means 'fled', 'be'raglav' means 'on his feet', 'el' means 'to', 'ohel' means 'tent', 'Yael' is a woman's name, 'eshet' means 'wife of', 'Hever' is a personal name, 'haKeini' means 'the Kenite', 'ki' means 'because', 'shalom' means 'peace', 'bein' means 'between', 'Yavin' is the name 'Jabin', 'melech' means 'king', 'Chatzor' means 'Hazor', 'u'vein' means 'and between', 'beit' means 'the house of', 'Hever haKeini' again means 'the house of Heber the Kenite'.
[JDG.4.18] And Yael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, Turn, my Lord, turn toward me, do not be afraid; and she removed the tent from him and covered him with a veil. [§]
va-tetze Yael liqr'at Sisra va-tomer elav sura adoni sura elai al-tira va-yasar eleha ha-ohela va-tekhasehu ba-smikha.
'va-tetze' means 'and went out', 'Yael' is a proper name, 'liqr\'at' means 'to meet', 'Sisra' is a proper name, 'va-tomer' means 'and said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'sura' means 'turn away', 'adoni' means 'my Lord', the second 'sura' repeats 'turn away', 'elai' means 'toward me', 'al-tira' means 'do not be afraid', 'va-yasar' means 'and removed', 'eleha' means 'from her' (referring to him), 'ha-ohela' means 'the tent', 'va-tekhasehu' means 'and covered him', 'ba-smikha' means 'with a veil'.
[JDG.4.19] And he said to her, give me a little water, because I am thirsty; and she opened the flask of milk, gave it to him to drink, and covered it. [§]
Vayomer eleha hashkini-na me'at mayim ki tzameti vateftach et no'od ha chalav vatashekehu vatekassehu.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eleha' means 'to her', 'hashkini' means 'give me to drink', 'na' means 'please', 'me\'at' means 'a little', 'mayim' means 'water', 'ki' means 'because', 'tzameti' means 'I am thirsty', 'vateftach' means 'and she opened', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'no\'od' means 'the flask' or 'the bowl', 'ha chalav' means 'the milk', 'vatashekehu' means 'and she gave it to him to drink', 'vatekassehu' means 'and she covered it'.
[JDG.4.20] And he said to her, Stand at the entrance of the tent, and it will be if a man comes and asks you, and you shall say, There is no man. [§]
Vayomer eileha amod petach ha ohel vehayah im ish yavo usaelekh veamar hayesh po ish veamart ayin.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eileha' means 'to her', 'amod' means 'stand', 'petach' means 'the entrance', 'ha ohel' means 'of the tent', 'vehayah' means 'and it will be', 'im' means 'if', 'ish' means 'a man', 'yavo' means 'comes', 'usaelekh' means 'and asks you', 'veamar' means 'and say', 'hayesh' means 'there is', 'po' means 'here', 'ish' means 'a man', 'veamart' means 'you shall say', 'ayin' means 'none' or 'there is none'.
[JDG.4.21] Yael, the wife of Heber, took the tent peg, placed the millstone in her hand, went to him in the field, struck the peg with its rope, fell to the ground, while he was asleep he woke, and he died. [§]
vatekach Yael eshet Hever et-yated ha-ohel vatesem et-hamaqevet be-yadah vatevo elav ballaat vatik'a et-hayated berakato vatznach baaretz vehu nirdam vayaf vayamot.
'vatekach' means 'and she took', 'Yael' is a proper name, 'eshet Hever' means 'the wife of Heber', 'et-yated ha-ohel' means 'the tent peg', 'vatesem' means 'and she placed', 'et-hamaqevet' means 'the millstone', 'be-yadah' means 'in her hand', 'vatevo' means 'and she went', 'elav' means 'to him', 'ballaat' means 'in the field (or pit)', 'vatik'a' means 'and she struck', 'et-hayated' means 'the peg', 'berakato' means 'with its rope', 'vatznach' means 'and she fell', 'baaretz' means 'to the ground', 'vehu nirdam' means 'and he was asleep', 'vayaf' means 'and he awoke', 'vayamot' means 'and he died'.
[JDG.4.22] And behold, lightning chased Sisera, and Yael went out to meet him and said to him, "Go, and I will see you the man you are seeking." He came to her, and behold, Sisera fell dead, and the tent‑peg in its flash. [§]
vehineh barak rodef et sisera vatese yael liqrato vatoamer lo lekh vearecha et haish asher attah mevakesh vayavo eleha vehinei sisera nafil met vehayated berakato.
'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'barak' means 'lightning', 'rodef' means 'chasing' or 'pursuing', 'et' is the direct‑object marker (no English equivalent), 'sisera' is the personal name Sisera, 'vatese' means 'and she went out', 'yael' means 'a doe' used here as a proper name Yael, 'liqrato' means 'to meet him', 'vatoamer' means 'and she said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'lekh' means 'go', 'vearecha' means 'and I will see you' (or 'show you'), 'et haish' means 'the man', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'attah' means 'you', 'mevakesh' means 'are seeking', 'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'eleha' means 'to her', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'sisera' again the name, 'nafil' means 'falling', 'met' means 'dead', 'vehayated' means 'and the peg' (a tent‑peg), 'berakato' means 'in its flash' or 'in its lightning'.
[JDG.4.23] And the Gods humbled on that day Yavin king of Canaan before the children of Israel. [§]
Vayakna Elohim bayom hahu et Yavin melekh Kena'an lifnei bnei Yisrael.
'Vayakna' means 'and humbled', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'et' is an accusative marker (not rendered in English), 'Yavin' is a proper name, 'melech' means 'king', 'Kena'an' means 'Canaan', 'lifnei' means 'before' or 'in front of', 'bnei' means 'children of', and 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
[JDG.4.24] The hand of the children of Israel went, pressing against Yavin, king of Canaan, until they cut off Yavin, king of Canaan. [§]
Va-telekh yad b'nei Yisrael halokh ve-kashah al Yavin melakh-kena'an ad asher hi-kritu et Yavin melakh-kena'an.
'Va-telekh' means 'and went', 'yad' means 'hand', 'b'nei' means 'of the children', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'halokh' means 'going/going forth', 've-kashah' means 'and pressed/presses', 'al' means 'against', 'Yavin' is a proper name, 'melakh-kena'an' means 'king of Canaan', 'ad' means 'until', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'hi-kritu' means 'they cut off', 'et' is the direct object marker, and the phrase repeats the name and title for emphasis.
JDG.5
[JDG.5.1] And Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang that day, saying. [§]
va-tashar devora u-varak ben avinoam ba-yom ha-hu le'emor.
'va-tashar' means 'and sang', 'devora' means 'Deborah', 'u-varak' means 'and Barak', 'ben avinoam' means 'son of Abinoam', 'ba-yom' means 'on the day', 'ha-hu' means 'that', 'le'emor' means 'to say' or 'saying'.
[JDG.5.2] In the breaking of the sheaves in Israel, when the people are chosen, bless Yahveh. [§]
Bif'roa perot beYisrael behitnadev am bar'khu Yahveh.
'Bif'roa' means 'in the breaking/splitting', 'perot' means 'sheaves' or 'heads of grain', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'behitnadev' means 'when (the people) are chosen/selected', 'am' means 'people', 'bar'khu' is the plural imperative of 'bless', and 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH.
[JDG.5.3] Hear, kings; listen, musicians. I am Yahveh; I will sing, I will praise Yahveh, God of Israel. [§]
shimu melachim haazinu rozanim anochi lYahveh anochi ashira azamer lYahveh Elohei Yisrael.
'shimu' means 'Hear', 'melachim' means 'kings', 'haazinu' means 'listen', 'rozanim' means 'musicians' or 'instrument players', 'anochi' means 'I am', 'lYahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the name YHVH rendered as Yahveh), 'anochi' means 'I am' again, 'ashira' means 'I will sing', 'azamer' means 'I will praise', 'lYahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'Elohei' means 'God of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'. The divine name YHVH is translated as Yahveh, and the term Elohim in construct form is rendered as God.
[JDG.5.4] Yahveh, when you went out from Seir, when you stepped from the field of Edom, the land shook, the heavens also were shaken, the clouds also were shaken, the waters. [§]
Yahveh be tze'etecha miSeir be tza'adekha mishde Edom eretz ra'asha gam shamayim natafu gam avim natafu mayim.
'Yahveh' means the divine name YHWH. 'be' is a preposition meaning 'in' or 'when'. 'tze'etecha' means 'your going out' (from the root exit). 'miSeir' means 'from Seir', a region of Edom. 'be' again is a preposition. 'tza'adekha' means 'your stepping' or 'your stride'. 'mishde' means 'from the field of'. 'Edom' is the name of the region. 'eretz' means 'land'. 'ra'asha' means 'shook' or 'trembled'. 'gam' means 'also'. 'shamayim' means 'heavens'. 'natafu' means 'were shaken' or 'trembled'. Another 'gam' means 'also'. 'avim' means 'clouds'. 'natafu' again means 'were shaken'. 'mayim' means 'waters'.
[JDG.5.5] The mountains poured before Yahveh, this Sinai before Yahveh the Gods of Israel. [§]
Harim nazlu mi-pnei Yahveh ze Sinai mi-pnei Yahveh Elohei Yisrael.
'Harim' means 'mountains'; 'nazlu' means 'poured out' or 'flowed down'; 'mi-pnei' means 'before' or 'in the presence of'; 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH; 'ze' means 'this'; 'Sinai' is the proper name of the mountain; the second 'mi-pnei' repeats 'before'; the second 'Yahveh' again is Yahveh; 'Elohei' is the construct form of 'Elohim', meaning 'the Gods of'; 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
[JDG.5.6] In the days of Shammgar son of Anat, in the days of Yael, the roads ceased, and the walkers of paths will walk cracked roads. [§]
Bi-yemei Shammgar ben-Anat bi-yemei Yael chadlu orachot ve-holchei netivot yelechu orachot akalkalot.
'Bi-yemei' means 'in the days of', 'Shammgar' is a proper name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Anat' is a proper name, the second 'bi-yemei' again means 'in the days of', 'Yael' is a proper name, 'chadlu' means 'they ceased' or 'ceased', 'orachot' means 'roads', 've' means 'and', 'holchei' means 'walkers of', 'netivot' means 'paths' or 'ways', 'yelechu' means 'will walk', 'akalkalot' means 'cracked' or 'rutted'.
[JDG.5.7] They have ceased the fruit in Israel; they have ceased until I have become weary, the bee, I have become weary, mother in Israel. [§]
Chadlu perazon beYisrael chadelu ad shakkamti devora shakkamti em beYisrael.
'Chadlu' means 'they have ceased', 'perazon' means 'the fruit', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'chadelu' means 'they have ceased' (repetition), 'ad' means 'until', 'shakkamti' means 'I have become weary', 'devora' means 'the bee', 'shakkamti' means 'I have become weary' (repeated), 'em' means 'mother', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel'.
[JDG.5.8] The Gods will choose new then bread gates shield if will be seen and rejoice in forty thousand in Israel. [§]
Yivchar Elohim chadashim az lechem she'arim mogen im yerah varomach be'arba'im eleph beYisrael.
'Yivchar' means 'will choose', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'chadashim' means 'new (ones)', 'az' means 'then', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'she'arim' means 'gates', 'mogen' means 'shield', 'im' means 'if', 'yerah' means 'will be seen', 'varomach' means 'and rejoice', 'be'arba'im' means 'in forty', 'eleph' means 'thousand', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel'.
[JDG.5.9] My heart for the lawgivers of Israel, the volunteers among the people, bless Yahveh. [§]
Libi lechokkei Yisrael hamitnadvim ba'am bar'chu Yahveh.
'Libi' means 'my heart', 'lechokkei' means 'to the lawmakers' or 'for the lawgivers', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hamitnadvim' means 'the volunteers' or 'those who step forward', 'ba'am' means 'among the people', 'bar'chu' is the imperative plural 'bless', and 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH.
[JDG.5.10] Riders of swift donkeys, those who sit upon the high places, and those who walk on the road, speak. [§]
Rokhvei atonot tzechorot yoshevei al-middin veholchei al derech sichu.
'Rokhvei' means 'riders of', 'atonot' means 'donkeys' (plural), 'tzechorot' means 'swift' (feminine plural adjective agreeing with 'atonot'), 'yoshevei' means 'those who sit' or 'inhabitants', 'al' means 'on' or 'upon', 'middin' is taken as a proper place name or high place (interpreted as 'the high places'), 'veholchei' means 'and those who walk', 'derech' means 'road' or 'way', and 'sichu' means 'they speak' or 'talk' (imperative plural).
[JDG.5.11] From the voice of those who cleanse among drinkers, there they will bring Yahveh’s righteousness, the righteousness of his harvest in Israel; then the people of Yahveh will go down to the gates. [§]
Mi-qol mechatztzim bein mashabim sham yitannu tzidkot Yahveh tzidkot pirzono be-Yisrael az yardu lash'arim am-Yahveh.
'Mi-qol' means 'from the voice', 'mechatztzim' means 'those who cleanse or wash', 'bein' means 'between', 'mashabim' means 'drinkers' or 'those who give drink', 'sham' means 'there', 'yitannu' means 'they will bring forth', 'tzidkot' means 'righteousness', 'Yahveh' is the personal name of God, 'pirzono' means 'his store, harvest or treasure', 'be-Yisrael' means 'in Israel', 'az' means 'then', 'yardu' means 'they went down', 'lash'arim' means 'to the gates', 'am-Yahveh' means 'the people of Yahveh'.
[JDG.5.12] Awake, awake, Deborah; awake, awake, speak a song. Arise, Barak, and sit, son of Avinoam. [§]
Uri uri devorah, uri uri dabbri-shir; kum Barak, ushaveh shevyecha ben Avinoam.
'Uri' means 'awake' (imperative feminine), 'devorah' is the proper name Deborah, 'dabbri-shir' means 'speak a song', 'kum' means 'arise' or 'awake', 'Barak' is the proper name Barak, 'ushaveh' means 'and sit', 'shevyecha' means 'your son', and 'ben Avinoam' means 'son of Avinoam'.
[JDG.5.13] Then the prince descends to the mighty, the people Yahveh descends to me among the mighty. [§]
Az yered sarid le'adirim am Yahveh yered-li bagivorim.
'Az' means 'then' or 'at that time', 'yered' means 'descends' or 'goes down', 'sarid' means 'prince' or 'ruler', 'le'adirim' means 'to the mighty (ones)', 'am' means 'people' or 'nation', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'yered-li' means 'descends to me' (li = to me), and 'bagivorim' means 'among the mighty' or 'in the warriors'.
[JDG.5.14] From Ephraim their roots in Amalek after you, Benjamin in your peoples, from Makir they went down, cutters and from Mezbulun plowmen in the tribe of Sofer. [§]
mini Ephraim sharsham baamaleq acharecha binyamin baamamecha mini makir yardu mechokkim umezbulun moshkim beShevet sofer.
'mini' means 'from the', 'Ephraim' is the name of the tribe of Ephraim, 'sharsham' means 'their roots', 'baamaleq' means 'in/against Amalek', 'acharecha' means 'after you', 'binyamin' is the name Benjamin, 'baamamecha' means 'in your peoples', 'makir' is a personal name or term meaning 'seller', 'yardu' means 'they went down', 'mechokkim' means 'dividers' or 'cutters', 'umezbulun' means 'and from Mezbulun' (a proper name), 'moshkim' means 'plowmen', 'beShevet' means 'in the tribe of', and 'sofer' means 'scribe' or 'numberer' (used as a tribal name here).
[JDG.5.15] And Sarah in Yissachar with Debora, and Yissachar also Barak in the valley was sent at his feet in the divisions of Reuben, the great ones of the heart. [§]
ve-sarai be-yissachar im-devora ve-yissachar ken barak ba-emek shulach be-raglav bi-flaggot revven gedolim chikkkei-lev.
've' means 'and', 'sarai' is the personal name Sarah, 'be' is the preposition 'in', 'yissachar' is a tribal name, 'im' means 'with', 'devora' is the name Debora, 've' again means 'and', 'yissachar' repeats the tribal name, 'ken' means 'also' or 'so', 'barak' is a personal name Barak, 'ba' means 'in the', 'emek' means 'valley', 'shulach' means 'was sent', 'be' (in 'be-raglav') means 'at' or 'in', 'raglav' means 'his feet', 'bi' means 'in', 'flaggot' means 'divisions', 'revven' is the tribe Reuben, 'gedolim' means 'great ones', 'chikkkei' means 'precepts', 'lev' means 'heart'.
[JDG.5.16] Why did you sit between the two streams to listen to the rushing crowds, to separate great Reuben, the inquiries of the heart. [§]
Lama yashavta bein ha-mishpeta-yim lishmoa sherikot adarim liplagot Reuven g'dolim chiqrei-lev.
'Lama' means 'why', 'yashavta' means 'you sat', 'bein' means 'between', 'ha-mishpeta-yim' means 'the two streams' (literally 'the two channels'), 'lishmoa' means 'to hear' or 'to listen', 'sherikot' means 'rushes' or 'floods', 'adarim' means 'clusters' or 'crowds', 'liplagot' means 'to divide' or 'to separate', 'Reuven' is a proper name, 'g'dolim' means 'great' or 'large', 'chiqrei-lev' means 'investigations of the heart' (literally 'inquiries of the heart').
[JDG.5.17] Gilead dwells beyond the Jordan, and Dan why will dwell among the foolish? Asher lives by the seacoast, and on its borders it settles. [§]
Gilad beever hayarden shachen veDan lamah yagur oniyot asher yashav lechof yamim ve'al mifratsav yishkon.
'Gilad' means the region of Gilead, 'beever' means beyond, 'hayarden' means the Jordan (river), 'shachen' means dwells, 'veDan' means and Dan, 'lamah' means why, 'yagur' means will dwell, 'oniyot' means foolish ones, 'asher' means who, 'yashav' means dwells, 'lechof' means by the coast, 'yamim' means seas, 've'al' means and on, 'mifratsav' means its borders, 'yishkon' means will settle.
[JDG.5.18] Zebulun, a people despising their own life, to die, and Naftali upon the heights of the field. [§]
Zebulun am cherif nafsho lamut venaftali al meromei sadeh.
'Zebulun' is the name of a tribe, 'am' means 'people', 'cherif' means 'despising' or 'contemptuous', 'nafsho' means 'his soul' (his life), 'lamut' means 'to die', 've' is the conjunction 'and', 'Naftali' is another tribe name, 'al' means 'upon', 'meromei' is the plural construct of 'height', meaning 'the heights of', and 'sadeh' means 'field'.
[JDG.5.19] Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach over the waters of Megiddo, they did not take any silver. [§]
ba'u melachim nilchamu az nilchamu malchei kenaan betaanach al mei megiddo betza kesef lo lakachu.
'ba'u' means 'they came', 'melachim' means 'kings', 'nilchamu' means 'they fought', 'az' means 'then', the second 'nilchamu' repeats 'they fought', 'malchei' means 'kings of', 'kenaan' is the proper name 'Canaan', 'betaanach' is the place name 'Taanach', 'al' means 'over' or 'against', 'mei' means 'waters of', 'megiddo' is the city name 'Megiddo', 'betza' means 'with a weight of' or 'by', 'kesef' means 'silver', 'lo' means 'not', 'lakachu' means 'they took'.
[JDG.5.20] From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought with Sisra. [§]
Min-shamayim nilchamu ha-kokhavim mi-m'sillotam nilchamu im-sisra.
'Min' means 'from', 'shamayim' means 'heavens', 'nilchamu' means 'they fought' (plural verb), 'ha-kokhavim' means 'the stars', 'mi' means 'from', 'sillotam' means 'their courses' or 'their paths', the second 'nilchamu' repeats the verb 'they fought', 'im' means 'with', 'sisra' is a proper name (likely a deity or mythic figure).
[JDG.5.21] Stream Kishon Gerafam, stream of the ancient ones, stream Kishon, you will guide my soul to strength. [§]
Nachal Kishon gerafam nachal kedumim nachal Kishon tidrekhi nafshi oz.
'Nachal' means 'stream' or 'valley', 'Kishon' is the name of a river, 'gerafam' is a proper name or possibly a descriptive term whose exact meaning is uncertain but is treated here as a proper noun, 'kedumim' means 'ancient ones' or 'foremost', the second 'Kishon' repeats the river name, 'tidrekhi' is the feminine singular form of the verb meaning 'you will guide' or 'you will lead', 'nafshi' means 'my soul', and 'oz' means 'strength' or 'might'. No divine name appears in this verse, so no special translation rule for God is applied.
[JDG.5.22] Then they rode the heels of a horse amid the thundering shouts of his heroes. [§]
az halmu iq'vei-sus midaharot daharot avirov.
'az' means 'then', 'halmu' means 'they rode', 'iq'vei-sus' means 'the heels of a horse' (iq'vei is the construct form of 'heels' and sus is 'horse'), 'midaharot' means 'from the thunders' or 'from the loud sounds', 'daharot' means 'shouts' (a repetition for emphasis), 'avirov' means 'his heroes' or 'his mighty ones'.
[JDG.5.23] Be bright, more said the angel Yahveh, be bright cursed its dwellers because they did not come to the aid of Yahveh, to the aid of Yahveh among the mighty. [§]
Oru meroz amar malach Yahveh oru aror yosveha ki lo-bau leezrat Yahveh leezrat Yahveh bagiborim.
'Oru' means 'be bright' (imperative of 'to shine'), 'meroz' means 'more', 'amar' means 'said', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God (YHVH), the second 'oru' repeats the imperative 'be bright', 'aror' means 'cursed', 'yosveha' means 'its dwellers/inhabitants', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo-bau' means 'they did not come', 'leezrat' means 'to the aid of', the third 'Yahveh' again is the name of God, the fourth 'leezrat' repeats 'to the aid of', the final 'bagiborim' means 'among the mighty/warriors'.
[JDG.5.24] You will be blessed among women, Yael, wife of the Kenite companion, you will be blessed among the women in the tent. [§]
Tevorach min nashim Yael eshet chaver hakeni min nashim ba'ohel tevorach.
'Tevorach' means 'you will be blessed' (feminine singular). 'Min' means 'among' or 'from'. 'Nashim' means 'women'. 'Yael' is a proper name meaning 'Doe' or 'mountain goat'. 'Eshet' means 'wife of'. 'Chaver' means 'companion' or 'friend'. 'Ha' is the definite article 'the'. 'Keni' (or 'Keni') refers to a Kenite, a member of a nomadic tribe. 'Ba'ohel' means 'in the tent'. The phrase repeats 'tevorach' at the end for emphasis.
[JDG.5.25] Water asked, milk she gave; in a bowl of the mighty she offered warmth. [§]
Mayim sha'al chalav natana be-sefel adirim hikriva chema'ah.
'Mayim' means 'water', 'sha'al' means 'asked', 'chalav' means 'milk', 'natana' means 'she gave', 'be-sefel' means 'in a bowl', 'adirim' means 'mighty ones', 'hikriva' means 'she offered', 'chema'ah' means 'warmth'.
[JDG.5.26] Her hand she will send to the spindle, and her right hand to bring ruin upon the laborers, and a shrewd woman erased its head, and cut it and turned its neck. [§]
Yadah la-yated tishlachnah vi-minah lehalmut amelim vehalmah sisra machaqah rosho umachatzah vechalpah rakato.
'Yadah' means 'her hand', 'la-yated' means 'to the spindle', 'tishlachnah' means 'she will send it', 'vi-minah' means 'and her right (hand)', 'lehalmut' means 'to bring to ruin', 'amelim' means 'the laborers' or 'the diligent', 'vehalmah' means 'and a woman', 'sisra' means 'shrewd' or 'cunning', 'machaqah' means 'erased', 'rosho' means 'its head', 'umachatzah' means 'and cut in half', 'vechalpah' means 'and turned', 'rakato' means 'its neck'.
[JDG.5.27] Between her feet she crouched, fell, lay; between her feet she crouched, fell; in which she crouched there fell Shadud. [§]
Bein ragleiha kar'a nafal shakav, bein ragleiha kar'a nafal ba'asher kar'a sham nafal shadud.
'Bein' means 'between', 'ragleiha' means 'her feet', 'kar'a' means 'crouched' or 'bent down', 'naf al' means 'fell', 'shakav' means 'lay', the second 'bein ragleiha kar'a nafal' repeats the same meaning, 'ba'asher' means 'in which' or 'where', 'sham' means 'there', and 'shadud' is a proper name or term retained as is (its exact sense is unclear in the context).
[JDG.5.28] Instead of the window she gazed and made it move, the mother of Sisra, instead of the ash tree, why is his chariot coming shameful? Why later, at the times of his chariots? [§]
Be'ad ha-chalon nishkefah vateyavev em sisra be'ad ha-eshnav madua boshes rikbo lavo madua echeru pa'amei markevotav.
'Be'ad' means 'instead of' or 'by the side of', 'ha-chalon' means 'the window', 'nishkefah' means 'she looked' or 'she gazed', 'vateyavev' means 'and she made it move' (from the root Y-B-V), 'em' means 'mother', 'sisra' is a proper name, 'be'ad' again means 'by the side of', 'ha-eshnav' means 'the ash tree', 'madua' means 'why' or 'for what reason', 'boshes' means 'shameful' or 'awkward', 'rikbo' means 'his chariot' (literally 'his riding'), 'lavo' means 'to come', 'madua' again means 'why', 'echeru' means 'later' or 'afterward', 'pa'amei' means 'times of' or 'occasions of', 'markevotav' means 'his chariots'.
[JDG.5.29] The wisdom of her officials will answer her, and she will return her sayings to her. [§]
Chakmot saroteha ta'aneinah af-hee tashiv amareha lah.
'Chakmot' means 'wisdoms' or 'the wisdom', 'saroteha' means 'her princes' or 'her officials', 'ta'aneinah' means 'will answer', 'af-hee' means 'and she', 'tashiv' means 'will turn back' or 'will return', 'amareha' means 'her sayings' or 'her words', 'lah' means 'to her'.
[JDG.5.30] Surely they will find and divide the booty, mercy, double mercy for the head of a man; booty of colors for Sissera, booty of colors woven, four woven, double woven for the spoils. [§]
halo yimtseu yechalqu shalal rachem rachamatayim le-rosh gever shelal tzevaim le-sissera shelal tzevaim rikma tzeva rikamatayim le-tzavarei shalal.
'halo' means 'surely not' or 'is it not', 'yimtseu' means 'they will find', 'yechalqu' means 'they will divide', 'shalal' means 'spoil' or 'booty', 'rachem' means 'mercy', 'rachamatayim' means 'double mercy' or 'two mercies', 'le-rosh' means 'for the head', 'gever' means 'man' or 'strong one', 'shelal' (repeated) means 'spoil', 'tzevaim' means 'colors' or 'hues', 'le-sissera' means 'for Sissera' (a proper name), 'rikma' means 'woven', 'tzeva' means 'four', 'rikamatayim' means 'double weaving', 'le-tzavarei' means 'for the spoils' (tzavarei = of spoils).
[JDG.5.31] So all your enemies shall be destroyed, Yahveh, and his loved ones like the setting of the sun in his strength, and the earth was quiet for forty years. [§]
Ken ye'ovdu kol-oyvecha Yahveh ve'ohavav kets'et ha'shemesh bigvurato vateshkot ha'aretz arba'im shanah.
'Ken' means 'so' or 'thus', 'ye'ovdu' means 'shall be destroyed', 'kol-oyvecha' means 'all your enemies', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 've'ohavav' means 'and his loved ones', 'kets'et' means 'as the going out' or 'setting', 'ha'shemesh' means 'the sun', 'bigvurato' means 'in his strength', 'vateshkot' means 'and it was quiet', 'ha'aretz' means 'the earth', 'arba'im' means 'forty', and 'shanah' means 'years'.
JDG.6
[JDG.6.1] The children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahveh, and Yahveh gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. [§]
Vayya'asu b'nei Yisrael ha'ra b'enei Yahveh vayittenem Yahveh b'yad Midyan sheva shanim.
'Vayya'asu' means 'and they did', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ha'ra' means 'the evil', 'b'enei' means 'in the sight of', 'Yahveh' is the name of God, 'vayittenem' means 'and he gave them', 'b'yad' means 'into the hand of', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'sheva' means 'seven', 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.6.2] And the hand of Midian was strong against Israel; because of Midian the sons of Israel made for them the rivers that are in the mountains, and the caves, and the passages. [§]
va-ta'az yad-midyan al Yisrael mip'nei Midyan asu lahem b'nei Yisrael et-haminharot asher beharim ve'et-hame'arot ve'et-hametzadot.
'va' means 'and', 'ta'az' means 'was strong' or 'strengthened', 'yad' means 'hand', 'Midyan' is the name of the nation Midian, 'al' means 'against', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'mip'nei' means 'because of' or 'from before', 'asu' means 'they made', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'et-haminharot' means 'the rivers', 'asher' means 'that', 'beharim' means 'in the mountains', 've'et-hame'arot' means 'and the caves', 've'et-hametzadot' means 'and the passages'.
[JDG.6.3] And it shall be, if Israel sows, that Midian, Amalek, and the children of the east will rise against him. [§]
vehayah im-zara Yisrael ve'alah Midyan ve'amalek u'venei kedem ve'alu alav
'vehayah' means 'and it shall be', 'im-zara' means 'if Israel sows', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 've'alah' means 'and (it) will arise', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 've'amalek' means 'and Amalek', 'u'venei kedem' means 'and the children of the east', 've'alu' means 'and they will rise', 'alav' means 'against him'.
[JDG.6.4] And they camped against them and destroyed the flood of the earth until your coming, a lion, and they will not leave any living in Israel, and a sheep and an ox and a donkey. [§]
vayachanu aleyhem vayashchitu et-yevul haaretz ad-vo'kha azzah velo-yashairu michyah beYisrael ve-sheh va-shor vachamor.
'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'aleyhem' means 'against them', 'vayashchitu' means 'and they destroyed', 'et-yevul' means 'the flood', 'haaretz' means 'the earth', 'ad-vo'kha' means 'until your coming', 'azzah' means 'lion', 'velo-yashairu' means 'and they will not leave', 'michyah' means 'any living', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 've-sheh' means 'and a sheep', 'va-shor' means 'and an ox', 'vachamor' means 'and a donkey'.
[JDG.6.5] For they and their livestock will go up and their tents will bring as many as a herd for increase, and for them and for their offspring there is no number; and they came into the land to corrupt it. [§]
Ki hem u-miknehem yaalu veaholeihem yavou kde-arbeh larov ve-lahem velegmaleihem ein mispar va-yavou baaretz le-sachatah.
'Ki' means 'for', 'hem' means 'they', 'u-miknehem' means 'and their livestock', 'yaalu' means 'will go up', 'veaholeihem' means 'and their tents', 'yavou' means 'will bring', 'kde-arbeh' means 'as many as a herd', 'larov' means 'for increase', 've-lahem' means 'and for them', 'velegmaleihem' means 'and for their offspring/wealth', 'ein' means 'no', 'mispar' means 'number', 'va-yavou' means 'and they came', 'baaretz' means 'to the land', 'le-sachatah' means 'to corrupt it'.
[JDG.6.6] Israel was greatly oppressed because of Midian, and the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh. [§]
Vayiddal Yisrael me'od mipenei Midyan vayiz'aku b'nei-Yisrael el-Yahveh.
'Vayiddal' means 'and (he) weakened' or 'was oppressed', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'me'od' means 'greatly', 'mipenei' means 'because of' or 'in front of', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'vayiz'aku' means 'and they cried out', 'b'nei' means 'sons of' or 'children of', 'Yisrael' again means 'Israel', 'el' means 'to' or 'unto', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH.
[JDG.6.7] And it was because the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh because of the oppressions of Midian. [§]
Vayehi ki-za'aku b'nei-Yisrael el-Yahveh al odot Midian.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'za'aku' means 'they cried out' or 'shouted', 'b'nei-Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'el-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the divine name YHVH rendered as Yahveh), 'al' means 'because of' or 'concerning', and 'odot Midian' means 'the oppressions of Midian' (odot is a plural noun meaning oppression or calamity, here understood as the oppression inflicted by Midian).
[JDG.6.8] And Yahveh sent a man prophet to the children of Israel, and he said to them, Thus says Yahveh, the Gods of Israel: I have brought you up from Egypt and have led you out of the house of servants. [§]
vayishlach Yahveh ish nabi el-b'nei Yisrael vayomer lahem ko amar Yahveh Elohei Yisrael anochi he'aleiti etchem mi-mitzrayim va'otzi etchem mi-beit avadim.
"vayishlach" means "and sent", "Yahveh" is the literal rendering of the divine name YHVH, "ish" means "man", "nabi" means "prophet", "el-b'nei" means "to the children of", "Yisrael" means "Israel", "vayomer" means "and said", "lahem" means "to them", "ko amar" means "thus says", "Elohei" is the construct form of "Elohim" which is translated as "the Gods", so "Elohei Yisrael" means "the Gods of Israel", "anochi" means "I", "he'aleiti" means "I have brought up", "etchem" means "you (plural)", "mi-mitzrayim" means "from Egypt", "va'otzi" means "and I have led out", "mi-beit" means "from the house of", "avadim" means "servants".
[JDG.6.9] I will save you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of all your captors, and I will drive them out before you, and I will give you their land. [§]
va'atsil etchem miyad Mitzrayim u-miyad kol lochatzeihem va-agaresh otam mi-peneihem va-ettenah lakhem et-artsam.
'va'atsil' means 'I will save', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)', 'miyad' means 'from the hand of', 'Mitzrayim' means 'Egypt', 'u-miyad' means 'and from the hand of', 'kol' means 'all', 'lochatzeihem' means 'your captors', 'va-agaresh' means 'and I will drive out', 'otam' means 'them', 'mi-peneihem' means 'before you', 'va-ettenah' means 'and I will give', 'lakhem' means 'to you', 'et-artsam' means 'their land'.
[JDG.6.10] And I said to you, I am Yahveh your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorite who you dwell in their land, and you have not heard my voice. [§]
va-omrah la-khem ah-nee Yahveh Eloheikhem lo ti-roo et-eh-loh-hey ha-eh-mor-ee ah-sher a-tem yo-shev-im be-artsam ve-lo she-ma-them be-ko-lee.
'va-omrah' means 'and I said', 'la-khem' means 'to you (plural)', 'ah-nee' means 'I', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'Eloheikhem' means 'your God' (the God belonging to you), 'lo' means 'not', 'ti-roo' means 'you shall fear', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'eh-loh-hey' means 'the gods of', 'ha-eh-mor-ee' means 'the Amorite', 'ah-sher' means 'who/that', 'a-tem' means 'you (plural)', 'yo-shev-im' means 'you dwell', 'be-artsam' means 'in their land', 've-lo' means 'and not', 'she-ma-them' means 'you have heard', 'be-ko-lee' means 'my voice'.
[JDG.6.11] And the angel of Yahveh came and sat under the juniper that was in the field belonging to Joash son of the man of Jezreel, and his son Gedaliah was threshing wheat in the valley to flee before the Midianites. [§]
Vayyavo Malakh Yahveh vayyeshev tachat ha'elah asher be'afar asher leYoash avi ha'Ezri vegid'on beno chobet chitim bagat lehanis mipenei Midyan.
'Vayyabo' means 'and he came', 'Malakh' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayyeshev' means 'and he sat', 'tachat' means 'under', 'ha'elah' means 'the juniper', 'asher' means 'that', 'be'afar' means 'in the field', 'leYoash' means 'to Joash', 'avi' means 'father', 'ha'Ezri' means 'the man of Jezreel', 'vegid'on' means 'and Gedaliah', 'beno' means 'his son', 'chobet' means 'was threshing', 'chitim' means 'wheat', 'bagat' means 'in the valley', 'lehanis' means 'to flee', 'mipenei' means 'before', 'Midyan' means 'the Midianites'.
[JDG.6.12] And a messenger of Yahveh appeared to him, and he said to him, Yahveh is with you, a mighty one of strength. [§]
vayera elav malach Yahveh vayomer elav Yahveh imcha gibor hechayil.
'vayera' means 'appeared', 'elav' means 'to him', 'malach' means 'messenger', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH, 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'imcha' means 'with you', 'gibor' means 'mighty one', 'hechayil' means 'of strength or power'.
[JDG.6.13] And he said to him, Gideon, 'my Lord, Yahveh is with us, and why do we seek all this? And where are all the wonders which our ancestors recounted, saying, "Did not Yahveh bring us up from Egypt, and now Yahveh has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian?"' [§]
vayomer elav Gideon bi adoni ve'yesh Yahveh imanu ve'lama metzaatenu kol zot ve'aye kol niflotav asher sipru lanu avoteinu le'emor halo mimitzrayim he'elanu Yahveh ve'ata netashanu Yahveh vayyitnenu bekhaf midyan.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Gideon' is a proper name, 'bi' means 'by me' or 'in me', 'adoni' means 'my Lord', 've'yesh' means 'and there is', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'imanu' means 'with us', 've'lama' means 'and why', 'metzaatenu' means 'do we seek', 'kol zot' means 'all this', 've'aye' means 'and where', 'kol niflotav' means 'all his wonders', 'asher' means 'that', 'sipru' means 'they recounted', 'lanu' means 'to us', 'avoteinu' means 'our ancestors', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'halo' means 'is not it', 'mimitzrayim' means 'from Egypt', 'he'elanu' means 'He brought up', 've'ata' means 'and now', 'netashanu' means 'has abandoned us', 'vayyitnenu' means 'and has given us', 'bekhaf midyan' means 'into the hand of Midian'.
[JDG.6.14] And Yahveh turned to him and said, 'Go with your strength, this, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian; did I not send you?' [§]
Vayifen elav Yahveh vayomer lekh bekhocha zeh ve-hoshacht et-Yisrael mi-kaf Midyan halo shelachtika.
'Vayifen' means 'and he turned', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'lekh' means 'go', 'bekhocha' means 'with your strength', 'zeh' means 'this', 've-hoshacht' means 'and you shall save', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'mi-kaf' means 'from the hand of', 'Midyan' is the nation of Midian, 'halo' means 'did not', 'shelachtika' means 'I have sent you'.
[JDG.6.15] And he said to him, 'My Lord, how shall I save Israel? Behold, my thousand is the door in Menashe, and I am the poor one in my father's house.' [§]
Vayomer elav, Bi Adonai, bammah oshi'a et Yisrael? Hinneh alfi ha-dal bi-Menashe, ve-anokhi ha-tza'ir be-beit avi.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Bi' is a particle meaning 'my', 'Adonai' is translated as 'my Lord', 'bammah' means 'in what' or 'by what', 'oshi'a' means 'shall I save', 'et' marks the direct object, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'Hinneh' means 'behold' or 'look', 'alfi' means 'my thousand', 'ha-dal' means 'the door', 'bi-Menashe' means 'in Menashe' (a place name), 've-anokhi' means 'and I', 'ha-tza'ir' means 'the poor one', 'be-beit' means 'in the house of', 'avi' means 'my father'. The divine name Adonai is rendered as 'my Lord' according to the given translation rule.
[JDG.6.16] And Yahveh said to him, I will be with you, and you will strike Midian as one man. [§]
Vayomer elav Yahveh ki ehyeh immakh vehikkita et-Midyan ke'ish echad.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'ki' means 'for' or 'because', 'ehyeh' means 'I will be', 'immakh' means 'with you', 've' is the conjunction 'and', 'hikkita' means 'you will strike', 'et-Midyan' means 'Midian', 'ke' means 'as', 'ish' means 'a man', 'echad' means 'one'.
[JDG.6.17] And he said to him, If now I have found favor in your eyes, and you make for me a sign that you speak with me. [§]
Vayomer elav im na matzati chen be'eineka ve'asita li ot sha'atah medaber immi.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'im' means 'if', 'na' is an emphatic particle meaning 'now', 'matzati' means 'I have found', 'chen' means 'favor' or 'grace', 'be'eineka' means 'in your eyes', 've'asita' means 'and you will make' or 'and you will do', 'li' means 'for me', 'ot' means 'a sign' or 'token', 'sha'atah' means 'that you (masc.)', 'medaber' means 'speak' or 'talk', 'immi' means 'with me'.
[JDG.6.18] Please do not be angry about this until I come to you, and I will bring my offering and set it before you, and he said, "I will sit until your return." [§]
Al-na tamush zeh ad bo-i eilecha vehotzeti et-minchati vehinahchti lefanekha vayomer anochi eshev ad shuvkha.
'Al' means 'please' or 'do not', 'na' is an enclitic particle softening the request, 'tamush' means 'be angry', 'zeh' means 'this', 'ad' means 'until', 'bo-i' means 'I come', 'eilecha' means 'to you', 'vehotzeti' means 'and I will bring out', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'minchati' means 'my offering', 'vehinahchti' means 'and I will set it', 'lefanekha' means 'before you', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'anochi' means 'I', 'eshev' means 'will sit' or 'will remain', 'ad' means 'until', 'shuvkha' means 'your return'.
[JDG.6.19] And Gidon came and he made a kid of goats and a loaf of wheat matzo; he placed the meat in the sack and the soup in the porridge; he brought it to him under the God and he approached. [§]
vegidon ba vayya'sh gedi-izim ve'ifat kemach matzot habasar sam basal vehamarak sam ba'parur vayotze elav el-tachat ha'ela vayagash.
'vegidon' means 'and Gidon', 'ba' means 'came', 'vayya'sh' means 'and he made', 'gedi-izim' means 'kid of goats', 've'ifat' means 'and a loaf', 'kemach' means 'of wheat', 'matzot' means 'matzo', 'habasar' means 'the meat', 'sam' means 'he placed', 'basal' means 'in the sack', 'vehamarak' means 'and the soup', 'sam' means 'he placed', 'ba'parur' means 'in the porridge', 'vayotze' means 'he brought out', 'elav' means 'to him', 'el-tachat' means 'under', 'ha'ela' means 'the God', 'vayagash' means 'and he approached'.
[JDG.6.20] And the messenger of the Gods said to him, Take the meat and the broth and lay them upon the stone there, and pour the broth, and he did so. [§]
Vayomer elav mal'ach haElohim kach et-habasar ve'et-hamatzot vehanh el-haseleah ha-laz ve'et-hamarak shefokh vayya'as ken.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'mal'ach' means 'messenger', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'kach' means 'take', 'et-habasar' means 'the meat', 've'et-hamatzot' means 'and the broth', 'vehanh' means 'and lay', 'el-haseleah' means 'upon the stone', 'ha-laz' means 'there', 've'et-hamarak' means 'and the broth', 'shefokh' means 'pour', 'vayya'as' means 'and he did', 'ken' means 'so' or 'thus'.
[JDG.6.21] And he sent an angel of Yahveh, the tip of the torch that was in his hand; and he touched the flesh and the dung, and the fire rose from the furnace and ate the flesh and the dung, and the angel of Yahveh went out of his sight. [§]
Vayishlach mal'ach Yahveh et-ketze ha-mish'enet asher be-yado vayiga ba-basar uva-matzot vata'al ha-esh min ha-tzur vato'chal et ha-basar ve-et ha-matzot u-mal'ach Yahveh halach me'einav.
'Vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'mal'ach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'et' is a particle marking the direct object, 'ketze' means 'the tip' or 'end', 'ha-mish'enet' means 'of the torch', 'asher' means 'that', 'be-yado' means 'in his hand', 'vayiga' means 'and he touched', 'ba-basar' means 'the flesh', 'uva-matzot' means 'and the dung', 'vata'al' means 'and rose up', 'ha-esh' means 'the fire', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-tzur' means 'the furnace' (or 'rock'), 'vato'chal' means 'and ate', 'et' again marks the object, 'ha-basar' means 'the flesh', 've-et' means 'and the', 'ha-matzot' means 'the dung', 'u-mal'ach Yahveh' means 'and the angel of Yahveh', 'halach' means 'went', 'me'einav' means 'out of his sight'.
[JDG.6.22] And Gideon saw that the angel Yahveh was he, and Gideon said Ah, my Lord Yahveh, because I have seen the angel Yahveh face to face. [§]
vayyar Gideon ki mal'ach Yahveh hu vayyomer Gideon aha Adonai Yahveh ki al-ken ra'iti mal'ach Yahveh panim el panim.
'vayyar' means 'and saw', 'Gideon' is the proper name, 'ki' means 'because' or 'that', 'mal'ach' means 'angel' or 'messenger', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'hu' means 'he', 'vayyomer' means 'and said', 'aha' is an exclamation like 'ah' or 'alas', 'Adonai' means 'my Lord', 'al-ken' means 'therefore' or 'for this reason', 'ra'iti' means 'I saw', 'panim el panim' means 'face to face'.
[JDG.6.23] And Yahveh said to him, Peace to you; do not be afraid; you shall not die. [§]
Vayomer lo Yahveh shalom lecha al-tira lo tamut.
'Vayomer' means 'And he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'shalom' means 'peace', 'lecha' means 'to you', 'al-tira' means 'do not be afraid', 'lo' means 'not', 'tamut' means 'you will die'.
[JDG.6.24] And he built there Giddon an altar to God and called it Yahveh Peace until this day still in the dust of my father the helper. [§]
Vayyiven sham Giddon mizbeach laYahveh vayikra-lo Yahveh Shalom ad hayom hazeh odennu be'afrat avi haEzri.
'Vayyiven' means 'and he built', 'sham' means 'there', 'Giddon' is a proper name, 'mizbeach' means 'altar', 'laYahveh' means 'to God', 'vayikra-lo' means 'and called it', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'Shalom' means 'peace', 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'odennu' means 'still', 'be'afrat' means 'in the dust', 'avi' means 'my father', 'haEzri' means 'the helper'.
[JDG.6.25] And it was that night, and Yahveh said to him, 'Take the bull of the ox which is your father's, and the second bull, seven years, and you shall destroy the altar of Baal which is your father's, and cut off the Asherah that is upon it.' [§]
Vayehi balaila hahohu vayomer lo Yahveh kach et-par hashor asher le'avikha vepar hasheni sheva shanim veharasta et-mizbach habba'al asher le'avikha ve'et ha'asherah asher alav tichrot.
'Vayehi' means 'And it was', 'balaila' means 'that night', 'hahohu' means 'that', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHWH, 'kach' means 'take', 'et' is a direct object marker (no English equivalent), 'par hashor' means 'the bull of the ox', 'asher' means 'which', 'le'avikha' means 'to your father', 'vepar hasheni' means 'and the second bull', 'sheva' means 'seven', 'shanim' means 'years', 'veharasta' means 'and you shall destroy', 'mizbach' means 'altar', 'habba'al' means 'of Baal', 'asher' again means 'which', 'le'avikha' means 'to your father', 've'et' means 'and' (object marker), 'ha'asherah' means 'the Asherah', 'asher' means 'that', 'alav' means 'upon it', 'tichrot' means 'you shall cut off'.
[JDG.6.26] And you shall build an altar to Yahveh your God on the top of this high place in the assembly, and you shall take the second bull, and you shall offer a burnt offering on the wood of the ash tree that you shall cut. [§]
Uvanita mizbeach laYahveh Elohecha al rosh ha-maoz hazeh ba-maaracha ve-lakahta et-hapar ha-sheni ve-ha'alita olah ba-atzei ha-ashera asher tikrot.
'Uvanita' means 'and you shall build', 'mizbeach' means 'altar', 'laYahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'Elohecha' means 'your God', 'al' means 'on', 'rosh' means 'the top', 'ha-maoz' means 'the high place', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'ba-maaracha' means 'in the assembly', 've-lakahta' means 'and you shall take', 'et-hapar' means 'the bull', 'ha-sheni' means 'the second', 've-ha'alita' means 'and you shall lift/offer', 'olah' means 'a burnt offering', 'ba-atzei' means 'on the wood of', 'ha-ashera' means 'the ash tree', 'asher' means 'that', 'tikrot' means 'you shall cut'.
[JDG.6.27] And Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as Yahveh spoke to him; and it was as he feared the house of his father and the men of the city from doing by day, and he did it by night. [§]
vayyikach Gideon asara anashim meavadav vayyaas kaasher diber elav Yahveh vayhi kaasher yare et-bet aviv veet-anshei hair measot yomam vayyas layla.
'vayyikach' means 'and he took', 'Gideon' is a proper name, 'asara' means 'ten', 'anashim' means 'men', 'meavadav' means 'from his servants', 'vayyaas' means 'and he did', 'kaasher' means 'as', 'diber' means 'spoke', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH, 'vayhi' means 'and it was', 'yare' means 'he feared', 'et-bet' means 'the house', 'aviv' means 'of his father', 'veet' means 'and the', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'hair' means 'the city', 'measot' means 'from doing', 'yomam' means 'by day', 'vayyas' means 'and he did', 'layla' means 'by night'.
[JDG.6.28] And the men of the city rose early in the morning, and behold the altar of the Lord was cut down, and the fire that was on it was cut off, and the second bull was offered upon the newly built altar. [§]
Vayashkimu anshei ha'ir baboker ve'hineh nutatz mizbeach haBaal veha'asherah asher alav koratah ve'et ha-par hasheni ho'alah al hamizbeach habanui.
'Vayashkimu' means 'and they rose early', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'baboker' means 'in the morning', 've'hineh' means 'and behold', 'nutatz' means 'was cut down', 'mizbeach' means 'altar', 'haBaal' means 'the Baal' (translated as 'the Lord'), 'veha'asherah' means 'and the fire', 'asher' means 'that', 'alav' means 'was on it', 'koratah' means 'was cut off', 've'et' means 'and', 'ha-par' means 'the bull', 'hasheni' means 'the second', 'ho'alah' means 'was offered', 'al' means 'upon', 'hamizbeach' means 'the altar', 'habanui' means 'the newly built'.
[JDG.6.29] And a man said to his companion, 'Who did this thing?' They inquired and they sought, and they said, 'Gidon son of Yoash did this thing.' [§]
Vayomeru ish el re'ehu: Mi asah ha-davar ha-zeh? Vayidreshu vayevakshu vayomeru: Gidon ben Yoash asah ha-davar ha-zeh.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'ish' means 'a man', 'el' means 'to', 're'ehu' means 'his companion', 'Mi' means 'who', 'asah' means 'did' or 'made', 'ha-davar' means 'the thing' or 'the matter', 'ha-zeh' means 'this', 'Vayidreshu' means 'they inquired', 'vayevakshu' means 'they sought', 'vayomeru' again means 'they said', 'Gidon' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Yoash' is a personal name.
[JDG.6.30] And the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out your son and let him die, because you shattered the altar of Baal and because you cut down the Asherah that was on it. [§]
Vayomeru anshei ha'ir el-yoash hotze et-bincha ve-yamot ki natatz et-mizbach haBaal ve-ki karat ha'asherah asher alav.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'el' means 'to', 'Yoash' is the proper name Joash, 'hotze' means 'bring out', 'et' is a particle marking the direct object, 'bincha' means 'your son', 've-yamot' means 'and (he) may die', 'ki' means 'because', 'natatz' means 'you shattered', 'et' is the direct‑object particle, 'mizbach' means 'altar', 'haBaal' means 'the Baal', 've-ki' means 'and because', 'karat' means 'you cut down', 'ha'asherah' means 'the Asherah', 'asher' means 'that', 'alav' means 'upon it'.
[JDG.6.31] And Joash said to all who stood against him, 'You shall quarrel with Baal; if you save him, the one who quarrels with him will die until morning; if the Gods will avenge him, because you broke his altar.' [§]
Vayomer Yoash lechol asher-amdu alav haatem terivun laBaal im-atem toshiun oto asher yariv lo yumat ad-haboker im-Elohim hu yarev lo ki natatz et-mizbecho.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Yoash' is the name Joash, 'lechol' means 'to all', 'asher-amdu' means 'who stood', 'alav' means 'against him', 'haatem' means 'you (plural)', 'terivun' means 'you will argue/quarrel', 'laBaal' means 'with Baal', 'im-atem' means 'if you', 'toshiun' means 'you will save', 'oto' means 'him', 'asher' means 'who', 'yariv' means 'quarrels', 'lo' means 'with him', 'yumat' means 'will die', 'ad-haboker' means 'until morning', 'im-Elohim' means 'if the Gods', 'hu' means 'he', 'yarev' means 'will avenge', 'lo' means 'him', 'ki' means 'because', 'natatz' means 'you broke', 'et-mizbecho' means 'his altar'.
[JDG.6.32] And on that day he called to him, Jerubbaal, saying, 'Baal will stay there because he broke his altar.' [§]
Vayikra-lo bayom hahu Yerubbaal le'emor yarev bo habbaal ki natatz et mizbecho.
'Vayikra' means 'and he called', 'lo' means 'to him', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'Yerubbaal' is a proper name meaning 'will contend with Baal', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'yarev' means 'will stay' or 'will linger', 'bo' means 'there' or 'in it', 'habbaal' means 'the Baal' (the name of the deity Baal), 'ki' means 'because', 'natatz' means 'he broke', 'et' is the accusative marker with no English equivalent, 'mizbecho' means 'his altar'.
[JDG.6.33] And all Midian and Amalek and the sons of Kedem gathered together, and they crossed and camped in the valley of Jezreel. [§]
vechol Midyan va'amalek u'venei Kedem nesephu yachdav vayaa'bru vayachanu be'emek Yizrael.
'vechol' means 'and all', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'va'amalek' means 'and Amalek', 'u'venei Kedem' means 'and the sons of Kedem', 'nesephu' means 'were gathered', 'yachdav' means 'together', 'vayaa'bru' means 'and they crossed', 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'be'emek' means 'in the valley', 'Yizrael' means 'Jezreel'.
[JDG.6.34] And the spirit of Yahveh clothed Gid'on; he sounded the trumpet, and he called Abiezar after him. [§]
Ve-ruach Yahveh lavsha et-Gid'on vayitka ba-shofar vayizake Aviezar acharav.
'Ve-ruach' means 'and spirit', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'lavsha' means 'clothed' or 'covered', 'et-Gid'on' means 'the Gid'on' (a place name), 'vayitka' means 'and he sounded', 'ba-shofar' means 'the trumpet', 'vayizake' means 'and he called out', 'Aviezar' is a proper name, 'acharav' means 'after him'.
[JDG.6.35] And angels were sent throughout Menashe, and he also cried out after them; and angels were sent to Asher and to Zebulun and to Naphtali, and they went up to meet them. [§]
u-mala'kim shalach bechol-menasheh va-yiz'aq gam-hu acharav u-mala'kim shalach be'aser u-bizbulun u-vanaptali vayya'alu liqratham.
'u' means 'and', 'mala'kim' means 'angels', 'shalach' means 'sent', 'bechol-menashe' means 'through all of Menashe', 'va-yiz'aq' means 'and he cried out', 'gam-hu' means 'also he', 'acharav' means 'after him', 'u-mala'kim' (second occurrence) means 'and angels', 'shalach' (second occurrence) means 'sent', 'be'aser' means 'to Asher', 'u-bizbulun' means 'and to Zebulun', 'u-vanaptali' means 'and to Naphtali', 'vayya'alu' means 'and they went up', 'liqratham' means 'to meet them'.
[JDG.6.36] And Gideon said to the Gods, if you have a savior in my hand Israel as you have spoken. [§]
Vayomer Gideon el haElohim im yeshka moshi'a be-yadi et Yisrael ka'asher dibarta.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Gideon' is the name, 'el' means 'to' or 'unto', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'im' means 'if', 'yeshka' means 'you have', 'moshi'a' means 'savior', 'be-yadi' means 'in my hand', 'et' is the direct‑object marker (no translation), 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'dibarta' means 'you have spoken'.
[JDG.6.37] Behold, I am presenting the stalk of the wheat in the grain, if dew will be upon the stalk alone and upon all the earth a sword, and I will know that I will save Israel by my hand as you spoke. [§]
hineh anochi matsig et-gizzat ha-tzemer ba-goren im tal yihye al-hagizzah levadah ve'al-kol-haaretz chorev ve-yadati ki-toshia be-yadi et-Yisrael ka'asher dibarta.
'hineh' means 'behold', 'anochi' means 'I', 'matsig' means 'presenting' or 'setting up', 'et-gizzat' means 'the stalk' (et is the direct object marker), 'ha-tzemer' means 'the wheat', 'ba-goren' means 'in the grain' or 'in the threshing floor', 'im' means 'if', 'tal' means 'dew', 'yihye' means 'will be', 'al-hagizzah' means 'upon the stalk', 'levadah' means 'alone', 've'al-kol-haaretz' means 'and upon all the earth', 'chorev' means 'a sword', 've-yadati' means 'and I will know', 'ki-toshia' means 'that I will save', 'be-yadi' means 'by my hand', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'dibarta' means 'you spoke'.
[JDG.6.38] And it happened thus: he rose early the next day, set the trap, and watered it with dew from the trap, the sand was full of water. [§]
Vayehi-chen vayashkem mimacharat vayazar et-hagizah vayimetz tal min-hagizah meloh hassefel mayim.
'Vayehi-chen' means 'And it happened thus', 'vayashkem' means 'and he rose early', 'mimacharat' means 'the next day', 'vayazar' means 'and he set' (a trap), 'et-hagizah' means 'the trap', 'vayimetz' means 'and he watered', 'tal' means 'dew', 'min-hagizah' means 'from the trap', 'meloh' means 'full', 'hassefel' means 'the sand', 'mayim' means 'water'.
[JDG.6.39] And Gidon said to the Gods, do not be angry upon me, and I will speak only this time; let me try please only this time in the jug; may a sword be upon the jug alone, and over all the earth there will be a pest. [§]
Vayomer Gidon el haElohim al yichar afkha bi va'adavra ach hapaam anasseh na rak hapaam bagizza yehi na chorev el hagizza levadah ve al kol haaretz yihye tal.
'Vayomer' means 'And said', 'Gidon' is the proper name Gidon, 'el' means 'to', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'al' means 'do not', 'yichar' means 'be angry', 'afkha' means 'your anger', 'bi' means 'upon me', 'va'adavra' means 'and I will speak', 'ach' means 'only', 'hapaam' means 'this time', 'anasseh' means 'let me try', 'na' is an emphatic particle 'please', 'rak' means 'only', 'bagizza' means 'in the jug', 'yehi' means 'let it be', 'na' again 'please', 'chorev' means 'a sword', 'el' means 'upon', 'hagizza' means 'the jug', 'levadah' means 'alone', 've' means 'and', 'al' means 'over', 'kol' means 'all', 'haaretz' means 'the earth', 'yihye' means 'will be', 'tal' means 'a pest' or 'a plague'.
[JDG.6.40] And the Gods made it thus that night, and there was a sword against the haggiza alone, and over all the earth there was dew. [§]
vaya'as Elohim ken balaila hahu vayhi chorev el haggiza levaddah ve'al kol haaretz hayah tal.
'vaya'as' means 'and he made', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'ken' means 'thus' or 'so', 'balaila' means 'in the night', 'hahu' means 'that night', 'vayhi' means 'and it was', 'chorev' means 'a sword' or 'cutting blade', 'el' means 'against' or 'to', 'haggiza' is a noun meaning 'the [specific object or place]' (context unclear), 'levaddah' means 'alone' or 'by itself', 've'al' means 'and over', 'kol' means 'all', 'haaretz' means 'the earth', 'hayah' means 'was', 'tal' means 'dew'.
JDG.7
[JDG.7.1] And Jerubbaal (Gideon) got up early, and all the people who were with him, and they camped at the spring of Harod, and the Midianite camp was to the north, from the hill of Moreh in the valley. [§]
Vayashkem Yerubbaal hu Gideon vechol haam asher ito vayachanu al ein Charod uMachaneh Midyan hayah lo mitzapon migivat haMoreh baeimeq.
'Vayashkem' means 'and he arose', 'Yerubbaal' is the personal name Jerubbaal, 'hu' means 'he', 'Gideon' is the name meaning 'feller', 'vechol haam' means 'and all the people', 'asher ito' means 'who were with him', 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'al ein Charod' means 'at the spring of Harod', 'uMachaneh Midyan' means 'and the Midianite camp', 'hayah lo' means 'was to him/its', 'mitzapon' means 'to the north', 'migivat haMoreh' means 'from the hill of Moreh', 'baeimeq' means 'in the valley'.
[JDG.7.2] And Yahveh said to Gideon, 'The great crowd of the people who are with you I will give Midian into their hand, lest Israel boast against me saying, My hand will save me.' [§]
Vayomer Yahveh el-Gid'on rav ha'am asher itach mititi et-Midyan beyadam pen yitpa'er alai Yisrael le'emor yadi hoshia li.
'Vayomer' means 'And said', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH as Yahveh, 'el-Gid'on' means 'to Gideon', 'rav' means 'great' or 'many', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 'itach' means 'are with you', 'mititi' means 'I will give', 'et-Midyan' means 'Midian', 'beyadam' means 'into their hand', 'pen' means 'lest', 'yitpa'er' means 'they will boast', 'alai' means 'against me', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'yadi' means 'my hand', 'hoshia' means 'save' (imperative), 'li' means 'for me'.
[JDG.7.3] And now call, please, to the ears of the people, saying: Who is fearful and trembling, let him return and keep watch from the hill of Gilead. And twenty two thousand returned from the people, and ten thousand remained. [§]
ve'ata kera na be'aznei ha'am lemor mi yarei ve charad yashov ve yitzpor me har ha gilad vayashav min ha'am esrim u'shnayim elef ve aseret alafim nisharu.
've'ata' means 'and now', 'kera' means 'call', 'na' means 'please', 'be'aznei' means 'to the ears of', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'lemor' means 'to say', 'mi' means 'who', 'yarei' means 'is fearful', 've' means 'and', 'charad' means 'trembling', 'yashov' means 'let him return', 've' means 'and', 'yitzpor' means 'watch', 'me' means 'from', 'har' means 'the hill', 'ha' means 'of', 'gilad' is the place name Gilead, 'vayashav' means 'and returned', 'min' means 'from', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 'u'shnayim' means 'and two', 'elef' means 'thousand', 've' means 'and', 'aseret' means 'ten', 'alafim' means 'thousand', 'nisharu' means 'were left/ remained'.
[JDG.7.4] And Yahveh said to Gideon, 'Again the people are many; bring them down to the waters, and I will scorch him for you there. And it will be that what I say to you, this one will go with you, he will go with you, and all that I say to you, this will not go with you; he will not go.' [§]
vayomer Yahveh el Gidon od haam rav horaid otam el hammayim vetsrefenu lekha sham vehayah asher omer eylekha ze yeilekh ittakh hu yeilekh ittakh vekol asher-omer eylekha ze lo-yeilekh immach hu lo yeilekh.
'vayomer' means 'and said', 'Yahveh' means the divine name YHVH, 'el' means 'to', 'Gidon' is the personal name Gideon, 'od' means 'again' or 'still', 'haam' means 'the people', 'rav' means 'many' or 'great', 'horaid' means 'will bring down', 'otam' means 'them', 'el' means 'to', 'hammayim' means 'the waters', 'vetsrefenu' means 'and I will scorch him', 'lekha' means 'for you', 'sham' means 'there', 'vehayah' means 'and it will be', 'asher' means 'that which', 'omer' means 'I say', 'eylekha' means 'to you', 'ze' means 'this', 'yeilekh' means 'will go', 'ittakh' means 'with you', 'hu' means 'he', 'vekol' means 'and all', 'asher-omer' means 'that I say', 'lo-yeilekh' means 'will not go', 'immach' means 'with you'.
[JDG.7.5] And he led the people down to the water. Then Yahveh said to Gideon, 'All who lick with their tongue from the water as a dog laps, set that one apart alone, and all who kneel on their knees to drink.' [§]
Vayered et ha'am el hamayim suyo'mer Yahveh el Gid'on kol asher yalok bilshono min hamayim ka'asher yalok hakelev tazzig oto levad ve'kol asher yikra al birkav lishtot.
'Vayered' means 'he led down', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'el' means 'to', 'hamayim' means 'the water', 'su' is a conjunction meaning 'then', 'yomer' means 'he said', 'Yahveh' is the transliteration of YHVH, 'el' means 'to', 'Gid'on' is the name 'Gideon', 'kol' means 'all', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'yalok' means 'licks' or 'laps', 'bilshono' means 'with his tongue', 'min' means 'from', 'hamayim' means 'the water', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'yalok' again 'licks', 'hakelev' means 'the dog', 'tazzig' means 'you shall set aside' or 'you shall separate', 'oto' means 'him', 'levad' means 'alone', 've' is 'and', 'kol' again 'all', 'asher' again 'who', 'yikra' means 'kneels', 'al' means 'on', 'birkav' means 'his knees', 'lishtot' means 'to drink'.
[JDG.7.6] And the number of those who poured in their hand to their mouths was three hundred men, and all the rest of the people knelt on their thighs to drink water. [§]
Vayehi mispar hamalakkim beyadam el-pihem shlosh me'ot ish v'chol yeter ha'am karu al birkehem lish'tot mayim.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'mispar' means 'number', 'hamalakkim' means 'the pourers' (those who pour), 'beyadam' means 'in the hand', 'el-pihem' means 'to their mouths', 'shlosh' means 'three', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', 'ish' means 'men', 'v'chol' means 'and all', 'yeter' means 'the rest', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'karu' means 'they knelt', 'al' means 'on', 'birkehem' means 'their thighs/knees', 'lish'tot' means 'to drink', 'mayim' means 'water'.
[JDG.7.7] And Yahveh said to Gid'on, In three hundred the man the kings I will save you and I will give Midian into your hand and all the people will go each to his own place. [§]
Vayomer Yahveh el‑Gid'on bishlosh me'ot ha'ish ha'malkim oshia etchem ve'natati et‑Midyan be'yadecha ve'chol ha'am yelekhu ish limkomo.
'Vayomer' means 'And said', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH as Yahveh, 'el‑Gid'on' means 'to Gid'on', 'bishlosh' means 'in three', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'ha'malkim' (plural) means 'the kings' or 'the rulers', 'oshia' means 'I will save', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)', 've'natati' means 'and I will give', 'et‑Midyan' means 'Midian', 'be'yadecha' means 'into your hand', 've'chol' means 'and all', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'yelekhu' means 'will go', 'ish' means 'each', 'limkomo' means 'to his own place'.
[JDG.7.8] And they took Tzedah the people in their hand and their trumpets and all the men of Israel sent a man to his tent and with three hundred the man strengthened and the camp of Midian was to him under the valley. [§]
vayikchu et tzeda haam beyadam ve'et shofrotehem ve'et kol ish Yisrael shilach ish le'ohlav uvishelosh-meot ha'ish hechazik u-machaneh Midyan haya lo mitachat ba'emet.
'vayikchu' means 'and they took', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'tzeda' is a proper name (Tzedah), 'haam' means 'the people', 'beyadam' means 'in their hand', 've'et' means 'and (the)', 'shofrotehem' means 'their trumpets', 've'et' again 'and', 'kol' means 'all', 'ish' means 'man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'shilach' means 'sent', 'ish' again 'a man', 'le'ohlav' means 'to his tent', 'uvishelosh-meot' means 'and with three hundred', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'hechazik' means 'strengthened', 'u-machaneh' means 'and the camp', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'haya' means 'was', 'lo' means 'to him', 'mitachat' means 'under', 'ba'emet' means 'the valley'.
[JDG.7.9] And it happened at that night, and Yahveh said to him, "Arise, go down into the camp, for I have placed him in your hand." [§]
Vayehi ba-layla hahu vayomer elav Yahveh kum red ba-machaneh ki netativ be-yadekha.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened', 'ba-layla' means 'at night', 'hahu' means 'that', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'kum' means 'arise', 'red' means 'go down', 'ba-machaneh' means 'into the camp', 'ki' means 'for', 'netativ' means 'I have placed him', 'be-yadekha' means 'in your hand'.
[JDG.7.10] And if you are afraid to go down, go down, and bring your son to the camp. [§]
ve'im yareh attah lar-edet red attah u-purah na'archa el hamachaneh.
've'im' means 'and if', 'yareh' means 'you are afraid', 'attah' means 'you', 'lar-edet' means 'to go down', 'red' means 'go down', 'attah' repeats 'you', 'u-purah' means 'and your boy/young one', 'na'archa' means 'your youth' (your son), 'el' means 'to', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp'.
[JDG.7.11] And you will hear what they will speak, and after your hands will be strengthened, and you will go down to the camp; and he went down and his son Purah to the end of the bronzes that are in the camp. [§]
Veshama'ta ma-yehdabru ve'achar techezakna yadecha veyaradta ba-machaneh vayered hu u'pura na'aro el-ketze hachamusim asher ba-machaneh.
'Veshama'ta' means 'and you will hear', 'ma-yehdabru' means 'what they will speak', 've'achar' means 'and after', 'techezakna' means 'your hands will be strengthened', 'yadecha' means 'your hands', 'veyaradta' means 'and you will go down', 'ba-machaneh' means 'to the camp', 'vayered' means 'and he went down', 'hu' means 'he', 'u'pura' means 'and his son Purah', 'na'aro' means 'his son', 'el-ketze' means 'to the end', 'hachamusim' means 'the bronzes', 'asher' means 'that', 'ba-machaneh' means 'are in the camp'.
[JDG.7.12] And Midian and Amalek and all the sons of Edom fell in the valley like a swarm, in great numbers, and their numbers were countless as the sand that lies upon the surface of the sea. [§]
u-middyan va'amalek ve'khol-bnei-kedem nof'lim ba'emek ka'arbeh larov ve'ligmaleihem ein mispar ka'chol she'al-sfatah hayam larov.
'u-middyan' means 'and Midian', 'va'amalek' means 'and Amalek', 've'khol-bnei-kedem' means 'and all the sons of Edom', 'nof'lim' means 'falling' or 'being cast down', 'ba'emek' means 'in the valley', 'ka'arbeh' means 'like a swarm', 'larov' means 'in great number', 've'ligmaleihem' means 'and their numbers', 'ein' means 'there is no', 'mispar' means 'number', 'ka'chol' means 'as many as', 'she'al-sfatah' means 'that is upon the surface', 'hayam' means 'the sea', 'larov' means 'in abundance'.
[JDG.7.13] And Gideon came, and behold a man was telling his companion a dream, and he said, 'Behold a dream I dreamed, and behold a rod of hair bread turning in the camp of Midian.' He came to the tent, struck him, he fell, turned him upward, and the tent fell. [§]
Vayavo Gideon vehineh ish mesapper lere'ehu chalom vayomer hineh chalom chalamti vehineh tzelul lechem se'orim mitehafekh bemachaneh Midyan vayavo ad ha ohel vayakkehu vayipol vayahaphehu lemaala venafal ha ohel.
'Vayavo' means 'and he came', 'Gideon' is a proper name, 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'ish' means 'a man', 'mesapper' means 'who tells', 'lere'ehu' means 'to his companion', 'chalom' means 'a dream', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'chalamti' means 'I dreamed', 'tzelul' means 'a rod or stalk', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'se'orim' means 'of hair', 'mitehafekh' means 'turning', 'bemachaneh' means 'in the camp', 'Midyan' is a place name, 'ad ha ohel' means 'to the tent', 'vayakkehu' means 'and struck him', 'vayipol' means 'and he fell', 'vayahaphehu' means 'and turned him', 'lemaala' means 'upward', 'venafal' means 'and fell', 'ha ohel' means 'the tent'.
[JDG.7.14] And his companion answered and said, There is none except the sword of Gidons son of Joash, a man of Israel; the Gods gave in his hand Midian and all the camp. [§]
Vaya'an re'ehu vayomer ein zot bilti im cherav Gidon ben Yoash ish Yisrael natan haElohim beyado et Midyan veet kol hamachaneh.
'Vaya'an' means 'and he answered', 're'ehu' means 'his companion', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'zot' means 'this', 'bilti' means 'except', 'im' means 'if/than', 'cherav' means 'sword', 'Gidon ben Yoash' means 'Gidons son of Joash', 'ish Yisrael' means 'man of Israel', 'natan' means 'gave', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'beyado' means 'in his hand', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'veet' means 'and', 'kol' means 'all', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp' or 'the army'.
[JDG.7.15] And it happened when Gideon heard the number of the dream and its breaking, he bowed down, and he returned to the camp of Israel, and he said, 'Arise, for Yahveh has given the camp of Midian into your hand.' [§]
vayhi kishmo'a Gideon et-mispar haḥalom ve-et-shivro vayishtachu vayashav el-maḥane Yisrael vayomer kumu ki-natan Yahveh be-yedchem et-maḥane Midyan.
'vayhi' means 'and it happened', 'kishmo'a' means 'when hearing', 'Gideon' is the proper name, 'et' is the direct object marker (not translated), 'mispar' means 'number', 'haḥalom' means 'the dream', 've-et' means 'and the', 'shivro' means 'its breaking' or 'its shiver', 'vayishtachu' means 'and he bowed down', 'vayashav' means 'and he returned', 'el' means 'to', 'maḥane' means 'camp', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'kumu' means 'arise' (plural imperative), 'ki' means 'for', 'natan' means 'has given', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'be-yedchem' means 'in your hand', 'et' again the direct object marker, 'maḥane' means 'the camp', 'Midyan' means 'Midian'.
[JDG.7.16] And he cut off three hundred of the men, three heads, and he gave shofars into the hand of all, and sharp swords bare, and stones within the sharp ones. [§]
vayachatz et shlosh-meot haish shloshah rashim vayiten shofarot beyad kulam ve kadim rekim ve lapiddim betoch hakadim.
'vayachatz' means 'and he cut off', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'shlosh-meot' means 'three hundred', 'haish' means 'the man' (here plural sense 'men'), 'shloshah' means 'three', 'rashim' means 'heads', 'vayiten' means 'and he gave', 'shofarot' means 'ram's horns' (trumpets), 'beyad' means 'in the hand of', 'kulam' means 'all of them', 've' is a conjunction 'and', 'kadim' means 'sharp' or 'pointed' (as in swords), 'rekim' means 'bare' or 'naked', 've' again 'and', 'lapiddim' means 'stones' or 'lapidary pieces', 'betoch' means 'within' or 'inside', 'hakadim' means 'the sharp ones' (referring back to the swords).
[JDG.7.17] And he said to them, 'From me you shall see, and so you shall do. Behold, I am coming to the edge of the camp, and it shall be as I do, so shall you do.' [§]
Vayomer alehem mimeni tiru vechen ta'asu vehineh anochi ba biqtze ha-machane vehayah ke'asher e'ase ken ta'asu.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'mimeni' means 'from me', 'tiru' means 'you will see', 'vechen' means 'and thus/so', 'ta'asu' means 'you will do', 'vehineh' means 'behold', 'anochi' means 'I', 'ba' means 'am coming/going', 'biqtze' means 'to the end/edge', 'ha-machane' means 'the camp', 'vehayah' means 'and it shall be', 'ke'asher' means 'as', 'e'ase' means 'I will do', 'ken' means 'so', 'ta'asu' means 'you will do'.
[JDG.7.18] And I will sound the trumpet, I, and all who are with me; and you will sound the trumpets also, you all surrounding the whole camp; and you will say to Yahveh and to Gideon. [§]
Ve-taqa'ti ba-shofar anokhi ve-khal asher iti u-teka'tem ba-shofarot gam-atem s'vivot kol ha-mahane ve-amartem la-Yahveh u-legidon.
'Ve' means 'and', 'taqa'ti' means 'I will sound', 'ba-shofar' means 'the trumpet', 'anokhi' means 'I', 've-khal' means 'and all', 'asher' means 'who', 'iti' means 'are with me', 'u-teka'tem' means 'and you will sound', 'ba-shofarot' means 'the trumpets', 'gam-atem' means 'also you', 's'vivot' means 'surrounding', 'kol' means 'the whole', 'ha-mahane' means 'camp', 've-amartem' means 'and you will say', 'la-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'u-legidon' means 'and to Gideon'.
[JDG.7.19] And Gideon came, and a hundred men who were with him at the edge of the camp, the head of the watchtower in the middle, only those who stood up as the guards, and they sounded the trumpets and broke the spears that were in their hands. [§]
vayavo gidon u-meah ish asher ito biqtzeh hamachaneh rosh haashmorat hatikhona ach hakeim hekim u et hashomrim vayitkeu bashoforot venafotz hakaddim asher beyadam.
'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'gidon' means 'Gideon', 'u-meah' means 'and a hundred', 'ish' means 'man', 'asher' means 'who', 'ito' means 'with him', 'biqtzeh' means 'at the end/edge', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp', 'rosh' means 'head', 'haashmorat' means 'the watchtower', 'hatikhona' means 'the middle', 'ach' means 'only', 'hakeim' means 'the one who stood/raised', 'hekim' means 'they raised', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'hashomrim' means 'the watchers/guards', 'vayitkeu' means 'and they sounded', 'bashoforot' means 'the trumpets', 'venafotz' means 'and they broke', 'hakaddim' means 'the spears', 'asher' means 'that', 'beyadam' means 'in their hand'.
[JDG.7.20] And they sounded three chief trumpets, broke the cords, held in the left hand the lapidic pieces and in the right hand the trumpets to sound, and they called a sword to Yahveh and to Gideon. [§]
va-yitke'u shloshet ha-rasim ba-shofrot va-yishberu ha-kadim va-yachaziku be-yad-sma'alam ba-lapdim u-be-yad yeminam ha-shofrot li-tkoa va-yikreu cherev la-Yahveh u-legidon.
'va-yitke\'u' means 'and they sounded', 'shloshet' means 'three', 'ha-rasim' means 'the heads' (chiefs), 'ba-shofrot' means 'in the trumpets', 'va-yishberu' means 'and they broke', 'ha-kadim' means 'the cords', 'va-yachaziku' means 'and they held', 'be-yad-sma\'alam' means 'in the left hand', 'ba-lapdim' means 'the lapids' (interpreted as a kind of handle or attachment), 'u-be-yad yeminam' means 'and in the right hand', 'ha-shofrot' means 'the trumpets', 'li-tkoa' means 'to sound', 'va-yikreu' means 'and they called', 'cherev' means 'a sword', 'la-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the name YHVH rendered as Yahveh), 'u-legidon' means 'and to Gideon'.
[JDG.7.21] And a man stood under him around the camp; the whole camp ran, shouted, and fled. [§]
Vay'amdu ish tachatav saviv lamachane vayaretz kol-hamachane vayari'u vayanisu.
'Vay'amdu' means 'and they stood', 'ish' means 'a man', 'tachatav' means 'under him', 'saviv' means 'around', 'lamachane' means 'the camp', 'vayeretz' (here rendered as 'vayaretz') means 'and he ran', 'kol-hamachane' means 'the whole camp', 'vayari'u' means 'and they shouted', 'vayanisu' means 'and they fled'.
[JDG.7.22] And they sounded three hundred trumpets, and Yahveh placed a man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp, and the camp fled to the house of the net, its tightening, until the lip of mourning was gnawed upon the breast. [§]
vayitkeu shlosh-meot hashopharot vayyasem Yahveh et hereb ish b-re'ehu uvechol-hamachaneh vayanas hamachaneh ad-bet hashitta tzreretah ad sefet-avel mecholah al-tavat.
'vayitkeu' means 'and they sounded'; 'shlosh-meot' means 'three hundred'; 'hashopharot' means 'the trumpets'; 'vayyasem' means 'and he placed'; 'Yahveh' is the transliteration of the divine name YHVH and is rendered as Yahveh; 'et' is the direct object marker (not translated); 'hereb' means 'sword'; 'ish' means 'man'; 'b-re\'ehu' means 'against his companion'; 'uvechol-hamachaneh' means 'throughout the whole camp'; 'vayanas' means 'and fled'; 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp'; 'ad-bet' means 'to the house of'; 'hashitta' means 'the net' or 'snare'; 'tzreretah' means 'its tightening' or 'tightening place'; 'ad' means 'until'; 'sefet-avel' means 'the lip of mourning' (idiom for grief); 'mecholah' means 'worm' or 'gnawed'; 'al-tavat' means 'upon the breast'.
[JDG.7.23] And a man of Israel cried out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. [§]
Vayitsak ish-Yisrael min Naftali u-min Asher u-min kol Menashe vayirdfu acharei Midyan.
'Vayitsak' means 'and he cried out', 'ish-Yisrael' means 'man of Israel', 'min' means 'from', 'Naftali' is the name of a tribe, 'u' means 'and', 'Asher' is the name of a tribe, 'kol' means 'all', 'Menashe' is the name of a tribe, 'vayirdfu' means 'and they pursued', 'acharei' means 'after', 'Midyan' means 'Midian' (the enemy people).
[JDG.7.24] And the angels sent Gideon through the whole hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Go meet Midian and seize for them the water as far as the house of Barah and the Jordan." Then every man of Ephraim cried out, and they seized the water as far as the house of Barah and the Jordan. [§]
Umalachim shalach Gideon bechol-har Ephraim lemor redu likrat Midyan ve'likdu lahem et hammayim ad beit Barah ve'et haYarden vayitz'ak kol ish Ephraim vayilkadu et hammayim ad beit Barah ve'et haYarden.
'Umalachim' means 'the angels', 'shalach' means 'sent', 'Gideon' is a proper name, 'bechol-har' means 'throughout the hill country', 'Ephraim' is a tribal name, 'lemor' means 'saying', 'redu' means 'go', 'likrat' means 'to meet', 'Midyan' is the name 'Midian', 've'likdu' means 'and seize', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'hammayim' means 'the water', 'ad' means 'as far as', 'beit' means 'the house of', 'Barah' is a place name, 've'et' means 'and the', 'haYarden' means 'the Jordan', 'vayitz'ak' means 'and they cried out', 'kol' means 'every', 'ish' means 'man', 'vayilkadu' means 'and they seized'.
[JDG.7.25] And they captured two princes of Midian, the raven and the wolf, and they killed the raven in the pit of the raven and the wolf in the valley of the wolf; they pursued to Midian, and the head of the raven and the wolf they brought to Gideon from beyond the Jordan. [§]
Vayilkedu shnei-sarei Midyan et-Orev ve-et-Zaev vayahar'gu et-Orev be-tzur-Orev ve-et-Zaev har'gu be-yekev-Zaev vayirdefu el-Midyan ve-rosh-Orev u-Zaev heviyu el-Gidon me'eber layarden.
'Vayilkedu' means 'and they captured', 'shnei' means 'two', 'sarei' means 'princes', 'Midyan' means 'of Midian', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Orev' means 'raven', 've-et' means 'and', 'Zaev' means 'wolf', 'vayahar'gu' means 'and they killed', 'be-tzur-Orev' means 'in the pit of the raven', 'be-yekev-Zaev' means 'in the valley of the wolf', 'vayirdefu' means 'and they pursued', 'el' means 'to', 'rosh-Orev' means 'head of the raven', 'u-Zaev' means 'and wolf', 'heviyu' means 'they brought', 'el-Gidon' means 'to Gideon', 'me'eber' means 'from beyond', 'layarden' means 'the Jordan'.
JDG.8
[JDG.8.1] And they said to him, a man of Ephraim, 'What is this thing you have done for us without calling us, because you went to fight Midian?' They disputed with him with strength. [§]
Vayomru elav ish efrayim mah-hadavar hazeh asita lanu levilti kero'ot lanu ki halach lehilachem be-Midian vayrivun ito bechazka.
'Vayomru' means 'they said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'ish' means 'man', 'efrayim' is the name of the tribe 'Ephraim', 'mah-hadavar' means 'what is the matter', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'asita' means 'you have done', 'lanu' means 'to us', 'levilti' means 'without', 'kero'ot' means 'calling', 'ki' means 'because', 'halach' means 'he went', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'be-Midian' means 'against Midian', 'vayrivun' means 'they disputed', 'ito' means 'with him', 'bechazka' means 'with strength'.
[JDG.8.2] And he said to them, What have I done now, like you? Is it not good that the seedlings of Ephraim are from the cluster of Avi ezer. [§]
vayomer aleihem mah-asiti attah kachem halo tov olulot Ephraim mibtzir Avi ezer.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'aleihem' means 'to them', 'mah-asiti' means 'what have I done', 'attah' means 'now', 'kachem' means 'like you', 'halo' means 'is it not', 'tov' means 'good', 'olulot' means 'sprouts' or 'seedlings', 'Ephraim' is the name of a tribe (left untranslated), 'mibtzir' means 'from the cluster' or 'from the pick', 'Avi ezer' is a personal name (left untranslated).
[JDG.8.3] In your hand the Gods gave the princes of Midian the raven and the wolf, and what could I do like you? Then his spirit loosened from him as he spoke these words. [§]
Beyedkhem natan Elohim et-sarei Midyan et-Orev ve-et-Zaev u-mah-yakholti asot kachem az raftah ruach mei-alav be-dabro ha-davar ha-zeh.
'Beyedkhem' means 'in your hand', 'natan' means 'gave', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'sarei Midyan' means 'the princes of Midian', 'et-Orev' means 'the raven', 've-et-Zaev' means 'and the wolf', 'u-mah' means 'and what', 'yakholti' means 'could I', 'asot' means 'do', 'kachem' means 'like you', 'az' means 'then', 'raftah' means 'loosened' or 'relaxed', 'ruach' means 'spirit', 'mei-alav' means 'from him', 'be-dabro' means 'when he spoke', 'ha-davar' means 'the word', 'ha-zeh' means 'this'.
[JDG.8.4] And Gideon came to the Jordan, passing there, and three hundred men with him, pursuers and chasers. [§]
Vayyavo Gidon hayarden over hu ushlosh-meot haish asher ito ayefim verodfim.
'Vayyavo' means 'and came', 'Gidon' is the personal name Gideon, 'hayarden' means 'the Jordan', 'over' means 'passing', 'hu' means 'he', 'ushlosh-meot' means 'three hundred', 'haish' means 'the men', 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 'ito' means 'with him', 'ayefim' means 'pursuers', 'verodfim' means 'and chasers'.
[JDG.8.5] And he said to the men of the booths, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who are at my feet, for they are weary; and I am pursuing after sacrifice and Zalmunna, king of Midian." [§]
Vayomer le'anshei sukkot tenun-na ki'krot lechem la'am asher beraglay ki-a'yefim hem ve-anokhi rodef acharei zevach ve-tzalmunna melachei Midyan.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'le'anshei' means 'to the men of', 'sukkot' means 'booths', 'tenun-na' means 'please give', 'ki'krot' means 'loaves', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'la'am' means 'to the people', 'asher' means 'who', 'beraglay' means 'at my feet', 'ki-a'yefim' means 'for they are weary', 'hem' means 'they', 've-anokhi' means 'and I', 'rodef' means 'pursuing', 'acharei' means 'after', 'zevach' means 'sacrifice', 've-tzalmunna' is a proper name (Zalmunna), 'melachei' means 'king', 'Midyan' means 'Midian'.
[JDG.8.6] And he said, the chiefs of the booths, 'Press the sacrifice and Tzalmunna now in your hand, for it is given to your army as bread.' [§]
Vayomer sarei sukkot hakhaf zevach ve-tzalmunna attah be-yadecha ki niten li-tzvacha lechem.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'sarei' means 'chiefs' or 'princes', 'sukkot' means 'booths' or 'tents', 'hakhaf' means 'press' or 'press down', 'zevach' means 'sacrifice', 've-tzalmunna' is a proper name kept as is, 'attah' means 'now', 'be-yadecha' means 'in your hand', 'ki' means 'for' or 'because', 'niten' means 'it is given', 'li-tzvacha' means 'to your army', 'lechem' means 'bread'.
[JDG.8.7] And Gideon said, Therefore Yahveh will give the sacrifice and the image into my hand, and I will smear your flesh, the cutoffs of the wilderness, and the palm branches. [§]
vayyomer gid'on lachein betet Yahveh et-zhavach ve-et-tzalmunna be-yadi ve-dashti et-besarchem et-kotzei hamidbar ve-et-habarkanim.
'vayyomer' means 'and he said', 'gid'on' means 'Gideon', 'lachein' means 'therefore', 'betet' means 'to give', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'et-zhavach' means 'the sacrifice', 've-et-tzalmunna' means 'and the image', 'be-yadi' means 'in my hand', 've-dashti' means 'and I will smear', 'et-besarchem' means 'your flesh', 'et-kotzei' means 'the cutoffs of', 'hamidbar' means 'the wilderness', 've-et-habarkanim' means 'and the palm branches'.
[JDG.8.8] He went up from there to Penuel and spoke to them thus, and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Shechem had answered. [§]
vayyal misham Penuel vaydadber aleihem kazoat vayyanu oto anshei Penuel ka'asher anu anshei sukkot.
'vayyal' means 'and he went up', 'misham' means 'from there', 'Penuel' is a place name, 'vaydaber' means 'and he spoke', 'aleihem' means 'to them', 'kazoat' means 'thus' or 'in this way', 'vayyanu' means 'and they answered', 'oto' means 'him', 'anshei' means 'the men of', 'Penuel' again the place name, 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'anu' means 'they answered', 'anshei' again 'the men of', 'sukkot' is a place name.
[JDG.8.9] And he said also to the men of Penuel, 'When I return in peace I will destroy this tower.' [§]
Vayomer gam le'anshei Penuel le'emor be'shovi be'shalom etotz et-hamigdal hazeh.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'gam' means 'also', 'le'anshei' means 'to the men of', 'Penuel' is a place name, 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'be'shovi' means 'when I return', 'be'shalom' means 'in peace', 'etotz' means 'I will cut down' or 'destroy', 'et-hamigdal' means 'the tower', 'hazeh' means 'this'.
[JDG.8.10] And a sacrifice and tzalmuna in the quarry, and their camp with them like fifty and ten thousand, all the survivors from all the camp of the sons of the east, and the fallen, one hundred and twenty thousand men drawing swords. [§]
vezevach ve-tzalmunna baqarqor u-machanehem imam kachameshet asar elef kol hanot'rim mikol machane b'nei kedem ve-hanoflim mea ve-esrim elef ish sholef chereb.
'vezevach' means 'and a sacrifice', 've-tzalmunna' is a proper name or term meaning 'and tzalmuna', 'baqarqor' means 'in the quarry', 'u-machanehem' means 'and their camp', 'imam' means 'with them', 'kachameshet' means 'like fifty', 'asar' means 'ten', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'kol' means 'all', 'hanot'rim' means 'the survivors', 'mikol' means 'from all', 'machane' means 'camp', 'b'nei kedem' means 'of the sons of the east', 've-hanoflim' means 'and the fallen', 'mea' means 'one hundred', 've-esrim' means 'and twenty', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'sholef' means 'drawing' or 'wielding', 'chereb' means 'a sword'.
[JDG.8.11] And Gideon went up the way of the Shkhunim in the tents from before to the slaughter and the oppression, and he struck the camp, and the camp was secure. [§]
vayyal gidon derekh hashkhunei baohalim mikedem lenobach veyagvoha vayakh et hamachaneh vehamachaneh hayah betach.
'vayyal' means 'and he went up', 'gidon' means 'Gideon', 'derekh' means 'road' or 'way', 'hashkhunei' means 'of the shkhunim' (a proper name or group), 'baohalim' means 'in the tents', 'mikedem' means 'from before' or 'in front of', 'lenobach' means 'to the slaughter', 'veyagvoha' means 'and to the oppression', 'vayakh' means 'and he struck', 'et' is the direct object marker (no English translation), 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp', 'vehamachaneh' = 'and the camp', 'hayah' means 'was', 'betach' means 'secure' or 'safe'.
[JDG.8.12] And Zebah and Zalmona fled, and they pursued after them, and they captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmona, and the whole camp was terrified. [§]
Vayanusu Zebah veTzalmunna vayirdef acharehem vayilkod et-shnei malchei Midyan et-Zebah ve-et-Tzalmunna vechol-hamachaneh hecherid.
'Vayanusu' means 'and they fled', 'Zebah' is a personal name, 'veTzalmunna' means 'and Zalmona', 'vayirdef' means 'and pursued', 'acharehem' means 'after them', 'vayilkod' means 'and captured', 'et-shnei' means 'the two', 'malchei' means 'kings of', 'Midyan' means 'Midian', 'et-Zebah' repeats the name 'Zebah', 've-et-Tzalmunna' means 'and Zalmona', 'vechol-hamachaneh' means 'and the whole camp', 'hecherid' means 'was terrified'.
[JDG.8.13] And Gideon son of Joash returned from the war from the high threshing floor. [§]
Vayashav Gid'on ben Yo'ash min ha-milchamah milma'le ha-charas.
'Vayashav' means 'and he returned', 'Gid'on' is the personal name 'Gideon', 'ben Yo'ash' means 'son of Joash', 'min ha-milchamah' means 'from the war', 'milma'le' means 'from the higher part' or 'from above', 'ha-charas' means 'the threshing floor'.
[JDG.8.14] And he seized a young man from the men of the booths, and he questioned him, and he wrote to him the princes of the booths and the elders, seventy and seven men. [§]
Vayilkad na'ar me'anshei sukot vayish'alehu vayikhtov elav et-sarei sukot ve'et-zekeneyha shiv'im ve'shiva ish.
'Vayilkad' means 'and he seized', 'na'ar' means 'a young man', 'me'anshei' means 'from the men of', 'sukot' means 'booths' or 'tents', 'vayish'alehu' means 'and he questioned him', 'vayikhtov' means 'and he wrote', 'elav' means 'to him', 'et-sarei' means 'the princes of', 'sukot' again 'booths', 've'et-zekeneyha' means 'and the elders', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 've'shiva' means 'and seven', 'ish' means 'men'.
[JDG.8.15] And he went to the men of Sukoth and said, Behold the sacrifice and Tzalmunna, which you mocked me saying, 'The hand, the sacrifice and Tzalmunna now is in your hand, because it will be given to your men, the ... to them.' [§]
Vayyavo el-an'shei Sukot vayomer hineh zevach veTzalmunna asher cheraf'tem oti lemaor hakaf zevach veTzalmunna attah beyadecha ki niten la'anashcha hay'efim lahem.
'Vayyavo' means 'and he went/arrived', 'el' means 'to', 'an'shei' means 'the men of', 'Sukot' is a place name (literally 'booths'), 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'zevach' means 'a sacrifice', 'veTzalmunna' is a proper name (transliterated as given), 'asher' means 'that/which', 'cheraf'tem' means 'you mocked', 'oti' means 'me', 'lemaor' means 'to say', 'hakaf' means 'the hand', 'zevach' again 'sacrifice', 'veTzalmunna' again the name, 'attah' means 'now', 'beyadecha' means 'in your hand', 'ki' means 'because', 'niten' means 'it will be given', 'la'anashcha' means 'to your men', 'hay'efim' means 'the ... (unclear, transliterated as given)', 'lahem' means 'to them'.
[JDG.8.16] And he took the elders of the city, and the desert travelers, and the barkans, and he recognized among them the men of the booths. [§]
Vayikach et ziknei ha'ir ve'et kotzei ha-midbar ve'et ha-barkanim vayoda bahem et anshei sukkot.
'Vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'ziknei' means 'elders', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 've'et' means 'and also', 'kotzei' means 'those who cut or wander', here understood as 'desert travelers', 'ha-midbar' means 'the desert', 've'et' again means 'and also', 'ha-barkanim' refers to a group called 'the barkans', 'vayoda' means 'and he recognized', 'bahem' means 'among them', 'et' again object marker, 'anshei' means 'men of', 'sukkot' means 'booths' or 'tabernacles'.
[JDG.8.17] and he shattered the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city. [§]
ve'et migdal Penuel natatz vayaharog et anshei ha'ir.
've''et' means 'and (object marker)', 'migdal' means 'tower', 'Penuel' is a proper name, 'natatz' means 'he shattered' or 'he broke', 'vayaharog' means 'and he killed', 'et' is the object marker, 'anshei' means 'men of', 'ha'ir' means 'the city'.
[JDG.8.18] And he said to Zebah and to Zalmunna, Where are the men whom you killed at Tabor? And they said, Like you, like them, one like the appearance of the king's sons. [§]
vayomer el-Zebach ve'el-Tzalmunna eifo ha-anashim asher haragtem be Tavor vayomru kamocha kamoham echad ketar b'nei ha-melekh.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'el-Zebach' means 'to Zebah', 've'el-Tzalmunna' means 'and to Zalmunna', 'eifo' means 'where', 'ha-anashim' means 'the men', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'haragtem' means 'you killed', 'be Tavor' means 'in Tabor', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'kamocha' means 'like you', 'kamoham' means 'like them', 'echad' means 'one', 'ketar' means 'appearance' or 'form', 'b'nei' means 'of the sons', 'ha-melekh' means 'the king'.
[JDG.8.19] And he said, My brother, the sons of my mother, they are, by the living Yahveh, I will bring the living ones to them, I have not killed you. [§]
Vayomer achai b'nei-immi hem chay Yahveh lo hachayitem otam lo haragti etchem.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'achai' means 'my brother', 'b'nei-immi' means 'the sons of my mother', 'hem' means 'they', 'chay Yahveh' means 'the living Yahveh' (an oath using the name YHVH translated as Yahveh), 'lo' means 'to them' or 'for them', 'hachayitem' means 'the living ones' (literally 'the living'), 'otam' means 'them', 'lo' means 'not', 'haragti' means 'I killed', 'etchem' means 'you' (plural).
[JDG.8.20] And he said to the remaining firstborn, 'Arise, kill them,' but the youth did not draw his sword because he feared, for he was still a youth. [§]
Vayomer le-yeter bechor kum harog otam velo shalaf ha-naar charvo ki yare ki odenu naar.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'le-yeter' means 'to the remaining', 'bechor' means 'firstborn', 'kum' means 'arise', 'harog' means 'to kill', 'otam' means 'them', 'velo' means 'but not', 'shalaf' means 'draw', 'ha-naar' means 'the youth', 'charvo' means 'his sword', 'ki' means 'because', 'yare' means 'he feared', 'odenu' means 'still', 'naar' means 'a youth'.
[JDG.8.21] And Zevach and Tzalmunna said, 'Arise, you, and strike us, for you are a man of might.' And Gid'on rose and killed Zevach and Tzalmunna and took the captives who were in the necks of their camels. [§]
Vayomer Zevach veTzalmunna kum atah upegah-banu ki ke'ish gevurato vayakam Gid'on vayaharog et Zevach ve'et Tzalmunna vayikach et hashahronim asher be tzavarei gmaleyhem.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Zevach' is a personal name, 'veTzalmunna' means 'and Tzalmunna' (another name), 'kum' means 'arise', 'atah' means 'you', 'upegah-banu' means 'and strike us', 'ki' means 'because', 'ke'ish' means 'as a man', 'gevurato' means 'of his might', 'vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'Gid'on' is a personal name, 'vayaharog' means 'and he killed', 'et' is the direct object marker, 've''et' means 'and (the) ...', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'hashahronim' means 'the captives', 'asher' means 'who', 'be tzavarei' means 'in the necks', 'gmaleyhem' means 'of their camels'.
[JDG.8.22] And the men of Israel said to Gideon, 'Lead our people, you also, your son also, your grandson also, because you saved us from the hand of Midian.' [§]
Vayomru ish‑Yisrael el‑Gid'on mishal‑banu gam‑atah gam‑bincha gam‑ben‑bencha ki hoshatnu miyad Midyan.
'Vayomru' means 'and they said', 'ish‑Yisrael' means 'men of Israel', 'el‑Gid'on' means 'to Gideon', 'mishal‑banu' means 'lead our people', 'gam‑atah' means 'you also', 'gam‑bincha' means 'your son also', 'gam‑ben‑bencha' means 'your grandson also', 'ki' means 'because', 'hoshatnu' means 'you saved us', 'miyad' means 'from the hand of', 'Midyan' means 'Midian'.
[JDG.8.23] And he said to them, Gideon, I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; Yahveh will rule over you. [§]
Vayomer alehem Gideon lo-emshel ani bakhem ve-lo-yimshel beni bakhem Yahveh yimshel bakhem.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'Gideon' is a personal name, 'lo' means 'not', 'emshel' means 'I will rule', 'ani' means 'I', 'bakhem' means 'over you (plural)', 've' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'yimshel' means 'will rule', 'beni' means 'my son', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH meaning the divine name, and the final 'yimshel bakhem' means 'will rule over you'.
[JDG.8.24] And he said to them, Gideon: I will ask you a question, and give me a man as the plunder of his capture, because the golden ornaments are theirs, because they are Ishmaelites. [§]
Vayomer alehem Gideon esha'la mikem she'ela ve'tenu li ish nezem shelalo ki nizmei zahav lahem ki Yishmaelim hem.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'Gideon' is a personal name, 'esha'la' means 'I will ask', 'mikem' means 'of you', 'she'ela' means 'a question', 've'tenu' means 'and give', 'li' means 'to me', 'ish' means 'a man', 'nezem' means 'of the plunder', 'shelalo' means 'of his capture', 'ki' means 'because', 'nizmei' means 'golden ornaments', 'zahav' means 'gold', 'lahem' means 'are theirs', 'ki' means 'because', 'Yishmaelim' means 'Ishmaelites', 'hem' means 'they'.
[JDG.8.25] And they said, 'Let it be given,' and they unfolded the shirt and threw it there, a man with a handful of his plunder. [§]
Vayomeru Naton niten vayifresu et-hassimla vayashlikhu shamma ish nezem shelalo.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'Naton' means 'let it be given' (imperative form of give), 'niten' means 'it shall be given', 'vayifresu' means 'and they spread' or 'unfolded', 'et-hassimla' means 'the garment' or 'the shirt', 'vayashlikhu' means 'and they threw', 'shamma' means 'there', 'ish' means 'a man', 'nezem' means 'a handful' or 'a bundle', 'shelalo' means 'his plunder'.
[JDG.8.26] It was the weight of the gold ornaments that he asked for, one thousand seven hundred gold, excluding the satraps and the vessels and the crimson robes that were on the kings of Midian, and also excluding the braids that were in the crowns of their helmets. [§]
Vayehi mishkal nizmei hazahav asher sha'al elef u'sheva-me'ot zahav levad min ha'saharanim ve'han'tifot u'vigdei ha'argaman she'al malchei Midyan u'levad min ha'anakot asher be'tzavarei gmaleyhem.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'mishkal' means 'weight', 'nizmei' means 'the ornaments', 'hazahav' means 'of gold', 'asher' means 'that', 'sha'al' means 'he asked', 'elef u'sheva-me'ot' means 'one thousand seven hundred', 'zahav' means 'gold (units)', 'levad' means 'apart from' or 'excluding', 'min' means 'from', 'ha'saharanim' means 'the satraps', 've'han'tifot' means 'and the vessels', 'u'vigdei' means 'and the robes', 'ha'argaman' means 'of crimson', 'she'al' means 'that were on', 'malchei' means 'the kings', 'Midyan' means 'of Midian', 'u'levad' means 'and apart from', 'ha'anakot' means 'the braids', 'asher' means 'that', 'be'tzavarei' means 'in the crowns', 'gmaleyhem' means 'of their helmets'.
[JDG.8.27] And Gideon made it for an ephod, and he set it up in his city, Afulah, and all Israel turned away from him there; and it became a snare to Gideon and to his household. [§]
Vay'as otah Gideon le'efod vayatzeg otah be'iro be'afrah vayiznu kol-Yisrael acharav sham vayhi leGideon uleveto lemokes.
'Vay'as' means 'and he made', 'otah' means 'it', 'Gideon' is the personal name, 'le'efod' means 'for an ephod', 'vayatzeg' means 'and he set up', 'be'iro' means 'in his city', 'be'afrah' is the name of the city Afulah, 'vayiznu' means 'and they turned away', 'kol-Yisrael' means 'all Israel', 'acharav' means 'after him' or 'from him', 'sham' means 'there', 'vayhi' means 'and it became', 'leGideon' means 'to Gideon', 'uleveto' means 'and to his household', 'lemokes' means 'as a snare'.
[JDG.8.28] And Midian yielded before the children of Israel, and they did not increase to lift up their heads, and the land was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon. [§]
Vayikkana Midyan Lifnei Bnei Yisrael Velo Yaspu Laset Rosham Vatishqot Haaretz Arba'im Shana Bimei Gidon.
'Vayikkana' means 'and Midian yielded' (the verb 'kaneh' to bow or submit); 'Midyan' means 'Midian'; 'Lifnei' means 'before' or 'in front of'; 'Bnei' means 'the children of'; 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'; 'Velo' means 'and they did not'; 'Yaspu' means 'increase' or 'add'; 'Laset' means 'to lift up' or 'to bear'; 'Rosham' means 'their head' (figurative for pride or vigor); 'Vatishqot' means 'and the land was quiet' or 'became still'; 'Haaretz' means 'the land'; 'Arba'im' means 'forty'; 'Shana' means 'years'; 'Bimei' means 'in the days of'; 'Gidon' means 'Gideon'.
[JDG.8.29] And Jerubbaal son of Joash went and dwelt in his house. [§]
Vayelech Yerubb'al ben Yoash vayeshev beveito.
'Vayelech' means 'and he went', 'Yerubb'al' is a personal name (Jerubbaal) meaning 'may God contend', 'ben' means 'son', 'Yoash' is a personal name (Joash) meaning 'the Lord saves', 'vayeshev' means 'and he dwelt', 'beveito' means 'in his house'.
[JDG.8.30] And Gid'on had seventy sons who went out of his thigh, because he had many women. [§]
u-le-gid'on hayu shiv'im banim yotzei yerecho ki nashim rabbot hayu lo.
'u-le-gid'on' means 'and to/for Gid'on', 'hayu' means 'they were', 'shiv\'im' means 'seventy', 'banim' means 'sons', 'yotzei' means 'going out (of)', 'yerecho' means 'his thigh', 'ki' means 'because', 'nashim' means 'women', 'rabbot' means 'many', 'hayu' again means 'they were', 'lo' means 'to him' or 'his'.
[JDG.8.31] And Ufilagsho, who in the morning bore him, also (gave birth to) a son, and he named him Avimelech. [§]
Ufilagsho asher bischem yaldalo gam-hiya ben vayasem et-shemo avimelech.
'Ufilagsho' is a proper name, possibly meaning 'his ...', 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 'bischem' means 'in the morning', 'yaldalo' means 'gave birth to him', 'gam-hiya' means 'also she', 'ben' means 'son', 'vayasem' means 'and he named', 'et-shemo' means 'his name', 'Avimelech' is a personal name meaning 'my father is king'.
[JDG.8.32] And Gideon son of Joash died in a good season, and was buried in the grave of Joash his father in the dust of the father of the Ezri. [§]
Vayamat Gideon ben-yoash be-siveh tovah vayikaver be-kever Yoash aviv be-afrah avi ha-ezri.
'Vayamat' means 'and died', 'Gideon' is a personal name, 'ben-yoash' means 'son of Joash', 'be-siveh tovah' means 'in a good season' or 'at a good time', 'vayikaver' means 'and buried', 'be-kever' means 'in the grave', 'Yoash' is a personal name, 'aviv' means 'his father', 'be-afrah' means 'in the dust', 'avi' means 'father', 'ha-ezri' means 'the Ezri' (a clan name meaning 'of the help').
[JDG.8.33] And it was as when Gideon died, the children of Israel returned and prostituted themselves after the Baals, and they set for themselves Baal Berith to the Gods. [§]
vayehi ka'asher met Gideon vayashuvu b'nei Yisrael vayiznu acharei habbaalim vayassimu lahem Baal berit le'elohim.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'ka'asher' means 'as when', 'met' means 'died', 'Gideon' is the proper name Gideon, 'vayashuvu' means 'and they returned', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'vayiznu' means 'and they prostituted themselves', 'acharei' means 'after', 'habbaalim' means 'the Baals', 'vayassimu' means 'and they set', 'lahem' means 'for themselves', 'Baal berit' is the proper name Baal Berith (Lord of the covenant), 'le'elohim' means 'to the Gods' (Elohim translated literally as 'the Gods').
[JDG.8.34] And the children of Israel did not remember the Yahveh their Gods, the rescuer who saved them from the hand of all their enemies around. [§]
Ve lo zakharu b'nei Yisrael et Yahveh Elohehem hamatzil otam miyad kol oyvehem misaviv.
'Ve' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'zakharu' means 'they remembered', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH, 'Elohehem' means 'their Gods' (Elohim translated as 'the Gods'), 'hamatzil' means 'the rescuer', 'otam' means 'them', 'miyad' means 'from the hand of', 'kol' means 'all', 'oyvehem' means 'their enemies', 'misaviv' means 'around'.
[JDG.8.35] And they did not show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) as much as the good that was done with Israel. [§]
Ve lo asu chesed im beit Yerubbal Gideon kechol hatova asher asah im Yisrael.
'Ve' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'asu' means 'they did', 'chesed' means 'kindness' or 'mercy', 'im' means 'with' or 'to', 'beit' means 'house', 'Yerubbal' is the personal name Jerubbaal, 'Gideon' is the personal name Gideon, 'kechol' means 'as much as' or 'like', 'hatova' means 'the good', 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'asah' means 'he/she/they did', 'im' means 'with', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
JDG.9
[JDG.9.1] And Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went early to his mother's brothers, and spoke to them and to all the household of his mother's father, saying. [§]
Vayelekh Avimelekh ben Yerubbaal shekma el-achei immo vayedaber aleihem ve'el kol mishpachat beit-avi immo le'emor.
'Vayelekh' means 'and went', 'Avimelekh' is the personal name 'Abimelech', 'ben' means 'son of', 'Yerubbaal' means 'Jerubbaal', 'shekma' means 'early' or 'at dawn', 'el' means 'to', 'achei' means 'brothers', 'immo' means 'of his mother', 'vayedaber' means 'and spoke', 'aleihem' means 'to them', 've'el' means 'and to', 'kol' means 'all', 'mishpachat' means 'household of', 'beit' means 'house', 'avi' means 'my father', 'immo' again means 'of his mother', 'le'emor' means 'to say' or 'saying'.
[JDG.9.2] Speak, please, in the ears of all the owners of your (people), how good for you is the ruler over you, seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal. If a ruler over you, one man, and remember that your bones and your flesh I am. [§]
Dabbru na be'oznei kol ba'alei shkhem mah tov lachem hamshol bachem shiv'im ish kol b'nei Yerubbaal im meshol bachem ish echad u'zicharten ki atzmekhem u'vesarkhem ani.
'Dabbru' means 'speak', 'na' is a polite particle 'please', 'be'oznei' means 'in the ears of', 'kol' means 'all', 'ba'alei' means 'the owners/lords of', 'shkhem' means 'your (plural)', 'mah tov' means 'how good', 'lachem' means 'for you', 'hamshol' means 'the ruler', 'bachem' means 'over you', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'ish' means 'man', 'kol' means 'all', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Yerubbaal' is a proper name, 'im' means 'if', 'meshol' means 'ruler', 'bachem' means 'over you', 'ish' means 'a man', 'echad' means 'one', 'u'zicharten' means 'and you shall remember', 'ki' means 'that', 'atzmekhem' means 'your bones', 'u'vesarkhem' means 'and your flesh', 'ani' means 'I am'.
[JDG.9.3] His mother’s brothers spoke about him to the ears of all the owners of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Avimelech because they said, He is our brother. [§]
vayedabberu achei-immo alav be'oznei kol ba'alei Shechem et kol had'varim ha'eleh vayet livam acharei Avimelech ki amru achinu hu.
'vayedabberu' means 'they spoke', 'achei-immo' means 'the brothers of his mother', 'alav' means 'about him', 'be'oznei' means 'in the ears of', 'kol ba'alei Shechem' means 'all the owners (lords) of Shechem', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'kol had'varim ha'eleh' means 'all these words', 'vayet livam' means 'they inclined their hearts', 'acharei' means 'after', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'ki' means 'because', 'amru' means 'they said', 'achinu' means 'our brother', 'hu' means 'he'.
[JDG.9.4] And they gave him seventy silver from the house of Baal Berith, and Abimelech hired them, worthless men and bribe‑takers, and they went after him. [§]
Vayittenu-lo shiv'im kesef mibeyt Ba'al Berit vayiskor bahem Avimelech anashim reikim upochazim vayelchu acharav.
'Vayittenu' means 'and they gave', 'lo' means 'to him', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'kesef' means 'silver', 'mibeyt' means 'from the house of', 'Ba'al Berit' is a proper name meaning 'owner of the covenant', 'vayiskor' means 'and he hired', 'bahem' means 'them', 'Avimelech' is a personal name, 'anashim' means 'men', 'reikim' means 'worthless', 'upochazim' means 'and bribe-takers', 'vayelchu' means 'and they went', 'acharav' means 'after him'.
[JDG.9.5] And he came to his father's house Afarta and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men on one stone, and Yotam the younger son of Jerubbaal remained because he was hidden. [§]
Vayavo beit aviv afaratah vayaharog et-echav bnei yerubbal shiv'im ish al even eḥat vayoter yotam ben yerubbal haqaton ki necheva samekh.
'Vayavo' means 'and he came', 'beit aviv' means 'the house of his father', 'afaratah' is a proper name, 'vayaharog' means 'and he killed', 'et-echav' means 'his brothers', 'bnei yerubbal' means 'sons of Jerubbaal', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'ish' means 'men', 'al' means 'on', 'even' means 'stone', 'eḥat' means 'one', 'vayoter' means 'and remained', 'yotam' is a proper name, 'ben yerubbal' means 'son of Jerubbaal', 'haqaton' means 'the younger', 'ki' means 'because', 'necheva' means 'he was hidden', 'samekh' is a textual notation.
[JDG.9.6] They gathered all the owners of Shechem and all the house of Millo, they went, and they made Avimelech king with an oak standing that was in Shechem. [§]
vaye'esfu kol ba'alei Shechem vechol beit Millo vayelechu vayamlikhu et Avimelech lemelech im elon mutzav asher bishechem.
'vaye'esfu' means 'they gathered', 'kol' means 'all', 'ba'alei' means 'the owners of', 'Shechem' is a city name, 'vechol' means 'and all', 'beit' means 'house of', 'Millo' is a place name, 'vayelechu' means 'they went', 'vayamlikhu' means 'they made king', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'lemelech' means 'as king', 'im' means 'with', 'elon' means 'oak', 'mutzav' means 'standing', 'asher' means 'that', 'bishechem' means 'in Shechem'.
[JDG.9.7] They reported to Yotam, and he went and stood on the top of the mountain of grapes, and he raised his voice and called, and said to them, 'Listen to me, owners of the field; and the Gods will hear you.' [§]
vayyigidu leYotam vayelekh vayamod berosh har-cherizim vayisa kolo vayikra vayomer lahem shimu elai baalei shekem veyishma aleikhem Elohim.
'vayyigidu' means 'they reported', 'leYotam' means 'to Yotam', 'vayelekh' means 'he went', 'vayamod' means 'he stood', 'berosh' means 'on the top', 'har-cherizim' means 'the mountain of grapes', 'vayisa' means 'he raised', 'kolo' means 'his voice', 'vayikra' means 'he called', 'vayomer' means 'he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'shimu' means 'listen', 'elai' means 'to me', 'baalei' means 'owners of', 'shekem' means 'the field or vineyard', 'veyishma' means 'and he will hear', 'aleikhem' means 'to you', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods' (plural).
[JDG.9.8] Going, they went, the trees to anoint them king, and they said to the olive, the kingdom is upon us. [§]
Halokh halchu haetsim limshoch aleihem melek vayomeru lazayit malucha aleinu.
'Halokh' means 'going' or 'he goes', 'halchu' means 'they went', 'haetsim' means 'the trees', 'limshoch' means 'to anoint', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'melek' means 'king', 'vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'lazayit' means 'to the olive (tree)', 'malucha' means 'the kingdom' or 'rule', 'aleinu' means 'upon us'.
[JDG.9.9] And he said to them, the olive, I have exhausted my other [oil] that in me would be honored by the Gods and men, and I went to be shaken upon the trees. [§]
Vayomer lahem hazayit hechadalti et-dishni asher-bi yechabedu Elohim v'anashim vehalakti lanua al-haetsim.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'hazayit' means 'the olive', 'hechadalti' means 'I have exhausted', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'dishni' means 'my other' or 'my second', 'asher' means 'that', 'bi' means 'in me', 'yechabedu' means 'they will honor', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'v'anashim' means 'and men', 'vehalakti' means 'and I went', 'lanua' means 'to be moved' or 'to shake', 'al' means 'upon', 'haetsim' means 'the trees'.
[JDG.9.10] And the trees said to the fig, 'Go, you my king over us.' [§]
Vayomru ha'etsim la'te'na lechi-at malchi alenu.
'Vayomru' means 'and they said', 'ha'etsim' means 'the trees', 'la'te'na' means 'to the fig (tree)', 'lechi' is the feminine singular imperative of 'go', 'at' means 'you' (feminine singular), 'malchi' means 'my king', and 'alenu' means 'over us' or 'upon us'.
[JDG.9.11] And she said to them, the fig: I have become sour, my sweetness and my delicacy, the good, and I went to sway upon the trees. [§]
va-tomer lahem ha-te'enah he-chodalti et-matki ve-et-tenubati ha-tovah ve-halakti la-nu'a al ha-etzim.
'va-tomer' means 'and said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'ha-te'enah' means 'the fig', 'he-chodalti' means 'I have become sour' (from the root chedal 'to sour'), 'et-matki' means 'my sweetness', 've-et-tenubati' means 'and my delicacy' (from tenuba 'delicacy'), 'ha-tovah' means 'the good', 've-halakti' means 'and I went', 'la-nu'a' means 'to sway' or 'to be moved', 'al' means 'upon', 'ha-etzim' means 'the trees'.
[JDG.9.12] The trees said to the vine, "Go, my king, upon us." [§]
Vayomeru haetsim lagafen lechi at maluki alenu.
"Vayomeru" means "they said", "haetsim" means "the trees", "lagafen" means "to the vine", "lechi" means "go" (imperative feminine), "at" means "you" (feminine), "maluki" means "my king", "alenu" means "upon us".
[JDG.9.13] And said to them the vine, I have dried my fruit, the one who makes the Gods and people glad, and I went to sway upon the trees. [§]
Va-to-mer la-hem ha-ga-fen he-cho-dal-ti et ti-ro-shi ha-m-sa-me-ach elohim ve-an-a-shim ve-ha-lak-ti la-nu-a al ha-e-tzim.
'Va-to-mer' means 'and said', 'la-hem' means 'to them', 'ha-ga-fen' means 'the vine', 'he-cho-dal-ti' means 'I have dried', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'ti-ro-shi' means 'my fruit', 'ha-m-sa-me-ach' means 'the one who makes glad', 'elohim' means 'the Gods', 've-an-a-shim' means 'and people', 've-ha-lak-ti' means 'and I went', 'la-nu-a' means 'to sway' or 'to shake', 'al' means 'upon', 'ha-e-tzim' means 'the trees'.
[JDG.9.14] And they said, all the trees to the oak: Go, you will reign over us. [§]
Vayomeru kol haetsim el haotad lech attah melach aleinu.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'kol' means 'all', 'haetsim' means 'the trees', 'el' means 'to', 'haotad' means 'the oak', 'lech' means 'go', 'attah' means 'you', 'melach' means 'will reign', 'aleinu' means 'over us'.
[JDG.9.15] And Otad said to the trees: If in truth you anoint me to be king over you, come and take shelter in my shadow; and if none, fire will go out from Otad and will eat the cedars of Lebanon. [§]
Vayomer haotad el ha'etzim im be'emet atem mashchim oti lemelech aleichem bo'u chasu vetsilli ve'im-ayin tetze esh min haotad vetochal et arzei ha-levanon.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'haotad' is a proper name meaning 'the Otad', 'el' means 'to', 'ha'etzim' means 'the trees', 'im' means 'if', 'be'emet' means 'in truth', 'atem' means 'you (plural)', 'mashchim' means 'you anoint', 'oti' means 'me', 'lemelech' means 'to be king', 'aleichem' means 'over you', 'bo'u' means 'come', 'chasu' means 'take shelter', 'vetsilli' means 'in my shadow', 've'im-ayin' means 'and if none', 'tetze' means 'will go out', 'esh' means 'fire', 'min' means 'from', 'haotad' again the proper name, 'vetochal' means 'and will eat', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'arzei' means 'cedars of', 'ha-levanon' means 'Lebanon'.
[JDG.9.16] Now, if in truth and with integrity you have acted, and you have appointed Abimelech, and if you have done well toward Jerubbaal and his household, and if you have rewarded him according to the measure of his hand. [§]
Ve'atta im be'emet u'vetammim asitem v'tamlichu et Avimelekh ve'im tovah asitem im Yerubba'al ve'im beito ve'im kigmul yadaiv asitem lo.
'Ve'atta' means 'and now', 'im' means 'if', 'be'emet' means 'in truth', 'u'vetammim' means 'and with integrity', 'asitem' means 'you have done', 'v'tamlichu' means 'and you appointed', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Avimelekh' is the proper name Abimelech, 've'im' means 'and if', 'tovah' means 'good' or 'well', 'asitem' again 'you have done', 'im' means 'with', 'Yerubba'al' is the proper name Jerubbaal, 've'im' again 'and with', 'beito' means 'his house' (household), 've'im' again 'and if', 'kigmul' (a form of 'kgomel') means 'according to a measure' or 'as a reward', 'yadaiv' means 'his hand', 'asitem' again 'you have done', 'lo' means 'to him' or 'for him'.
[JDG.9.17] who fought my father against you and he cast his soul from before and he saved you from the hand of Midian. [§]
asher nilcham avi aleichem vayashlech et nafsho mineged vayatzel etchem miyad Midyan.
'asher' means 'who' or 'that'; 'nilcham' means 'fought' (root lchm); 'avi' means 'my father'; 'aleichem' means 'against you' (plural); 'vayashlech' means 'and he threw' or 'cast'; 'et' is a non‑translated object marker; 'nafsho' means 'his soul'; 'mineged' means 'from before' or 'in front of'; 'vayatzel' means 'and saved' or 'delivered'; 'etchem' means 'you' (object, plural); 'miyad' means 'by the hand of'; 'Midyan' is the place name Midian.
[JDG.9.18] And you rose to my father's house today, and you killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone; and you made Avimelech, the son of his mother, ruler over the owners of Shechem, because he is your brother. [§]
Veatem kamtem al-beit avi hayom vatahargu et-vanav shivim ish al-even echat vamimliku et-Avimelech ben-amato al-baalei shechem ki achikhem hu.
'Veatem' means 'and you (plural)'. 'Kamtem' means 'you rose' or 'you got up'. 'Al-beit' means 'to the house of'. 'Avi' means 'my father'. 'Hayom' means 'today'. 'Vatahargu' means 'and you killed'. 'Et-vanav' means 'his sons' (the direct object marker 'et' plus 'vanav' = 'his sons'). 'Shivim' means 'seventy'. 'Ish' means 'men' or 'people'. 'Al-even' means 'on a stone' (literally 'upon stone'). 'Echat' means 'one' (a single). 'Vamimliku' means 'and you appointed' or 'made king'. 'Et-Avimelech' means 'Avimelech' (a personal name). 'Ben-amato' means 'the son of his mother'. 'Al-baalei' means 'over the owners of'. 'Shechem' means 'the region of Shechem' (a place name). 'Ki' means 'because' or 'for'. 'Achikhem' means 'your brother'. 'Hu' means 'he' or 'him'.
[JDG.9.19] And if you truly and uprightly deal with Jerubal and his household this day, rejoice with Avimelech, and he also will rejoice over you. [§]
ve'im beemet uvetamim asitem im-Yerubal ve'im beito hayom hazeh simchu baAvimelech ve yismach gam hu bakhem.
've'im' means 'and if', 'beemet' means 'in truth', 'uvetamim' means 'and upright', 'asitem' means 'you make/do', 'im-Yerubal' means 'with Jerubal', 've'im' means 'and with', 'beito' means 'his household', 'hayom' means 'today/this day', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'simchu' means 'rejoice', 'baAvimelech' means 'with Avimelech', 've' means 'and', 'yismach' means 'he will rejoice', 'gam' means 'also', 'hu' means 'he', 'bakhem' means 'over you'.
[JDG.9.20] And if there is no fire that will go out from Abimelech and will eat the lords of Shechem and the house of Millo, and fire will go out from the lords of Shechem and from the house of Millo and will eat Abimelech. [§]
ve'im ayin tetze esh me'avimelech veto'chal et ba'alei shechem ve'et beit millo vete'tze esh mib'a'alei shechem u-mibbeit millo veto'chal et avimelech.
've'im' means 'and if', 'ayin' means 'none' or 'there is no', 'tetze' means 'will go out', 'esh' means 'fire', 'me' means 'from', 'Avimelech' is a personal name, 'veto'chal' means 'and will eat', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'ba'alei' means 'lords of', 'Shechem' is a place name, 've'et' means 'and', 'beit' means 'house of', 'Millo' (Millo) is a place name, 'vete'tze' means 'and will go out', 'mi' means 'from', 'ba'alei' again 'lords of', 'Shechem' again, 'u-' means 'and', 'mibbeit' means 'from the house of', 'Millo' again, 'veto'chal' again 'and will eat', 'Avimelech' again the name.
[JDG.9.21] And Yotam fled, and he ran away, and he went into a cave, and he sat there because of Avimelech his brother. [§]
vayanas Yotam vayivrach vayelekh be'erah vayyeshev sham mipnei Avimelekh achiv.
'vayanas' means 'and he fled', 'Yotam' is a proper name meaning 'Yotam', 'vayivrach' means 'and he fled/ran away', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'be'erah' means 'into a cave', 'vayyeshev' means 'and he sat', 'sham' means 'there', 'mipnei' means 'because of' or 'before', 'Avimelekh' is a proper name meaning 'Avimelech', 'achiv' means 'his brother'.
[JDG.9.22] And Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. [§]
Vayasar Avimelech al-Yisrael shalosh shanim.
'Vayasar' means 'and he ruled', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'al' means 'over', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'shalosh' means 'three', 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.9.23] God sent an evil spirit between Avimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem betrayed Avimelech. [§]
Vayishlach Elohim ruach raah beyn Avimelech u-beyn Baalei Shechem vayivgedu Baalei-Shechem ba-Avimelech.
'Vayishlach' means 'and (he) sent', 'Elohim' means 'God', 'ruach' means 'spirit', 'raah' means 'evil', 'beyn' means 'between', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'u-beyn' means 'and between', 'Baalei' means 'the owners/men of', 'Shechem' is a place name, 'vayivgedu' means 'and they betrayed', 'ba-Avimelech' means 'against Avimelech'.
[JDG.9.24] To bring revenge, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and their blood to lay upon Abimelech his brother who killed them, and upon the owners of Shechem who strengthened his hand to kill his brother. [§]
Lavo chamas shiv'im b'nei-yerubba'al ve-damam lasum al Avimelech achiham asher harag otam ve'al ba'alei shechem asher-chizku et-yadav laharog et-echav.
'Lavo' means 'to bring', 'chamas' means 'revenge' or 'bloodshed', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'b'nei-yerubba'al' means 'sons of Jerubbaal', 've-damam' means 'and their blood', 'lasum' means 'to lay' or 'to put', 'al' means 'upon', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'achiham' means 'his brothers', 'asher' means 'who', 'harag' means 'killed', 'otam' means 'them', 've'al' means 'and upon', 'ba'alei' means 'the owners' or 'the masters', 'shechem' is a place name, 'asher-chizku' means 'who strengthened', 'et-yadav' means 'his hand', 'laharog' means 'to kill', 'et-echav' means 'his brother'.
[JDG.9.25] They placed for him the owners of Shechem, ambushes on the tops of the mountains, and they plundered all that passed over them on the road, and it was reported to Abimelech. [§]
vayyissim lo baalei Shechem maaravim al roshi harim vayyigzlu et kol asher yaaver al eihm baderekh vugad laavimelekh
'vayyissim' means 'they placed', 'lo' means 'for him', 'baalei' means 'the owners' or 'the chiefs', 'Shechem' is a place name, 'maaravim' means 'ambushes', 'al' means 'on', 'roshi' means 'heads' or 'tops', 'harim' means 'the mountains', 'vayyigzlu' means 'they robbed' or 'they plundered', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'asher' means 'that which', 'yaaver' means 'passes', 'al' means 'over', 'eihm' means 'them', 'baderekh' means 'in the way' or 'on the road', 'vugad' means 'it was reported', 'laavimelekh' means 'to Abimelech'.
[JDG.9.26] And Ga'al son of Eved and his brothers came into Shechem, and they trusted in him the lords of Shechem. [§]
Vayyavo Ga'al ben-Eved ve'echav vayya'avru bishchem vayyivt'chu-bo ba'alei shchem.
'Vayyavo' means 'and he came', 'Ga'al' is a proper name, 'ben-Eved' means 'son of Eved', 've'echav' means 'and his brothers', 'vayya'avru' means 'they went into', 'bishchem' means 'into Shechem', 'vayyivt'chu-bo' means 'and they trusted in him', 'ba'alei' means 'the lords/owners', 'shchem' means 'of Shechem'.
[JDG.9.27] And they went out into the field, bound their vines, walked, made curses, came into the house of their God, ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech. [§]
Va-yetzeu ha-sade ve-yivtzu et-karmeihem ve-yidrechu va-ya'asu hilulim va-yavo'u beit elohiehhem va-yo'chelu ve-yishtu ve-yeqalllu et-Avimelech.
'Va' means 'and', 'yetzeu' means 'they went out', 'ha-sade' means 'the field', 've' means 'and', 'yivtzu' means 'they bound', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'karmeihem' means 'their vines', 've-yidrechu' means 'and they walked', 'va-ya'asu' means 'and they made', 'hilulim' means 'curses', 'va-yavo'u' means 'and they came', 'beit' means 'house of', 'elohiehhem' is the plural form of the divine name Elohim with a possessive suffix, literally 'their Gods' (translated here as 'their God'), 'va-yo'chelu' means 'and they ate', 've-yishtu' means 'and they drank', 've-yeqalllu' means 'and they cursed', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Avimelech' is a proper name.
[JDG.9.28] And Gaal son of Eved said, 'Who are Avimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve them? Is not the son of Jerubal and his offspring who will work for the men of the donkey, the father of Shechem, and why should we serve them?' [§]
Vayomer Gaal ben-Eved mi Avimelech u-mi Shechem ki naavdeinu halo ben-Yerubal u-zevul pkido ivdu et anshei ha-mor avi Shechem u-madu'a naavdeinu anachnu.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Gaal' is the name Gaal, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Eved' is the name Eved, 'mi' means 'who', 'Avimelech' is a personal name, 'u-mi' means 'and who', 'Shechem' is a place name, 'ki' means 'that', 'naavdeinu' means 'we should serve them', 'halo' means 'is not', 'ben-Yerubal' means 'the son of Jerubal', 'u-zevul' means 'and the offspring', 'pkido' means 'of his charge', 'ivdu' means 'they will work', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'anshei' means 'men of', 'ha-mor' means 'the donkey', 'avi' means 'father of', 'Shechem' again a place name, 'u-madu'a' means 'and why', 'naavdeinu' again 'we should serve them', 'anachnu' means 'we'.
[JDG.9.29] And who will give this people into my hand? And I will seize Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, "Your army is great, and it will be cut off." [§]
Umi yitten et-haam hazeh be-yadi ve-asirah et-Avimelech vayomer le-Avimelech rabbah tzva'aka va-tzeah.
'Umi' means 'And who', 'yitten' means 'will give', 'et-haam' means 'the people', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'be-yadi' means 'into my hand', 've-asirah' means 'and I will seize', 'et-Avimelech' means 'Abimelech', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'le-Avimelech' means 'to Abimelech', 'rabbah' means 'great', 'tzva'aka' means 'your army', 'va-tzeah' means 'and it will be cut off'.
[JDG.9.30] And Zebul, the city ruler, heard the words of Ga'al son of Aved, and his anger burned. [§]
Vayishma Zevul sar ha'ir et divrei Ga'al ben Aved vayichar a-po.
'Vayishma' means 'and he heard', 'Zevul' is a proper name (Zebul), 'sar ha'ir' means 'the city ruler', 'et' is a direct‑object marker and is not translated, 'divrei' means 'the words of', 'Ga'al' is a proper name, 'ben Aved' means 'son of Aved', 'vayichar' means 'and his anger was kindled' or 'and his anger burned', 'a-po' means 'his anger'.
[JDG.9.31] And he sent messengers to Abimelech at Tarmah, saying, Behold, Gaal son of Eved and his brothers are coming early and they are besieging the city against you. [§]
vayishlach malachim el Avimelech beTarmah leemor hineh Gaal ben Eved veechav baim shekema vehinam tsarim et hair aleikha.
'vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'malachim' means 'messengers', 'el' means 'to', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'beTarmah' means 'at Tarmah', 'leemor' means 'to say', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'Gaal' is a proper name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Eved' is a proper name, 'veechav' means 'and his brothers', 'baim' means 'are coming', 'shekema' means 'early' (in the morning), 'vehinam' means 'and they', 'tsarim' means 'are besieging', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'hair' means 'the city', 'aleikha' means 'against you' (to you).
[JDG.9.32] Now arise at night, you and the people who are with you, and go out in the field. [§]
veatah kum layla attah vehaam asher ittach veerov basadeh.
've' means 'and', 'atah' means 'now', 'kum' means 'rise' or 'arise', 'layla' means 'night', 'attah' means 'you', 'vehaam' means 'and the people', 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 'ittach' means 'with you', 'veerov' means 'and go out', 'basadeh' means 'in the field'.
[JDG.9.33] It will be in the morning at sunrise of the sun that you rise and go out over the city, and behold he and the people who are with him go out to you, and you will do for him as you find your hand. [§]
vehayah baboker kizroach hashamesh tashkim upasatta al-ha'ir vehineh-hu veha'am asher-ito yotzim elaykha veasita lo ka'asher timtza yadekha.
've' means 'and', 'hayah' means 'it will be', 'ba' means 'in the', 'boker' means 'morning', 'ki' means 'when' or 'as', 'zroach' means 'sunrise', 'hashamesh' means 'the sun', 'tashkim' means 'you will rise', 'u' means 'and', 'pasatta' means 'you will go out', 'al' means 'upon', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 've'ineh' means 'and behold', 'hu' means 'he', 'veha'am' means 'and the people', 'asher' means 'who', 'ito' means 'with him', 'yotzim' means 'going out', 'elaykha' means 'to you', 'veasita' means 'and you will do', 'lo' means 'to him', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'timtza' means 'you find', 'yadekha' means 'your hand'.
[JDG.9.34] And Abimelech rose, and all the people who were with him, at night, and they assembled at Shechem; four hundred heads. [§]
Vayakam Avimelekh vechol ha'am asher-immo layla vayyeervu al-shechem arbaah rashim.
'Vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'Avimelekh' is a proper name, 'vechol' means 'and all', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'asher-immo' means 'who were with him', 'layla' means 'at night', 'vayyeervu' means 'and they held a council/assembled', 'al-shechem' means 'at Shechem', 'arbaah' means 'four', 'rashim' means 'heads' (an idiom for 'hundred', giving the numeral 'four hundred').
[JDG.9.35] And Gaal son of Eved went out and stood at the gate of the city, and Abimelech got up, and the people who were with him from the west. [§]
Vayetze Gaal ben Eved vayamod petach sha ar ha ir vayakam Avimelekh veha am asher itto min ha ma arav.
'Vayetze' means 'and went out', 'Gaal' is a proper name meaning 'Gaal', 'ben' means 'son of', 'Eved' is a proper name meaning 'Eved', 'vayamod' means 'and stood', 'petach' means 'opening' or 'gate', 'sha ar' means 'gate', 'ha' means 'the', 'ir' means 'city', 'vayakam' means 'and arose' or 'and got up', 'Avimelekh' is a proper name meaning 'Abimelech', 'veha' means 'and the', 'am' means 'people', 'asher' means 'who', 'itto' means 'were with him', 'min' means 'from', 'ha' means 'the', 'ma arav' means 'west'.
[JDG.9.36] And Ga'al saw the people and said to Zebul, Behold the people are descending from the tops of the mountains; and he said to him Zebul, the shadow of the mountains you see as men. [§]
Vayar Gaal et haam vayomer el Zebul hineh am yored merashei heharim vayomer elav Zebul et tzel heharim attah roeh kaanashim.
'Vayar' means 'and saw', 'Gaal' is a proper name (Ga'al), 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'haam' means 'the people', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'el' means 'to', 'Zebul' is a proper name, 'hineh' means 'behold', 'am' means 'people', 'yored' means 'is descending', 'merashei' means 'from the tops of', 'heharim' means 'the mountains', second 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'elav' means 'to him', second 'Zebul' repeats the name, 'et' again the object marker, 'tzel' means 'shadow', 'heharim' again 'the mountains', 'attah' means 'you', 'roeh' means 'see', 'ka' is a particle meaning 'as', 'anashim' means 'men'.
[JDG.9.37] And he again continued to speak, and said, Behold, people are descending from the region of the earth, and one leader comes from the way of the tall trees. [§]
Vayosef od ga'al le-daber vayomer hineh am yordim me-im tavur haaretz ve-rosh echad ba miderekh elon meonim.
'Vayosef' means 'and he continued', 'od' means 'again', 'ga'al' means 'to speak', 'le-daber' means 'to speak', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'am' means 'people', 'yordim' means 'are descending', 'me-im' means 'from the region', 'tavur' means 'of the earth', 'haaretz' means 'the earth', 've-rosh' means 'and the head/leader', 'echad' means 'one', 'ba' means 'came', 'miderekh' means 'from the way', 'elon' means 'tall tree', 'meonim' means 'supporters' or 'branches'.
[JDG.9.38] And Zabul said to him, "Where is the sword of your mouth that you will speak? Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not this the people that you have despised? Go now, and fight them." [§]
Vayomer elav Zabul aiyyeh efo pichah asher tomar mi Avimelekh ki naavdenu halo zeh haam asher maasta bo tzeh na atah vehilachem bo.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Zabul' is a proper name, 'aiyyeh' means 'where', 'efo' means 'the sword', 'pichah' means 'of your mouth', 'asher' means 'that', 'tomar' means 'you will speak', 'mi' means 'who', 'Avimelekh' is a proper name, 'ki' means 'that', 'naavdenu' means 'we will serve', 'halo' means 'is not', 'zeh' means 'this', 'haam' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'that', 'maasta' means 'you have despised', 'bo' means 'in them' or 'against them', 'tzeh' means 'go', 'na' is an emphatic particle 'please', 'atah' means 'now', 'vehilachem' means 'and fight', 'bo' means 'them'.
[JDG.9.39] And Gaal went out before the sons of Shechem and fought with Abimelech. [§]
va-yetse gaal lifnei ba'alei shekhem va-yilacham ba'avimelekh.
'va-' means 'and', 'yetse' means 'went out', 'gaal' is a proper name meaning 'Gaal', 'lifnei' means 'before' or 'in front of', 'ba'alei' means 'the sons' or 'the owners' (literally 'the baalim'), 'shekhem' is the name of the city Shechem, 'va-' again means 'and', 'yilacham' means 'he fought', 'ba'avimelekh' means 'with Abimelech' (the name of a king).
[JDG.9.40] And Avimelech pursued him, and he fled from his presence, and many bodies fell to the gate entrance. [§]
vayirdefehu Avimelech vayanas mippaneyav vayiplu chalalim rabbim ad petach hashaar.
'vayirdefehu' means 'and he pursued him', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'vayanas' means 'and he fled', 'mippaneyav' means 'from his presence', 'vayiplu' means 'and they fell', 'chalalim' means 'the bodies' (plural), 'rabbim' means 'many', 'ad' means 'to', 'petach' means 'the opening/entrance', 'hashaar' means 'of the gate'.
[JDG.9.41] And Avimelech dwelt in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Ga'al and his brothers from the house at Shechem. [§]
Vayeshev Avimelech ba'aruma vaygáresh Zebul et Ga'al ve'et echav mishévet bishchem.
'Vayeshev' means 'and sat' or 'and dwelt', 'Avimelech' is a proper name meaning 'My father is king', 'ba'aruma' means 'in Arumah' (a place name), 'vaygáresh' means 'and drove out' or 'and expelled', 'Zebul' is a proper name, 'et' is the direct‑object marker (not rendered in English), 'Ga'al' is a proper name meaning 'redeemer' or 'a man named Gaal', 've'et' means 'and' plus the object marker, 'echav' means 'his brothers', 'mishévet' means 'from the dwelling' or 'from the house', 'bishchem' means 'in Shechem' (a city).
[JDG.9.42] And the next day the people went out into the field and reported to Abimelech. [§]
Vayhi mimachorath vayetse ha'am hasade vayagidu la'Avimelech.
'Vayhi' means 'and it was' or 'it happened', 'mimachorath' means 'the next day', 'vayetse' means 'and he went out', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'hasade' means 'the field', 'vayagidu' means 'and they reported' or 'and they told', 'la'Avimelech' means 'to Abimelech'.
[JDG.9.43] And he took the people and divided them into three heads and scattered them in the field, and he saw, and behold the people went out from the city; he rose against them and struck them. [§]
Vayikach et ha'am vayechetsehm lishloshah rashim vayearov ba-sade vayyar ve-hineh ha'am yotze min ha'ir vayakam aleihem vayakhem.
'Vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'vayechetsehm' means 'and he divided them', 'lishloshah' means 'into three', 'rashim' means 'heads' (leaders), 'vayearov' means 'and he scattered', 'ba-sade' means 'in the field', 'vayyar' means 'and he saw', 've-hineh' means 'and behold', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'yotze' means 'going out', 'min' means 'from', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'vayakam' means 'and he rose up against them', 'vayakhem' means 'and he struck them'.
[JDG.9.44] And Abimelech and the chief men who were with him spread out and stood at the entrance of the city gate, and the two chiefs spread out over all that was in the field and struck them. [§]
Vaavimelekh veha'raashim asher immo pashtu vayya'amdu petach sha'ar ha'ir ushne ha'raashim pashtu al kol asher ba'sade vayyakum.
'Vaavimelekh' means 'and Abimelech', 'veha'raashim' means 'and the chief men', 'asher' means 'who', 'immo' means 'with him', 'pashtu' means 'spread out' (plural verb), 'vayya'amdu' means 'and they stood', 'petach' means 'entrance', 'sha'ar' means 'gate', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'ushne' means 'and the two', 'ha'raashim' means 'chiefs', 'pashtu' again 'spread out', 'al' means 'over', 'kol' means 'all', 'asher' means 'that which', 'ba'sade' means 'in the field', 'vayyakam' means 'and they struck them'.
[JDG.9.45] And Abimelech waged war at the city all that day, and he captured the city and the people who were in it, killed them, plundered the city and sowed it with salt. [§]
Vaavimelech nilcham ba'ir kol hayom hahu vayilkod et ha'ir ve'et ha'am asher ba harag vayittoz et ha'ir vayizra'ehah melach.
'Vaavimelech' means 'and Abimelech', 'nilcham' means 'waged war', 'ba'ir' means 'in the city', 'kol' means 'all', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'vayilkod' means 'and he captured', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 've'et' means 'and (the)', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'ba' means 'were in', 'harag' means 'he killed', 'vayittoz' means 'and he plundered', 'vayizra'ehah' means 'and he sowed it', 'melach' means 'salt'.
[JDG.9.46] And all the owners of the tower of Shechem heard, and they went to the tower of the House of God of the covenant. [§]
Vayishmeu kol ba'alei migdal shekem vayavo'u el tzeriach beit el berit.
'Vayishmeu' means 'and they heard', 'kol' means 'all', 'ba'alei' means 'the owners' or 'the masters', 'migdal' means 'tower', 'shekem' is the place name Shechem, 'vayavo'u' means 'and they went/came', 'el' means 'to', 'tzeriach' means 'tower', 'beit' means 'house', 'el' (the name of God) is translated as 'God', and 'berit' means 'covenant'.
[JDG.9.47] And it was reported to Abimelech that they had gathered all the owners of the tower of Shechem. [§]
Vayugad la Avimelech ki hitkabetsu kol baalei migdal Shechem.
'Vayugad' means 'and it was reported', 'la' means 'to', 'Avimelech' is the name 'Abimelech', 'ki' means 'that', 'hitkabetsu' means 'they gathered', 'kol' means 'all', 'baalei' means 'the owners of', 'migdal' means 'tower', 'Shechem' is the place name 'Shechem'.
[JDG.9.48] And Abimelech went up Mount Zalmon, and he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took the red shields in his hand, cut a wooden staff, lifted it and placed it on his shoulder, and he said to the people who were with him, 'What have you seen that I have done? Hurry, do as I have done.' [§]
Vayaal Avimelech har Tzalmon hu vechol haam asher ito vayikach Avimelech et hakardummot beyado vayikrot sokhat etzim vayisaah vayasem al shikmo vayomer el haam asher immo mah reitetem asiti maharu asu kamoni.
'Vayaal' means 'and he went up', 'Avimelech' is a personal name, 'har Tzalmon' means 'the mountain of Zalmon', 'hu' means 'he', 'vechol haam' means 'and all the people', 'asher ito' means 'who were with him', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et hakardummot' means 'the red (things), usually understood as red shields', 'beyado' means 'in his hand', 'vayikrot' means 'and he cut', 'sokhat etzim' means 'a wooden staff', 'vayisaah' means 'and he lifted it', 'vayasem al shikmo' means 'and he placed it on his shoulder', 'vayomer el haam' means 'and he said to the people', 'asher immo' means 'who were with him', 'mah reitetem' means 'what have you seen', 'asiti' means 'that I have done', 'maharu' means 'hurry', 'asu kamoni' means 'do as I did'.
[JDG.9.49] They also cut all the people, each a drunkard, and they went after Abimelech, and they placed upon the tower, and they set the tower on fire, and they killed also all the men of Migdal Shechem, a thousand men and women. [§]
Vayikretu gam kol haam ish shokho vayelchu acharei Avimelech vayassimu al hatzeriach vayatzitu aleihem et hatzeriach baesh vayamutu gam kol anshei migdal Shechem ke'alef ish veisha.
'Vayikretu' means 'they cut', 'gam' means 'also', 'kol' means 'all', 'haam' means 'the people', 'ish' means 'a man', 'shokho' means 'drunkard', 'vayelchu' means 'they went', 'acharei' means 'after', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'vayassimu' means 'they placed', 'al' means 'upon', 'hatzeriach' means 'the tower', 'vayatzitu' means 'they lit/set on fire', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'baesh' means 'with fire', 'vayamutu' means 'they killed', 'gam' again means 'also', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'migdal' means 'tower', 'Shechem' is a place name, 'ke'alef' means 'as a thousand', 'ish' means 'man', 'veisha' means 'and woman'.
[JDG.9.50] And Abimelech went to Teveitz, and lodged there, and captured it. [§]
Va-yelech Avimelekh el-Teveitz va-yichan be-Teveitz va-yilkedah.
'Va-yelech' means 'and went', 'Avimelekh' is a personal name, 'el-Teveitz' means 'to Teveitz', 'va-yichan' means 'and lodged', 'be-Teveitz' means 'in Teveitz', 'va-yilkedah' means 'and captured it'.
[JDG.9.51] And a tower of strength was within the city, and all the men and the women and all the city leaders fled there, and they shut (the gate) behind them, and they went up onto the roof of the tower. [§]
U migdal oz haya betoch ha ir vayanu su shammah kol ha anashim ve ha nashim ve kol ba alei ha ir vayisg ru ba adam vayalu al gag ha migdal.
'U' means 'and', 'migdal' means 'tower', 'oz' means 'strength' or 'might', 'haya' means 'was', 'betoch' means 'within' or 'inside', 'ha' means 'the', 'ir' means 'city', 'vayanu' means 'and they fled', 'su' means 'there', 'shammah' means 'to that place', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha anashim' means 'the men', 've' means 'and', 'ha nashim' means 'the women', 've' again means 'and', 'kol ba alei ha ir' means 'all the owners/leaders of the city', 'vayisg' means 'and they shut', 'ru' is a suffix meaning 'they', 'ba adam' means 'behind them', 'vayalu' means 'and they went up', 'al' means 'onto', 'gag' means 'roof', 'ha migdal' means 'the tower'.
[JDG.9.52] And Abimelech went to the tower, fought with him, and drew near to the door of the tower to set him on fire. [§]
Vayavo Avimelech ad-hamigdal vayillahem bo vayigash ad-petach hamigdal lesarfo baesh.
'Vayavo' means 'and he came', 'Avimelech' is the personal name, 'ad-hamigdal' means 'to the tower', 'vayillahem' means 'and he fought', 'bo' means 'with him/it', 'vayigash' means 'and he drew near', 'ad-petach' means 'to the opening/door', 'hamigdal' means 'the tower', 'lesarfo' means 'to set him on fire', 'baesh' means 'with fire'.
[JDG.9.53] And a certain woman threw a piece of a cart on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. [§]
Vatashelekh isha achat pelach rechev al rosh Avimelech vataritz et gulgalto.
'Vatashelekh' means 'and she threw', 'isha' means 'a woman', 'achat' means 'one' or 'a certain', 'pelach' means 'a piece' (often of a cart or stone), 'rechev' means 'cart', 'al' means 'upon', 'rosh' means 'head', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'vataritz' means 'and she crushed' or 'broke', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'gulgalto' means 'his skull'.
[JDG.9.54] He called quickly to the lad carrying his vessel, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say to me, a woman killed him." And his servant struck him, and he died. [§]
Vayikra mehera el-hana'ar nose kelav vayomer lo shelef harvecha u-moteteni pen-yoamru li isha haragato vayidk'reihu na'aro vayamot.
'Vayikra' means 'he called', 'mehera' means 'quickly', 'el-hana'ar' means 'to the lad', 'nose' means 'carrying', 'kelav' means 'his vessel', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'shelef' means 'draw', 'harvecha' means 'your sword', 'u-moteteni' means 'and kill me', 'pen-yoamru' means 'lest they say', 'li' means 'to me', 'isha' means 'a woman', 'haragato' means 'killed him', 'vayidk'reihu' means 'and his servant struck him', 'na'aro' means 'his servant', 'vayamot' means 'and he died'.
[JDG.9.55] The men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, and each went to his own place. [§]
Vayir'u ish-Yisrael ki met Avimelekh vayelchu ish limkomo.
'Vayir'u' means 'and they saw', 'ish-Yisrael' means 'the men of Israel', 'ki' means 'that' or 'because', 'met' means 'was dead', 'Avimelekh' is a proper name (no divine title), 'vayelchu' means 'and they went', 'ish' means 'each', 'limkomo' means 'to his own place'.
[JDG.9.56] And God turned the evil of Abimelech which he did to his father to kill his seventy brothers. [§]
vayashav Elohim et raat Avimelech asah le'aviv laharog et shivim eichav.
'vayashav' means 'and he turned', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'et' is a direct‑object marker (often left untranslated), 'raat' means 'evil', 'Avimelech' is a personal name, 'asher' means 'that/which', 'asah' means 'did', 'le'aviv' means 'to his father', 'laharog' means 'to kill', 'et' again the object marker, 'shivim' means 'seventy', 'eichav' means 'his brothers'.
[JDG.9.57] and the evil of all the men of Shechem the Gods turned back in their heads and the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them. [§]
ve'et kol ra'at anshei shekem hendeshib Elohim be'rosham ve'tavo alehem kilalat Yotam ben Yerubbaal.
've'et' means 'and the', 'kol' means 'all', 'ra'at' means 'evil', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'shekem' means 'Shechem', 'heshib' means 'turned back', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'be'rosham' means 'in their heads', 've'tavo' means 'and came', 'alehem' means 'upon them', 'kilalat' means 'the curse', 'Yotam' means 'Jotham', 'ben' means 'son', 'Yerubbaal' means 'Jerubbaal'.
JDG.10
[JDG.10.1] And after Abimelech arose to rescue Israel, Tola the son of Puah the son of Dod, a man of Issachar, and he dwelt in Shamir in the hill of Ephraim. [§]
vayyakam acharei Avimelech lehoshia et-Yisrael Tola ben-Puah ben-Dod ish Yissachar vehu yoshev be-Shamir be-Har Efrayim.
'vayyakam' means 'and he arose', 'acharei' means 'after', 'Avimelech' is a proper name, 'lehoshia' means 'to save' or 'to rescue', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel' (object marker), 'Tola' is a proper name, 'ben-Puah' means 'son of Puah', 'ben-Dod' means 'son of Dod', 'ish' means 'man', 'Yissachar' is the tribe of Issachar, 'vehu' means 'and he', 'yoshev' means 'dwelt' or 'resided', 'be-Shamir' means 'in Shamir', 'be-Har' means 'in the mountain/hill', 'Efrayim' means 'Ephraim'.
[JDG.10.2] He judged Israel for twenty-three years; then he died and was buried at Shamir. [§]
Vayishpot et-Yisrael esrim ve-shalosh shanah vayamat vayikaver be-Shamir.
'Vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel (object marker)', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 've-shalosh' means 'and three', 'shanah' means 'years', 'vayamat' means 'and he died', 'vayikaver' means 'and he was buried', 'be-Shamir' means 'in Shamir' (a place name). The final character 'Pe' is a paragraph marker and is not rendered in translation.
[JDG.10.3] And after him rose Ya'ir the Gileadite, and he judged Israel for twenty two years. [§]
Vayakam acherav Ya'ir haGiladi vayishpot et Yisrael esrim ushetayim shanah.
'Vayakam' means 'and rose' or 'and got up', 'acherav' means 'after him', 'Ya'ir' is a personal name meaning 'he will enlighten', 'haGiladi' means 'the Gileadite' (one from Gilead), 'vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 'ushetayim' means 'and two', 'shanah' means 'year' (here in the construct meaning 'years' as a period).
[JDG.10.4] And it was to him thirty sons riding upon thirty towns, and thirty towns for them, for them they will call the valley of Yair until this day which is in the land of Galad. [§]
Vayehi lo shloshim banim rokhvim al shloshim ayarim ushloshim ayarim lahem lahem yikreu chavot yair ad hayom hazeh asher beeretz hagelaad.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'lo' means 'to him', 'shloshim' means 'thirty', 'banim' means 'sons', 'rokhvim' means 'riding', 'al' means 'upon', 'shloshim ayarim' means 'thirty towns', 'ushloshim ayarim' means 'and thirty towns', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'yikreu' means 'they will call', 'chavot' means 'valley', 'yair' is a proper name meaning 'he will enlighten', 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom hazeh' means 'this day', 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'beeretz' means 'in the land', 'hagelaad' means 'Galad'.
[JDG.10.5] And Yair died and was buried in Kamon. [§]
Vayamat Yair vayikaver beKamon.
'Vayamat' means 'and died', 'Yair' is a proper name meaning 'he will enlighten', 'vayikaver' means 'and was buried', 'beKamon' means 'in Kamon', a place name.
[JDG.10.6] And the children of Israel kept doing evil in the sight of Yahveh, and they served the Baals and the Ashtoreths and the Gods of Aram and the Gods of Sidon and the Gods of Moab and the Gods of the children of Ammon and the Gods of the Philistines; and they abandoned Yahveh and did not serve Him. [§]
Vayosifu b'nei Yisrael la'asot hara be'enei Yahveh vayaa'vdu et haBaalim ve'et haAshtarot ve'et Elohei Aram ve'et Elohei Tzidon ve'et Elohei Moav ve'et Elohei Bnei-Ammon ve'et Elohei Pelishtim vayaa'azvu et Yahveh velo avadu'hu.
'Vayosifu' means 'and they continued'; 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel'; 'la'asot hara' means 'to do evil'; 'be'enei' means 'in the eyes of'; 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH; 'vayaa'vdu' means 'and they served'; 'et haBaalim' means 'the Baals' (the deity Baal in plural); 've'et haAshtarot' means 'and the Ashtoreths' (the goddess Ashtoreth in plural); 've'et Elohei Aram' means 'and the Gods of Aram'; similarly 'Elohei Tzidon' = 'the Gods of Sidon', 'Elohei Moav' = 'the Gods of Moab', 'Elohei Bnei-Ammon' = 'the Gods of the children of Ammon', 'Elohei Pelishtim' = 'the Gods of the Philistines'; 'vayaa'azvu' means 'and they abandoned'; 'velo avadu'hu' means 'and they did not serve Him'.
[JDG.10.7] Yahveh's anger burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the children of Ammon. [§]
Vayichar af Yahveh beYisrael vayimk'rem beyad Philistim u'be yad b'nei Ammon.
'Vayichar' means 'and [He] was angry', 'af' means 'anger', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'beYisrael' means 'against Israel', 'vayimk'rem' means 'and [He] sold them', 'beyad' means 'into the hand of', 'Philistim' means 'the Philistines', 'u'be' means 'and into', 'yad' means 'hand', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Ammon' means 'Ammon'.
[JDG.10.8] They trembled and pursued the children of Israel in that year, the eighteenth year, all the children of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites which is in Gilead. [§]
vayir'atsu vayirotz'tsu et-b'nei Yisra'el ba'shana ha'hi shemoneh esreh shana et-kol b'nei Yisra'el asher be'ever ha'yarden be'eretz ha'emori asher ba'gila'ad.
'vayir'atsu' means 'they trembled', 'vayirotz'tsu' means 'they pursued', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'b'nei' means 'children of', 'Yisra'el' means 'Israel', 'ba'shana' means 'in the year', 'ha'hi' means 'that', 'shemoneh' means 'eight', 'esreh' means 'ten', together 'shemoneh esreh' means 'eighteen', 'shana' means 'year', 'et-kol' means 'all', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'be'ever' means 'across', 'ha'yarden' means 'the Jordan', 'be'eretz' means 'in the land', 'ha'emori' means 'of the Amorites', 'ba'gila'ad' means 'in Gilead'.
[JDG.10.9] And the children of Ammon crossed the Jordan to fight also in Judah and in Benjamin and in the house of Ephraim, and Israel was greatly troubled. [§]
va yaavru b'nei amon et hayarden lehilachem gam bi yehudah u'vebinyamin u'vebeit efraim ve'tetzer leYisrael meod.
'va' means 'and', 'yaavru' means 'they crossed', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'amon' means 'Ammon', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'hayarden' means 'the Jordan', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'gam' means 'also', 'bi' means 'in', 'yehudah' means 'Judah', 'u'' means 'and', 'binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'ubeit' means 'in the house of', 'efraim' means 'Ephraim', 've'' means 'and', 'tetzer' means 'was troubled', 'leYisrael' means 'to Israel', 'meod' means 'greatly'.
[JDG.10.10] And the children of Israel cried out to Yahveh, saying, 'We have sinned against you, and because we have abandoned our Gods, we have served the Baalim.' [§]
Vayizaku b'nei Yisrael el-Yahveh le'emor chata'nu lakh ve'chi azavnu et-Eloheinu ve'na'avod et-haba'alim.
'Vayizaku' means 'they cried out', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (YHVH translated as Yahveh), 'le'emor' means 'saying', 'chata'nu' means 'we have sinned', 'lakh' means 'against you', 've'chi' means 'and because', 'azavnu' means 'we have forsaken', 'et-Eloheinu' means 'our Gods' (Elohim translated as the Gods), 've'na'avod' means 'and we served', 'et-haba'alim' means 'the Baalim' (the Baal idols).
[JDG.10.11] And Yahveh said to the children of Israel, 'Is it not from Egypt and from the Amorite, and from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?' [§]
Vayomer Yahveh el-b'nei Yisrael halo mimitzrayim u-min ha'emori u-min b'nei Amon u-min pelishtim.
'Vayomer' means 'and (he) said', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'el' means 'to', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'halo' means 'is it not', 'mi' means 'from', 'Mitzrayim' means 'Egypt', 'u-min' means 'and from', 'ha'emori' means 'the Amorite', 'u-min' again 'and from', 'b'nei' again 'the children of', 'Amon' means 'Ammon', 'u-min' again 'and from', 'pelishtim' means 'the Philistines'.
[JDG.10.12] And the Sidonians and Amalek and Maon cut you, and you cried out to me, and I will save you from their hand. [§]
ve-tzidonim ve-amalek u-maon lakhatsu etchem ve-titzaku elai va-oshia etchem mi-yadam.
've-tzidonim' means 'and the Sidonians', 've-amalek' means 'and Amalek', 'u-maon' means 'and Maon', 'lakhatsu' means 'cut or divided', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)', 've-titzaku' means 'and you cried out', 'elai' means 'to me', 'va-oshia' means 'and I will save', 'mi-yadam' means 'from their hand'.
[JDG.10.13] And you have abandoned me and served other gods, therefore I will not add to save you. [§]
Veatem azavtem oti vataavdu elohim acherim lachen lo osif lehoshia etchem.
'Veatem' means 'and you (plural)', 'azavtem' means 'have abandoned', 'oti' means 'me', 'vataavdu' means 'and you served', 'elohim acherim' means 'other gods', 'lachen' means 'therefore', 'lo osif' means 'I will not add', 'lehoshia' means 'to save', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)'.
[JDG.10.14] Go and cry out to the Gods who you chose among them; they will save you in the time of your distress. [§]
Lechu veza'aku el haElohim asher bachartem bam hemmah yoshi'u lachem be'et tzartachem.
'Lechu' means 'Go', 'veza'aku' means 'and cry out', 'el' means 'to', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'asher' means 'who', 'bachartem' means 'you chose', 'bam' means 'among them', 'hemmah' means 'they', 'yoshi'u' means 'will save', 'lachem' means 'you (plural)', 'be'et' means 'in the time', 'tzartachem' means 'of your distress'.
[JDG.10.15] And the children of Israel said to Yahveh, we have sinned; do for us as is good in your eyes; only save us, please, this day. [§]
Vayomeru b'nei Yisrael el Yahveh chatanu aseh-atah lanu kechol hatov b'einecha ach hatzileinu na hayom hazeh.
"Vayomeru" means "and they said", "b'nei" means "the children (sons) of", "Yisrael" means "Israel", "el" means "to", "Yahveh" means "the LORD (YHVH)", "chatanu" means "we have sinned", "aseh-atah" means "do (it) you", "lanu" means "for us", "kechol" means "as much as", "hatov" means "the good", "b'einecha" means "in your eyes", "ach" means "only", "hatzileinu" means "save us", "na" means "please", "hayom" means "today", "hazeh" means "this".
[JDG.10.16] And they removed the foreign Gods from among them, and they served Yahveh, and his soul was shortened in the labor of Israel. [§]
vayyassiru et Elohei hanekar miqirbam vayavdu et Yahveh vatiktzar nafsho baamal Yisrael
'vayyassiru' means 'and they removed'; 'et' is a grammatical marker of the direct object and is not rendered in English; 'Elohei' means 'the Gods' (plural of God); 'hanekar' means 'the foreign' or 'the alien'; 'miqirbam' means 'from among them'; 'vayyavdu' means 'and they served'; 'et Yahveh' means 'the LORD Yahveh' (YHVH rendered as Yahveh); 'vatiktzar' means 'and (it) was shortened'; 'nafsho' means 'his soul'; 'baamal' means 'by the labor' or 'in the toil'; 'Yisrael' means 'of Israel'.
[JDG.10.17] And the children of Ammon shouted, and they camped at Gilgal; and the children of Israel gathered, and they camped in the hill country. [§]
vayyitza'aku b'nei Ammon vayachanu bagil'ad vayeasfu b'nei Yisrael vayachanu bammitspeh
'vayyitza'aku' means 'and they shouted' (vav-consecutive + past third‑person plural of *tzaket* 'cry out'), 'b'nei' means 'the children of' (b- + plural construct of *ben*), 'Ammon' is the name of the Ammonite nation, 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped' (vav-consecutive + *yachon* 'encamp'), 'bagil'ad' means 'at Gilgal' (b- + *gil'ad* the place name), 'vayeasfu' means 'and they gathered' (vav-consecutive + *asaf* 'gather'), 'Yisrael' is the name Israel, and the final 'bammitspeh' means 'in the hill country' (b- + *mitspeh* 'high place' or 'mountainous region').
[JDG.10.18] The people said, 'The leaders of Gilead, a man to his companion: Who is the man who will be willing to fight the children of Ammon? He will become chief over all the residents of Gilead.' [§]
Vayomeru ha'am sarei Gil'ad ish el-re'eihu mi ha'ish asher yachel lehilachem bibnei amon yihyeh lero'ash lekhol yoshevay Gil'ad.
'Vayomeru' means 'they said', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'sarei' means 'the leaders of', 'Gil'ad' is the region Gilead, 'ish' means 'a man', 'el-re'eihu' means 'to his companion/partner', 'mi' means 'who', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'yachel' means 'will be eager or willing', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bibnei' means 'against the children of', 'amon' means 'Ammon', 'yihyeh' means 'will be', 'lerosh' means 'as a head/chief', 'lekhol' means 'over all', 'yoshevay' means 'the inhabitants/residents', 'Gil'ad' again the region.
JDG.11
[JDG.11.1] And Jiphthah the Gileadian was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a prostitute woman; and Gilead gave birth to Jiphthah. [§]
ve-yiptach ha-giladi hayah gibbor chayil ve-hu ben-isha zonah va-yoled gilad et-yiptach.
've-yiptach' means 'and Jiphthah', 'ha-giladi' means 'the Gileadian', 'hayah' means 'was', 'gibbor' means 'mighty' or 'man of valor', 'chayil' means 'strength' (here 'of valor'), 've-hu' means 'and he', 'ben-isha' means 'son of a woman', 'zonah' means 'prostitute', 'va-yoled' means 'and gave birth', 'gilad' means 'Gilead' (the region), 'et-yiptach' is the direct‑object marker plus the name Jiphthah.
[JDG.11.2] And the wife of Gilad bore him sons, and the sons of the woman grew up, and they expelled Yiftach, and they said to him, 'You shall not inherit in the house of our father because you are a son of another woman.' [§]
vateled eshet-gilad lo banim vayigedlu benei-haisa vaygorshu et-yiftach vayomru lo lo-tinhal bveit-avinu ki ben-isha acheret atah.
'vateled' means 'and she bore', 'eshet-gilad' means 'the wife of Gilad', 'lo' means 'to him', 'banim' means 'sons', 'vayigedlu' means 'and they grew up', 'benei-haisa' means 'the sons of the woman', 'vaygorshu' means 'they expelled', 'et-yiftach' means 'Yiftach (proper name)', 'vayomru' means 'they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'lo-tinhal' means 'you shall not inherit', 'bveit-avinu' means 'in the house of our father', 'ki' means 'because', 'ben-isha' means 'son of a woman', 'acheret' means 'another', 'atah' means 'you are'.
[JDG.11.3] And Yiftach fled from his brothers, and he settled in a good land, and childless men gathered to Yiftach, and they went out with him. [§]
Vayivrach Yiftach mipnei achav vayeshav be'eretz tov vayitlakteu el Yiftach anashim reikim vayetzu immo.
'Vayivrach' means 'and he fled', 'Yiftach' is a personal name, 'mipnei' means 'from before' i.e., 'in front of' or 'away from', 'achav' means 'his brothers', 'vayeshav' means 'and he settled', 'be'eretz' means 'in the land', 'tov' means 'good', 'vayitlakteu' means 'and they gathered', 'el' means 'to' or 'toward', 'Yiftach' again the name, 'anashim' means 'men', 'reikim' means 'without children' or 'childless', 'vayetzu' means 'and they went out', 'immo' means 'with him'.
[JDG.11.4] And it happened in the days, and the children of Ammon fought with Israel. [§]
Vayehi miyamim vayillachamu bnei-amon im Yisrael.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was' or 'and it happened', 'miyamim' means 'in the days', 'vayillachamu' means 'and they fought', 'bnei-amon' means 'the children/sons of Ammon', 'im' means 'with', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
[JDG.11.5] And it came to pass when the children of Ammon fought with Israel, the elders of Gilead went to take Yiftach from the good land. [§]
vayehi kaasher-nilchamu b'nei-amon im-yisrael vayelchu zichnei gil'ad lakachat et-yiftach me'eretz tov
'vayehi' means 'and it came to pass', 'kaasher-nilchamu' means 'when they fought', 'b'nei-amon' means 'the children of Ammon', 'im-yisrael' means 'with Israel', 'vayelchu' means 'and they went', 'zichnei' means 'the elders', 'gil'ad' means 'of Gilead', 'lakachat' means 'to take', 'et-yiftach' means 'Yiftach (a town)', 'me'eretz' means 'from the land', 'tov' means 'good'.
[JDG.11.6] And they said to Iftah, 'Come, and be for us a commander, and we will fight the children of Ammon.' [§]
Vayomeru leYiftach lekha vehayita lanu lekatsin venilachma bibnei Ammon.
'Vayomeru' means 'And they said', 'leYiftach' means 'to Iftah', 'lekha' means 'Come', 'vehayita' means 'and you will become', 'lanu' means 'for us', 'lekatsin' means 'as a commander', 'venilachma' means 'and we will fight', 'bibnei' means 'against the children of', 'Ammon' is the name of a nation.
[JDG.11.7] And he said to the elders of Gilad, 'Is it not that you hate me and have driven me out of my father's house, and why have you now come to me as if it were a pressure upon you?' [§]
Vayomer Yiftach leziknei Gilad halo atem seneatem oti vategashuni mibbeit avi umaduah batem elai atah keasher tzar lakhem.
'Vayomer' means 'And he said', 'Yiftach' is the name Yiftach, 'leziknei' means 'to the elders of', 'Gilad' is the place name Gilad, 'halo' means 'is it not', 'atem' means 'you (plural)', 'seneatem' means 'hate', 'oti' means 'me', 'vategashuni' means 'and you have driven me out', 'mibbeit' means 'from the house of', 'avi' means 'my father', 'umaduah' means 'and why', 'batem' means 'have you come', 'elai' means 'to me', 'atah' means 'now', 'keasher' means 'as', 'tzar' means 'tight' or 'pressing', 'lakhem' means 'upon you'.
[JDG.11.8] And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Therefore now return to us and go with us and fight the sons of Ammon, and you shall be for us a leader over all the inhabitants of Gilead. [§]
Vayomru ziknei Gil'ad el-Yiftach lachen atah shavnu elekha vehalakhta imanu venilchat ba'bnei Ammon vehayita lanu lerosh lekhol yoshevei Gil'ad.
'Vayomru' means 'And they said', 'ziknei' means 'the elders', 'Gil'ad' is the region 'Gilead', 'el-Yiftach' means 'to Jephthah', 'lachen' means 'therefore', 'atah' means 'now', 'shavnu' means 'return (to us)', 'elekha' means 'to you', 'vehalakhta' means 'and you will go', 'imanu' means 'with us', 'venilchat' means 'and you will fight', 'ba'bnei' means 'against the sons of', 'Ammon' is the nation 'Ammon', 'vehayita' means 'and you shall be', 'lanu' means 'for us', 'lerosh' means 'as a leader/head', 'lekhol' means 'over all', 'yoshevei' means 'the inhabitants/residents', 'Gil'ad' again means 'Gilead'.
[JDG.11.9] And said Iftach to the elders of Gilead, 'If you turn me back to fight the sons of Ammon, and Yahveh will give them before me, I will be to you as a head.' [§]
Vayomer Iftach el zeqnei Gilad im meshivim attem oti lehilachem bivnei Ammon venatan Yahveh otam lefanai anochi ehiyeh lachem lerosh.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Iftach' is a personal name meaning 'opened', 'el' means 'to', 'zeqnei' means 'the elders', 'Gilad' is the place name 'Gilead', 'im' means 'if', 'meshivim' means 'you turn back', 'attem' means 'you (plural)', 'oti' means 'me', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bivnei' means 'against the sons of', 'Ammon' is the nation 'Ammon', 've' means 'and', 'natan' means 'will give', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'otam' means 'them', 'lefanai' means 'before me', 'anochi' means 'I', 'ehiyeh' means 'will be', 'lachem' means 'to you', 'lerosh' means 'as a head (leader)'.
[JDG.11.10] The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, Yahveh will hear our prayers; if not according to your word, then we will do it. [§]
Vayomru Ziknei Gilad el Yiftach Yahveh yiheye shomea beineinu im lo kidvarecha ken naaseh.
'Vayomru' means 'they said', 'Ziknei' means 'elders of', 'Gilad' is the region name Gilad, 'el' means 'to', 'Yiftach' is the personal name Jephthah, 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'yiheye' means 'will be', 'shomea' means 'listening' or 'hearing', 'beineinu' means 'our prayers' or 'our pleas', 'im lo' means 'if not', 'kidvarecha' means 'according to your word', 'ken' means 'then', 'naaseh' means 'we will do it'.
[JDG.11.11] And Yiftach went with the elders of Gilead, and they placed the people upon him as a head and as an end, and Yiftach spoke all his words before Yahveh at the watchtower. [§]
Vayeylekh Yiftach im ziknei Gilaad vayassimu haam oto aleihem le-rosh u-le-katzin vayedaber Yiftach et kol devarav lifnei Yahveh bamitzpah.
'Vayeylekh' means 'and he went', 'Yiftach' is the personal name 'Yiftach', 'im' means 'with', 'ziknei' means 'the elders', 'Gilaad' is the region 'Gilead', 'vayassimu' means 'they placed', 'haam' means 'the people', 'oto' means 'upon him', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'le-rosh' means 'as a head', 'u-le-katzin' means 'and as an end', 'vayedaber' means 'and he spoke', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'devarav' means 'his words', 'lifnei' means 'before', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, and 'bamitzpah' means 'at the watchtower' (a place name).
[JDG.11.12] And he sent Yiftach messengers to the king of the children of Ammon, saying, "What is it to me and to you, that you have come against me to fight in my land?" [§]
Vayishlach Yiftach malachim el melekh Bnei Ammon le'emor ma-li va-lach ki-va'ata elai le-hilachem be-artsi.
'Vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'Yiftach' is a personal name, 'malachim' means 'messengers', 'el' means 'to', 'melekh' means 'king', 'Bnei' means 'children of', 'Ammon' is the name of the people, 'le'emor' means 'saying', 'ma-li' means 'what to me', 'va-lach' means 'and to you', 'ki' means 'that/because', 'va'ata' means 'you have come', 'elai' means 'against me', 'le-hilachem' means 'to fight', 'be-artsi' means 'in my land'.
[JDG.11.13] And the king of the children of Ammon said to the angels of Yiftach, because Israel has taken my land in its uplands from Egypt, from Arnon to the Yabbok and to the Jordan, now return them in peace. [§]
vayomer melekh b'nei-amon el-mala'khei Yiftach ki-lakah Yisrael et-artzi ba'aloto miMitsrayim me'Arnon ve'ad hayyabbok ve'ad hayarden ve'atah hashivah ethen be-shalom.
'vayomer' means 'and said', 'melech' means 'king', 'b'nei-amon' means 'of the children of Ammon', 'el' means 'to', 'mala'khei' means 'the angels of', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'ki' means 'because', 'lakah' means 'has taken', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'et-artzi' means 'my land', 'ba'aloto' means 'in its elevations', 'miMitsrayim' means 'from Egypt', 'me'Arnon' means 'from Arnon', 've'ad' means 'and to', 'hayyabbok' means 'the Yabbok (a river)', 've'ad' means 'and to', 'hayarden' means 'the Jordan', 've'atah' means 'and now', 'hashivah' means 'return', 'ethen' means 'them', 'be-shalom' means 'in peace'.
[JDG.11.14] And he again opened and sent messengers to the king of the children of Ammon. [§]
vayosef od yiftach vayishlach malachim el melekh bnei amon.
'vayosef' means 'and he added/continued', 'od' means 'again' or 'still', 'yiftach' means 'he opens' or 'he opened', 'vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'malachim' means 'messengers' or 'angels', 'el' means 'to', 'melekh' means 'king', 'bnei' means 'sons of' or 'children of', 'amon' is the name of the nation Ammon.
[JDG.11.15] And he said to him, 'Thus says Yiftach: Israel has not taken the land of Moab nor the land of the children of Ammon.' [§]
Vayomer lo, koh amar Yiftach, lo-lakach Yisrael et eretz Moav v'et eretz Bnei Ammon.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'koh' means 'thus', 'amar' means 'said', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'lo-lakach' means 'has not taken', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'eretz' means 'land', 'Moav' is the nation of Moab, 'v''et' means 'and the', another 'eretz' means 'land', 'Bnei' means 'children of', and 'Ammon' is the nation of Ammon.
[JDG.11.16] Because their ascent from Egypt, Israel went in the desert to the Sea of Reeds and came to Kadesh. [§]
Ki ba'alotam mi-Mitzrayim va-yelek Yisrael ba-midbar ad yam-suf va-yavo Qadeshah.
'Ki' means 'because', 'ba'alotam' means 'their ascent' or 'going up', 'mi-Mitzrayim' means 'from Egypt', 'va-yelek' means 'and went', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ba-midbar' means 'in the desert', 'ad' means 'to', 'yam-suf' means 'the Sea of Reeds', 'va-yavo' means 'and came', 'Qadeshah' is the place name Kadesh.
[JDG.11.17] Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Let me pass through your land.' The king of Edom did not listen, and also to the king of Moab he sent [messengers] and he would not allow it. Israel dwelt in Kadesh. [§]
Vayishlach Yisrael malachim el-Melekh Edom le'emor eevrah-na be'artzecha velo shama Melekh Edom vegam el-Melekh Moav shalach velo avah vayyeshev Yisrael beQadesh.
'Vayishlach' means 'and sent', 'Yisrael' is the name Israel, 'malachim' means 'messengers', 'el-Melekh' means 'to king', 'Edom' is the name of the nation Edom, 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'eevrah-na' means 'let me pass, please', 'be'artzecha' means 'in your land', 'velo' means 'and not', 'shama' means 'he listened/heard', 'Melekh' means 'king', 'vegam' means 'also', 'Moav' is the name Moab, 'shalach' means 'sent', 'avah' means 'he allowed/consented', 'vayyeshev' means 'and dwelt', 'beQadesh' means 'in Kadesh'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special translation rules are applied.
[JDG.11.18] And he went in the desert and turned around the land of Edom and the land of Moab; he came from the east of the sun to the land of Moab and camped beyond the Arnon, and they did not go into the border of Moab because the Arnon is the border of Moab. [§]
Vayelekh ba-midbar vayyasav et eretz Edom ve-et eretz Moav vayavo mimizrach shemesh le-eretz Moav vayachanon be-ever Arnon ve-lo-vo bigvul Moav ki Arnon gvul Moav.
'Vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'ba-midbar' means 'in the desert', 'vayyasar' means 'and he turned around', 'et eretz Edom' means 'the land of Edom', 've-et eretz Moav' means 'and the land of Moab', 'vayavo' means 'he came', 'mimizrach shemesh' means 'from the east of the sun', 'le-eretz Moav' means 'to the land of Moab', 'vayachanon' means 'and he camped', 'be-ever Arnon' means 'beyond the Arnon', 've-lo-vo' means 'and they did not go', 'bigvul Moav' means 'into the border of Moab', 'ki' means 'because', 'Arnon gvul Moav' means 'the Arnon is the border of Moab'.
[JDG.11.19] And Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon, and he said to him, Israel, let us cross, please, through your land to my place. [§]
Vayishlach Yisrael malachim el Sihon melech haAmori melech Cheshbon vayomer lo Yisrael naavrah na beartzecha ad makomi.
'Vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'malachim' means 'messengers', 'el' means 'to', 'Sihon' is the name of a king, 'melech' means 'king', 'haAmori' means 'the Amorite', the second 'melech' again means 'king', 'Cheshbon' is a place name, 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', the second 'Yisrael' repeats the name 'Israel', 'naavrah na' means 'let us cross, please', 'beartzecha' means 'in your land', 'ad' means 'to' or 'until', and 'makomi' means 'my place' or 'my settlement'.
[JDG.11.20] And Sihon would not trust Israel to pass through his border; and Sihon gathered all his people, and they camped at Biyahtsa, and fought with Israel. [§]
ve lo heemin Sihon et Israel avor bigbalo vayyesof Sihon et kol amo vayachanu biyahtsa vayilachem im Israel.
've lo' means 'and not', 'heemin' means 'did not trust', 'Sihon' is the name of the king, 'et' is the object marker, 'Israel' means the people of Israel, 'avor' means 'to pass', 'bigbalo' means 'through his border', 'vayyesof' means 'and he gathered', 'kol' means 'all', 'amo' means 'his people', 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'biyahtsa' is the place name (transliterated as Biyahtsa), 'vayilachem' means 'and he fought', 'im' means 'with'.
[JDG.11.21] And Yahveh, the Gods of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they struck them down, and Israel inherited all the land of the Amorite who dwelt in that region. [§]
Vayiten Yahveh Elohei-Yisrael et Sihon ve-et kol ammo be-yad Yisrael vayakum vayirash Yisrael et kol eretz ha-Emori yoshev ha-aretz ha-hiya.
'Vayiten' means 'and gave', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'Elohei-Yisrael' means 'the Gods of Israel' (Elohim = the Gods), 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'Sihon' is the name of the Amorite king, 've-et' means 'and', 'kol' means 'all', 'ammo' means 'his people', 'be-yad' means 'into the hand of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayakum' means 'and they struck them down', 'vayirash' means 'and inherited', 'kol eretz' means 'all the land', 'ha-Emori' means 'the Amorite', 'yoshev' means 'dwelling', 'ha-aretz' means 'the land', 'ha-hiya' means 'that region'.
[JDG.11.22] And they possessed the whole region of the Amorite, from Arnon to the Yabbok, and from the desert to the Jordan. [§]
Vay-yirshoo et kol-gebul ha-Emori me-Arnon ve-ad ha-Yabbok u-min ha-middbar ve-ad ha-Yarden.
'Vay-yirshoo' means 'and they possessed/inherited', 'et' is the direct‑object marker (often left untranslated), 'kol-gebul' means 'the whole border or region', 'ha-Emori' means 'the Amorite', 'me-Arnon' means 'from Arnon', 've-ad ha-Yabbok' means 'and up to the Yabbok (river)', 'u-min ha-middbar' means 'and from the desert', 've-ad ha-Yarden' means 'and up to the Jordan (river)'.
[JDG.11.23] And now Yahveh God of Israel drives out the Amorite before his people Israel, and you will drive it out. [§]
ve'attah Yahveh Elohei Yisrael horish et haEmori mipnei ammo Yisrael ve'attah tirashennu.
've'attah' means 'and now', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of the divine name YHVH, 'Elohei' means 'God of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'horish' means 'drives out', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'haEmori' means 'the Amorite', 'mipnei' means 'before', 'ammo' means 'his people', the second 'Yisrael' repeats 'Israel', 've'attah' means 'and you', and 'tirashennu' means 'will drive it out'.
[JDG.11.24] Is not that which will drive you out like plunder, your God, you shall inherit it; and all that Yahveh our God drives out from before us, we shall inherit it. [§]
halo et asher yorizshkha kemosh Elohekha oto tirash ve'et kol asher horish Yahveh Eloheinu mipaneinu oto nirash.
'halo' means 'is not', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'asher' means 'that which', 'yorizshkha' means 'will drive you out', 'kemosh' means 'as plunder', 'Elohekha' means 'your God', 'oto' means 'it/him', 'tirash' means 'you will inherit', 've'et' means 'and the', 'kol asher' means 'all that', 'horish' means 'drives out', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'Eloheinu' means 'our God', 'mipaneinu' means 'before us', 'nirash' means 'will be inherited'.
[JDG.11.25] Now, why are you so good, you, son of Balak, son of Zippor, king of Moab? There are many, many with Israel; if they fight, they fight them. [§]
veatah ha-tov tov attah miBalak ben-Tzippor melekh Moav ha-rov rav im-Yisrael im nilchom nilcham bam.
'veatah' means 'now' (conjunction ve- plus atta meaning 'you' but here as adverbial 'now'), 'ha-tov' means 'the good', 'tov' means 'good', 'attah' means 'you', 'miBalak' means 'from Balak' (Balak being a personal name), 'ben-Tzippor' means 'son of Zippor', 'melekh' means 'king', 'Moav' means 'Moab', 'ha-rov' means 'the many', 'rav' means 'many', 'im-Yisrael' means 'with Israel', 'im' means 'if', 'nilchom' means 'he/they fight', 'nilcham' means 'they fight them', 'bam' means 'against them'.
[JDG.11.26] When Israel dwelt in Chesbon and in its buildings, and in Aror and in its buildings, and in all the cities that were by the hand of Arnon, three hundred years, why did you not save them at that time. [§]
Be'shevet Yisrael be'chesbon u'vebnoteyha u've'aror u'vebnoteyha u've'khol he'arim asher al yedei Arnon shlosh me'ot shanah u'madu'a lo hitzaltem ba'et ha'hi.
'Be'shevet' means 'in the settlement/ dwelling', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'be'chesbon' means 'in Chesbon', 'u'vebnoteyha' means 'and in its buildings/ dwellings', 'u've'aror' means 'and in Aror', the second 'u'vebnoteyha' repeats 'and in its buildings', 'u've'khol he'arim' means 'and in all the cities', 'asher' means 'that', 'al yedei' means 'by the hand of', 'Arnon' is a proper place name, 'shlosh' means 'three', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', together 'shlosh me'ot' means 'three hundred', 'shanah' means 'year', 'u'madu'a' means 'and why', 'lo hitzaltem' means 'you did not save', 'ba'et' means 'at the time', 'ha'hi' means 'that'.
[JDG.11.27] And I have not sinned against you, and you do evil with me to fight against me; Yahveh the judge will judge today between the sons of Israel and between the sons of Ammon. [§]
Ve anokhi lo chata'ti lakh ve atah oseh itti ra'ah lehilachem bi yishpot Yahveh hashofet hayom bein b'nei Yisrael uvein b'nei Ammon.
'Ve' means 'and', 'anokhi' means 'I', 'lo' means 'not', 'chata\'ti' means 'have sinned', 'lakh' means 'against you', 've' means 'and', 'atah' means 'you', 'oseh' means 'do' or 'make', 'itti' means 'with me', 'ra\'ah' means 'evil', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bi' means 'against me', 'yishpot' means 'will judge', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'hashofet' means 'the judge', 'hayom' means 'today', 'bein' means 'between', 'b\'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'uvein' means 'and between', 'b\'nei' again means 'the sons of', and 'Ammon' means 'Ammon'.
[JDG.11.28] And the king of the children of Ammon did not listen to the words of Yiftach which he sent to him. [§]
ve lo shama melech b'nei amon el-divrei Yiftach asher shalach elav.
've' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'shama' means 'hear' or 'listen', 'melech' means 'king', 'b'nei' means 'of the children', 'amon' means 'Ammon', 'el' means 'to' (here introducing the object of listening), 'divrei' means 'the words of', 'Yiftach' is a personal name, 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'shalach' means 'sent', 'elav' means 'to him'.
[JDG.11.29] And it was at Yiftach that the spirit of Yahveh was, and he passed the Gilead and Manasseh, and he passed the north of Gilead, and from the north of Gilead the children of Ammon passed. [§]
Vattehi al-Yiftach ruach Yahveh vayya'avor et-hagil'ad ve-et-Menashe vayya'avor et-mitzpeh Gil'ad u-mimmitzpeh Gil'ad avar b'nei Ammon.
'Vattehi' means 'and it was', 'al' means 'at' or 'upon', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'ruach' means 'spirit', 'Yahveh' is the name of God, 'vayya'avor' means 'and he passed', 'et' is a grammatical marker for the direct object, 'hagil'ad' means 'the Gilead', 've-et' means 'and', 'Menashe' is a proper name (Manasseh), 'et-mitzpeh' means 'the north', 'Gil'ad' again 'Gilead', 'u-mimmitzpeh' means 'and from the north', 'avar' means 'passed', 'b'nei' means 'the children of' or 'the sons of', 'Ammon' is a proper name (Ammon).
[JDG.11.30] And Yiftach took a vow to Yahveh and said, 'If you will give the sons of Ammon into my hand.' [§]
vayyiddar yiftach neder laYahveh vayomar im-naton titen et-bnei Amon beyadi.
'vayyiddar' means 'he took an oath', 'yiftach' is a proper name meaning 'he opens', 'neder' means 'vow', 'laYahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'vayomar' means 'and he said', 'im-naton' means 'if you will give', 'titen' means 'you will give', 'et-bnei' means 'the sons of', 'Amon' means 'Ammon', 'beyadi' means 'into my hand'.
[JDG.11.31] And it shall be that the one who goes out, who goes out from the doorways of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall be for Yahveh, and you shall bring him up as a burnt offering. [§]
Ve-hayah ha-yotse asher yetzes mi-daltey beiti likrati be-shuvi be-shalom mi-b'nei Ammon ve-hayah la-Yahveh ve-ha'alitihoo ola.
'Ve' means 'and', 'hayah' means 'it shall be', 'ha-yotse' means 'the one who goes out', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'yetzes' means 'will go out', 'mi-daltey' means 'from the doorways', 'beiti' means 'of my house', 'likrati' means 'to meet me', 'be-shuvi' means 'when I return', 'be-shalom' means 'in peace', 'mi-b'nei' means 'from the children of', 'Ammon' is the name of the people, 've-hayah' again means 'and it shall be', 'la-Yahveh' means 'for Yahveh' (YHVH translated as Yahveh), 've-ha'alitihoo' means 'and you shall bring him up', 'ola' means 'as a burnt offering'.
[JDG.11.32] And Yiftach passed to the sons of Ammon to fight them, and Yahveh gave them into his hand. [§]
vayyavor Yiftach el b'nei Ammon lehilachem bam vayittenem Yahveh be-yado.
'vayyavor' means 'and he passed', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'el' means 'to', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Ammon' is the name of a people, 'lehilachem' means 'to fight' or 'to war', 'bam' means 'against them', 'vayittenem' means 'and gave them', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHWH as instructed, 'be-yado' means 'into his hand'.
[JDG.11.33] And he struck them from the mound, and until the entrance of the twenty city and until the wastelands of the vineyards, a great and very severe blow; and the children of Ammon humbled themselves before the children of Israel. [§]
Vayakkeim me'aroer ve'ad boacha min nit esrim ir ve'ad avol kermim makka gedolah meod vayikkanu b'nei amon mipenei b'nei Yisrael.
'Vayakkeim' means 'and he struck'; 'me'aroer' means 'from the mound'; 've'ad' means 'and until'; 'boacha' means 'the entering' (of); 'min nit' means 'from the number of'; 'esrim' means 'twenty'; 'ir' means 'city'; 've'ad' again 'and until'; 'avol' means 'waste' or 'desolation'; 'kermim' means 'vineyards'; 'makka' means 'blow' or 'strike'; 'gedolah' means 'great'; 'meod' means 'very'; 'vayikkanu' means 'and they humbled themselves'; 'b'nei Ammon' means 'the children of Ammon'; 'mipenei' means 'before'; 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel'.
[JDG.11.34] And Yiftach the watchman went to his house, and behold his daughter went out to meet him in turbans and in mourning, and she alone was a virgin; there was no son or daughter for him among us. [§]
Vayavo Yiftach ha-mitzpah el-beitó ve-hineh bito yotset likra'to betupim uvimcholot ve-rak hi yakhida ein-lo mimenu ben o bat.
'Vayavo' means 'and he went', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'ha-mitzpah' means 'the watchman', 'el-beitó' means 'to his house', 've-hineh' means 'and behold', 'bito' means 'his daughter', 'yotset' means 'went out', 'likra'to' means 'to meet him', 'betupim' means 'in turbans', 'uvimcholot' means 'in mourning', 've-rak' means 'and only', 'hi' means 'she', 'yakhida' means 'was a virgin/only', 'ein-lo' means 'there was no for him', 'mimenu' means 'among us', 'ben' means 'son', 'o' means 'or', 'bat' means 'daughter'.
[JDG.11.35] And it was, when he saw her, he tore his garment and said, "Ah, my daughter, the tearing has torn me; and you were in my loins; and I have opened my mouth to Yahveh, and I cannot return." [§]
Vayehi ki-ro'oto otah vayikra et-begadav vayomer ahah biti hakre'a hikr'atani ve'at hayit be'ochrai ve-anokhi patsiti-pi el Yahveh velo ukhal lashuv.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'ki-ro'oto' means 'when he saw her', 'otah' means 'her', 'vayikra' means 'and he tore', 'et-begadav' means 'his garment', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ahah' is an exclamation like 'ah', 'biti' means 'my daughter', 'hakre'a' means 'the tearing', 'hikr'atani' means 'you have torn me', 've'at' means 'and you', 'hayit' means 'were', 'be'ochrai' means 'in my loins', 've-anokhi' means 'and I', 'patsiti-pi' means 'I have opened my mouth', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH, 'velo' means 'not', 'ukhal' means 'I can', 'lashuv' means 'to return'.
[JDG.11.36] And she said to him, My father, you have broken your mouth to Yahveh; do for me as what goes out of your mouth after what Yahveh has done for you, vengeance from your enemies, from the sons of Ammon. [§]
vatomer elav avi patzita et picha el Yahveh ase li ka'asher yatza mipicha acharei asher asah lekha Yahveh nekhamot meoyvecha mibnei Amon.
'vatomer' means 'and said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'avi' means 'my father', 'patzita' means 'you have broken', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'picha' means 'your mouth', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'ase' means 'do', 'li' means 'for me', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'yatza' means 'go out', 'mipicha' means 'from your mouth', 'acharei' means 'after', 'asher' means 'that which', 'asah' means 'has done', 'lekha' means 'to you', 'nekhamot' means 'revenge' or 'vengeance', 'meoyvecha' means 'from your enemies', 'mibnei' means 'from the sons of', 'Amon' is the name of a people.
[JDG.11.37] And she said to her father, Let this thing be done for me; let it be postponed from me for two months, and I will go down to the mountains and I will weep over my virginity, I and my companions. [§]
vatomer el-avih yesa li ha-davar hazeh harpeh mimeni shnayim chadashim ve'elcha ve-yaradti al-heharim ve-evkeh al-betulai anokhi ve-re'otai.
'vatomer' means 'and she said', 'el-avih' means 'to her father', 'yesa' means 'let it be done', 'li' means 'for me', 'ha-davar' means 'the thing', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'harpeh' means 'let it be postponed' or 'relaxed', 'mimeni' means 'from me', 'shnayim' means 'two', 'chadashim' means 'months', 've'elcha' means 'and I will go', 've-yaradti' means 'and I will descend', 'al-heharim' means 'upon the mountains', 've-evkeh' means 'and I will weep', 'al-betulai' means 'over my virginity', 'anokhi' means 'I', 've-re'otai' means 'and my companions'.
[JDG.11.38] And he said, Go; and he sent her two months, and she went, she and her companions, and she wept over her virgins on the mountains. [§]
Vayomer lechi vayishlach otah shnei chadashim vatelekh hi vere'oteha vatevek al-betuleha al-heharim.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Lechi' means 'go' (feminine imperative), 'Vayishlach' means 'and he sent', 'Otah' means 'her/it (feminine object)', 'Shnei' means 'two', 'Chadashim' means 'months', 'Vatelekh' means 'and she went', 'Hi' means 'she', 'Vere'oteha' means 'and her companions', 'Vatevek' means 'and she wept', 'Al-betuleha' means 'over her virgins', 'Al-heharim' means 'upon the mountains'.
[JDG.11.39] It happened at the end of two months, and she returned to her father; and he made for her the vow she had vowed, and she had not known a man, and it became a statute in Israel. [§]
Vayhi miketz shenayim chodeshim veTashav el avihah vayyaas lah et nidro asher nadar vehi lo yadaa ish veTehi chok beYisrael.
'Vayhi' means 'and it happened', 'miketz' means 'at the end', 'shenayim' means 'two', 'chodeshim' means 'months', 'veTashav' means 'and she returned', 'el' means 'to', 'avihah' means 'her father', 'vayyaas' means 'and he made', 'lah' means 'for her', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'nidro' means 'her vow', 'asher' means 'that', 'nadar' means 'she vowed', 'vehi' means 'and she', 'lo' means 'not', 'yadaa' means 'knew', 'ish' means 'a man', 'veTehi' means 'and it became', 'chok' means 'a statute/law', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel'.
[JDG.11.40] From days to days the daughters of Israel will go to the festival of the daughter Yiftach the Gileadite for four days in the year. [§]
Mi yamim yamimah telakhna benot Yisrael letannot levat Yiftach ha Gileadi arbaat yamim bashanah.
'Mi' means 'from', 'yamim' means 'days', the second 'yamimah' means 'days (plural, emphatic)', 'telakhna' means 'they will go', 'benot' means 'daughters', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'letannot' means 'to the festival (or to the appointed time)', 'levat' means 'of the daughter', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'ha' means 'the', 'Gileadi' means 'Gileadite', 'arbaat' means 'four', 'yamim' means 'days', 'bashanah' means 'in the year'.
JDG.12
[JDG.12.1] And a man of Ephraim cried out, and he went north, and they said to Yiftach, 'Why have you gone to fight the sons of Ammon, and have not called us to go with you? Your house is burning on you with fire.' [§]
Vayits'aek ish Ephraim vayya'avor Tzafona vayomeru leYiftach madua avarta lehilachem bibnei Ammon veloanu lo karata lalekhet immach beitecha nisrof aleicha ba'esh.
'Vayits'aek' means 'and (he) cried out', 'ish' means 'man', 'Ephraim' is a tribal name, 'vayya'avor' means 'and (he) passed', 'Tzafona' means 'north', 'vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'leYiftach' means 'to Yiftach', 'madua' means 'why', 'avarta' means 'you passed', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bibnei' means 'against the sons of', 'Ammon' is the nation Ammon, 'veloanu' means 'and not for us', 'lo' means 'not', 'karata' means 'you called', 'lalekhet' means 'to go', 'immach' means 'with you', 'beitecha' means 'your house', 'nisrof' means 'is burning', 'aleicha' means 'upon you', 'ba'esh' means 'with fire'.
[JDG.12.2] And Yiftach said to them, 'I was a man of great strife—myself, my people, and the children of Ammon—very much.' Then I called out to you, and you did not save me from their hand. [§]
Va-yomer Yiftach aleihem ish rib hayiti ani ve-ami u-bnei-Amon meod va-ezaq etchem ve-lo hoshattem oti mi-yadam.
'Va-yomer' means 'and he said', 'Yiftach' is a personal name meaning 'open', 'aleihem' means 'to them', 'ish' means 'man', 'rib' means 'contention' or 'strife', 'hayiti' means 'I was', 'ani' means 'I', 've-ami' means 'and my people', 'u-bnei-Amon' means 'and the children of Ammon', 'meod' means 'very' or 'greatly', 'va-ezaq' means 'and I cried out' or 'shouted', 'etchem' means 'to you (plural)', 've-lo' means 'and not', 'hoshattem' means 'you saved' or 'rescued', 'oti' means 'me', 'mi-yadam' means 'from their hand'.
[JDG.12.3] And I saw that you are not a savior and I placed my soul in my palm and I crossed to the children of Ammon and Yahveh gave them into my hand, and why did you come to me this day to fight against me. [§]
va'er'eh ki ein'cha moshia va'ashima nafshi bechappi va'ev'rah el-benei amon vayittenem Yahveh beyadi velamah alitem elai hayom hazeh lehilachem bi
'va'er'eh' means 'and I saw', 'ki' means 'that', 'ein'cha' means 'you are not', 'moshia' means 'savior', 'va'ashima' means 'and I placed', 'nafshi' means 'my soul', 'bechappi' means 'in my palm', 'va'ev'rah' means 'and I crossed', 'el-benei' means 'to the children of', 'amon' means 'Ammon', 'vayittenem' means 'Yahveh gave them', 'Yahveh' is the divine name rendered as Yahveh, 'beyadi' means 'in my hand', 'velamah' means 'and why', 'alitem' means 'did you come', 'elai' means 'to me', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'lehilachem' means 'to fight', 'bi' means 'against me'.
[JDG.12.4] And Yiftach gathered all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim, and the men of Gilead struck Ephraim because they said, 'The fugitives of Ephraim are you, Gilead, within Ephraim, within Manasseh.' [§]
vayikbets Yiftach et kol anshei Gilad vayilachem et Ephraim vayyakku anshei Gilad et Ephraim ki amru pellitei Ephraim atem Gilad betoch Ephraim betoch Menashe.
'vayikbets' means 'and gathered', 'Yiftach' is a proper name, 'et' is the direct object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'Gilad' is a place name, 'vayilachem' means 'and fought', 'Ephraim' is a tribe name, 'vayyakku' means 'and struck', 'ki' means 'because', 'amru' means 'they said', 'pellitei' means 'fugitives of', 'atem' means 'you (plural)', 'betoch' means 'within', 'Menashe' is another tribe name.
[JDG.12.5] And Gilead went to the fords of the Jordan toward Ephraim, and it shall be when they will say, 'the fugitives of Ephraim, I will cross,' and they said to him, 'Men of Gilead, the Ephraimite, you?' And he said, 'No.' [§]
vayilkod Gilad et-ma'avrot hayarden le-ephrayim vehayah ki yomru pleitei ephrayim e'evorah vayomru lo anshei Gilad haeprati attah vayomer lo.
'vayilkod' means 'and (he) went', 'Gilad' is the place name Gilead, 'et-ma'avrot' means 'the fords', 'hayarden' means 'the Jordan', 'le-ephrayim' means 'to Ephraim', 'vehayah' means 'and it shall be', 'ki' means 'when', 'yomru' means 'they will say', 'pleitei' means 'the fugitives of', 'ephrayim' is the tribe Ephraim, 'e'evorah' means 'I will cross', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'Gilad' again Gilead, 'haeprati' means 'the Ephraimite', 'attah' means 'you', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'no'.
[JDG.12.6] And they said to him, "Please say Shibolet." And he said, "Sibolet," and he would not prepare to speak thus; and they seized him and killed him to the crossing places of the Jordan, and he fell at that time from Ephraim forty and two thousand. [§]
vayomru lo emar-na shibolet vayomer sibolet velo yachin ledaber ken vayachazu oto vayishchatuhu el-ma'avrot ha-yarden vayipol ba-et hahi me-efraim arba'im ushnayim alaf.
'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'emar-na' means 'please say', 'shibolet' is a name or term meaning 'Shibolet', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'sibolet' is the response 'Sibolet', 'velo' means 'and he will not', 'yachin' means 'prepare', 'ledaber' means 'to speak', 'ken' means 'thus', 'vayachazu' means 'they seized', 'oto' means 'him', 'vayishchatuhu' means 'they killed him', 'el' means 'to', 'ma'avrot' means 'the crossing places', 'ha-yarden' means 'the Jordan', 'vayipol' means 'and he fell', 'ba-et' means 'at the time', 'hahi' means 'that', 'me-efraim' means 'from Ephraim', 'arba'im' means 'forty', 'ushnayim' means 'two', 'alaf' means 'thousand'.
[JDG.12.7] And Jephthah judged Israel for six years; and Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the cities of Gilead. [§]
Vayishpot Yiftach et-Israel shesh shanim vayamat Yiftach hagilaadi vayikaver be'arei Gil'ad.
'Vayishpot' means 'and judged', 'Yiftach' is the personal name Jephthah, 'et-Israel' means 'Israel', 'shesh shanim' means 'six years', 'vayamat' means 'and died', 'Yiftach hagilaadi' means 'Jephthah the Gileadite', 'vayikaver' means 'and was buried', 'be'arei Gil'ad' means 'in the cities of Gilead'.
[JDG.12.8] And Ibzan judged Israel after him; Ibzan was from Bethlehem. [§]
Vayishpot achareiav et Yisrael, Ibzan miBeit-Lechem.
'Vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'achareiav' means 'after him', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'Ibzan' is a personal name, 'mi' means 'from', 'Beit' means 'house', and 'Lechem' means 'bread' (together forming the place name Bethlehem, 'house of bread').
[JDG.12.9] He had thirty sons and thirty daughters; he sent the outside, and he brought thirty daughters to his sons from the outside, and he judged Israel for seven years. [§]
Vayhi-lo shloshim banim u-shloshim banot shilach ha-hutsa u-shloshim banot hevi levanav min ha-hutz vayishfot et Yisrael sheva shanim.
'Vayhi-lo' means 'and it was to him', 'shloshim' means 'thirty', 'banim' means 'sons', 'u-shloshim' means 'and thirty', 'banot' means 'daughters', 'shilach' means 'he sent', 'ha-hutsa' means 'the outside', 'hevi' means 'he brought', 'levanav' means 'to his sons', 'min ha-hutz' means 'from the outside', 'vayishfot' means 'and he judged', 'et Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'sheva' means 'seven', 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.12.10] And Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem. [§]
Vayamat Ivzan vayikaver bebeit lechem.
'Vayamat' means 'and died', 'Ivzan' is a proper name, 'vayikaver' means 'and was buried', 'bebeit' means 'in the house of' (here 'in the town of'), 'lechem' means 'bread' and is the name of the town Bethlehem.
[JDG.12.11] And he judged Israel thereafter, the oak of Zebulon, and he judged Israel for ten years. [§]
Vayishpot acharav et Yisrael Elon haZebuloni vayishpot et Yisrael eser shanim.
'Vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'acharav' means 'after him' or 'thereafter', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'Elon' means 'oak', 'haZebuloni' means 'of Zebulon' (a tribal designation), the second 'vayishpot' repeats 'and he judged', the second 'et Yisrael' again marks 'Israel' as the object, and 'eser shanim' means 'ten years'.
[JDG.12.12] And Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. [§]
Vayamat Elon haZevuloni vayikaver beAyalon be'eretz Zebulun.
'Vayamat' means 'and died', 'Elon' is a personal name meaning 'oak' (containing 'El' which means 'God' but here it is a proper name), 'haZevuloni' means 'the Zebulunite', 'vayikaver' means 'and was buried', 'beAyalon' means 'in Aijalon', 'be'eretz' means 'in the land', 'Zebulun' is a place name.
[JDG.12.13] And he judged Israel after him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite. [§]
Vayishpot acharav et Yisrael Avdon ben Hillel haPirathoniy.
'Vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'acharav' means 'after him', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'Avdon' is a proper name meaning 'servant', 'ben' means 'son of', 'Hillel' is a proper name meaning 'praise', 'haPirathoniy' means 'the Pirathonite' (one from Pirathon).
[JDG.12.14] And he had forty sons and thirty grandsons riding on seventy young men, and he judged Israel for eight years. [§]
Vayehi lo arba'im banim u'shloshim b'nei banim rochvim al shiv'im ayarim vayishpot et Yisrael shmoneh shanim.
'Vayehi' means 'and he had', 'lo' means 'to him', 'arba'im' means 'forty', 'banim' means 'sons', 'u'shloshim' means 'and thirty', 'b'nei' means 'grandsons of', 'banim' again 'sons', 'rochvim' means 'riding', 'al' means 'on', 'shiv'im' means 'seventy', 'ayarim' means 'young men' or 'riders', 'vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'shmoneh' means 'eight', 'shanim' means 'years'.
[JDG.12.15] And Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim on the mountain of Amalek. [§]
Vayamath Avdon ben Hillel haPirathoniti vayikaver bePirathon be'eretz Ephraim behar haAmalekiy.
'Vayamath' means 'and he died', 'Avdon' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Hillel' is a personal name, 'haPirathoniti' means 'the Pirathonite', 'vayikaver' means 'and he was buried', 'bePirathon' means 'in Pirathon', 'be'eretz' means 'in the land of', 'Ephraim' is a region name, 'behar' means 'in the mountain of', 'haAmalekiy' means 'the Amalekite'.
JDG.13
[JDG.13.1] And the children of Israel continued to do the evil in the sight of Yahveh, and Yahveh gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. [§]
Vayosifoo b'nei Yisrael la'asot ha'ra b'einei Yahveh vayitnem Yahveh b'yad-pleishtim arba'im shana.
'Vayosifoo' means 'and they continued' or 'and they added', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'la'asot' means 'to do', 'ha'ra' means 'the evil' or 'the bad', 'b'einei' means 'in the eyes of', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayitnem' means 'and He gave them', 'b'yad-pleishtim' means 'into the hand of the Philistines', 'arba'im' means 'forty', 'shana' means 'years'.
[JDG.13.2] And there was a man of the family of Dan, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and did not bear children. [§]
Vayehi ish echad mi-tzarah mi-mishpachat haDani, ushemo Manoach, veishto akarah, velo yaladah.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened' or 'and there was', 'ish' means 'man', 'echad' means 'one' or 'a', 'mi-tzarah' means 'from the family of', 'mi-mishpachat haDani' means 'of the Danite family', 'ushemo' means 'and his name', 'Manoach' is a personal name meaning 'rest', 'veishto' means 'and his wife', 'akarah' means 'barren', 'velo' means 'and not', 'yaladah' means 'gave birth' or 'bore children'.
[JDG.13.3] And an angel of Yahveh appeared to the woman and said to her, Behold now, you are barren and have not given birth, but you will become pregnant and bear a son. [§]
Vayeyra malakh Yahveh el haisha vayomar elayha hine na at akarah ve lo yaladot ve harit ve yalad ben.
'Vayeyra' means 'and appeared', 'malakh' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'el' means 'to', 'haisha' means 'the woman', 'vayomar' means 'and said', 'elayha' means 'to her', 'hine' means 'behold', 'na' adds emphasis meaning 'now', 'at' means 'you', 'akarah' means 'barren', 've' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'yaladot' means 'you have given birth', 'harit' means 'you will become pregnant', 'yalad' means 'you will bear', 'ben' means 'a son'.
[JDG.13.4] Now, watch, please, and do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything impure. [§]
ve'atah hishmari na ve'al-tishti yayin ve-shechar ve'al-tochli kol tame.
've'atah' means 'and now', 'hishmari' is the imperative form of 'watch/keep' addressed to a female, 'na' means 'please', 've'al' means 'and not', 'tishti' is the future second singular feminine of 'drink', 'yayin' means 'wine', 've-shechar' means 'and strong drink', 've'al' again 'and not', 'tochli' is the future second singular feminine of 'eat', 'kol' means 'all' or 'every', 'tame' means 'unclean' or 'impure'.
[JDG.13.5] For behold you are pregnant and will bear a son, and the womb will not rise upon his head because the boy shall be a Nazarite of the Gods; the boy will be from the womb and he will long to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines. [§]
ki hinnach hareh ve-yoladt ben u-morah lo yaale al-rosho ki nezir Elohim yihye ha-na'ar min ha-baten ve-hu yachel le-hoshia et Yisrael mi-yad Pelishtim.
'ki' means 'for', 'hinnach' means 'behold', 'hareh' means 'you are pregnant', 've-yoladt' means 'and you will bear', 'ben' means 'a son', 'u-morah' means 'and the womb', 'lo' means 'not', 'yaale' means 'will rise', 'al-rosho' means 'upon his head', 'ki' means 'because', 'nezir' means 'a Nazarite', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'yihye' means 'will be', 'ha-na'ar' means 'the boy', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-baten' means 'the womb', 've-hu' means 'and he', 'yachel' means 'will long/desire', 'le-hoshia' means 'to save', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'mi-yad' means 'from the hand of', 'Pelishtim' means 'the Philistines'.
[JDG.13.6] The woman came and said to her husband, saying, A man of the Gods came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of an angel of the Gods, very terrifying, and I did not ask him where he was from, nor did he tell me his name. [§]
Vattavo ha'isha vatomer le'isha le'emor ish ha'elohim ba elai u'mar'ehho ke-mar'eh mal'ach ha'elohim nora meod velo she'ilti'hu ei-mizzehu ve'et-shemo lo higid li.
'Vattavo' means 'and she came', 'ha'isha' means 'the woman', 'vatomer' means 'and said', 'le'isha' means 'to her husband', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'ish' means 'man', 'ha'elohim' means 'the Gods', 'ba' means 'came', 'elai' means 'to me', 'u'mar'ehho' means 'and his appearance', 'ke-mar'eh' means 'like the appearance', 'mal'ach' means 'angel', 'nora' means 'terrifying', 'meod' means 'very', 'velo' means 'and not', 'she'ilti'hu' means 'I asked him', 'ei-mizzehu' means 'where he is from', 've'et-shemo' means 'and his name', 'lo higid' means 'did not tell', 'li' means 'to me'. The divine name 'Elohim' is rendered literally as 'the Gods'.
[JDG.13.7] And he said to me, Behold you are pregnant and you will bear a son; and now do not drink wine and strong drink, and do not eat any defilement, for the boy will be a Nazirite of the Gods from the womb until the day of his death. [§]
vayomer li hinnekha harah veyoltet ben ve'atah al-tishtiy yayin veshachar ve'al-tochli kol-tumah ki nezir elohim yihyeh ha-na'ar min ha-beten ad-yom moto.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'li' means 'to me', 'hinnekha' means 'behold' or 'see', 'harah' means 'you are pregnant', 'veyoltet' means 'and you will bring forth', 'ben' means 'a son', 've'atah' means 'and now', 'al-tishtiy' means 'do not drink', 'yayin' means 'wine', 'veshachar' means 'and strong drink', 've'al-tochli' means 'and do not eat', 'kol-tumah' means 'any defilement', 'ki' means 'for', 'nezir' means 'Nazirite', 'elohim' means 'the Gods', 'yihyeh' means 'will be', 'ha-na'ar' means 'the boy', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-beten' means 'the womb', 'ad-yom' means 'until the day', 'moto' means 'of his death'.
[JDG.13.8] And Manoach prayed to Yahveh and said, "My Lord, a man of the Gods whom you sent, please come again to us and teach us what we should do for the boy, the youth." [§]
va ye'atar Manoach el Yahveh va yo'mar bi Adonai ish haElohim asher shalachta yavo na od elenu ve-yornei ma na'aseh la-na'ar ha-yulad.
'va' means 'and', 'ye'atar' means 'prayed' or 'entreated', 'Manoach' is a personal name meaning 'rest', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH, 'va' means 'and', 'yo'mar' means 'he said', 'bi' means 'my', 'Adonai' means 'my Lord', 'ish' means 'man', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'asher' means 'who', 'shalachta' means 'you sent', 'yavo' means 'let him come', 'na' means 'please', 'od' means 'again', 'elenu' means 'to us', 've-yornei' means 'and teach us' or 'and show us', 'ma' means 'what', 'na'aseh' means 'shall we do', 'la-na'ar' means 'for the boy', 'ha-yulad' means 'the youth'.
[JDG.13.9] And the Gods heard the voice of Manoch, and an angel of the Gods came again to the woman, and she was sitting in the field, and Manoch her husband was not with her. [§]
Vayishma haElohim bekol Manoch vayavo malach haElohim od el-hashah vehi yoshevet ba-sadeh uManoch ishah ein imah.
'Vayishma' means 'and he heard', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 'bekol' means 'in the voice', 'Manoch' is a proper name, 'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'malach' means 'angel', 'od' means 'again', 'el-hashah' means 'to the woman', 'vehi' means 'and she', 'yoshevet' means 'was sitting', 'ba-sadeh' means 'in the field', 'uManoch' means 'and Manoch', 'ishah' means 'her husband', 'ein' means 'was not', 'imah' means 'with her'.
[JDG.13.10] And the woman hurried, and she ran, and she told her husband, and she said to him, Behold, the man is seen to me who came today to me. [§]
vatemaher haisha vataratz vateged leisha vatoamer elav hineh niraah elai haish asherba bayom elai.
'vatemaher' means 'and she hurried', 'haisha' means 'the woman', 'vataratz' means 'and she ran', 'vateged' means 'and she told', 'leisha' means 'to her husband', 'vatoamer' means 'and she said to him', 'elav' means 'to him', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'niraah' means 'is seen', 'elai' means 'to me', 'haish' means 'the man', 'asherba' means 'who came', 'bayom' means 'in the day', 'elai' again means 'to me'.
[JDG.13.11] And he rose and went to Manoah after his wife, and he came to the man and said to him, 'Are you the man who spoke to the woman?' And he said, 'I am.' [§]
vayakam vayelekh manoach acharei ishto vayavo el-ha'ish vayomer lo ha'atah ha'ish asher dibarta el ha'isha vayomer ani.
'vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'manoach' is the proper name 'Manoah', 'acharei' means 'after', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'el-ha'ish' means 'to the man', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'ha'atah' means 'are you', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'asher' means 'who', 'dibarta' means 'you spoke', 'el' means 'to', 'ha'isha' means 'the woman', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ani' means 'I am'.
[JDG.13.12] And Manoach said, 'Now your word will come; what will be the judgment of the boy and his deed?' [§]
Vayomer Manoach ata yavo devarekha mah yihye mishpat hanna'ar uma'asehu.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 'ata' means 'now', 'yavo' means 'will come', 'devarekha' means 'your word', 'mah' means 'what', 'yihye' means 'will be', 'mishpat' means 'judgment', 'hanna'ar' means 'the boy' or 'the youth', 'u' means 'and', 'ma'asehu' means 'his deed' or 'his action'.
[JDG.13.13] And he said the angel of Yahveh to Manoah, of all that I said to the woman, keep. [§]
Vayomer malach Yahveh el Manoah mikol asher amarti el haisha tishamer.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'el' means 'to' or 'of', 'Manoah' is the proper name of the man, 'mikol' means 'of all', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'amarti' means 'I said', 'el' means 'to', 'haisha' means 'the woman', 'tishamer' means 'you shall keep' or 'guard'.
[JDG.13.14] From all that comes out of the vine you shall not eat, and wine and strong drink you shall not drink, and any impurity you shall not eat; all that I commanded you shall keep. [§]
Mikol asher yetze miGefen haYayin lo tokhal veYayin veShekhar al teshth ve chol tumah al tokhal kol asher tzivitiha tishmor.
"Mikol" means "from all", "asher" means "that/which", "yetze" means "goes out", "miGefen" means "from the vine", "haYayin" means "the wine", "lo" means "not", "tokhal" means "you shall eat", "veYayin" means "and wine", "veShekhar" means "and strong drink", "al" means "do not", "teshth" means "you drink", "ve" means "and", "chol" means "all", "tumah" means "unclean thing", "al" means "do not", "tokhal" means "you shall eat", "kol" means "all", "asher" means "that/which", "tzivitiha" means "I commanded it", "tishmor" means "you shall keep".
[JDG.13.15] And Manoach said to the angel of Yahveh, Let us bind you, and we will make before you kid goats. [§]
Vayomer Manoach el malakh Yahveh na'etzra na otach ve-na'aseh lefanekha gedi izzim.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 'el' means 'to', 'malakh' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'na\'etzra' means 'let us bind', 'na' is an emphatic particle meaning 'please', 'otach' means 'you' (feminine object), 've\'na\'aseh' means 'and we will make', 'lefanekha' means 'before you', 'gedi' means 'kid' (young goat), 'izzim' means 'goats' (plural).
[JDG.13.16] And the angel Yahveh said to Manoach, 'If you restrain me I will not eat your bread, and if you make a burnt offering to Yahveh you shall bring it up, because Manoach does not know that the one speaking is the angel Yahveh.' [§]
Vayomer malach Yahveh el-Manoach im ta'atzreini lo okhal belachmecha ve'im ta'aseh ola laYahveh ta'alena ki lo yada' Manoach ki malach Yahveh hu.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'el' means 'to', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 'im' means 'if', 'ta'atzreini' means 'you restrain me', 'lo' means 'not', 'okhal' means 'I will eat', 'belachmecha' means 'your bread', 've'im' means 'and if', 'ta'aseh' means 'you make', 'ola' means 'a burnt offering', 'laYahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'ta'alena' means 'you will bring it up', 'ki' means 'because', 'yada'' means 'knew', 'hu' means 'he'.
[JDG.13.17] And Manoach said to the angel of Yahveh, 'What is your name, for your words will come and we will honor you.' [§]
va yomar Manoach el malach Yahveh mi shemekha ki yavo devarecha ve kivadnu.
'va' means 'and', 'yomar' means 'said', 'Manoach' is a personal name, 'el' means 'to', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH, 'mi' means 'who', 'shemekha' means 'your name', 'ki' means 'for', 'yavo' means 'will come', 'devarecha' means 'your words', 've' means 'and', 'kivadnu' means 'we will honor (you)'.
[JDG.13.18] And said to him the angel of Yahveh, 'Why do you ask this of my name?' and it is a marvel. [§]
Vayomer lo malach Yahveh lamah zeh tishal lishmi vehu pelai.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH, 'lamah' means 'why', 'zeh' means 'this', 'tishal' means 'you ask', 'lishmi' means 'of my name', 'vehu' means 'and it/he is', 'pelai' means 'a marvel' or 'wonderful'.
[JDG.13.19] And Manoach took the kid of the goats and the offering, and he went up on the rock to Yahveh, and (he) performed wondrous deeds, and Manoach and his wife saw. [§]
Vayikkach Manoach et-gedi ha-izim ve-et ha-mincha vayyaal al-hatzur laYahveh u-maflei laasot u-Manoach ve-ishto roim.
'Vayikkach' means 'and he took', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 'et' is a marker of the direct object, 'gedi' means 'kid (young goat)', 'ha-izim' means 'the goats', together 'gedi ha-izim' = 'the kid of the goats', 've-et' = 'and the', 'ha-mincha' = 'the offering', 'vayyaal' = 'and he went up', 'al' = 'on', 'hatzur' = 'the rock', 'laYahveh' = 'to Yahveh' (the literal translation of YHVH), 'u-maflei' = 'and wondrous', 'laasot' = 'to do' or 'to perform', 'u-Manoach' = 'and Manoach', 've-ishto' = 'and his wife', 'roim' = 'see' or 'see'.
[JDG.13.20] And it was when the flame rose from the altar of the heavens, and the angel of Yahveh went up in the flame of the altar, and Manoach and his wife saw, and they fell on their faces to the ground. [§]
Vay'hi ba'alot halehav me'al hamizbeach hashamaim vayaal malakh Yahveh be'lahav hamizbeach u'Manoach ve'ishto ro'im vayiplu al-p'neihem artzah.
'Vay'hi' means 'and it was', 'ba'alot' means 'when', 'halehav' means 'the flame', 'me'al' means 'from above', 'hamizbeach' means 'the altar', 'hashamaim' means 'the heavens', 'vayaran' (typo? actually 'vayaal') means 'and rose', 'malakh' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'be'lahav' means 'in the flame', the second 'hamizbeach' repeats 'the altar', 'u'Manoach' means 'and Manoach' (a proper name), 've'ishto' means 'and his wife', 'ro'im' means 'see', 'vayiplu' means 'and they fell', 'al-p'neihem' means 'upon their faces', 'artzah' means 'to the ground'.
[JDG.13.21] And no longer would the angel of Yahveh appear to Manoach and to his wife; then Manoach knew that he was the angel of Yahveh. [§]
Ve lo yasaf od malach Yahveh lehera'ot el Manoach ve'el ishto az yada Manoach ki malach Yahveh hu.
'Ve' means 'and', 'lo' means 'not', 'yasaf' means 'will add' or 'will continue', 'od' means 'anymore', 'malach' means 'angel', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'lehera'ot' means 'to appear', 'el' means 'to' or 'against', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 've'el' means 'and to', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'az' means 'then', 'yada' means 'knew', 'ki' means 'that', 'hu' means 'he' or 'it'.
[JDG.13.22] And Manoach said to his wife, 'We shall die, because we have seen the Gods.' [§]
Vayomer Manoach el ishto mot namut ki Elohim ra'inu.
'Vayomer' means 'and said', 'Manoach' is a proper name, 'el' means 'to', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'mot' means 'death', 'namut' means 'we shall die', 'ki' means 'because', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'rainu' means 'we have seen'.
[JDG.13.23] And his wife said to him, 'If Yahveh wishes to cause our death, he has not taken from our hand a burnt offering and a grain offering, nor has he shown us all these things, and at that time he did not make us hear such (a thing).' [§]
vatomer lo ishto lu chafetz Yahveh lahamiteinu lo-lakach miyadenu olah uminchah velo heranu et-kol-elleh veka'et lo hishmiano kazoat.
'vatomer' means 'and she said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'lu' means 'if', 'chafetz' means 'wishes', 'Yahveh' is the divine name, 'lahamiteinu' means 'to cause our death', 'lo-lakach' means 'did not take', 'miyadenu' means 'from our hand', 'olah' means 'a burnt offering', 'uminchah' means 'and a grain offering', 'velo' means 'nor', 'heranu' means 'showed us', 'et-kol-elleh' means 'all these things', 'veka\'et' means 'and at that time', 'lo' means 'not', 'hishmiano' means 'made us hear', 'kazoat' means 'such (a thing)'.
[JDG.13.24] And the woman bore a son and she called his name Samson, and the boy grew up and Yahveh blessed him. [§]
Vatelad haisha ben vatikra et-shemo Shimshon vayigdal hanna'ar veyebarcheihu Yahveh.
'Va' means 'and', 'telad' means 'gave birth', 'ha' means 'the', 'isha' means 'woman', 'ben' means 'son', 'va' again 'and', 'tikra' means 'called', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'shemo' means 'his name', 'Shimshon' is the proper name Samson, 'va' again 'and', 'yigdal' means 'grew', 'ha' means 'the', 'na'ar' means 'boy' or 'youth', 've' means 'and', 'yevarcheihu' means 'blessed him', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, the divine name.
[JDG.13.25] And the spirit of Yahveh went out against his army in the camp of Dan between Tzarchah and Eshtaol. [§]
va-tachel ruach Yahveh lefa'amo be-machaneh Dan bein Tzarchah u-bein Eshtaol.
'va-tachel' means 'and went out', 'ruach' means 'spirit', 'Yahveh' is the transliteration of the divine name YHVH, 'lefa'amo' means 'against his (or in his) power/army', 'be-machaneh' means 'in the camp of', 'Dan' is the name of the tribe, 'bein' means 'between', 'Tzarchah' is a place name, 'u-bein' means 'and between', 'Eshtaol' is another place name.
JDG.14
[JDG.14.1] And Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah among the daughters of the Philistines. [§]
Vayered Shimshon timnatah vayyar ishah btimnatah mibenot plishtim.
'Vayered' means 'and he went down', 'Shimshon' is the personal name Samson, 'timnatah' means 'to Timnah', 'vayyar' means 'and he saw', 'ishah' means 'a woman', 'btimnatah' means 'in Timnah', 'mibenot' means 'among the daughters', 'plishtim' means 'of the Philistines'.
[JDG.14.2] And he went up and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in the vineyards of the Philistines, and now take her for me as a wife. [§]
Vaya'al vayagged leaviv ulemimo vayomer ishah ra iti betimnata mibnot pleistim veatah kechu otah li leisha.
'Vaya'al' means 'and he went up', 'vayagged' means 'and he told', 'leaviv' means 'to his father', 'ulemimo' means 'and to his mother', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ishah' means 'woman', 'ra iti' means 'I have seen', 'betimnata' means 'in the vineyards', 'mibnot' means 'of the daughters', 'pleistim' means 'Philistines', 'veatah' means 'and now', 'kechu' means 'take', 'otah' means 'her', 'li' means 'for me', 'leisha' means 'as a wife'.
[JDG.14.3] And his father and his mother said to him, Is there not a daughter among your brothers and among all my people a woman, for you are going to take a woman from the Philistines, the uncircumcised. And Samson said to his father, Take her for me, for she is upright in my eyes. [§]
Vayomer lo aviv ve'imo ha'eyn bibnot achikha uvechol-ammi ishah ki-atah holech lachet ishah miplishtim ha'arelim. Vayomer Shimshon el-aviv otah kach-li ki-hiya yashra be'einai.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'aviv' means 'his father', 've'imo' means 'and his mother', 'ha'eyn' means 'is there not', 'bibnot' means 'among the daughters', 'achikha' means 'of your brothers', 'uvechol-ammi' means 'and among all my people', 'ishah' means 'a woman', 'ki-atah' means 'for you', 'holech' means 'are going', 'lachet' means 'to take', 'miplishtiim' means 'from the Philistines', 'ha'arelim' means 'the uncircumcised', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'el-aviv' means 'to his father', 'otah' means 'her', 'kach-li' means 'take for me', 'ki-hiya' means 'for she is', 'yashra' means 'upright', 'be'einai' means 'in my eyes'.
[JDG.14.4] And his father and his mother did not know, because it came from Yahveh; for it is a demand, he is seeking from the Philistines, and at that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. [§]
veaviv veimo lo yadu ki meiYahveh hi ki-to'ana hu-mevakesh miflishtim uve'et hah'i plishtim moshelim beyesrael.
'veaviv' means 'and his father', 'veimo' means 'and his mother', 'lo' means 'not', 'yadu' means 'they knew', 'ki' means 'because', 'meiYahveh' means 'from Yahveh', 'hi' means 'it is', 'ki-to'ana' means 'for it is a demand', 'hu-mevakesh' means 'he is seeking', 'miflishtim' means 'from the Philistines', 'uve'et' means 'and at the time', 'hah'i' means 'that', 'plishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'moshelim' means 'ruled', 'beyisrael' means 'over Israel'.
[JDG.14.5] And Samson went down with his father and his mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah, and behold, a lion, a roaring lion, met him. [§]
Vayered Shimshon veaviv veimmoh Timnata vayavo'u ad karmey Timnata vehineh kefir arayot shoeg likrato.
'Vayered' means 'and he went down', 'Shimshon' is the name Samson, 'veaviv' means 'with his father', 'veimmoh' means 'and his mother', 'Timnata' is the place Timnah, 'vayavo\'u' means 'and they came', 'ad' means 'to', 'karmey' means 'vineyards of', 'Timnata' again the place Timnah, 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'kefir' means 'lion', 'arayot' means 'lion-like' or 'lion', 'shoeg' means 'roaring', 'likrato' means 'to meet him' or 'meeting him'.
[JDG.14.6] And the spirit of Yahveh rose upon him, and He carried him like a great whirlwind; there was no protection in his hand, and he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. [§]
vatitzlach alav ruach Yahveh vayeshassehu keshassa hagedi ume'umah ein beyado velo higid le'aviv ulemmo et asher asah
'vatitzlach' means 'and it rose' or 'and it rose up', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'ruach' means 'spirit' or 'wind', 'Yahveh' is the personal name of God, 'vayeshassehu' means 'and He carried him' or 'and He moved him', 'keshassa' means 'like a whirlwind', 'hagedi' means 'the great' (here intensifying the whirlwind), 'ume'umah' means 'and there was no protection', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'beyado' means 'in his hand', 'velo' means 'and not', 'higid' means 'he told', 'le'aviv' means 'to his father', 'ule'mmo' means 'and to his mother', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'asher' means 'what', 'asah' means 'he did' or 'he made'.
[JDG.14.7] And he went down and spoke to the woman, and she was pleasing in the eyes of Samson. [§]
Vayered vayedabber la'isha vatisar be'enei Shimshon.
'Vayered' means 'and he went down', 'vayedabber' means 'and he spoke', 'la'isha' means 'to the woman', 'vatisar' (from the root y-sh-r) is rendered here as 'and she was pleasing' or 'she pleased', 'be'enei' means 'in the eyes of', 'Shimshon' is the proper name 'Samson'.
[JDG.14.8] And he returned from the days to take it, and he went to see the lion's mouth, and behold a flock of bears in the lion's den and honey. [§]
Vayashav miyamim lekachta vayasar lir'ot et mapelat ha'arieh vehineh adat devorim bigviat ha'arieh udevash.
'Vayashav' means 'and he returned', 'miyamim' means 'from the days', 'lekachta' means 'to take it/her', 'vayasar' means 'and he went', 'lir'ot' means 'to see', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'mapelat' means 'mouth' or 'pit', 'ha'arieh' means 'the lion', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'adat' means 'a flock' or 'herd', 'devorim' means 'bears', 'bigviat' means 'in the den/cave', 'ha'arieh' again means 'the lion', 'udevash' means 'and honey'.
[JDG.14.9] And he lowered it to his lap, and he went walking and ate, and he went to his father and to his mother, and he gave them, and they ate, and he did not tell them that from the lion's den the honey wandered. [§]
Vayirdehu el-kappav vayelekh halokh ve'chol vayelekh el-aviv ve'el-immo vayitten lahem vayochlu velo-higid lahem ki migveiyyat ha'aryeh rada hadbas
'Vayirdehu' means 'and he lowered it', 'el-kappav' means 'to his lap', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'halokh' means 'walking', 've'chol' means 'and (he) ate', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went' again, 'el-aviv' means 'to his father', 've'el-immo' means 'and to his mother', 'vayitten' means 'and he gave', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'vayochlu' means 'and they ate', 'velo-higid' means 'and he did not tell', 'lahem' means 'them', 'ki' means 'that', 'migveiyyat' means 'from the den', 'ha'aryeh' means 'the lion', 'rada' means 'wandered' or 'roamed', 'hadbas' means 'the honey'.
[JDG.14.10] And his father went down to the woman and he made there a banquet because thus the young men do. [§]
vayered aviyhu el haisha vayyaas sham shimshon mishte ki ken yaasu habachurim.
'vayered' means 'and he went down', 'aviyhu' means 'his father', 'el' means 'to', 'haisha' means 'the woman', 'vayyaas' means 'and he made', 'sham' means 'there', 'shimshon' means 'a feast/banquet', 'mishte' means 'a banquet', 'ki' means 'because', 'ken' means 'thus/so', 'yaasu' means 'they will do', 'habachurim' means 'the young men/valuables' (literally 'the chosen ones').
[JDG.14.11] And it happened when they saw him, and they took thirty from the evildoers and they were with him. [§]
Vayehi kir'otam oto vayikhu shloshim mer'eim vayihyu ito.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened', 'kir'otam' means 'when they saw', 'oto' means 'him', 'vayikhu' means 'and they took', 'shloshim' means 'thirty', 'mer'eim' means 'from the evildoers', 'vayihyu' means 'and they were', 'ito' means 'with him'.
[JDG.14.12] And he said to them, Samson, 'Let us have a riddle for you; if you can tell it to me within the seven days of the feast and you find it, I will give you three hundred measures of grain and three hundred changes of garments.' [§]
Vayomer lahem Shimshon achudah-na lakhem chida im-hagged tagidu ota li shivat yemei ha-mishtah u-metzatem v'natati lakhem shloshim sdeinim u-shloshim chalifot begadim.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'achudah-na' means 'let us have' (literally 'let us try'), 'lakhem' means 'for you', 'chida' means 'a riddle', 'im-hagged' means 'if you can tell', 'tagidu' means 'you will tell', 'ota' means 'it', 'li' means 'to me', 'shivat' means 'seven', 'yemei' means 'days of', 'ha-mishtah' means 'the feast', 'u-metzatem' means 'and you will find', 'v'natati' means 'and I will give', 'lakhem' means 'to you', 'shloshim' means 'three hundred', 'sdeinim' means 'measures of grain (or barley)', 'u-shloshim' means 'and three hundred', 'chalifot' means 'changes', 'begadim' means 'of garments'.
[JDG.14.13] And if you cannot tell me, then give me thirty sets and thirty changes of garments, and they said to him, 'Solve your riddle and we will hear it.' [§]
Ve'im lo tuchlu le'hagid li unetatem atem li shloshim sedinim ush'loshim chalipot begadim vayomru lo chudah chidatcha venishma'na.
'Ve'im' means 'and if', 'lo' means 'not', 'tuchlu' means 'you can', 'le'hagid' means 'to tell', 'li' means 'me', 'unetatem' means 'and you will give', 'atem' means 'you (plural)', 'shloshim' means 'thirty', 'sedinim' means 'sets' or 'groups', 'ush'loshim' means 'and thirty', 'chalipot' means 'changes' or 'alternatives', 'begadim' means 'in garments', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'chudah' means 'solve' or 'figure out', 'chidatcha' means 'your riddle', 'venishma'na' means 'and we will listen/hear'.
[JDG.14.14] And he said to them, from the food will come something to eat, and from strength will come sweetness, and they could not tell the riddle for three days. [§]
Vayomer lahem mehaokhel yatza maakal u-me'az yatza matok velo yaklu le'hagid hachida shloshet yamim.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'mehaokhel' means 'from the food', 'yatza' means 'will come out', 'maakal' means 'something to eat', 'u-me'az' means 'and from strength', 'matok' means 'sweetness', 'velo' means 'and not', 'yaklu' means 'they could', 'le'hagid' means 'to tell', 'hachida' means 'the riddle', 'shloshet' means 'three', 'yamim' means 'days'.
[JDG.14.15] And it happened on the seventh day, they said to Samson's wife, "Open your husband and tell us the riddle, lest we burn you and your father's house with fire; we will inherit what you have called for us, have you not?" [§]
vayehi bayom hashvi'i vayomru le'eshat Shimshon patti et-ishkha veyagged lanu et-hachida pen nisrof otakh ve'et beit avik ba'esh halyarsheinu qaratem lanu halo
'vayehi' means 'and it happened', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hashvi'i' means 'the seventh', 'vayomru' means 'they said', 'le'eshat' means 'to the wife', 'Shimshon' is the proper name Samson, 'patti' means 'open', 'et-ishkha' means 'your husband', 'veyagged' means 'and tell', 'lanu' means 'to us', 'et-hachida' means 'the riddle', 'pen' means 'lest', 'nisrof' means 'be burned', 'otakh' means 'you (feminine)', 've'et' means 'and the', 'beit' means 'house', 'avik' means 'your father', 'ba'esh' means 'by fire', 'halyarsheinu' means 'we will inherit', 'qaratem' means 'you called', 'lanu' means 'to us', 'halo' means 'haven't you?'.
[JDG.14.16] And the wife of Samson wept over him and she said, 'Only you have hated me and not loved me; the only one you have made for the children of my people, and to me you have not told.' He said to her, 'Behold, to my father and to my mother I have not told, and to you I will tell.' [§]
Vatevekh eshet Shimshon alav vatoamer rak-senateni velo ahavtani hachida chadta livnei ami velo hi-gadta vayomer lah hineh le-avi u-le-immi lo hi-gadti ve-lakh agid.
'Vatevekh' means 'and she wept', 'eshet' means 'wife of', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'alav' means 'over him', 'vatoamer' means 'and she said', 'rak' means 'only', 'senateni' means 'you have hated me', 'velo' means 'and not', 'ahavtani' means 'you have loved me', 'hachida' means 'the only one', 'chadta' means 'you have made', 'livnei' means 'for the children of', 'ami' means 'my people', 'velo' means 'and', 'hi-gadta' means 'you have told (to me)', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lah' means 'to her', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'le-avi' means 'to my father', 'u-le-immi' means 'and to my mother', 'lo' means 'not', 'hi-gadti' means 'I have told', 've-lakh' means 'and to you', 'agid' means 'I will tell'.
[JDG.14.17] And she ... upon him seven days that were for them the feast, and it was on the seventh day, and she told (him) because she had annoyed him, and she reported the riddle to the sons of her people. [§]
Vatevekh alav shivat hayamim asher haya lahem hamishtah vayehi bayom hashvi'i vayagged la ki hetzikathu vategged hachida livnei ammah.
'Vatevekh' means 'and she ...', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'shivat' means 'seven', 'hayamim' means 'days', 'asher' means 'that', 'haya' means 'was', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'hamishtah' means 'the feast', 'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hashvi'i' means 'the seventh', 'vayagged' means 'and she told', 'la' means 'to her/it', 'ki' means 'because', 'hetzikathu' means 'she annoyed him', 'vategged' means 'and she reported', 'hachida' means 'the riddle', 'livnei' means 'to the sons', 'ammah' means 'of her people'.
[JDG.14.18] And the men of the city said to him on the seventh day, before the festival began, 'What is sweeter than honey, and what is stronger than a lion?' He said to them, 'If you had not taken my goat, you would not have solved my riddle.' [§]
vayomaroo lo anshei ha'ir bayom hashvi'i be'terem yavo ha'char'sah mah matok midvash u'me'az me'ari vayomer lahem lu'le charas'tem be'eglati lo metzatem chidata
'vayomaroo' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hashvi'i' means 'the seventh', 'be'terem' means 'before', 'yavo' means 'it comes', 'ha'char'sah' means 'the festival', 'mah' means 'what', 'matok' means 'sweet', 'midvash' means 'than honey', 'u'me'az' means 'and stronger', 'me'ari' means 'than a lion', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'lu'le' means 'if you had not', 'charas'tem' means 'taken/harassed', 'be'eglati' means 'my goat', 'lo' means 'not', 'metzatem' means 'you would have found', 'chidata' means 'my riddle'.
[JDG.14.19] And the spirit of Yahveh went out upon him, and he went down to Ascalon, and struck among them three hundred men, and took their garments and gave the garments to the heralds of the riddle, and his anger burned, and he went up to his father's house. [§]
Vattizlach alav ruach Yahveh, vayered Ashk'lon, vayach mehhem shloshim ish, vayikach et chalitzotam, vayiten hachliphot lemagidei hachida, vayichar afo, vayaal beit avihu.
'Vattizlach' means 'and went out', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'ruach' means 'spirit', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayered' means 'and he went down', 'Ashk'lon' is the name of a place (Ascalon), 'vayach' means 'and he struck', 'mehhem' means 'among them', 'shloshim' means 'three hundred', 'ish' means 'men', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'chalitzotam' means 'their garments', 'vayiten' means 'and he gave', 'hachliphot' means 'the garments', 'lemagidei' means 'to the heralds', 'hachida' means 'of the riddle', 'vayichar' means 'and his anger burned', 'af' means 'his face' (idiomatically 'anger'), 'vayaal' means 'and he went up', 'beit' means 'house', 'avihu' means 'his father'.
[JDG.14.20] And there was a woman of Samson for his enemy, who was hostile to him. [§]
Vattehi eshet Shimshon lemere'ehuhu asher re'ah lo.
'Vattehi' means 'and (it) was' (conversive vav + verb 'was'), 'eshet' means 'woman of', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson' (proper name), 'lemere'ehuhu' means 'to his enemy' (preposition 'le-' + noun 're'eh' meaning 'enemy' + 3rd person masculine singular suffix '-hu'), 'asher' means 'who' or 'that', 're'ah' means 'hostile' or 'enmity' (noun from the root r-'-h), 'lo' means 'to him' (3rd person masculine singular indirect object).
JDG.15
[JDG.15.1] It happened in the days of the wheat harvest, and Samson took his wife in a goats' garment, and he said, 'I will go to my wife in the inner chamber, and her father would not let him come.' [§]
Vayehi miyamim bimei ketsir chittim vayifkod Shimshon et ishto bigdei izzim vayomer avoha el ishti hechadra velo netano avih lavao.
'Vayehi' means 'it happened', 'miyamim' means 'in the days', 'bimei' means 'in the time of', 'ketsir' means 'harvest', 'chittim' means 'wheat', 'vayifkod' means 'and he took', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'bigdei' means 'in the garment of', 'izzim' means 'goats', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'avoha' means 'I will go', 'el' means 'to', 'ishti' means 'my wife', 'hechadra' means 'the inner chamber', 'velo' means 'and not', 'netano' means 'would allow', 'avih' means 'her father', 'lavao' means 'to come'.
[JDG.15.2] And her father said, 'I said, I have said because you hated her, and I gave her to your enemy. Is not her younger sister better than she is? Please be yours, under her.' [§]
vayomer avihah amor amarti ki-sano s'ne'atah va'etnenah lemere'cha halo achotah haqtanah tovah mimmenah tehina lekha takhteha.
'vayomer' means 'and (he) said', 'avihah' means 'her father', 'amor' means 'I will say' (a rhetorical opening), 'amarti' means 'I said', 'ki-sano' means 'because (it is) hatred', 's'ne'atah' means 'you hated her', 'va'etnenah' means 'and I gave her', 'lemere'cha' means 'to your enemy', 'halo' means 'is not it', 'achotah' means 'her sister', 'haqtanah' means 'the younger', 'tovah' means 'good', 'mimmenah' means 'than her', 'tehina' means 'please be', 'lekha' means 'to you', 'takhteha' means 'under her' (i.e., beneath her authority or control).
[JDG.15.3] And he said to them, Samson, I have taken vengeance this time against the Philistines, because I am planning evil against them. [§]
Vayomer lahem Shimshon niketi hapam miphlishtim ki oseh ani imam raah.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'Shimshon' is the name Samson, 'niketi' means 'I have taken vengeance', 'hapam' means 'this time', 'miphlishtim' means 'from the Philistines', 'ki' means 'because', 'oseh' means 'I do' or 'I plan', 'ani' means 'I', 'imam' means 'against them', 'raah' means 'evil' or 'harm'.
[JDG.15.4] And Samson went, and he captured three hundred foxes, and he took the tails, and he turned a tail to a tail, and he placed one tail between the two tails in the middle. [§]
Vayelech Shimshon vayilkod shlosh meot shualim vayikach lapidim vayefen zanav el zanav vayasem lapid echad bein shnei haznavot battok.
'Vayelech' means 'and he went', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'vayilkod' means 'and he captured', 'shlosh meot' means 'three hundred', 'shualim' means 'foxes', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'lapidim' means 'the tails', 'vayefen' means 'and he turned', 'zanav' means 'a tail', 'el' means 'to', 'zanav' means 'a tail', 'vayam' means 'and he placed', 'lapid' means 'the tail', 'echad' means 'one', 'bein' means 'between', 'shnei' means 'two', 'haznavot' means 'the tails', 'battok' means 'in the middle'.
[JDG.15.5] And he burned fire on the torches, and he sent [them] to the Philistines' steps, and he burned from Gadish up to Kamah and up to the olive vineyard. [§]
vayaver esh balapiddim vayshalach beqamot plishtim vayaver migadish vead kamah vead kerem zayit.
'vayaver' means 'and he burned', 'esh' means 'fire', 'balapiddim' means 'on the torches', 'vayshalach' means 'and he sent', 'beqamot' means 'in the steps', 'plishtim' means 'the Philistines', the second 'vayaver' repeats 'and he burned', 'migadish' means 'from Gadish' (a place name), 'vead' means 'and up to', 'kamah' is a place name, the next 'vead' again means 'and up to', 'kerem' means 'vineyard', and 'zayit' means 'olive'.
[JDG.15.6] And the Philistines said, Who did this? And they said, Shemson the son‑in‑law of the Timnite, because he took his wife and gave her to his enemy; and the Philistines went up and burned her and her father in the fire. [§]
Vayyomru Pelishtim mi asah zot vayomaru Shimson chatan hatimni ki lakach et ishto vayitnah lemereahu vayalu Pelishtim vayisrefu ota ve'etav baesh.
'Vayyomru' means 'and they said', 'Pelishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'mi' means 'who', 'asah' means 'did', 'zot' means 'this', 'vayomaru' means 'and they said', 'Shimson' is the name 'Shemson', 'chatan' means 'son‑in‑law', 'hatimni' means 'the Timnite', 'ki' means 'because', 'lakach' means 'he took', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'vayitnah' means 'and gave her', 'lemereahu' means 'to his enemy', 'vayalu' means 'and they went up', 'vayisrefu' means 'and they burned', 'ota' means 'her', 've'etav' means 'and her father', 'baesh' means 'in fire'.
[JDG.15.7] And he said to them, Samson, 'If you do this, for if I take vengeance on you, then I will die.' [§]
vayomer lahem Shimshon im-ta'ashun kazo't ki im-nikamti bahem ve'achar eḥdal.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'Shimshon' is the personal name Samson, 'im-ta'ashun' means 'if you will do', 'kazo't' means 'like this', 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'im-nikamti' means 'if I will take vengeance', 'bahem' means 'against you', 've'achar' means 'and after', 'eḥdal' means 'I will die'.
[JDG.15.8] He struck them with a great blow on the thigh, and he went down and sat on a rocky oak branch. [§]
vayach otam shok al-yarek machah gedolah vayered vayeshev bis'eif sela etam
'vayach' means 'and he struck', 'otam' means 'them', 'shok' means 'a blow' or 'shock', 'al-yarek' means 'on the thigh', 'machah' means 'blow', 'gedolah' means 'great', 'vayered' means 'and he went down', 'vayeshev' means 'and he sat', 'bis'eif' means 'in a branch', 'sela' means 'rock', 'etam' means 'of oak' (a type of tree).
[JDG.15.9] And the Philistines went up, and they camped in Judah, and they left (the place) Balechi. [§]
vayya'alu pelishtim vayachanu bi-yehudah vayinnatshu ba-lechi.
'vayya'alu' means 'and they went up', 'pelishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'bi-yehudah' means 'in Judah', 'vayinnatshu' means 'and they abandoned' or 'left', 'ba-lechi' is a place name (Balechi).
[JDG.15.10] And a man of Judah said, Why have you gone against us? And they said, To capture Samson against us, to do to him what he did to us. [§]
Vayomru ish Yehudah lama alitem aleinu vayomru le'esor et Shimson aleinu la'asot lo ka'asher asah lanu.
'Vayomru' means 'and they said', 'ish' means 'a man', 'Yehudah' is the proper name 'Judah', 'lama' means 'why', 'alitem' means 'you have gone up' (plural), 'aleinu' means 'against us', 'vayomru' again means 'and they said', 'le'esor' means 'to bind' or 'to capture', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'Shimson' is the proper name 'Samson', 'aleinu' again 'against us', 'la'asot' means 'to do', 'lo' means 'to him', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'asah' means 'he did', 'lanu' means 'to us'.
[JDG.15.11] They went down three thousand men from Judah to the pass of Sela Etam, and they said to Samson, 'Did you not know that the Philistines rule over us, and what is this you have done to us?' He answered them, 'As they did to me, so I have done to them.' [§]
Vayerdu shloshet alafim ish miYehudah el-seif sela etam vayomeru leShimshon halo yada'ta ki-moshlim banu Philistim u-ma zot asita lanu vayomer lahem ka'asher assu li ken asiti lahem.
'Vayerdu' means 'they went down', 'shloshet' means 'three', 'alafim' means 'thousands', 'ish' means 'men', 'miYehudah' means 'from Judah', 'el-seif' means 'to the pass', 'sela' is a place name 'Sela', 'etam' is part of the place name 'Etam', 'vayomeru' means 'they said', 'leShimshon' means 'to Samson', 'halo' means 'did not', 'yada'ta' means 'you know', 'ki' means 'that', 'moshlim' means 'rulers', 'banu' means 'over us', 'Philistim' means 'the Philistines', 'u-ma' means 'and what', 'zot' means 'this', 'asita' means 'you have done', 'lanu' means 'to us', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'ka'asher' means 'as', 'assu' means 'they did', 'li' means 'to me', 'ken' means 'so', 'asiti' means 'I did', 'lahem' again means 'to them'.
[JDG.15.12] And they said to him, "We have come down to bind you, to give you into the hand of the Philistines." And he said to them, "Samson, swear to me lest you strike me, you." [§]
Vayomaroo lo le'esarkha yaradnu letitkha be-yad pelistim vayomer lahem Shimshon hishev'u li pen-tifge'un bi attam.
'Vayomaroo' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'le'esarkha' means 'to bind you', 'yaradnu' means 'we have come down', 'letitkha' means 'to give you', 'be-yad pelistim' means 'into the hand of the Philistines', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'hishev'u' means 'swear', 'li' means 'to me', 'pen-tifge'un' means 'lest you strike', 'bi' means 'me', and 'attam' means 'you'.
[JDG.15.13] And they said to him, 'No, for we will bind you and give you into their hand, and death we will not cause you, and they bound him with two new cords, and they lifted him from the rock.' [§]
Vayomeru lo lemor lo ki asor ne'eserkha venetannucha beyadam vehamet lo nemitkha vayaseruhu bishnaim avotim chadashim vayaluohu min-hasala.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'lemor' means 'to say', 'lo' means 'no', 'ki' means 'for', 'asor' means 'we will bind', 'ne'eserkha' means 'you', 'venetannucha' means 'and we will give you', 'beyadam' means 'into their hand', 'vehamet' means 'and death', 'lo' means 'not', 'nemitkha' means 'we will kill you', 'vayaseruhu' means 'and they bound him', 'bishnaim' means 'with two', 'avotim' means 'cords', 'chadashim' means 'new', 'vayaluohu' means 'and they lifted him', 'min-hasala' means 'from the rock'.
[JDG.15.14] He came to the point, and the Philistines raised a shout to his call, and the spirit of Yahveh went upon him; the burdens that were on his shoulders became like the Philistines that were burned in fire, and they scattered his restraints from his hand. [§]
Hu ba ad lechi upleishtim heriu liqrato vatzlach alav ruach Yahveh vatiheina haavotim asher al zeruotav kaphishtim asher baaru baesh vayimassu esurav me al yadaiv.
'Hu' means 'He', 'ba' means 'came', 'ad' means 'to', 'lechi' is an idiom meaning 'the point' or 'the edge of a spear', 'u-pleishtim' means 'and the Philistines', 'heriu' means 'raised a shout', 'liqratoh' means 'to his call', 'vatzlach' means 'and went', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'ruach Yahveh' means 'the spirit of Yahveh', 'vatiheina' means 'and they became', 'haavotim' means 'the burdens', 'asher' means 'that', 'al' means 'on', 'zeruotav' means 'his shoulders', 'kaphishtim' means 'like the Philistines', 'asher' again 'that', 'baaru' means 'they burned', 'baesh' means 'in fire', 'vayimassu' means 'and they scattered', 'esurav' means 'his restraints', 'me al' means 'from the', 'yadaiv' means 'hand of him'. The idiom 'ad lechi' is rendered non‑literally as 'to the point' for clarity.
[JDG.15.15] And he found a fresh donkey jawbone, and he stretched out his hand, and took it, and struck with it a thousand men. [§]
Vayyimtsa lechi-chamor teryah vayishlach yado vayikacheha vayach ba elef ish.
'Vayyimtsa' means 'and he found', 'lechi-chamor' means 'a donkey jawbone', 'teryah' means 'fresh' or 'new', 'vayishlach' means 'and he stretched out', 'yado' means 'his hand', 'vayikacheha' means 'and he took it', 'vayach' means 'and he struck', 'ba' means 'with it', 'elef' means 'a thousand', 'ish' means 'men'.
[JDG.15.16] And Samson said, 'With the jaw of the donkey, the jaw of the donkey, I have killed a thousand men.' [§]
Vayomer Shimshon bilchi ha chamo r chamo ratayim bilchi ha chamo r hi keiti elef ish.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'bilchi' means 'with the jaw (of)', 'ha' is the definite article 'the', 'chamo r' means 'donkey', 'chamo ratayim' is the dual form meaning 'two jaws of a donkey' (referring to the jawbone), the second occurrence of 'bilchi ha chamo r' repeats 'with the jaw of the donkey', 'hi keiti' means 'I have struck/killed', 'elef' means 'a thousand', and 'ish' means 'men'.
[JDG.15.17] And it was as he finished speaking, he threw the cup from his hand, and called that place the cup of the baker. [§]
vayehi kechaloto ledaber vayashlech halchi miyado vayikra lamakom hahu ramat lechi.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'kechaloto' means 'as he finished', 'ledaber' means 'to speak', 'vayashlech' means 'he threw', 'halchi' means 'the cup', 'miyado' means 'from his hand', 'vayikra' means 'and he called', 'lamakom' means 'to the place', 'hahu' means 'that', 'ramat' means 'the cup of', 'lechi' means 'the baker'.
[JDG.15.18] And he was very thirsty and called to Yahveh and said, You have given into the hand of your servant this great salvation, and now I will die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised. [§]
Vayitzma meod vayikra el-Yahveh vayomer Atah natat beyada avdecha et hateshuah hagdolah hazot ve'atah amut batzama venafalti beyada haarelim.
'Vayitzma' means 'and he was very thirsty', 'vayikra' means 'and he called', 'el-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'Atah' means 'you', 'natat' means 'have given', 'beyada' means 'into the hand of', 'avdecha' means 'your servant', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'hateshuah' means 'the salvation', 'hagdolah' means 'great', 'hazot' means 'this', 've'atah' means 'and now', 'amut' means 'I will die', 'batzama' means 'of thirst', 'venafalti' means 'and I will fall', 'beyada' means 'into the hand of', 'haarelim' means 'the uncircumcised'.
[JDG.15.19] And God broke the crushing that was in the Lache, and water came out from it; and he drank, and his spirit returned, and he lived; therefore he called its name the spring of the calling that is in the Lache, until this day. [§]
Vayivka Elohim et-hamaktesh asher-balchi Vayetzu mimenu mayim Vayeshat Vatashev ruho Veyechi al-ken kara shmeha ein hakore asher balchi ad hayom hazeh.
'Vayivka' means 'and he broke', 'Elohim' means 'God', 'et-hamaktesh' means 'the crushing' (or 'the pressure'), 'asher-balchi' means 'that is in the Lache', 'Vayetzu' means 'and they went out', 'mimenu' means 'from it', 'mayim' means 'water', 'Vayeshat' means 'and he drank', 'Vatashev' means 'and his spirit returned', 'ruho' means 'his spirit', 'Veyechi' means 'and he lived', 'al-ken' means 'therefore', 'kara' means 'he called', 'shmeha' means 'its name', 'ein' means 'spring', 'hakore' means 'the calling' (the spring that calls), 'asher' means 'that', 'balchi' means 'in the Lache', 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this'.
[JDG.15.20] And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years. [§]
Vayishpot et-Yisrael bi-ymei Philistim esrim shanah.
'Vayishpot' means 'and he judged', 'et-Yisrael' means 'Israel' with the object marker, 'bi-ymei' means 'in the days of', 'Philistim' means 'the Philistines', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 'shanah' means 'years'.
JDG.16
[JDG.16.1] And Samson went to Azath, and he saw there a prostitute, and he went to her. [§]
Vayeylekh Shimshon Azat tah vayyar sham isha zonah vayavo ele-ya.
'Vayeylekh' means 'and (he) went', 'Shimshon' is the proper name Samson, 'Azat' is the place name (traditionally rendered Azath), 'tah' is the feminine suffix attached to the place name, 'vayyar' means 'and (he) saw', 'sham' means 'there', 'isha' means 'woman', 'zonah' means 'prostitute', 'vayavo' means 'and (he) went', 'ele-ya' means 'to her'.
[JDG.16.2] The people of the town said, 'Here comes Samson.' They gathered and pressed around him all night at the gate of the city, and all night they said, 'Until the light of morning we will kill him.' [§]
laazatim leemor ba shimson hena vayasobu vayervu lo kolhalayla beshar hair vayitcharshu kolhalayla leemor ador haboker vaharagnuhu.
'laazatim' means 'the people (of the town)'; 'leemor' means 'to say'; 'ba' means 'here comes'; 'shimson' is the name 'Samson'; 'hena' means 'here'; 'vayasobu' means 'they gathered'; 'vayervu lo' means 'they pressed around him'; 'kolhalayla' means 'all night'; 'beshar' means 'at the gate'; 'hair' means 'of the city'; 'vayitcharshu' means 'they were bewildered/astonished'; 'leemor' again means 'to say'; 'ador' means 'until the light'; 'haboker' means 'of morning'; 'vaharagnuhu' means 'and they will kill him'.
[JDG.16.3] And Samson lay until the middle of the night, and he rose in the middle of the night, and he seized the doors of the city and the two hinges, and he lifted them with the posts and placed them upon his shoulders, and he raised them to the top of the mountain that is over the face of Hebron. [§]
vayishkav shimshon ad-chatsi ha-layla vayakam ba-chatsi ha-layla vay'echoz be-daltoot sha'ar ha-ir u-bishei ha-mezuzot vayissa'em im ha-bri'ach vayashem al k'tefav vayalem el rosh ha-har asher al-penei chevron.
'vayishkav' means 'and he lay', 'shimshon' means 'Samson', 'ad-chatsi' means 'until half', 'ha-layla' means 'the night', 'vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'ba-chatsi' means 'in the middle', 'vay'echoz' means 'and he seized', 'be-daltoot' means 'in the doors', 'sha'ar ha-ir' means 'gate of the city', 'u-bishei' means 'and in the two', 'ha-mezuzot' means 'the hinges', 'vayissa'em' means 'and he lifted', 'im ha-bri'ach' means 'with the posts', 'vayashem' means 'and he placed', 'al k'tefav' means 'upon his shoulders', 'vayalem' means 'and he lifted', 'el rosh' means 'to the top', 'ha-har' means 'the mountain', 'asher' means 'that', 'al-penei' means 'over the face of', 'chevron' means 'Hebron'.
[JDG.16.4] And it happened thereafter, and he loved a woman by the River Sorek, and her name was Delilah. [§]
Va-yehi acharei-ken va-ye'ehav isha be-nachal sorek u-shemah Delila.
'Va-yehi' means 'and it happened', 'acharei-ken' means 'after this', 'va-ye'ehav' means 'and he loved', 'isha' means 'woman', 'be-nachal' means 'by the river', 'sorek' is the name of a stream, 'u-shemah' means 'and her name', 'Delila' is the woman's name.
[JDG.16.5] And the Philistine captains went up to her and said to her, "Give him over, and see by what his strength is great and by what we may be able to bind him to oppress him; and we will give you a man, a thousand and a hundred silver." [§]
vayyaalu eleha sarnēy plishtim vayomru lah patti oto urei ba-me kocho gadol uba-me nuchal lo veasarnuh le'anoto veanachnu nitan-lach ish eleph umeah kaseph
'vayyaalu' means 'and they went up', 'eleha' means 'to her', 'sarnēy' means 'the captains of', 'plishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lah' means 'to her', 'patti' means 'give him over' (or 'hand him over'), 'oto' means 'him', 'urei' means 'and see', 'ba-me' means 'by what', 'kocho' means 'his strength', 'gadol' means 'is great', 'uba-me' means 'and by what', 'nuchal' means 'we may be able', 'lo' means 'to him', 'veasarnuh' means 'we will bind him', 'le'anoto' means 'to oppress him', 'veanachnu' means 'and we', 'nitan-lach' means 'will give to you', 'ish' means 'a man', 'eleph' means 'a thousand', 'umeah' means 'and a hundred', 'kaseph' means 'silver'.
[JDG.16.6] And Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me in what your great strength lies and in what you can be bound." [§]
Vatoamer Delila el-Shimson hagida na li ba-meh kochacha gadol u ba-meh te'oser le-anotach.
'Vatoamer' means 'And she said', 'Delila' is the personal name Delilah, 'el-Shimson' means 'to Samson', 'hagida' means 'tell', 'na' is a polite particle meaning 'please', 'li' means 'to me', 'ba-meh' means 'in what', 'kochacha' means 'your strength', 'gadol' means 'great', 'u' means 'and', 'ba-meh' again means 'in what', 'te'oser' means 'you will be bound', 'le-anotach' means 'to imprison you' (literally 'to bind you').
[JDG.16.7] And he said to her, Samson, if they bind me with seven pots for meat that are not burned, and I become weak and I become like a man. [§]
Vayomer eileha Shimshon im ya'aseruni beshiva yeterim lachim asher lo choravu vechaliti vehayiti ke'echad ha'adam.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eileha' means 'to her', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'im' means 'if', 'ya'aseruni' means 'they will bind me', 'beshiva' means 'with seven', 'yeterim' means 'pots', 'lachim' means 'for meat', 'asher' means 'that', 'lo' means 'not', 'choravu' means 'they will burn', 'vechaliti' means 'and I will become weak', 'vehayiti' means 'and I will be', 'ke'echad' means 'like one', 'ha'adam' means 'the man'.
[JDG.16.8] And they went up to it, the Philistine chiefs, seven extra portions for food that they had not plowed, and they bound him among them. [§]
Vayyaalu-la sarnei plishtim shivah yeterim lachim asher lo choravu vataasserihu bahem.
'Vayyaalu' means 'and they went up', 'la' means 'to it/her', 'sarnei' means 'chiefs' or 'princes', 'plishtim' means 'the Philistines', 'shivah' means 'seven', 'yeterim' means 'extra' or 'excess', 'lachim' means 'for food/meat', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'lo' means 'not', 'choravu' means 'they plowed' (i.e., cultivated), 'vataasserihu' means 'and they bound him', 'bahem' means 'among them'.
[JDG.16.9] And the raven sat with her in the chamber, and she said to him, 'Philistines are upon you, Samson,' and he broke the bonds as one would break the cord of a newborn when he lights a fire, and his strength was not known. [§]
veha orev yoshev lah ba cheder vatomer elav Pelishtim alekha Shimshon vayenatek et ha yitarim ka asher yinatek ptil ha naeret ba haricho esh velo noda koach.
'veha' means 'and the', 'orev' means 'raven', 'yoshev' means 'sat', 'lah' means 'with her', 'ba' means 'in the', 'cheder' means 'chamber', 'vatomer' means 'and she said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'alekha' means 'upon you', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'vayenatek' means 'and he broke', 'et' is a particle marking the direct object, 'ha' means 'the', 'yitarim' means 'bonds' or 'shackles', 'ka' means 'as', 'asher' means 'that', 'yinatek' means 'one would break', 'ptil' means 'cord', 'ha' means 'the', 'naeret' means 'newborn', 'ba' means 'when', 'haricho' means 'he lights' (fire), 'esh' means 'fire', 'velo' means 'and not', 'noda' means 'known', 'koach' means 'strength'.
[JDG.16.10] And Delilah said to Samson, "Behold, you have lain with me and you have spoken to me lies. Now please tell me with what you will be bound." [§]
Va'tomer Delilah el-Shimshon hineh he'talta bi ve'tedaber elay ke'zavim atah hagida-na li ba-meh te'oser.
'Va'tomer' means 'and said', 'Delilah' is the woman's name, 'el' means 'to', 'Shimshon' is the name Samson, 'hineh' means 'behold' or 'look', 'he'talta' means 'you have lain' (literally 'you have slept'), 'bi' means 'with me', 've'tedaber' means 'and you spoke', 'elay' means 'to me', 'ke'zavim' means 'with lies' (lit. 'like lies'), 'atah' means 'now', 'hagida-na' means 'please tell me' (lit. 'tell [it] to me'), 'li' means 'to me', 'ba-meh' means 'with what', 'te'oser' means 'you will be bound' (lit. 'you will be seized').
[JDG.16.11] And he said to her, 'If I shall be bound by new burdens that we have not yet made work in, and I become weak and become like a man.' [§]
Vayomer eileha im asur yaasruni ba'avotim chadashim asher lo na'aseh bahem melacha vechaliti vehayiti ke'echad haadam.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eileha' means 'to her', 'im' means 'if', 'asur' means 'bound' or 'restricted', 'yaasruni' means 'they will bind me', 'ba'avotim' means 'in burdens', 'chadashim' means 'new', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'lo' means 'not', 'na'aseh' means 'we will make', 'bahem' means 'in them', 'melacha' means 'work', 'vechaliti' means 'and I become weak or ill', 'vehayiti' means 'and I will become', 'ke'echad' means 'like one', 'haadam' means 'the man' or 'human'.
[JDG.16.12] And Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them, and said to him, "Philistines are upon you, Samson, and the bird sits in the chamber," and she tore them from his arms like a thread. [§]
Vatiqqah delila avotim chadashim vatta'aserhu bahem vato'amer elav Pelishtim alekha Shimshon vehora'ev yosev bechader vayenattekem me'al zero'otav kachut.
'Vatiqqah' means 'and she took', 'delila' is the name Delilah, 'avotim' means 'ropes', 'chadashim' means 'new', 'vatta'aserhu' means 'and she bound him', 'bahem' means 'with them', 'vato'amer' means 'and she said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'alekha' means 'upon you', 'Shimshon' is the name Samson, 'vehora'ev' means 'and the bird', 'yosev' means 'sits', 'bechader' means 'in the chamber', 'vayenattekem' means 'and she tore them off', 'me'al' means 'from the', 'zero'otav' means 'his arms', 'kachut' means 'like a thread'.
[JDG.16.13] And Delilah said to Samson, 'Until now you have hidden yourself in me, and you speak to me lies; tell me by what means you will be bound.' He said to her, 'If you will arrange seven locks of my head with the loom.' [§]
Vatomer Delila el-Shimshon ad-henna hetalta bi vatedaber elai kezavim hagida li bammeh te'oser vayomer ela'ha im ta'arghi et sheva machl'fot roshi im ha-massaket.
'Va' means 'and', 'tomer' means 'said', 'Delila' is the name Delilah, 'el' means 'to', 'Shimshon' is the name Samson, 'ad' means 'until', 'henna' means 'now', 'hetalta' means 'you have hidden', 'bi' means 'in me', 'vatedaber' means 'and you speak', 'elai' means 'to me', 'ke' means 'as', 'zavim' means 'lies', 'hagina' means 'tell', 'li' means 'to me', 'bammeh' means 'by what', 'te'oser' means 'you will be bound', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ela'ha' means 'to her', 'im' means 'if', 'ta'arghi' means 'you will arrange', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'sheva' means 'seven', 'machl'fot' means 'locks/segments', 'roshi' means 'of my head', 'im' means 'with', 'ha-massaket' means 'the loom' or 'the net'.
[JDG.16.14] She struck the pillar and said to him, 'Philistines are upon you, Samson.' He was awakened from his sleep, rode the pillar, the deadly one and the covering. [§]
Vattitka ba-yated vatoomer elav Philistim alekha Shimshon vayiqetz mishenato vayissa et-haytad ha-ereg ve-et-hamassaket.
'Vattitka' means 'and she struck', 'ba-yated' means 'the pillar', 'vatoomer' means 'and she said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Philistim' means 'the Philistines', 'alekha' means 'upon you', 'Shimshon' is the personal name Samson, 'vayiqetz' means 'he was awakened', 'mishenato' means 'from his sleep', 'vayissa' means 'he rode', 'et-haytad' means 'the pillar', 'ha-ereg' means 'the deadly one' or 'the killing', 've-et-hamassaket' means 'and the covering' (or 'the support').
[JDG.16.15] And she said to him, How can you say I love you, when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have fled from me, and you did not tell me by what great strength you possess. [§]
Vatomer elav eich tomar ahavtik v'levkha ein iti zeh shalosh pe'amim hetalta bi velo higadta li bammach koachkha gadol.
'Vatomer' means 'and she said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'eich' means 'how', 'tomar' means 'you say', 'ahavtik' means 'I love you', 'v'levkha' means 'and your heart', 'ein' means 'is not', 'iti' means 'with me', 'zeh' means 'this', 'shalosh' means 'three', 'pe'amim' means 'times', 'hetalta' means 'you fled', 'bi' means 'from me', 'velo' means 'and not', 'higadta' means 'you told', 'li' means 'to me', 'bammach' means 'by what', 'koachkha' means 'your strength', 'gadol' means 'great'.
[JDG.16.16] And it happened because she harassed him with her words all the days, and she compelled him, and she cut short his life so that he would die. [§]
Vayehi ki hetsika lo bidvareha kol hayamim vate'alzehu vatiktsar nafsho lamut.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened'; 'ki' means 'because'; 'hetsika' means 'she harassed' or 'bothered'; 'lo' means 'him'; 'bidvareha' means 'with her words'; 'kol hayamim' means 'all the days'; 'vate'alzehu' means 'and she compelled/forced him'; 'vatiktsar' means 'and she shortened'; 'nafsho' means 'his soul' or 'his life'; 'lamut' means 'to die'.
[JDG.16.17] And he told her his whole heart and said to her, Teacher, nothing has risen upon my head because I am a Nazir of the Gods from my mother's womb. If I have been shaved and my strength removed from me, I became sick and became like all humanity. [§]
Vayagged-la et kol libbo vayomer la mora lo-ala al-roshi ki-nazir Elohim ani mibbeten immi im-gulachti ve-sar mimmeni kochi ve-chaliti ve-hayiti ke-khol haadam.
'Vayagged-la' means 'and he told her', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'libbo' means 'his heart', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'la' means 'to her', 'mora' means 'teacher', 'lo-ala' means 'nothing rose', 'al-roshi' means 'upon my head', 'ki' means 'because', 'nazir' means 'Nazir', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'ani' means 'I am', 'mibbeten' means 'from the womb', 'immi' means 'of my mother', 'im-gulachti' means 'if I have been shaved', 've-sar' means 'and removed', 'mimmeni' means 'from me', 'kochi' means 'my strength', 've-chaliti' means 'and I became sick', 've-hayiti' means 'and I became', 'ke-khol' means 'like all', 'haadam' means 'human'.
[JDG.16.18] And Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, and she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this time, for he has told me all his heart. The lords of the Philistines went up to her, and they lifted the money in their hand. [§]
Vater re Delila ki higid lah et kol livvo vatishelach vatikra lesarnei Pelishtim leemor aloo hapam ki higid li et kol livvo vealu eleyha sarnei Pelishtim vayalu hakeseph beyadam.
'Vater' means 'and', 're' means 'saw', 'Delila' is the name Delilah, 'ki' means 'because' or 'that', 'higid' means 'he told', 'lah' means 'to her', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'livvo' means 'his heart', 'vatishelach' means 'and she sent', 'vatikra' means 'and she called', 'lesarnei' means 'to the lords', 'Pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'leemor' means 'to say', 'aloo' means 'come up', 'hapam' means 'this time', 'ki' means 'for', 'higid' means 'he told', 'li' means 'to me', 'vealu' means 'and they went up', 'eleyha' means 'to her', 'sarnei' means 'lords', 'vayalu' means 'they lifted', 'hakeseph' means 'the money', 'beyadam' means 'in their hand'.
[JDG.16.19] And she laid him upon her thigh, and called to the man, and uncovered the seven headpieces of his head, and began to afflict him, and his strength was taken from him. [§]
Vatteyashnehu al-birkeha vatikra la'ish vategallah et-sheva machl'fot rosho vatahel le'anoto vayasar kocho me'alav.
'Vatteyashnehu' means 'and she laid him', 'al-birkeha' means 'upon her thigh', 'vatikra' means 'and called', 'la'ish' means 'to the man', 'vategallah' means 'and uncovered', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'sheva' means 'seven', 'machl'fot' means 'crowns' or 'headpieces', 'rosho' means 'his head', 'vatahel' means 'and began', 'le'anoto' means 'to afflict him', 'vayasar' means 'and removed', 'kocho' means 'his strength', 'me'alav' means 'from him'.
[JDG.16.20] And the Philistines said to you, Samson, and he awoke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out like a lion at a time and I will strike,' and he did not know that Yahveh had turned away from him. [§]
vato'amer Pelishtim aleikha Shimshon vayiqats mishnato vayomer eitse ke'paam bapaam veinna'er vehu lo yada ki Yahveh sar me'alav.
'vato'amer' means 'and said', 'Pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'aleikha' means 'to you' (masc.), 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'vayiqats' means 'and he awoke', 'mishnato' means 'from his sleep', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eitse' means 'I will go out', 'ke'paam' means 'like a lion', 'bapaam' means 'at a time' or 'against them', 'veinna'er' means 'and I will strike', 'vehu' means 'and he', 'lo' means 'not', 'yada' means 'knew', 'ki' means 'that', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'sar' means 'has turned away', 'me'alav' means 'from upon him'.
[JDG.16.21] And the Philistines seized him, and they gouged out his eyes, and they brought him down to Gaza, and they bound him with two cords, and he became a leper in the house of the Ashirim. [§]
Vayo'achazu hu P'lishtim v'neqru et- einav viyoridu oto azatah vayasseruhu baNachushtayim vayhi tochen beveit ha'ashirim.
'Vayo'achazu' means 'and they seized', 'hu' means 'him', 'P'lishtim' means 'Philistines', 'v'neqru' means 'and they gouged', 'et- einav' means 'his eyes', 'viyoridu' means 'and they brought down', 'oto' means 'him', 'azatah' means 'to Gaza', 'vayasseruhu' means 'and they bound him', 'baNachushtayim' means 'with two cords', 'vayhi' means 'and he became', 'tochen' means 'a leper', 'beveit' means 'in the house of', 'ha'ashirim' means 'the Ashirim' (a place or group name).
[JDG.16.22] His hair began to grow as it had been shorn. [§]
vayachel se'ar rosho letsameach kaasher gullah.
'vayachel' means 'and he began', 'se'ar' means 'hair', 'rosho' means 'his head', 'letsameach' means 'to grow', 'kaasher' means 'as', 'gullah' means 'shaven' or 'shorn'.
[JDG.16.23] And the Philistine chiefs gathered to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon for celebration, and they said, Our God has given in our hands the Samson, our enemies. [§]
ve-sarnei pelishtim ne'esfu lizvoach zevach gadol le-dagon elohéhem u-lesimcha vayomeru natan elohenu be-yadeinu et shimshon oyveinu.
've-sarnei' means 'and the princes/chiefs', 'pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'ne'esfu' means 'gathered', 'lizvoach' means 'to sacrifice', 'zevach' means 'sacrifice', 'gadol' means 'great', 'le-dagon' means 'to Dagon', 'elohéhem' means 'their god', 'u-lesimcha' means 'and for celebration', 'vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'natan' means 'has given', 'elohenu' means 'our God', 'be-yadeinu' means 'in our hand(s)', 'et' is the accusative marker (here rendered as 'the'), 'shimshon' means 'Samson', 'oyveinu' means 'our enemies'.
[JDG.16.24] They saw him, the people, and they praised the Gods, because they said, 'Our Gods have placed in our hand our enemies and the destroyer of our land and that which has multiplied our spoil.' [§]
vayirehu oto haam vayhallu et Elohehem ki amru natan Eloheinu be yadeinu et oyveinu ve et machariv artzenu va'asher hirbah et chalalenu.
"vayirehu" means "they saw"; "oto" means "him"; "haam" means "the people"; "vayhallu" means "they praised"; "et" is a direct‑object marker (no translation); "Elohehem" means "their Gods"; "ki" means "because"; "amru" means "they said"; "natan" means "has given"; "Eloheinu" means "our Gods"; "be yadeinu" means "in our hand"; "oyveinu" means "our enemies"; "ve" means "and"; "et" again the object marker; "machariv" means "the devastator/destroyer"; "artzenu" means "of our land"; "va'asher" means "and that which"; "hirbah" means "has increased/multiplied"; "chalalenu" means "our spoil/ plunder".
[JDG.16.25] It was good to them, and they said, "Call Samson, and we will laugh," and they called Samson from the house of the prisoners; he laughed before them, and they placed him among the pillars. [§]
vayehi ke-tov livam vayomru kiru leshimshon veysahek-lanu vayikru leshimshon mibeit ha-asirim vaytzachek lifneyhem vayaamidu oto bein ha-amudim.
'vayehi' means 'it was', 'ke-tov' means 'good', 'livam' means 'to them' or 'in their hearts', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'kiru' means 'call', 'leshimshon' means 'Samson (a proper name)', 'veysahek-lanu' means 'and for our amusement' or 'so that we may laugh', 'vayikru' means 'and they called', 'mibeit' means 'from the house', 'ha-asirim' means 'of the prisoners', 'vaytzachek' means 'and he laughed', 'lifneyhem' means 'before them', 'vayaamidu' means 'they set' or 'they placed', 'oto' means 'him', 'bein' means 'among' or 'between', 'ha-amudim' means 'the pillars'.
[JDG.16.26] And Samson said to the lad who was holding his hand, "Release me, and let me grasp the pillars that the house is firmly set upon, and I will crush them upon them." [§]
vayomer shimshon el hanaar hamachazik beyado hanichah oti vehimisheni et haamudim asher habayit nachon aleihem veeshaen aleihem.
'vayomer' means 'and said', 'shimshon' is the name 'Samson', 'el' means 'to', 'hanaar' means 'the lad', 'hamachazik' means 'the one who holds', 'beyado' means 'in his hand', 'hanichah' means 'the one who releases', 'oti' means 'me', 'vehimisheni' means 'and let me handle', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'haamudim' means 'the pillars', 'asher' means 'that', 'habayit' means 'the house', 'nachon' means 'firm' or 'secure', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'veeshaen' means 'and I will crush', 'aleihem' again means 'upon them'.
[JDG.16.27] And the house was full of the men and the women, and there all the Philistine rulers, and on the roof there were as many as three thousand men and women who saw the laughter of Samson. [§]
vehabayit male ha'anashim vehannashim veshamah kol sarnei plishtim ve'al-hagag kishloshet alafim ish ve'isha haro'im bishoch Shimshon.
'vehabayit' means 'and the house', 'male' means 'full', 'ha'anashim' means 'the men', 'vehannashim' means 'and the women', 'veshamah' means 'and there', 'kol' means 'all', 'sarnei' means 'the rulers/leaders', 'plishtim' means 'Philistines', 've'al-hagag' means 'and on the roof', 'kishloshet' means 'as three', 'alafim' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'man', 've'isha' means 'and woman', 'haro'im' means 'seeing', 'bishoch' means 'in laughter', 'Shimshon' is the name 'Samson'.
[JDG.16.28] And Samson called to Yahveh and said, "My Lord Yahveh, remember me, please, and strengthen me, please; only this time, the Gods, and I will take vengeance for my two eyes against the Philistines." [§]
Vayikra Shimshon el-Yahveh vayomer Adonai Yahveh zakhréni na vechazkéni na akh ha-pam hazeh haElohim ve'inakmah nekam achat mishtei einai mipelishtim.
'Vayikra' means 'and called', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'el-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'Adonai' means 'my Lord', 'Yahveh' means 'Yahveh', 'zakhréni' means 'remember me', 'na' means 'please', 'vechazkéni' means 'and strengthen me', 'akh' means 'only/just', 'ha-pam' means 'this time', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods', 've'inakmah' means 'and I will avenge', 'nekam' means 'revenge', 'achat' means 'one', 'mishtei' means 'from two', 'einai' means 'my eyes', 'mipelishtim' means 'from the Philistines'.
[JDG.16.29] And Samson rolled the two inner pillars on which the house stands, and he leaned upon them, one on his right and one on his left. [§]
Vayilpot Shimshon et shenei amudei hatavekh asher habbayit nachon aleihem vayisamekh aleihem echad biminah ve echad bismaloh.
'Vayilpot' means 'and he rolled', 'Shimshon' is the proper name Samson, 'et' is the direct object marker, 'shenei' means 'two', 'amudei' means 'pillars', 'hatavekh' means 'the inner', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'habbayit' means 'the house', 'nachon' means 'stands', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'vayisamekh' means 'and he leaned', 'echad' means 'one', 'biminah' means 'on his right', 've' means 'and', 'echad' again 'one', 'bismaloh' means 'on his left'.
[JDG.16.30] And Samson said, My soul will die with the Philistines. He pushed with his strength, and the house fell on the pillars and on all the people who were in it; and the dead whom he killed with his death were many more than those he killed in his life. [§]
Vayomer Shimshon tamot nafshi im Pelishtim vayet bekoach vayippol habayit al haseranim veal kol haam asher bo vayihyu ha metim asher hemiyt bemoto rabbim measher hemiyt bechayav.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Shimshon' means 'Samson', 'tamot' means 'I will die', 'nafshi' means 'my soul', 'im' means 'with', 'Pelishtim' means 'Philistines', 'vayet' means 'and he pushed', 'bekoach' means 'with strength', 'vayippol' means 'and it fell', 'habayit' means 'the house', 'al' means 'upon', 'haseranim' means 'the pillars', 'veal' means 'and upon', 'kol' means 'all', 'haam' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'who', 'bo' means 'were in it', 'vayihyu' means 'were', 'ha metim' means 'the dead', 'asher' means 'that', 'hemiyt' means 'he killed', 'bemoto' means 'by his death', 'rabbim' means 'many', 'measher' means 'more than', 'hemiyt' means 'he killed', 'bechayav' means 'in his life'.
[JDG.16.31] And his brothers and all his father's household went down, and they lifted him, and they carried him and buried him between Tzarah and Eshta'al in the grave of his father's rest, and he judged Israel for twenty years. [§]
va-yeredu achav ve-khol beit avihu vayisa'u oto vayalu vayikberu oto bein tzarah uvein eshta'al bekever manoach aviv ve-hu shafat et Yisrael esrim shana.
'va' means 'and', 'yeredu' means 'they went down', 'achav' means 'his brothers', 've-khol' means 'and all', 'beit' means 'house of', 'avihu' means 'his father', 'vayisa'u' means 'they lifted', 'oto' means 'him', 'vayalu' means 'they carried', 'vayikberu' means 'they buried', 'bein' means 'between', 'tzarah' is a place name, 'uvein' means 'and between', 'eshta'al' is another place name, 'bekever' means 'in the grave', 'manoach' means 'rest', 'aviv' means 'his father', 've-hu' means 'and he', 'shafat' means 'judged', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 'shana' means 'years'.
JDG.17
[JDG.17.1] And there was a man from the hill of Ephraim, and his name was Who is like Yahveh. [§]
Vayehi ish mehar Ephraim ushemo Mikha yahu.
'Vayehi' means 'And it came to pass' or 'And there was', 'ish' means 'man', 'me' means 'from', 'har' means 'mountain' (combined as 'mehar' = 'from the mountain'), 'Ephraim' is a place name, 'ushemo' means 'and his name', 'Mikha' means 'who is like', and 'yahu' is the shortened form of the divine name Yahveh, so the personal name Mikha yahu literally means 'who is like Yahveh'.
[JDG.17.2] And he said to his mother, a thousand and a hundred silver that was taken for you, and I have gone up, and also you said in my ears, 'Behold the silver is with me; I have taken it.' And his mother said, 'Blessed my son to Yahveh.' [§]
vayomer le'immo eleph u-meah hakeseph asher luqach-lakh ve'ati alit vegam amarta beoznai hineh hakeseph iti ani leqachtiv vatoamer immo baruch beni laYahveh.
'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'le'immo' means 'to his mother', 'eleph' means 'a thousand', 'u-meah' means 'and a hundred', 'hakeseph' means 'the silver', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'luqach-lakh' means 'was taken for you', 've'ati' means 'and I', 'alit' means 'have gone up', 'vegam' means 'also', 'amarta' means 'you said', 'beoznai' means 'in my ears', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'iti' means 'with me', 'ani' means 'I', 'leqachtiv' means 'have taken it', 'vatoamer' means 'and she said', 'immo' means 'his mother', 'baruch' means 'blessed', 'beni' means 'my son', 'laYahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the divine name YHVH translated as Yahveh).
[JDG.17.3] And he gave back the thousand and hundred silver to his mother, and his mother said, 'The holy one, I have consecrated the silver to Yahveh from my hand for my son to make an idol and a mask, and now I will return it to you.' [§]
Vayashav et elf u mea hakeseph leimo vatotomer imo haqadesh hiqdashti et hakeseph lYahveh miyadi livni laasot pesel u masseha veatta ashivennu lach.
'Vayashav' means 'and he gave back', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'elf' means 'a thousand', 'u' means 'and', 'mea' means 'a hundred', 'hakeseph' means 'the silver', 'leimo' means 'to his mother', 'vatotomer' means 'and she said', 'imo' means 'his mother', 'haqadesh' means 'the holy one', 'hiqdashti' means 'I have consecrated', 'et' again the object marker, 'hakeseph' again 'the silver', 'lYahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'miyadi' means 'from my hand', 'livni' means 'for my son', 'laasot' means 'to make', 'pesel' means 'an idol', 'u' means 'and', 'masseha' means 'a mask', 'veatta' means 'and now', 'ashivennu' means 'I will return it', 'lach' means 'to you'.
[JDG.17.4] And he returned the silver to his mother, and his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to the goldsmith, and he made a statue and a covering, and it was in the house of Micah. [§]
Vayashav et-hakessef le'immo vatikach immo matayim kesef vattit'neh la-tzoref vayasehu pesel u-massecha vayhi b'veit Mikayhu.
'Vayashav' means 'and he returned', 'et-hakessef' means 'the silver', 'le'immo' means 'to his mother', 'vatikach' means 'and she took', 'immo' means 'her mother', 'matayim' means 'two hundred', 'kesef' means 'silver', 'vattit'neh' means 'and gave it', 'la-tzoref' means 'to the goldsmith', 'vayasehu' means 'and he made it', 'pesel' means 'a statue or idol', 'u-massecha' means 'and a covering/veil', 'vayhi' means 'and it was', 'b'veit' means 'in the house of', 'Mikayhu' is a proper name (Micah).
[JDG.17.5] And the man Mikha had a house of the Gods, and he made an ephod and teraphim, and he filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became a priest. [§]
veha'ish Mikha lo beit Elohim vayya'as ephod utera'fim vayemalle et-yad echad mibanav vayhi-lo lekohen.
'veha'ish' means 'and the man', 'Mikha' is a personal name, 'lo' means 'his' or 'to him', 'beit' means 'house', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods' (plural), 'vayya'as' means 'and he made', 'ephod' means a priestly garment, 'utera'fim' means 'and teraphim' (household idols), 'vayemalle' means 'and he filled', 'et-yad' means 'the hand of', 'echad' means 'one', 'mibanav' means 'of his sons', 'vayhi-lo' means 'and it was to him' or 'and he became', 'lekohen' means 'as a priest' or 'a priest'.
[JDG.17.6] In those days there was no king in Israel; a man who is upright in his own eyes will do (what he deems right). [§]
Ba yamim ha-hem ein melek bi-Yisrael; ish ha-yashar be-einav ya'aseh.
'Ba' means 'in', 'yamim' means 'days', 'ha-hem' means 'those', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'melek' means 'king', 'bi-Yisrael' means 'in Israel', 'ish' means 'man', 'ha-yashar' means 'the upright', 'be-einav' means 'in his eyes', 'ya'aseh' means 'will do' or 'does'.
[JDG.17.7] And there was a young man from Bethlehem of Judah, of the family of Judah; he was a Levite and he was a resident there. [§]
vayehi naar mi beit lechem Yehudah mimishpachat Yehudah ve-hu Levi ve-hu gar sham.
'vayehi' means 'and it was', 'naar' means 'young man', 'mi' means 'from', 'beit' means 'house', 'lechem' means 'bread' (together 'Beth lechem' = Bethlehem), 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'mimishpachat' means 'of the family of', the second 'Yehudah' repeats the same meaning, 've-hu' means 'and he was', 'Levi' means 'a Levite', 've-hu' again means 'and he was', 'gar' means 'dwelling' or 'resident', 'sham' means 'there'.
[JDG.17.8] And the man went from the city, from Bethlehem of Judah, to dwell where he might find; and he went up the hill of Ephraim to the house of Micah to do his way. [§]
va-yyeLEK ha-ISH me-ha-IR mi-BET le-CHEM YehU-DA la-GUR ba-ASHER yim-TSA' va-ya-VO haR-EF-ra-YIM ad BEIT mi-CHA la-aSOt DAR-ko.
'va-yyeLEK' means 'and went', 'ha-ISH' means 'the man', 'me-ha-IR' means 'from the city', 'mi-BET' means 'from the house', 'le-CHEM' means 'of bread' (Bethlehem), 'YehU-DA' means 'Judah', 'la-GUR' means 'to dwell', 'ba-ASHER' means 'where', 'yim-TSA'' means 'he would find', 'va-ya-VO' means 'and he went up', 'haR-EF-ra-YIM' means 'the hill of Ephraim', 'ad' means 'to', 'BEIT' means 'the house', 'mi-CHA' means 'of Micah', 'la-aSOt' means 'to do', 'DAR-ko' means 'his way' or 'his journey'.
[JDG.17.9] And Micah said to him, 'From where are you coming?' And he said to him, 'I am a Levite, I am from the house of bread of Judah, and I am going to dwell wherever I find.' [§]
Vayomer-lo Mica me'ayin tavo vayomer elav Levi anochi mi-beit lechem Yehudah ve-anoki holech lagur ba'asher emtza.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'Mica' is the name Micah, 'me'ayin' means 'from where', 'tavo' means 'you will come', 'vayomer' again 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Levi' is the tribe name, 'anochi' means 'I', 'mi-beit' means 'from the house of', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'Yehudah' is Judah, 've-anoki' means 'and I', 'holech' means 'going', 'lagur' means 'to dwell', 'ba'asher' means 'in the place', 'emtza' means 'I find'.
[JDG.17.10] And Micah said to him, "Stay with me and be for me a father and a priest; and I will give you ten pieces of silver for days, and a robe of clothing, and your livelihood," and the Levite went. [§]
Vayomer lo Mikhah sheva imadi veheyyeh li leav ulekohen ve'anokhi eten lekha aseret kesef layamim ve'erekh begadim umichyatecha vayelekh haLevi.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'Mikhah' means 'Micah', 'sheva' means 'stay', 'imadi' means 'with me', 'veheyyeh' means 'and be', 'li' means 'for me', 'leav' means 'as a father', 'ulekohen' means 'and as a priest', 've'anokhi' means 'and I', 'eten' means 'will give', 'lekha' means 'to you', 'aseret' means 'ten', 'kesef' means 'silver', 'layamim' means 'for days', 've'erekh' means 'and a garment', 'begadim' means 'of clothing', 'umichyatecha' means 'and your livelihood', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'haLevi' means 'the Levite'.
[JDG.17.11] And the Levite went to sit with the man, and the boy was his like one of his sons. [§]
Vayyo'el ha-Levi la-shevet et ha-"ish" vayhi ha-na'ar lo ke-achad mi-banav.
"Vayyo'el" means "and the Levite went", "ha-Levi" means "the Levite", "la-shevet" means "to sit", "et" is the direct‑object marker, "ha-\"ish\"" means "the man", "vayhi" means "and it was", "ha-na'ar" means "the boy", "lo" means "to him" or "his", "ke-achad" means "like one" (literally "as one"), "mi-banav" means "of his sons" ("mi" = "of", "banav" = "his sons").
[JDG.17.12] Micha filled the hand of the Levite, and the youth was for him a priest, and it was in the house of Micha. [§]
Vayimale Mikha et-yad haLevi vayhi lo ha-na'ar leKohen vayhi bebeit Mikha.
'Vayimale' means 'and (he) filled', 'Mikha' is the personal name 'Micha', 'et-' is the accusative marker (not translated), 'yad' means 'hand', 'haLevi' means 'the Levite', 'vayhi' means 'and (it) was', 'lo' means 'to him' or 'his', 'ha-na'ar' means 'the youth' or 'the young man', 'leKohen' means 'as a priest' or 'for a priest', 'vayhi' again means 'and (it) was', 'bebeit' means 'in the house of', and the final 'Mikha' repeats the name 'Micha'.
[JDG.17.13] And Micah said, Now I know that Yahveh will be good to me, because the Levite has become a priest for me. [§]
va-yomer Mikha attah yada'ti ki yeitiv Yahveh li ki hayah li haLevi lekohen.
'va-yomer' means 'and said', 'Mikha' is the name Micah, 'attah' means 'now', 'yada'ti' means 'I know', 'ki' means 'that', 'yeitiv' is the future form of 'to do good' meaning 'will be good to', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'li' means 'to me' or 'for me', the second 'ki' means 'because', 'hayah' means 'was' or 'has become', 'haLevi' means 'the Levite', and 'lekohen' means 'to a priest' or 'as a priest'.
JDG.18
[JDG.18.1] In those days there was no king in Israel, and in those days the tribe of Dan was seeking an inheritance to settle, because it had not received any inheritance among the tribes of Israel up to that day. [§]
Bayamim hahem ein melekh beYisrael ubayamim hahem shevet hadani mevakesh-lo nachala lashevet ki lo-nafla lo ad-hayom hahu betoch-shivtei Yisrael benachala.
'Bayamim' means 'in the days', 'hahem' means 'those', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'melekh' means 'king', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'ubayamim' means 'and in the days', 'shevet' means 'tribe', 'hadani' means 'of Dan', 'mevakesh-lo' means 'seeking for it/him', 'nachala' means 'inheritance', 'lashevet' means 'to sit/settle', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo-nafla' means 'has not fallen', 'lo' means 'to it/him', 'ad-hayom' means 'until the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'betoch-shivtei' means 'among the tribes of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'benachala' means 'in inheritance'.
[JDG.18.2] And the children of Dan sent from their families five men from their outskirts, men of valor from Zareah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and explore it; and they said to them, 'Go, explore the land.' And they came to the mountain of Ephraim, as far as the house of Mikah, and dwelt there. [§]
Vayishlu bnei-Dan mimishpachtam chamisha anashim miketzotam anashim b'nei-chayil mitzareah u-me'eshtaol leragel et-haaretz u-lehakreh vayomeru alehem lechu chikeru et-haaretz vayavo haHar-Ephraim ad-beit Mikha vayalinun sham.
'Vayishlu' means 'they sent', 'bnei-Dan' means 'the sons/people of Dan', 'mimishpachtam' means 'from their families', 'chamisha' means 'five', 'anashim' means 'men', 'miketzotam' means 'from their outskirts', 'anashim b'nei-chayil' means 'men of valor', 'mitsareah' means 'from Zareah', 'u-me'eshtaol' means 'and from Eshtaol', 'leragel' means 'to spy out', 'et-haaretz' means 'the land', 'u-lehakreh' means 'and to explore it', 'vayomeru' means 'they said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'lechu' means 'go', 'chikeru' means 'explore', 'vayavo' means 'and they came', 'haHar-Ephraim' means 'the mountain of Ephraim', 'ad-beit Mikha' means 'to the house of Mikah', 'vayalinun' means 'and they dwelt', 'sham' means 'there'.
[JDG.18.3] They were with Micah's house, and they recognized the voice of the Levite youth, and they turned aside there, and they said to him, 'Who brought you here? And what are you doing about this? And why are you here?' [§]
Hemmah im beit Mikha ve-hemmah hikkiru et qol ha-na'ar ha-Levi va-yasuru sham va-yomru lo mi-heviacha halom u-mah atah oseh ba-zeh u-mah lekha po.
'Hemmah' means 'they', 'im' means 'with', 'beit' means 'house', 'Mikha' is the personal name Micah, 've-hemmah' means 'and they', 'hikkiru' means 'recognized', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'qol' means 'voice', 'ha-na'ar' means 'the youth', 'ha-Levi' means 'the Levite', 'va-yasuru' means 'and they turned aside', 'sham' means 'there', 'va-yomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'mi-heviacha' means 'who brought you', 'halom' means 'here', 'u-mah' means 'and what', 'atah' means 'you', 'oseh' means 'are doing', 'ba-zeh' means 'about this', 'u-mah' (second occurrence) means 'and why', 'lekha' means 'to you', 'po' means 'here'.
[JDG.18.4] And he said to them, thus and thus Micha did for me, and he hired me and I became his priest. [§]
Vayomer alehem kazoh ve-kazeh asah li Mikha vayiskhreni va'ehiy lo lekohein.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'kazoh' means 'thus', 've-kazeh' means 'and thus', 'asah' means 'did', 'li' means 'for me', 'Mikha' is a personal name, 'vayiskhreni' means 'and hired me', 'va'ehiy' means 'and I became', 'lo' means 'to him', 'lekohein' means 'as a priest'.
[JDG.18.5] And they said to him, 'Please ask the Gods, and we will know if you will succeed in our way that we are walking upon it.' [§]
Vayomru lo sheal-na beElohim ve ned'a ha tatzliach darcheinu asher anachnu holechim aleha.
'Vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'sheal' means 'ask', 'na' is a particle meaning 'please', 'beElohim' means 'in the Gods', 've' means 'and', 'ned'a' means 'we will know', 'ha' is a question particle, 'tatzliach' means 'you will succeed', 'darcheinu' means 'our way', 'asher' means 'that', 'anachnu' means 'we', 'holechim' means 'are walking', 'aleha' means 'upon it'.
[JDG.18.6] And he said to them, the priest, Go in peace before Yahveh your ways which you will walk in. [§]
Vayomer lahem hakohen lechu leshalom nokhah Yahveh darkhem asher telchu bah.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'hakohen' means 'the priest', 'lechu' means 'go', 'leshalom' means 'in peace', 'nokhah' means 'in the presence', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of YHVH, 'darkhem' means 'your ways', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'telchu' means 'you will walk', 'bah' means 'in it'.
[JDG.18.7] And the five men went and came to the city and they saw the people who were sitting in the middle in safety, like a righteous judgment, quiet and confident, and there were no delays; a matter in the land inherits bondage, and those far off are from the judges, and there is no matter for them with man. [§]
Vayelchu chameshet ha'anashim vayavo'u la'isha vayiru et ha'am asher be'kerbeh yoshevet la'vetach ke-mishpat tzidoni shoket u'botech ve'ein makhlim dabar ba'aretz yoresh etzer ur'khoqim hemah mi-tsidonim ve'davar ein lahem im adam.
'Vayelchu' means 'and they went', 'chameshet' means 'five', 'ha'anashim' means 'the men', 'vayavo'u' means 'and they came', 'la'isha' means 'to the city', 'vayiru' means 'and they saw', 'et' is the accusative particle, 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'be'kervah' means 'in the middle', 'yoshevet' means 'sitting', 'la'vetach' means 'in safety', 'ke-mishpat' means 'as judgment', 'tzidoni' means 'righteous', 'shoket' means 'quiet', 'u'botech' means 'and confident', 've'ein' means 'and there is no', 'makhlim' means 'delays', 'dabar' means 'matter', 'ba'aretz' means 'in the land', 'yoresh' means 'heirs', 'etzer' means 'bondage', 'ur'khoqim' means 'and those far off', 'hemmah' means 'they', 'mi-tsidonim' means 'from the judges', 've'davar' means 'and a matter', 'ein' means 'is not', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'im' means 'with', 'adam' means 'man'.
[JDG.18.8] They came to their brothers Czarah and Eshteol and said to them, 'Brothers, what are you?' [§]
Vayyavohu el achehem tzarah veeshteol vayomaru lehem achehem ma attem.
'Vayyavohu' means 'they came', 'el' means 'to', 'achehem' means 'their brothers', 'tzarah' is a proper name (Czarah), 've' means 'and', 'eshteol' is a proper name (Eshteol), 'vayomaru' means 'they said', 'lehem' means 'to them', 'achehem' again means 'their brothers', 'ma' means 'what', 'attem' means 'you (plural)'.
[JDG.18.9] And they said, 'Let us get up and go up to it, for we have seen the land, and indeed it is very good; and you think, do not be discouraged from going, coming, and taking possession of the land.' [§]
Vayomeru kumah venaa'leh aleihem ki ra'inu et haaretz vehineh tovah meod veatem machshim al-te'atzlu lalekhet lavo larashet et haaretz.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'kumah' means 'rise' or 'let us get up', 'venaa'leh' means 'and we will go up', 'aleihem' means 'upon it' or 'to it', 'ki' means 'for', 'ra'inu' means 'we have seen', 'et haaretz' means 'the land', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'tovah' means 'good', 'meod' means 'very', 'veatem' means 'and you (plural)', 'machshim' means 'think' or 'consider', 'al-te'atzlu' means 'do not become weary' or 'do not be discouraged', 'lalekhet' means 'to go', 'lavo' means 'to come', 'larashet' means 'to inherit' or 'to take possession of', 'et haaretz' again means 'the land'.
[JDG.18.10] When you come, you will go to a trusting people, and the land is as broad as two hands, because the Gods have given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of any thing that is in the earth. [§]
kevo'achem tavo'u el am botech veha'aretz rachavath yadayim ki netanah Elohim be-yedkhem makom asher ein sham mach'sor kol davar asher ba'aretz.
'kevo'achem' means 'when you come', 'tavo'u' means 'you will come', 'el' means 'to', 'am' means 'people', 'botech' (bote'ach) means 'trusting', 'veha'aretz' means 'and the land', 'rachavath' means 'as broad as', 'yadayim' means 'two hands', 'ki' means 'because', 'netanah' means 'has given it', 'Elohim' means 'the Gods' (plural), 'be-yedkhem' means 'in your hand', 'makom' means 'place', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'sham' means 'there', 'mach'sor' means 'lack', 'kol' means 'all', 'davar' means 'thing', 'ba'aretz' means 'in the earth'.
[JDG.18.11] They went from the clan of the Danites from Zareah and from Eshtal, six hundred armed men with war equipment. [§]
vayisu mimmishpachat hadani mitzareah u-meishtal shesh-meot ish chagur klei milchamah.
'vayisu' means 'they went', 'mimmishpachat' means 'from the clan of', 'hadani' means 'the Danite', 'mitzareah' means 'from Zareah', 'u-meishtal' means 'and from Eshtal', 'shesh-meot' means 'six hundred', 'ish' means 'men', 'chagur' means 'armed', 'klei' means 'weapons', 'milchamah' means 'of war'.
[JDG.18.12] And they went up and camped in the city of Jaarem in Judah; therefore they called that place the camp of Dan until this day. Behold, beyond the city of Jaarem. [§]
Vayya'alu vayyachanu beQiryat Ya'arim biYehudah al-ken kare'u lamakom ha-hu machaneh Dan ad hayom hazeh hineh acharei Qiryat Ya'arim.
'Vayya'alu' means 'and they went up', 'vayyachanu' means 'and they camped', 'beQiryat' means 'in the city of', 'Ya'arim' is a place name meaning 'of forests', 'biYehudah' means 'in Judah', 'al-ken' means 'therefore', 'kare'u' means 'they called', 'lamakom' means 'the place', 'ha-hu' means 'that', 'machaneh' means 'camp', 'Dan' is the name of a tribe, 'ad' means 'until', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'acharei' means 'beyond' or 'after', 'Qiryat Ya'arim' repeats the place name 'city of forests'.
[JDG.18.13] And they crossed from there the mountain of Ephraim, and came to the house of Mikha. [§]
vayyabru misham har-Ephraim vayavo'u ad-beit Mikha.
'vayyabru' means 'and they crossed', 'misham' means 'from there', 'har-Ephraim' means 'the mountain of Ephraim', 'vayavo'u' means 'and they came', 'ad-beit' means 'to the house of', 'Mikha' is a place name meaning 'Mikha'.
[JDG.18.14] And the five men who were walking to graze the land of the goats answered and said to their brothers, 'You know that there are in these houses an ephod, teraphim, a graven image, and a mask; now know what you will do.' [§]
Va ya'anu chameshet ha anashim ha holkim le ragel et ha aretz la yish va ya'amu el acheihem ha yedatem ki yesh ba batim ha ele efod u terafim u pesel u masecha ve ata deu ma ta'asu.
'Va' means 'and', 'ya'anu' means 'they answered', 'chameshet' means 'five', 'ha anashim' means 'the men', 'ha holkim' means 'who were walking', 'le ragel' means 'to graze', 'et ha aretz' means 'the land', 'la yish' means 'of the goats', 'va ya'amu' means 'and they said', 'el acheihem' means 'to their brothers', 'ha yedatem' means 'you know', 'ki' means 'that', 'yesh' means 'there is', 'ba batim' means 'in these houses', 'ha ele' means 'these', 'efod' means 'an ephod (priestly garment)', 'u terafim' means 'and teraphim (household idols)', 'u pesel' means 'and a graven image', 'u masecha' means 'and a mask', 've ata' means 'now', 'deu' means 'know', 'ma' means 'what', 'ta'asu' means 'you will do'.
[JDG.18.15] They turned away there, and they came to the house of the young Levite of Micah, and they asked him for peace. [§]
Vayasseru shammah vayavo'u el-Bet ha-na'ar ha-Levi Bet Mikah vayish'alu-lo le-shalom.
'Vayasseru' means 'they turned away', 'shammah' means 'there', 'vayavo'u' means 'and they came', 'el' means 'to', 'Bet' means 'house', 'ha-na'ar' means 'the youth' or 'young man', 'ha-Levi' means 'the Levite', 'Bet Mikah' means 'the house of Micah', 'vayish'alu-lo' means 'they asked him', 'le-shalom' means 'for peace'.
[JDG.18.16] And six hundred men of the Hagarenites, their war equipment, stood at the opening of the gate which is of the children of Dan. [§]
ve'shes-meot ish chagurim k'lei milchamatah nitzavim petach hashaar asher mibnei dan.
've' means 'and', 'shes' is the numeral 'six', 'meot' means 'hundred', together 'shes-meot' = 'six hundred'. 'ish' means 'men' or 'person'. 'chagurim' is a proper name meaning 'the Hagarenites' (people of Hagur). 'k'lei' means 'the tools of' or 'the equipment of'. 'milchamatah' means 'their war (equipment)', from 'milchamah' (war) with a possessive suffix. 'nitzavim' means 'stood' or 'were standing'. 'petach' means 'opening' or 'entrance'. 'hashaar' means 'the gate'. 'asher' means 'that' or 'which'. 'mibnei' means 'of the sons/of the children'. 'dan' is the tribe name Dan. The phrase thus describes a group of six hundred men of the Hagarenites, with their war gear, standing at the gate opening belonging to the children of Dan.
[JDG.18.17] And five men who were walking about the land came there; they took the idol and the ephod and the trumpets and the veil; and the priest stood at the gate opening, and six hundred of the men were girded with war weapons. [§]
Vayalu chameshet ha'anashim haholekhim leragel et ha'aretz, bau shamah, lakhu et hapessel ve'et ha'efod ve'et hatrapim ve'et hamesekha ve'hakohein nitzav petach hashaar ve'shesh-meot ha'ish hechagur klei hamilchamah.
'Vayalu' means 'they went up', 'chameshet' means 'five', 'ha'anashim' means 'the men', 'haholekhim' means 'who were walking', 'leragel' means 'to go about', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'ha'aretz' means 'the land', 'bau' means 'they came', 'shamah' means 'there', 'lakhu' means 'they took', 'hapessel' means 'the idol', 've'et' means 'and the', 'ha'efod' means 'the ephod', 've'et' means 'and the', 'hatrapim' means 'the trumpets', 've'et' means 'and the', 'hamesekha' means 'the veil', 've' means 'and', 'hakohein' means 'the priest', 'nitzav' means 'stood', 'petach' means 'opening', 'hashaar' means 'the gate', 've' means 'and', 'shesh-meot' means 'six hundred', 'ha'ish' means 'the man/men', 'hechagur' means 'was girded', 'klei' means 'the weapons of', 'hamilchamah' means 'the war'.
[JDG.18.18] And these entered the house of Micah and they took the idol of the ephod and the trumpets and the veil, and the priest said to them, 'What are you doing?' [§]
veelleh ba'u veit Mikha vayikchu et pesel haefod ve et hatrafim ve et hamassecha vayomer aleihem hakohen ma atem osim.
'veelleh' means 'and these', 'ba'u' means 'came' or 'entered', 'veit' means 'the house', 'Mikha' is the name Micah, 'vayikchu' means 'and they took', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'pesel' means 'idol' or 'image', 'haefod' means 'the ephod' (a priestly garment), 've' means 'and', 'et' again the object marker, 'hatrafim' means 'the trumpets', 've' again 'and', 'et' again, 'hamassecha' means 'the veil' (screen of the temple), 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'aliehem' means 'to them', 'hakohen' means 'the priest', 'ma' means 'what', 'atem' means 'you (plural)', 'osim' means 'are doing'.
[JDG.18.19] And the mute said to him, Put your hand on your mouth and go with us, and be for us a father and a priest; it is good that you become a priest for the house of one man, or that you become a priest for a clan and a family in Israel. [§]
Vayomru lo hachares sim-yadkha al-pikha ve-lekh imanu ve-heyyeh lanu leav ulekohen hatov heyotekha kohen lebeit ish echad o heyetkha kohen leshevet ulemishpacha beyisrael.
'Vayomru' means 'and they said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'hachares' means 'the mute', 'sim' means 'put', 'yadkha' means 'your hand', 'al-pikha' means 'on your mouth', 've-lekh' means 'and go', 'imanu' means 'with us', 've-heyyeh' means 'and be', 'lanu' means 'for us', 'leav' means 'a father', 'ulekohen' means 'and a priest', 'hatov' means 'it is good', 'heyotekha' means 'that you become', 'kohen' means 'priest', 'lebeit' means 'for the house of', 'ish' means 'a man', 'echad' means 'one', 'o' means 'or', 'heyetkha' means 'that you become', 'leshevet' means 'for a clan', 'ulemishpacha' means 'and for a family', 'beyisrael' means 'in Israel'.
[JDG.18.20] And the priest's heart was pleased, and he took the ephod and the teraphim and the idol, and he entered among the people. [§]
Vayitav lev hakohen vayikach et ha-ephod ve'et ha-teraphim ve'et ha-pasel vayavo bekerav ha-am.
'Vayitav' means 'and it was good' or 'his heart was pleased', 'lev' means 'heart', 'hakohen' means 'the priest', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'ha-ephod' means 'the ephod' (the priestly garment), 've'et' means 'and (the)', 'ha-teraphim' means 'the teraphim' (household idols), 'ha-pasel' means 'the image' or 'the idol', 'vayavo' means 'and he went' or 'entered', 'bekerev' means 'in the midst of', and 'ha-am' means 'the people'.
[JDG.18.21] And they turned and went, and they placed the child and the livestock and the valuables before them. [§]
Vayifnu vayelechu vayasisemu et-hataf ve-et-hamikne ve-et-hakvudah lifnehem.
'Vayifnu' means 'and they turned', 'vayelechu' means 'and they went', 'vayasisemu' means 'and they placed', 'et-hataf' means 'the young one/child', 've-et-hamikne' means 'and the livestock', 've-et-hakvudah' means 'and the precious things (wealth)', 'lifnehem' means 'before them'.
[JDG.18.22] They kept away from the house of Mikha, and the men who were in the houses that were with the house of Mikha cried out and seized the sons of Dan. [§]
Hemmah hirchiku miBeit Mikha veha'anashim asher ba'batim asher im-beit Mikha niz'aku vayadbiku et-benei-Dan.
'Hemmah' means 'they', 'hirchiku' means 'kept away' or 'removed', 'miBeit Mikha' means 'from the house of Mikha', 'veha'anashim' means 'and the men', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'ba'batim' means 'in the houses', 'asher' repeats 'who/that', 'im-beit Mikha' means 'with the house of Mikha', 'niz'aku' means 'cried out' or 'shouted', 'vayadbiku' means 'and seized' or 'grasped', 'et-benei-Dan' means 'the sons of Dan'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special God-name translations are needed.
[JDG.18.23] And they called the sons of Dan, and turned their faces, and said to Micah, 'What is it to you, that you have shouted?' [§]
vayik'ru el-b'nei Dan vayassevu p'neyhem vayom'ru le-Mikha ma-lekha ki nizaqtah.
'vayik'ru' means 'and they called', 'el' means 'to', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Dan' is the name of the tribe, 'vayassevu' means 'and they turned', 'p'neyhem' means 'their faces', 'vayom'ru' means 'and they said', 'le-Mikha' means 'to Micah', 'ma' means 'what', 'lekha' means 'to you', 'ki' means 'because' or 'that', 'nizaqtah' means 'you shouted' or 'you cried out'.
[JDG.18.24] And he said, My God, who I have made, you have taken, and the priest, and you went—what more is left for me? What is this you will say to me, what is your desire? [§]
Vayomer et Elohai asher asiti lekhaktam ve'et ha kohen vatelchu ma li od ma zeh tomru elai ma lakh.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'Elohai' means 'my God', 'asher' means 'who/that', 'asiti' means 'I have made', 'lekhaktam' means 'you have taken', 've'et' means 'and', 'ha kohen' means 'the priest', 'vatelchu' means 'and you went', 'ma li od' means 'what more is for me', 'ma zeh' means 'what is this', 'tomru' means 'you will say', 'elai' means 'to me', 'ma lakh' means 'what is your desire'.
[JDG.18.25] And the sons of Dan said to him, 'Do not let your voice be among us, lest men of cruel hearts strike you, and you will gather your soul and the soul of your house.' [§]
Vayomru elav b'nei Dan al tashma qolcha imanu pen yipgeu bakhem anashim marei nefesh ve'asaptah nafshcha ve nephesh beitecha.
'Vayomru' means 'they said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'b'nei Dan' means 'the sons of Dan', 'al' means 'do not', 'tashma' means 'listen', 'qolcha' means 'your voice', 'imanu' means 'with us', 'pen' means 'lest', 'yipgeu' means 'they strike', 'bakhem' means 'you (plural)', 'anashim' means 'men', 'marei nefesh' means 'cruel/bitter of soul', 've'asaptah' means 'and you will gather', 'nafshcha' means 'your soul', 've' means 'and', 'nephesh' means 'soul', 'beitecha' means 'of your house'.
[JDG.18.26] The sons of Dan went on their way, and Micha saw that they were stronger than they were, and he turned and returned to his house. [§]
Va-yelechu b'nei Dan le-darkam va-yare Mikha ki chazqim hem mimenu va-yifn va-yashav el-beito.
'Va-yelechu' means 'and they went', 'b'nei Dan' means 'the sons of Dan', 'le-darkam' means 'on their way', 'va-yare' means 'and saw', 'Mikha' is a proper name 'Micha', 'ki' means 'that' or 'for', 'chazqim' means 'strong' (plural), 'hem' means 'they', 'mimenu' means 'more than us' or 'compared to us', 'va-yifn' means 'and he turned', 'va-yashav' means 'and he returned', 'el-beito' means 'to his house'.
[JDG.18.27] And they took what Micha had made and the priest who was his, and they came upon the lion upon a quiet and confident people, and they struck them with the sword, and they burned the city with fire. [§]
vehemma lakechu et asher-asa Mikha ve'et-hakohen asher hayá-lo vayavo u'al-layish al-am shóket uvotéach vayáku otam lefi-charev ve'et-ha'ir sárfu baesh
'vehemma' means 'and they', 'lakechu' means 'took', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'asher-asa' means 'who made', 'Mikha' is the name 'Micha', 've'et-hakohen' means 'and the priest', 'asher' means 'who', 'hayá-lo' means 'was his', 'vayavo' means 'and they came', 'al-layish' means 'upon the lion', 'al-am' means 'upon the people', 'shóket' means 'quiet', 'uvotéach' means 'and confident', 'vayáku' means 'they struck', 'otam' means 'them', 'lefi-charev' means 'by the sword', 've'et-ha'ir' means 'and the city', 'sárfu' means 'they burned', 'baesh' means 'with fire'.
[JDG.18.28] And there is no savior because it is far from Zion, and there is no thing for them with man, and it is in the valley that is to the house of the broad, they built the city and dwelt in it. [§]
veein matzil ki rechoka hi mitsidion ve davar einlahhem im adam vehi baemek asher lebeit rechov vayivnu et ha'ir vayeshvu bah.
'veein' means 'and there is not', 'matzil' means 'savior' or 'rescuer', 'ki' means 'because', 'rechoka' means 'far', 'hi' means 'it is', 'mitsidion' is a proper name possibly 'from Zion', 've' means 'and', 'davar' means 'thing' or 'matter', 'einlahhem' means 'there is not for them', 'im' means 'with', 'adam' means 'man', 'vehi' means 'and it', 'baemek' means 'in the valley', 'asher' means 'that', 'lebeit' means 'to the house of', 'rechov' means 'wide' or 'broad', 'vayivnu' means 'they built', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'vayeshvu' means 'they dwelt', 'bah' means 'in it'.
[JDG.18.29] And they called the city's name Dan in the name of Dan their father who was born to Israel, and also for the lion the city's name was first. [§]
va yikreu shem ha'ir Dan be-shem Dan avihem asher yulad leYisrael ve'ulam la'yish shem ha'ir larishona
'va' means 'and', 'yikreu' means 'they called', 'shem' means 'name', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'Dan' is the proper name Dan, 'be-shem' means 'in the name of', 'avihem' means 'their father', 'asher' means 'who', 'yulad' means 'was born', 'leYisrael' means 'to Israel', 've'ulam' means 'and also', 'la'yish' means 'to the lion', 'larishona' means 'the first' or 'initially'.
[JDG.18.30] And the sons of Dan set up for them the idol, and Yehonathan son of Gershom son of Menashe was he, and his sons were priests of the tribe of Dan until the day of the exile of the land. [§]
Vayakimu lahem b'nei-Dan et ha-pasel viYehonatan ben-Gershom ben-Menashe hu uvanav hayu kohanim leShevet ha-Dani ad yom Ge'lot ha-aretz.
'Vayakimu' means 'and they set up', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'b'nei-Dan' means 'the sons of Dan', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'ha-pasel' means 'the idol', 'viYehonatan' means 'and Yehonathan', 'ben-Gershom' means 'son of Gershom', 'ben-Menashe' means 'son of Menashe', 'hu' means 'he', 'uvanav' means 'and his sons', 'hayu' means 'were', 'kohanim' means 'priests', 'leShevet' means 'to the tribe of', 'ha-Dani' means 'the Danite', 'ad' means 'until', 'yom' means 'the day of', 'Ge'lot' means 'exile', 'ha-aretz' means 'of the land'.
[JDG.18.31] And they set for them the idol of Mica which he made all the days of being the house of the Gods in Shiloh. [§]
Vayyasimu lahem et-pesel Mika asher asa kol-yemei heyot beit-haElohim be-Shiloh.
'Vayyasimu' means 'and they set', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'et-pesel' means 'the idol', 'Mika' is a personal name, 'asher' means 'which', 'asa' means 'he made', 'kol-yemei' means 'all the days of', 'heyot' means 'being' or 'existence', 'beit-haElohim' means 'the house of the Gods' (Elohim rendered literally as the Gods), 'be-Shiloh' means 'in Shiloh'.
JDG.19
[JDG.19.1] And it happened in those days that there was no king in Israel, and there was a Levite who dwelt in the hill country of Ephraim, and he took for himself a Philistine wife from Bethlehem of Judah. [§]
Vayehi bayamim hahem u-melekh ein beYisrael vayhi ish Levi gar beYarketei har-Ephrayim vayikach-lo isha pilgesh mi-beit lechem Yehudah.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened', 'bayamim' means 'in the days', 'hahem' means 'those', 'u-melekh' means 'and there was no king', 'ein' means 'no', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'vayhi' means 'and there was', 'ish' means 'a man', 'Levi' means 'Levite', 'gar' means 'dwelt', 'beYarketei' means 'in the hill country of', 'har-Ephrayim' means 'the mountain of Ephraim', 'vayikach-lo' means 'and he took for himself', 'isha' means 'a wife', 'pilgesh' means 'a Philistine', 'mi-beit lechem' means 'from the house of bread', 'Yehudah' means 'of Judah' (Bethlehem in the tribe of Judah).
[JDG.19.2] And she was unfaithful to him with his servant, and she went away from him to her father's house, to the house of Bethlehem Judah, and she stayed there for four months. [§]
vatzineh alav pilagsho vatelech meitto el-bet avihah el-bet lechem yehudah vatehi-sham yamim arbaah chodeshim.
'vatzineh' means 'and she was unfaithful', 'alav' means 'to him', 'pilagsho' means 'his servant', 'vatelech' means 'and she went away', 'meitto' means 'from him', 'el-bet' means 'to the house of', 'avihah' means 'her father', the second 'el-bet lechem yehudah' means 'to the house of Bethlehem Judah' (Bethlehem meaning 'house of bread'), 'vatehi-sham' means 'and she stayed there', 'yamim' means 'days', 'arbaah' means 'four', 'chodeshim' means 'months'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special name translations are needed.
[JDG.19.3] And he arose, his wife, and went after her to speak concerning her heart in order to bring her back, and his servant with him and a herd of donkeys; she brought him to the house of her father, and the girl's father saw him and was glad at his arrival. [§]
vayakam ishah vayelekh acharah ledaber al levah lahashivav venaaro immo vetsemed chamorim vataveihu beit avihah vayirehu avi han'arah vayassmach liqratoh.
'vayakam' means 'and he arose', 'ishah' means 'his wife', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'acharah' means 'after her', 'ledaber' means 'to speak', 'al levah' means 'concerning her heart', 'lahashivav' means 'to bring her back', 'venaaro' means 'and his servant', 'immo' means 'with him', 'vetsemed' means 'and a herd', 'chamorim' means 'donkeys', 'vataveihu' means 'and she brought him', 'beit' means 'house', 'avihah' means 'her father', 'vayirehu' means 'and he saw him', 'avi' means 'father', 'han'arah' means 'the girl', 'vayassmach' means 'and he was glad', 'liqratoh' means 'at his coming'.
[JDG.19.4] And he strengthened his son-in-law, the father of the young woman, and he dwelt with him three days; they ate and they drank, and they went down there. [§]
vayechezak-bo chotno avi ha-na'arah vayeshev ito shloshet yamim vayo'khelu vayishtu vayalinu sham.
'vayechezak' means 'and he strengthened', 'bo' means 'in him' or 'with him' indicating the action is directed toward the son-in-law, 'chotno' means 'his son-in-law', 'avi' means 'father', 'ha-na'arah' means 'the young woman' (i.e., the girl), together 'avi ha-na'arah' is 'the father of the young woman', 'vayeshev' means 'and he dwelt' or 'sat', 'ito' means 'with him', 'shloshet yamim' means 'three days', 'vayo'khelu' means 'and they ate', 'vayishtu' means 'and they drank', 'vayalinu' means 'and they went down' or 'descended', 'sham' means 'there'.
[JDG.19.5] And it happened on the fourth day, they rose early in the morning, he rose to go, and the father of the young woman said to his son‑in‑law, 'Set your heart, take a piece of bread, and after that you may go.' [§]
Vayehi bayom harevii vayashkimu baboker vayakam lalekhet vayomer abi han'ara el-chatano s'ad libcha pat lechem ve'achar telechu.
'Vayehi' means 'And it was', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'harevii' means 'the fourth', 'vayashkimu' means 'they rose', 'baboker' means 'early in the morning', 'vayakam' means 'he rose', 'lalekhet' means 'to go', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'abi' means 'the father', 'han'ara' means 'of the young woman', 'el-chatano' means 'to his son‑in‑law', 's'ad' means 'set', 'libcha' means 'your heart', 'pat' means 'piece', 'lechem' means 'of bread', 've'achar' means 'and after', 'telechu' means 'you shall go'.
[JDG.19.6] And they sat and they ate both together and they drank and he said, 'Father of the young woman to the man: go now, and let, and may your heart be good.' [§]
Vayeshvu vayochlu shnehem yachdav vayistu vayomer avi hanarah el haish hoel na velin veyitav libbecha.
'Vayeshvu' means 'and they sat', 'vayochlu' means 'and they ate', 'shnehem' means 'both of them', 'yachdav' means 'together', 'vayistu' means 'and they drank', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'avi' means 'father', 'hanarah' means 'the young woman', 'el' means 'to', 'haish' means 'the man', 'hoel' means 'go', 'na' means 'please', 'velin' means 'and let', 'veyitav' means 'and it will be good', 'libbecha' means 'your heart'.
[JDG.19.7] And the man rose to go, and he broke his tooth, and he turned back, and he slept there. [§]
vayyakam ha-ish lalekhet vayifzar-bo chotno vayashav vayalen sham.
"vayyakam" means "and he rose", "ha-ish" means "the man", "lalekhet" means "to go", "vayifzar-bo" means "and he broke (it) in him", "chotno" means "his tooth", "vayashav" means "and he returned", "vayalen" means "and he slept", "sham" means "there".
[JDG.19.8] And he got up early in the morning on the fifth day to go, and said to the young man, 'Please strengthen your heart and be astonished until the close of the day,' and they both ate. [§]
vayashkem baboker bayom hachamishi lalekhet vayomer avi haneara se'ad-na levavkha vehitmahmehu ad-netot hayom vayochlu sheneihem.
'vayashkem' means 'and he got up', 'baboker' means 'early in the morning', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hachamishi' means 'the fifth', 'lalekhet' means 'to go', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'avi' means 'father' or 'my father' (here a proper name), 'haneara' means 'the young man', 'se'ad-na' means 'strengthen, please', 'levavkha' means 'your heart', 'vehitmahmehu' means 'and be amazed/shocked', 'ad-netot' means 'until the ends', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'vayochlu' means 'and they ate', 'sheneihem' means 'both of them'.
[JDG.19.9] And the man rose to go, he and his servant and his son. And he said to him, "Your father-in-law, the father of the girl, says, 'Look, now the day is late; let us drink now. Look, the evening is near, and it will be pleasant to your heart. Rise early tomorrow for your journey, and you may go to your tent.'" [§]
Vayakam haish lalekhet hu ufilagsho venaaro vayomer lo chotno avi hanara hineh na rafa hayom laerev linu na hineh chanot hayom lin po veyitav levavecha vehashkamtam machar ledarkachem vehalachta leohalecha.
'Vayakam' means 'and he rose', 'haish' means 'the man', 'lalekhet' means 'to go', 'hu' means 'him', 'ufilagsho' means 'and his servant', 'venaaro' means 'and his son', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'lo' means 'to him', 'chotno' means 'his father-in-law', 'avi' means 'father', 'hanara' means 'of the girl', 'hineh na' means 'look now', 'rafa' means 'late', 'hayom' means 'the day', 'laerev' means 'for the evening', 'linu na' means 'let us drink', 'chanot' means 'evening', 'lin po' means 'is near', 'veyitav' means 'and it will be pleasant', 'levavecha' means 'to your heart', 'vehashkamtam' means 'and rise early', 'machar' means 'tomorrow', 'ledarkachem' means 'for your journey', 'vehalachta' means 'and you may go', 'leohalecha' means 'to your tent'.
[JDG.19.10] And he did not refuse the man to stay, and he arose, went, and came to the open place of Jebus, that is Jerusalem, and with him a team of donkeys tied and his troop with him. [§]
ve'lo avah ha'ish lalun vayakam vayelekh vayavo ad nokhah Yevus hi Yerushalam ve'imo tzemed chamorim chabushim ufilagshoo immo.
've'lo' means 'and not', 'avah' means 'refused' or 'did not want', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'lalun' means 'to stay' or 'to linger', 'vayakam' means 'and he arose', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'ad' means 'until', 'nokhah' means 'the open place' or 'public square', 'Yevus' is the old name of Jerusalem, 'hi' means 'it is', 'Yerushalam' means 'Jerusalem', 've'imo' means 'and with him', 'tzemed' means 'a team' or 'pair', 'chamorim' means 'donkeys', 'chabushim' means 'tied' or 'harnessed', 'ufilagshoo' means 'and his troop/companions', 'immo' means 'with him'.
[JDG.19.11] They, the people of Yevus, and today it is very hot, and the young man said to his Lord, 'Please go, let us depart to this city of Yevus and we will stay in it.' [§]
Hem im-yevus v'hayam rad meod vayomer hananar el-adonav lecha-na venasura el-ir-hayevusi hazot venalin bah.
'Hem' means 'they'; 'im-yevus' means 'the people of Yevus'; 'v'hayam' means 'and today'; 'rad' means 'hot' (or 'severe'); 'meod' means 'very'; 'vayomer' means 'and he said'; 'hananar' means 'the young man'; 'el-adonav' means 'to his Lord' ('Adonai' translated as 'Lord', here with the possessive suffix); 'lecha-na' means 'please go'; 'venasura' means 'and let us depart'; 'el-ir-hayevusi' means 'to the city of Yevus'; 'hazot' means 'this'; 'venalin' means 'and we will stay'; 'bah' means 'in it'.
[JDG.19.12] And he said to him, My Lord, do not go to a foreign city that is not of the children of Israel; let us go on to the hill. [§]
Vayomer elav Adonav lo nasur el-ir nachri asher lo mi-bnei Yisrael hena ve'avarnu ad-gibah.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'Adonav' is a form of Adonai and is rendered here as 'my Lord', 'lo' means 'do not', 'nasur' means 'go', 'el-ir' means 'to a city', 'nachri' means 'foreign', 'asher' means 'that', 'lo' means 'not', 'mi-bnei' means 'of the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hena' means 'there', 've'avarnu' means 'and we will pass', 'ad' means 'to', 'gibah' means 'the hill'.
[JDG.19.13] And he said to his servant, 'For you we shall sacrifice in one of the places, and for us on the hill or on the height.' [§]
Vayomer le-na'aro lekha ve-nikreva be-achad ha-mekomot ve-lanu ba-giv'ah o ba-ramah.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'le-na'aro' means 'to his servant', 'lekha' means 'to you' or 'for you', 've-nikreva' means 'and we shall sacrifice/offering', 'be-achad' means 'in one', 'ha-mekomot' means 'the places', 've-lanu' means 'and for us', 'ba-giv'ah' means 'on the hill', 'o' means 'or', 'ba-ramah' means 'on the height'.
[JDG.19.14] And they passed and went, and the sun rose to them beside the hill that was of Benjamin. [§]
Vayya'avru vayelechu vatavo lahem hashemesh etzel hagivah asher levinyamin.
'Vayya'avru' means 'and they passed', 'vayelechu' means 'and they went', 'vatavo' means 'and the sun came' (rose), 'lahem' means 'to them', 'hashemesh' means 'the sun', 'etzel' means 'beside' or 'at the side of', 'hagivah' means 'the hill', 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'levinyamin' means 'of Benjamin'.
[JDG.19.15] And they went down there to go up the hill, and he came and sat in the street of the city, and there was no man who would gather them in the house to go up. [§]
Vayassuru sham lavoh lalun bagiv'ah vayavo vayyeshev birchov ha'ir ve'ein ish me'asef otam habayitah lalun.
'Vayassuru' means 'and they went down', 'sham' means 'there', 'lavoh' means 'to go', 'lalun' means 'to ascend', 'bagiv'ah' means 'on the hill', 'vayavo' means 'and he came', 'vayyeshev' means 'and he sat', 'birchov' means 'in the street', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 've'ein' means 'and there was not', 'ish' means 'a man', 'me'asef' means 'who gathers', 'otam' means 'them', 'habayitah' means 'the house', 'lalun' means 'to ascend'.
[JDG.19.16] And behold, a old man came from his work from the field in the evening, and the man was from the mountain of Ephraim, and he lived in the hill, and the men of the place were my right‑hand men. [§]
vehineh ish zaken ba min-maasehu min-hashade baerev veha'ish mehar Ephraim vehu gar baggeva veanshei hamakom bnei yemini.
've' means 'and', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'ish' means 'man', 'zaken' means 'old', 'ba' means 'came', 'min' means 'from', 'maasehu' means 'his work', 'hashade' means 'the field', 'baerev' means 'in the evening', 'veha'ish' means 'and the man', 'mehar' means 'from the mountain', 'Ephraim' is a proper name of a region, 'vehu' means 'and he', 'gar' means 'lived', 'baggeva' means 'in the hill', 'veanshei' means 'and the men of', 'hamakom' means 'the place', 'bnei' means 'sons of', 'yemini' means 'my right (hand)'. The idiom 'bnei yemini' is rendered as 'my right‑hand men' for clarity.
[JDG.19.17] And he lifted his eyes and saw the man hosting in the city square, and the old man said, 'Where are you going and from where do you come?' [§]
vayisa einav vayyar et haish haoreach birchov hair vayomer haish hazaken ana telekh umeayin tavo
'vayisa' means 'and he lifted', 'einav' means 'his eyes', 'vayyar' means 'and he saw', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'haish' means 'the man', 'haoreach' means 'the host/guest', 'birchov' means 'in the square', 'hair' means 'the city', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'haish' means 'the man', 'hazaken' means 'the old man', 'ana' means 'where', 'telekh' means 'are you going', 'umeayin' means 'and from where', 'tavo' means 'do you come'.
[JDG.19.18] And he said to him, we are passing from the house of bread of Judah to the slopes of Mount Ephraim; from there I will go to the house of bread of Judah, and I am walking to the house of Yahveh, and there is no man gathering me the house. [§]
Vayomer elav ovrim anachnu mi-beit lechem Yehuda ad Yarkeitei har Efrayim misham anochi va-elech ad beit lechem Yehuda ve-et beit Yahveh ani holech ve-ein ish massef oti habayita.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'elav' means 'to him', 'ovrim' means 'we are passing', 'anachnu' means 'we', 'mi-beit' means 'from the house of', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'Yehuda' means 'Judah', 'ad' means 'to/until', 'Yarkeitei' means 'the slopes of', 'har' means 'mountain', 'Efrayim' means 'Ephraim', 'misham' means 'from there', 'anochi' means 'I', 'va-elech' means 'and I will go', 'ad' means 'to', 'beit' means 'house of', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'Yehuda' means 'Judah', 've-et' means 'and the', 'beit' means 'house of', 'Yahveh' means 'Yahveh', 'ani' means 'I', 'holech' means 'am walking/go', 've-ein' means 'and there is no', 'ish' means 'man', 'massef' means 'gathering', 'oti' means 'me', 'habayita' means 'the house' (referring to the house of Yahveh).
[JDG.19.19] Also there is oil, also honey; there is for our donkeys, and also bread and wine I have for your maid and for the youth with your servants; there is no lack of any thing. [§]
vegam-teven gam-mispo yesh lahamorenu vegam lechem vayayin yesh-li ve-laamatekha ve-la'na'ar im avadekha ein machsoor kol-davar.
'vegam' means 'also', 'teven' means 'oil', 'gam' means 'also', 'mispo' means 'honey', 'yesh' means 'there is', 'lahamorenu' means 'for our donkeys', 'vegam' means 'and also', 'lechem' means 'bread', 'vayayin' means 'and wine', 'yesh-li' means 'I have' or 'there is to me', 've-laamatekha' means 'and for your maid', 've-la'na'ar' means 'and for the youth', 'im' means 'with', 'avadekha' means 'your servants', 'ein' means 'there is no', 'machsoor' means 'lack', 'kol-davar' means 'any thing' or 'everything'.
[JDG.19.20] And the old man said, "Peace to you; only every lack of yours is upon me; only in the street, do not linger." [§]
Vayomer ha'ish hazaken shalom lakh rak kol-mach'sorekha alai rak ba-rekhov al-talan.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'hazaken' means 'the old/elder', 'shalom' means 'peace', 'lakh' means 'to you' (feminine), 'rak' means 'only', 'kol' means 'all', 'mach'sorekha' means 'your lack/shortcoming', 'alai' means 'on me', 'ba-rekhov' means 'in the street', 'al-talan' means 'do not linger'.
[JDG.19.21] And he brought him to his house, and he gave water to the donkeys, and they washed their feet, and they ate and they drank. [§]
Vayeviehu leveito vayavol lachamorim vayirchatsu raglehem vayochlu vayishtu.
'Vayeviehu' means 'and he brought him', 'leveito' means 'to his house', 'vayavol' means 'and he gave water (or made wet) for', 'lachamorim' means 'the donkeys', 'vayirchatsu' means 'and they washed', 'raglehem' means 'their feet', 'vayochlu' means 'and they ate', 'vayishtu' means 'and they drank'.
[JDG.19.22] They who improve their heart, and behold, the men of the city, the men of the sons of Belial, went around the house, pounding at the door, and they said to the man, the old master of the house, 'Bring out the man who has entered your house, that we may know him.' [§]
hemah meitivim et libbam vehineh anshei ha'ir anshei b'nei velya'al nasavu et habayit mitdappekim al hadallet vayomru el ha'ish ba'al habayit hazaken le'emor hotze et ha'ish asher ba el beitecha ve'neda'enno.
'hemah' means 'they', 'meitivim' means 'do good' or 'improve', 'et libbam' means 'their heart', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'anshei ha'ir' means 'men of the city', 'anshei b'nei velya'al' means 'men of the sons of Belial (wicked people)', 'nasavu' means 'went around', 'et habayit' means 'the house', 'mitdappekim' means 'beating' or 'pounding', 'al hadallet' means 'on the door', 'vayomru' means 'they said', 'el ha'ish' means 'to the man', 'ba'al habayit hazaken' means 'the old master/owner of the house', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'hotze' means 'bring out', 'asher ba' means 'who came', 'el beitecha' means 'into your house', 've'neda'enno' means 'that we may know him'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special name translations are needed.
[JDG.19.23] And the man who owned the house went out to them and said to them, 'My brothers, do not be angry, please; after this man comes, do not go to my house, do not make this harp.' [§]
Va yetze elayhem ha ish baal ha bayit va yoamer alehem al-achi al tareu na acharei asher ba ha ish hazeh al beiti al taasu et ha nevalah hazot.
'Va' means 'and', 'yetze' means 'went out', 'elayhem' means 'to them', 'ha' means 'the', 'ish' means 'man', 'baal' means 'owner', 'ha' means 'the', 'bayit' means 'house', 'va' means 'and', 'yoamer' means 'said', 'alehem' means 'to them', 'al-achi' means 'my brothers', 'al' means 'do not', 'tareu' means 'be angry', 'na' means 'please', 'acharei' means 'after', 'asher' means 'that', 'ba' means 'comes', 'ha' means 'the', 'ish' means 'man', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'al' means 'do not', 'beiti' means 'my house', 'al' means 'do not', 'taasu' means 'make/do', 'et' is a particle marking the object, 'ha' means 'the', 'nevalah' means 'harp' or 'musical instrument', 'hazot' means 'this'.
[JDG.19.24] Behold, my virgin daughter and his offspring; please bring them out, and they will answer, and do for them what is good in your eyes, and to this man do not do this thing of the plague. [§]
Hinneh biti ha-betula u-pilagsh'hu otzi na otam ve'anu otam va'asu lahem hatov be'eynekhem ve'la'ish hazeh lo ta'asu d'var ha-nevalah hazot.
'Hinneh' means 'behold', 'biti' means 'my daughter', 'ha-betula' means 'the virgin', 'u-pilagsh'hu' means 'and his offspring', 'otzi' means 'I will bring out' or 'please bring out', 'na' is an emphatic particle meaning 'please', 'otam' means 'them', 've'anu' means 'and they will answer', another reading is 'and they will answer', 'va'asu' means 'and do', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'hatov' means 'the good', 'be'eynekhem' means 'in your eyes', 've'la'ish' means 'and for the man', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'lo' means 'not', 'ta'asu' means 'you will do', 'd'var' means 'the matter' or 'thing', 'ha-nevalah' means 'the plague' or 'the pestilence', 'hazot' means 'this' (feminine). The phrase 'otzi na' is idiomatic for a polite request to bring something out. 'Ve'anu otam' can be understood as 'and they will answer them' meaning they will respond to the ones brought out.
[JDG.19.25] And the men would not listen to him, and the man seized his pilagsh and went out to them from outside, and they knew her and defiled her all night until morning, and they sent her away at the rising of dawn. [§]
Ve'lo-avu ha-anashim lishmo lo vayachazek ha-ish b'pilagsho vayotzeh aleihem ha-chutz vayedu otah vayital'lu-vohah kol-hal-laylah ad-haboker vayishalkhuha ba'alot ha-sachar.
'Ve'lo' means 'and they would not', 'avu' means 'agree/consent', 'ha-anashim' means 'the men', 'lishmo' means 'to hear', 'lo' means 'him', 'vayachazek' means 'and he seized/held', 'ha-ish' means 'the man', 'b'pilagsho' means 'in his pilagsh (a personal holder/cord)', 'vayotzeh' means 'and he went out', 'aleihem' means 'to them', 'ha-chutz' means 'outside', 'vayedu' means 'and they knew', 'otah' means 'her', 'vayital'lu-vohah' means 'and they defiled her', 'kol-hal-laylah' means 'all night', 'ad-haboker' means 'until morning', 'vayishalkhuha' means 'and they sent her', 'ba'alot' means 'at the rising', 'ha-sachar' means 'of dawn'.
[JDG.19.26] And the woman went out toward the morning and she fell at the doorway of the house of the man whose lord was there until the light. [§]
vatavo haisha lifnot haboker vati'pol petach beit haish asher adoneha sham ad haor
'vatavo' means 'and she went out', 'haisha' means 'the woman', 'lifnot' means 'toward the dawn', 'haboker' means 'the morning', 'vati'pol' means 'and she fell', 'petach' means 'doorway', 'beit' means 'house', 'haish' means 'the man', 'asher' means 'whose', 'adoneha' means 'her lord', 'sham' means 'there', 'ad' means 'until', 'haor' means 'the light'.
[JDG.19.27] And her Lord rose in the morning, opened the doors of the house, and went out to walk his way, and behold the woman fell at the doorway of the house, and her hands were on the threshold. [§]
Vayakam adoneha baboker vayiftach dalot habayit vayetse lalekhet ledarko vehineh ha'isha pilagsho nofelet petach habayit veyadeha al-hasaf.
'Vayakam' means 'and rose (up)'; 'adoneha' means 'her Lord'; 'baboker' means 'in the morning'; 'vayiftach' means 'and opened'; 'dalot' means 'doors'; 'habayit' means 'of the house'; 'vayetse' means 'and went out'; 'lalekhet' means 'to walk'; 'ledarko' means 'his way'; 'vehineh' means 'and behold'; 'ha'isha' means 'the woman'; 'pilagsho' means 'her foot/step'; 'nofelet' means 'falling'; 'petach' means 'the doorway'; 'habayit' means 'of the house'; 'veyadeha' means 'and her hands'; 'al-hasaf' means 'on the threshold'.
[JDG.19.28] And he said to her, 'Rise, and let us go, for there is no answer.' And he took her upon the donkey, and the man arose and went to his place. [§]
Vayomer eleha qumi ve'nelekhah ve'ein oneh vayikacheha al-hachamor vayakam ha'ish vayelekh limkomo.
'Vayomer' means 'and he said', 'eleha' means 'to her', 'qumi' means 'rise' (imperative feminine), 've' is the conjunction 'and', 'nelekhah' means 'let us go', 've' again is 'and', 'ein' means 'there is no', 'oneh' means 'answer' or 'response', 'vayikacheha' means 'and he took her', 'al' means 'upon', 'hachamor' means 'the donkey', 'vayakam' means 'and he arose', 'ha'ish' means 'the man', 'vayelekh' means 'and he went', 'limkomo' means 'to his place'.
[JDG.19.29] He went to his house, took the meal, seized his phylactery, broke it on its bones into twelve pieces, and sent it through the whole border of Israel. [§]
Vayavo el-beto vayikach et-hama'akhelet vayachazek befilagsho vayenat'cheha la'atzmeiha lishnayim asar netachim vayishalacheha bekhol gevul Yisrael.
'Vayavo' means 'and he came', 'el-beto' means 'to his house', 'vayikach' means 'and he took', 'et-hama'akhelet' means 'the meal', 'vayachazek' means 'and he seized', 'befilagsho' means 'in his phylactery', 'vayenat'cheha' means 'and he broke it', 'la'atzmeiha' means 'to its bones', 'lishnayim' means 'to two', 'asar' means 'ten', together 'lishnayim asar' means 'twelve', 'netachim' means 'pieces', 'vayishalacheha' means 'and he sent it', 'bekhol' means 'through all', 'gevul' means 'border', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
[JDG.19.30] And it shall be that all who see will say, 'It was not, and it was not seen like this, from the day the children of Israel went up from the land of Egypt until this day; put upon it your strength and speak.' [§]
ve-hayah kol-haroeh ve-amar lo-nihyata ve-lo-nir'ata kazo't lemi-yom alot b'nei Yisrael me-eretz Mitzrayim ad hayom hazeh simu-lachem aleha utsu v'dabberu.
've-hayah' means 'and it shall be'; 'kol' means 'all' or 'every'; 'haroeh' means 'the one who sees'; 've-amar' means 'and (he) will say'; 'lo-nihyata' means 'it was not'; 've-lo-nir'ata' means 'and it was not seen'; 'kazo't' means 'like this'; 'lemi-yom' means 'from the day'; 'alot' means 'the going up' (exodus); 'b'nei' means 'the sons/children of'; 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'; 'me-eretz' means 'from the land of'; 'Mitzrayim' means 'Egypt'; 'ad' means 'until'; 'hayom' means 'this day'; 'hazeh' means 'this'; 'simu' means 'put' (imperative plural); 'lachem' means 'upon you (plural)'; 'aleha' means 'upon it'; 'utsu' means 'your strength' (imperative plural); 'v'dabberu' means 'and speak' (imperative plural).
JDG.20
[JDG.20.1] And all the children of Israel went out, and the assembly gathered as one man from Midian to Beersheba and the land of Gilead to Yahveh the refuge. [§]
Vayetzeu kol-b'nei Yisrael vatikahél ha'eda ke'ish echad lemidan ve'ad-be'er sheva ve'eretz ha-gil'ad el-Yahveh ha-mitzpah.
'Vayetzeu' means 'and went out', 'kol' means 'all', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vatikahél' means 'and gathered', 'ha'eda' means 'the assembly', 'ke'ish' means 'as one man', 'echad' means 'one', 'lemidan' means 'from Midian', 've'ad' means 'and to', 'be'er' means 'the well', 'sheva' means 'Seven (a place name, Beersheba)', 've'eretz' means 'and the land', 'ha-gil'ad' means 'of Gilead', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'ha-mitzpah' means 'the refuge'.
[JDG.20.2] And the heads of all the people, all the tribes of Israel, in the assembly of the people of the Gods, four hundred thousand foot soldiers brandishing a sword. [§]
Vayit-yatzevu pinot kol-ha'am kol shivtei Yisrael biqehal am haElohim arba me'ot elef ish ragli sholef cherev.
'Vayit-yatzevu' means 'and they stood', 'pinot' means 'heads' or 'leaders', 'kol-ha'am' means 'of all the people', 'kol' means 'all', 'shivtei' means 'the tribes of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'biqehal' means 'in the assembly', 'am' means 'people', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods' (the literal translation of Elohim), 'arba me'ot' means 'four hundred', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'ragli' means 'foot soldiers' or 'those on foot', 'sholef' means 'brandishing' or 'wielding', 'cherev' means 'a sword'.
[JDG.20.3] The sons of Benjamin heard, because the children of Israel had gone up to the watchtower, and the children of Israel said, 'Speak, how did this evil happen?' [§]
vayishmeu b'nei Binyam ki aloo b'nei yisrael hamitzpah vayomru b'nei yisrael dabru eicha nihyeh harah hazot
'vayishmeu' means 'they heard', 'b'nei' means 'sons of', 'Binyam' means 'Benjamin', 'ki' means 'because', 'aloo' means 'they went up', 'b'nei yisrael' means 'children of Israel', 'hamitzpah' means 'the watchtower', 'vayomru' means 'and they said', 'dabru' means 'speak' or 'tell', 'eicha' means 'how', 'nihyeh' means 'it happened' or 'it became', 'harah' means 'the evil', 'hazot' means 'this'.
[JDG.20.4] And he answered the man the Levite a man the woman who was murdered and said the hill that of Benjamin I came I and my company to Lun. [§]
Va-ya'an ha-ish ha-Levi ish ha-isha ha-nirtzachah vayomar ha-giva'ta asher le-Binyamin ba'ti ani u-pilagshi la-Lun.
'Va-ya'an' means 'and he answered', 'ha-ish' means 'the man', 'ha-Levi' means 'the Levite', 'ish' means 'a man', 'ha-isha' means 'the woman', 'ha-nirtzachah' means 'who was murdered', 'vayomar' means 'and he said', 'ha-giva'ta' means 'the hill', 'asher' means 'that', 'le-Binyamin' means 'of Benjamin', 'ba'ti' means 'I came', 'ani' means 'I', 'u-pilagshi' means 'and my company', 'la-Lun' means 'to Lun' (a place name).
[JDG.20.5] They rose against me, the owners of the hill, and they surrounded me with the house at night; they plotted to kill me, and they seized my followers, and it died. [§]
vayakumu alai ba'alei hagiv'ah vayasobu alai et-habayit layla oti dimu laharog ve-et-pilagshi innu vataamoth.
"vayakumu" means "they rose", "alai" means "against me", "ba'alei" means "owners (of)", "hagiv'ah" means "the hill", "vayasobu" means "they surrounded", "et-habayit" means "the house", "layla" means "at night", "oti" means "me", "dimu" means "they plotted", "laharog" means "to kill", "ve-et-pilagshi" means "and my followers", "innu" means "they seized", "vataamoth" means "and it died" (feminine singular, referring to the house).
[JDG.20.6] And I seized it in my palm, and I let it go, and I sent it throughout every field of the inheritance of Israel, because they have committed fornication and whoredom in Israel. [§]
Va'ohez befilagshi va'anattecheha va'eshalecheha bekhol-sadeh nachelat Yisrael ki asu zimmah unevalah beYisrael.
'Va'ohez' means 'and I seized', 'befilagshi' means 'in my palm', 'va'anattecheha' means 'and I let it go', 'va'eshalecheha' means 'and I sent it', 'bekhol-sadeh' means 'throughout every field', 'nachelat' means 'inheritance', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ki' means 'because', 'asu' means 'they have done', 'zimmah' means 'fornication or illicit sexual activity', 'unevalah' means 'and whoredom', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel'.
[JDG.20.7] Behold, all of you, sons of Israel, bring now a word and counsel for yourselves. [§]
Hinneh kullechem b'nei Yisrael habu lachem davar ve'etza ha'lum.
'Hinneh' means 'Behold', 'kullechem' means 'all of you', 'b'nei' means 'sons of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'habu' means 'bring', 'lachem' means 'for yourselves', 'davar' means 'a word', 've'etza' means 'and counsel', 'ha'lum' means 'now'.
[JDG.20.8] And all the people rose as one man, saying, 'We will not go, each man, to his tent, and we will not depart, each man, to his house.' [§]
Vayakam kol haam ke'ish echad le'emor lo neilech ish le'aholo ve'lo nasur ish le'veito.
'Vayakam' means 'and rose', 'kol' means 'all', 'haam' means 'the people', 'ke'ish' means 'as a man', 'echad' means 'one', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'lo' means 'not', 'neilech' means 'we will go', 'ish' means 'man', 'le'aholo' means 'to his tent', 've'lo' means 'and not', 'nasur' means 'we will depart', 'le'veito' means 'to his house'.
[JDG.20.9] Now this is the thing that we will do to the hill, upon it by lot. [§]
Ve'attah zeh ha-davar asher na'aseh la-giv'ah aleha be-goral.
'Ve'attah' means 'and now', 'zeh' means 'this', 'ha-davar' means 'the matter/thing', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'na'aseh' means 'we will do/make', 'la-giv'ah' means 'to the hill', 'aleha' means 'upon it', 'be-goral' means 'by lot' or 'according to a lot'.
[JDG.20.10] And we took ten men for each hundred for all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred for the thousand, and a thousand for the multitude, to take a tribute for the people to cause their coming to the hill of Benjamin as all the gathering that was made in Israel. [§]
ve'lakachnu asarah anashim lamme'ah lechol shivtei Yisrael u-me'ah la'elef ve'elef la'rabbavah lakachat tzedah la'am la'asot levom legevah Binyamin kechol han'valah asher asah biYisrael.
"ve'lakachnu" means "and we took", "asarah" means "ten", "anashim" means "men", "lamme'ah" means "for a hundred", "lechol" means "for all", "shivtei" means "the tribes of", "Yisrael" means "Israel", "u-me'ah" means "and a hundred", "la'elef" means "for a thousand", "ve'elef" means "and a thousand", "la'rabbavah" means "for a multitude", "lakachat" means "to take", "tzedah" means "contribution/tribute", "la'am" means "for the people", "la'asot" means "to do/ to cause", "levom" means "their coming", "legevah" means "to the hill", "Binyamin" means "Benjamin", "kechol" means "as all", "han'valah" means "the gathering/assembly", "asher" means "that", "asah" means "was done/made", "biYisrael" means "in Israel".
[JDG.20.11] And all the men of Israel gathered at the city as one man, together. [§]
vaye'asef kol ish Yisrael el ha'ir ke'ish echad chaverim
'vaye'asef' means 'and gathered', 'kol' means 'all', 'ish' means 'man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el' means 'to' or 'at', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'ke'ish' means 'as a man', 'echad' means 'one', 'chaverim' means 'comrades' or 'friends' and conveys the sense of being together.
[JDG.20.12] And the tribes of Israel sent men, from all the tribes of Benjamin, saying, "What is this disaster that has happened among you?" [§]
Vayishlechu shivtei Yisrael anashim bechol-shivtei Binyamin le'emor ma haraah hazot asher nihyata bashhem.
'Vayishlechu' means 'and they sent', 'shivtei' means 'the tribes of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'anashim' means 'men', 'bechol' means 'in all' or 'through all', 'shivtei' again 'the tribes of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'le'emor' means 'to say' or 'saying', 'ma' means 'what', 'haraah' means 'the evil' or 'the disaster', 'hazot' means 'this', 'asher' means 'that which', 'nihyata' means 'has happened', 'bashhem' means 'among you' or 'in you'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special translation of a name is required.
[JDG.20.13] Now give the men, the sons of the worthless, who are on the hill, and kill them and bring evil upon Israel, and they will not listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel. [§]
ve'atta tenu et ha'anashim b'nei belyia'al asher ba-giv'ah u'nemitem u'nev'ara ra'ah miYisrael ve'lo avu binyaman lishmoa be'kol aḥeihhem b'nei Yisrael.
've'atta' means 'now', 'tenu' means 'give' (imperative plural), 'et ha'anashim' means 'the men', 'b'nei belyia'al' literally 'sons of Belial' where Belial denotes 'worthless' or 'wicked', so rendered as 'sons of the worthless', 'asher' means 'who', 'ba-giv'ah' means 'in the hill' (or 'on the hill'), 'u'nemitem' means 'and kill them', 'u'nev'ara' means 'and bring disaster', 'ra'ah' means 'evil', 'miYisrael' means 'upon Israel', 've'lo' means 'and not', 'avu' likely 'they will listen' (from 'shama' root), but context indicates 'they will not listen', 'binyaman' is a textual variant likely 'to the ears' or 'to the hearing', 'lishmoa' means 'to hear', 'be'kol aḥeihhem' means 'the voice of their brothers', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the sons of Israel'.
[JDG.20.14] And the sons of Benjamin gathered from the hill towns to go out to war with the children of Israel. [§]
Vaye'esfu b'nei Binyamin min ha'arei ha-gibe'ah latset la milchamah im b'nei Yisrael.
'Vaye'esfu' means 'and they gathered', 'b'nei Binyamin' means 'the sons of Benjamin', 'min' means 'from', 'ha'arei' means 'the towns', 'ha-gibe'ah' means 'the hill', together 'the hill towns', 'latset' means 'to go out', 'la milchamah' means 'to war/battle', 'im' means 'with', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel'.
[JDG.20.15] And the sons of Benjamin on that day from the cities twenty-six thousand men brandishing a sword, besides the inhabitants of the hill they assembled seven hundred men, young. [§]
Vayitpakdu b'nei Binyamin bayom hahu meha'arim esrim v'shisha elef ish sholef charev levad miyoshvei ha-giv'ah hitpakdu shiva me'ot ish bachur.
'Vayitpakdu' means 'and they assembled', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hahu' means 'that', 'meha'arim' means 'from the cities', 'esrim v'shisha' means 'twenty-six', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'sholef' means 'brandishing', 'charev' means 'a sword', 'levad' means 'besides', 'miyoshvei' means 'the inhabitants of', 'ha-giv'ah' means 'the hill', 'hitpakdu' means 'they assembled', 'shiva' means 'seven', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', 'ich' means 'men', 'bachur' means 'young (men)'.
[JDG.20.16] From all this people, seven hundred chosen men, (the) right-hand, all this strikes with a stone to the gate and will not sin. [§]
Mikol haam hazeh sheva meot ish bachur itter yad-yemino kolzeh koleya baevan el-hasaarah velo yachatai.
'Mikol' means 'from all', 'haam' means 'the people', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'sheva' means 'seven', 'meot' means 'hundred', 'ish' means 'man', 'bachur' means 'chosen', 'itter' means 'right-hand' (literally 'hand of his right'), 'yad-yemino' means 'his right hand', 'kolzeh' means 'all this', 'koleya' means 'strikes', 'baevan' means 'with a stone', 'el-hasaarah' means 'to the gate', 'velo' means 'and not', 'yachatai' means 'will sin' (negated here as 'will not sin').
[JDG.20.17] And a man of Israel gathered alone from Benjamin, four hundred thousand men wielding the sword; all this is a man of war. [§]
ve'ish Yisrael hitpakdu levad miBinyaman arba me'ot elef ish sholef charev kol-zeh ish milchamah.
've'ish' means 'and a man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hitpakdu' means 'they gathered', 'levad' means 'alone', 'miBinyaman' means 'from Benjamin', 'arba' means 'four', 'me'ot' means 'hundred', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'sholef' means 'wielding', 'charev' means 'sword', 'kol-zeh' means 'all this', 'ish milchamah' means 'a man of war'.
[JDG.20.18] And they rose and went up to the House of God and asked the Gods, and said, Children of Israel, who will go up for us first into the war against the children of Benjamin? And Yahveh said, Judah first. [§]
Va-yaqumu va-ya'alu beit-El va-yish'alu be-Elohim va-yo'mru B'nei Yisrael mi ya'aleh lanu ba-techilah la-milchamah im B'nei Binyamin va-yo'mer Yahveh Yehudah ba-techilah.
'Va-yaqumu' means 'And they rose', 'va-ya'alu' means 'and they went up', 'beit-El' means 'House of God' (with El = God), 'va-yish'alu' means 'and they asked', 'be-Elohim' means 'the Gods', 'va-yo'mru' means 'and they said', 'B'nei Yisrael' means 'Children of Israel', 'mi' means 'who', 'ya'aleh' means 'will go up', 'lanu' means 'for us', 'ba-techilah' means 'first', 'la-milchamah' means 'to the war', 'im' means 'against', 'B'nei Binyamin' means 'the children of Benjamin', 'va-yo'mer' means 'and said', 'Yahveh' is the translation of YHVH, 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'ba-techilah' means 'first'.
[JDG.20.19] And the children of Israel rose up in the morning and camped on the hill. [§]
Vayakumu b'nei Yisrael baboker vayachanu al hagiv'ah.
'Vayakumu' means 'and they rose up', 'b'nei' means 'children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'baboker' means 'in the morning', 'vayachanu' means 'and they camped', 'al' means 'on', 'hagiv'ah' means 'the hill'. The final symbol 'פ' is a scribal paragraph marker and is not part of the narrative text.
[JDG.20.20] And a man of Israel went out to war with Benjamin, and they arranged with them a man of Israel for war to the hill. [§]
vayetze ish Yisrael lamilchama im Binyamin vayaarchu itam ish Yisrael milchama el hagiv'ah.
'vayetze' means 'and he went out', 'ish' means 'man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'lamilchama' means 'to war', 'im' means 'with', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'vayaarchu' means 'and they arranged', 'itam' means 'with them', 'ish Yisrael' means 'a man of Israel', 'milchama' means 'war', 'el' means 'to', 'hagiv'ah' means 'the hill'.
[JDG.20.21] And the children of Benjamin went out from the hill and destroyed Israel that day, twenty two thousand men in the land. [§]
vayetzeu b'nei Binyamin min haggiva vayashchitu biYisrael bayom hahu shenayim ve'esrim elef ish artzah.
'vayetzeu' means 'and they went out', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'min' means 'from', 'haggiva' means 'the hill', 'vayashchitu' means 'and they destroyed', 'biYisrael' means 'Israel', 'bayom' means 'the day', 'hahu' means 'that (specific) day', 'shenayim' means 'two', 've'esrim' means 'and twenty', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'man' (here used as a measure of people), 'artzah' means 'in the land'.
[JDG.20.22] And the people, each Israelite, grew strong and they continued to set up battle in the place that they had arranged there on the first day. [§]
Vayitchazek haam ish Yisrael vayosifu la'aroch milchamah ba-makom asher arechu sham ba-yom ha-rishon.
'Vayitchazek' means 'and (they) became strong', 'haam' means 'the people', 'ish' means 'a man' or 'one', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel' (the descendant or nation), 'vayosifu' means 'and they continued', 'la'aroch' means 'to set up' or 'to raise', 'milchamah' means 'war' or 'battle', 'ba-makom' means 'in the place', 'asher' means 'that' or 'which', 'arechu' means 'they arranged' or 'they set up', 'sham' means 'there', 'ba-yom' means 'on the day', 'ha-rishon' means 'the first'.
[JDG.20.23] And the children of Israel went up and wept before Yahveh until evening; and they asked Yahveh, saying, 'Will we add to the battle with the children of Benjamin, my brother?' And Yahveh said, 'Go up to him.' [§]
Vaya'alu b'nei Yisra'el vayivku lifnei Yahveh ad ha'erev vayisha'alu baYahveh le'emor ha'osif lageshet lamilchamah im b'nei Binyamin achi vayomer Yahveh 'alu elav.
'Vaya'alu' means 'and they went up', 'b'nei Yisra'el' means 'the children of Israel', 'vayivku' means 'and they wept', 'lifnei' means 'before', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'ad' means 'until', 'ha'erev' means 'the evening', 'vayisha'alu' means 'and they asked', 'baYahveh' means 'Yahveh', 'le'emor' means 'saying', 'ha'osif' is from the verb 'to add' meaning 'will we add', 'lageshet' means 'to the battle', 'lamilchamah' means 'for war', 'im' means 'with', 'b'nei Binyamin' means 'the children of Benjamin', 'achi' means 'my brother', 'vayomer' means 'and he said', 'Yahveh' again the name of God, ''alu' means 'go up', 'elav' means 'to him'.
[JDG.20.24] The children of Israel drew near to the children of Benjamin on the second day. [§]
Vayikrevu b'nei Yisrael el b'nei Binyamin bayom hasheni.
'Vayikrevu' means 'and they drew near', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el' means 'to', 'b'nei' again means 'the children of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hasheni' means 'the second'.
[JDG.20.25] And he went out by night to meet them from the hill on the second day, and they destroyed among the children of Israel again eighty thousand men of the land; all these were sword-wielders. [§]
Vayetze binyan likratam min hagiv'ah bayom hasheni vayashchitu bivnei Yisrael od shmonat asar elef ish artzah kol-eleh sholfei chereb.
'Vayetze' means 'and he went out', 'binyan' means 'by night', 'likratam' means 'to meet them', 'min' means 'from', 'hagiv'ah' means 'the hill', 'bayom' means 'on the day', 'hasheni' means 'the second', 'vayashchitu' means 'and they destroyed', 'bivnei' means 'among the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'od' means 'again', 'shmonat' means 'eighty', 'asar' means 'ten', together 'shmonat asar' means 'eighty', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'artzah' means 'of the land', 'kol-eleh' means 'all these', 'sholfei' means 'those who wield', 'chereb' means 'the sword'.
[JDG.20.26] And all the children of Israel and all the people went up to the house of God, and they wept, and they sat there before Yahveh, and they fasted that day until evening, and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahveh. [§]
Vayalu kol-b'nei Yisrael v'kol haam vayavo'u beit-El vayivku vayeshvu sham lifnei Yahveh vayatzumu bayom-hahu ad-haarev vayalu olot ushlamim lifnei Yahveh.
'Vayalu' means 'they went up', 'kol-b'nei' means 'all the sons/children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'v'kol haam' means 'and all the people', 'vayavo'u' means 'and they came', 'beit-El' means 'house of God' (El = God), 'vayivku' means 'and they wept', 'vayeshvu' means 'and they sat', 'sham' means 'there', 'lifnei' means 'before', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'vayatzumu' means 'and they fasted', 'bayom-hahu' means 'that day', 'ad-haarev' means 'until evening', 'vayalu' means 'they offered', 'olot' means 'burnt offerings', 'ushlamim' means 'peace offerings', 'lifnei Yahveh' means 'before Yahveh'.
[JDG.20.27] And the children of Israel asked before Yahveh, and there was the ark of the covenant of the Gods in those days. [§]
Vayisha'lu b'nei Yisrael baYahveh v'sham Aron Brit haElohim baYamim hahem.
'Vayisha'lu' means 'and they asked' (vav conjunction + verb shaal). 'b'nei' means 'the children of' (b- preposition + ne' plural of son). 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'. 'baYahveh' means 'before Yahveh' (b- preposition with the divine name YHVH rendered as Yahveh). 'v'sham' means 'and there' (vav conjunction + sham). 'Aron' means 'ark'. 'Brit' means 'covenant'. 'haElohim' means 'the Gods' (Elohim rendered literally as the Gods). 'baYamim' means 'in the days' (b- preposition + yamim plural of day). 'hahem' means 'those' (the demonstrative pronoun). The phrase 'Aron Brit haElohim' is 'ark of the covenant of the Gods'.
[JDG.20.28] And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the son of Aaron stood before him in those days, saying, 'Shall we gather again to go out to war with the sons of Benjamin, my brother, if I die?' And Yahveh said, 'Rise, for tomorrow I will give it into your hand.' [§]
U'pinchas ben-Eleazar ben-Aharon omed lefanav bayamim hahem le'emor ha'osef od latzet lamilchamah im-benei-Binyamin achi im-echdal vayomer Yahveh aloo ki machar etnenhu beyadecha.
'U'pinchas' means 'and Phinehas', 'ben-Eleazar' means 'son of Eleazar', 'ben-Aharon' means 'son of Aaron', 'omed' means 'stood', 'lefanav' means 'before him', 'bayamim' means 'in the days', 'hahem' means 'those', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'ha'osef' means 'the gathering/again', 'od' means 'still', 'latzet' means 'to go out', 'lamilchamah' means 'to war', 'im-benei-Binyamin' means 'with the sons of Benjamin', 'achi' means 'my brother', 'im-echdal' means 'if I die', 'vayomer' means 'and said', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'aloo' means 'rise/go up', 'ki' means 'for', 'machar' means 'tomorrow', 'etnenhu' means 'I will give it', 'beyadecha' means 'into your hand'.
[JDG.20.29] And Israel placed banners around the hill. [§]
Vayyasem Yisrael orvim el-hagiv'ah saviv.
'Vayyasem' means 'and (he) placed', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'orvim' means 'banners', 'el' means 'to' or 'against', 'hagiv'ah' means 'the hill', 'saviv' means 'around' or 'about'.
[JDG.20.30] And the children of Israel went up to the children of Benjamin on the third day, and they assembled at the hill repeatedly. [§]
Vayialu bnei Yisrael el bnei Binyamin ba yom ha shlishi vayiaarchu el hagiva kephaam befaam.
'Vayialu' means 'and they went up', 'bnei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'el' means 'to', 'bnei Binyamin' means 'the children of Benjamin', 'ba yom ha shlishi' means 'on the third day', 'vayiaarchu' means 'and they arranged/assembled', 'el hagiva' means 'to the hill', 'kephaam befaam' means 'once at a time' or 'repeatedly, time after time'.
[JDG.20.31] The sons of Benjamin went out to meet the people; they left the city and began to strike down the people, killing them, from time to time on the highways, one of which led up to the House of God and another to Gibeah in the field; thirty men in Israel. [§]
Vayetzeu beney Binyamin liqrat haam hanetku min hair vayachelu leha'kot mehaam chalalim kefam befam bamessilot asher achat ola beit El veachat gibata basade kischloshim ish beYisrael.
'Vayetzeu' means 'they went out', 'beney Binyamin' means 'the sons of Benjamin', 'liqrat' means 'to meet', 'haam' means 'the people', 'hanetku' means 'they left', 'min hair' means 'from the city', 'vayachelu' means 'and they began', 'leha'kot' means 'to strike', 'mehaam' means 'the people', 'chalalim' means 'slain' or 'killed', 'kefam befam' means 'from time to time', 'bamessilot' means 'on the roads', 'asher' means 'that', 'achat' means 'one', 'ola' means 'goes up', 'beit El' literally 'house God' which we translate as 'House of God', 'veachat' means 'and another', 'gibata' means 'Gibeah', 'basade' means 'in the field', 'kischloshim' means 'thirty', 'ish' means 'men', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel'. The name element 'El' is rendered as 'God' according to the given guideline.
[JDG.20.32] The sons of Benjamin said, 'We have already been seized before us as before,' and the sons of Israel said, 'Let us flee and cut him off from the city to the roads.' [§]
Vayomeru b'nei Binyamin nigapim hem lefanenu kevarishona u'v'nei Yisrael amarū nanusah u'netakkenuhu min-ha'ir el-hamesillot.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Binyamin' is the name Benjamin, 'nigapim' means 'are seized' or 'captured', 'hem' means 'they', 'lefanenu' means 'before us', 'kevarishona' means 'as before' or 'as at the beginning', 'u'v'nei' means 'and the sons of', 'Yisrael' is Israel, 'amarū' means 'they said', 'nanusah' means 'let us flee', 'u'netakkenuhu' means 'and let us cut him off' (or 'we will cut him off'), 'min-ha'ir' means 'from the city', 'el-hamesillot' means 'to the roads'.
[JDG.20.33] And all the men of Israel rose from their places and they assembled at Baal Tamar, and Oreb of Israel went out from his place from the hill of Gava. [§]
vechol ish Yisrael kamu mimkomo vayaarachu bevaal Tamar veorev Yisrael megich mimkamo mimmaareh gava.
'vechol' means 'and all', 'ish' means 'man' or 'men', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'kamu' means 'rose' or 'got up', 'mimkomo' means 'from his place', 'vayaarachu' means 'and they assembled', 'bevaal' means 'at Baal', 'Tamar' is a place name, 'veorev' means 'and Oreb', 'megich' means 'went out' or 'came forth', 'mimkamo' means 'from his place', 'mimmaareh' means 'from the hill' (ma'areh = hill), 'gava' means 'of Gava' (a location).
[JDG.20.34] And they came from opposite the hill ten thousand young men from all Israel, and the war was heavy, and they did not know that the evil had touched them. [§]
Vayyavo'u minnegaed lagibah aseret alafim ish bachur mikol Yisrael vehamilchamah kedah vehem lo yadeu ki nogaat aleihem ha-raah.
'Vayyavo'u' means 'and they came', 'minnegaed' means 'from opposite', 'lagibah' means 'to the hill', 'aseret' means 'ten', 'alafim' means 'thousands', 'ish' means 'man', 'bachur' means 'young', 'mikol' means 'from all', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vehamilchamah' means 'and the war', 'kedah' means 'was heavy', 'vehem' means 'and they', 'lo' means 'not', 'yadeu' means 'knew', 'ki' means 'that', 'nogaat' means 'touched', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'ha-raah' means 'the evil'.
[JDG.20.35] And Yahveh struck Benjamin before Israel, and the children of Israel destroyed in Benjamin on that day twenty and five thousand and a hundred each man; all these draw the sword. [§]
Vayigof Yahveh et Binyamin lifnei Yisrael vayashchitu b'nei Yisrael b'Binyamin bayom hahou esrim vechamisha elef ume'ah ish kol eleh sholef chereb.
'Vayigof' means 'and (He) struck', 'Yahveh' means the divine name YHWH, 'et' is the direct object marker, 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'lifnei' means 'before', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'vayashchitu' means 'and they destroyed', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'bayom' means 'the day', 'hahou' means 'that', 'esrim' means 'twenty', 'vechamisha' means 'and five', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ume'ah' means 'and a hundred', 'ish' means 'each man', 'kol' means 'all', 'eleh' means 'these', 'sholef' means 'drawing' (as a verb), 'chereb' means 'sword'.
[JDG.20.36] And the children of Benjamin saw that they were scattered, and they gave a man of Israel a place for Benjamin, because they trusted in the column which they set up on the hill. [§]
Vayiru b'nei-Binyamin ki niga'fu vayitnu ish-Yisrael makom leBinyamin ki bat'chu el-ha'orev asher samu el-hagivah.
'Vayiru' means 'they saw', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'ki' means 'that' or 'because', 'niga'fu' means 'they were scattered/fled', 'vayitnu' means 'and they gave', 'ish' means 'a man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'makom' means 'a place', 'leBinyamin' means 'for Benjamin', 'ki' means 'because', 'bat'chu' means 'they trusted', 'el' means 'in', 'ha'orev' means 'the column' (a standing pillar), 'asher' means 'which', 'samu' means 'they set up', 'el' means 'on', 'ha'givah' means 'the hill'.
[JDG.20.37] And the raven hastened, and they rushed to the hill, and the raven drew, and struck all the city by sword. [§]
vehaorev hechishu vayifshetu el-hagiva vayimshekh haorev vayach etkol-hair lefi-cherav.
'vehaorev' means 'and the raven', 'hechishu' means 'hastened', 'vayifshetu' means 'and they rushed', 'el-hagiva' means 'to the hill', 'vayimshekh' means 'and he drew or pulled', 'haorev' means 'the raven', 'vayach' means 'and struck', 'etkol' means 'all', 'hair' means 'the city', 'lefi-cherav' means 'by sword'.
[JDG.20.38] And the appointed time was for each man of Israel, with the lamb in the evening, to bring them as a smoke offering from the city. [§]
Veha mo'ed haya le ish Yisrael im ha orev her ev lehaalotam massa et ha ash an min ha ir.
'Veha mo'ed' means 'the appointed time', 'haya' means 'was', 'le ish' means 'for a man', 'Yisrael' means 'of Israel', 'im ha orev' means 'with the lamb', 'her ev' means 'in the evening', 'lehaalotam' means 'to bring them up (as an offering)', 'massa' means 'the offering', 'et ha ash an' means 'of the smoke', 'min ha ir' means 'from the city'.
[JDG.20.39] And he turned a man of Israel in battle, and Benjamin began to strike dead bodies among the men of Israel about thirty men, because they said, 'Only one who is struck is before us as the first battle.' [§]
Vayahafokh ish-Yisrael bamilchamah uBinyaman hecheil lehakot chalalim beish-Yisrael kishloshim ish ki amru ach nigof nigaf hua lefanenu kamilchamah harishonah.
'Vayahafokh' means 'and he turned' or 'he changed', 'ish-Yisrael' means 'the man of Israel' (or 'a man of Israel'), 'bamilchamah' means 'in battle', 'uBinyaman' means 'and Benjamin', 'hecheil' means 'began', 'lehakot' means 'to strike', 'chalalim' means 'the dead' or 'corpse(s)', 'beish-Yisrael' means 'among the men of Israel', 'kishloshim' means 'as thirty' (or 'about thirty'), 'ish' means 'man', 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'amru' means 'they said', 'ach' means 'only', 'nigof' means 'is struck', 'nigaf' means 'was struck', 'hua' means 'he', 'lefanenu' means 'before us', 'kamilchamah' means 'as the battle', 'harishonah' means 'the first'.
[JDG.20.40] And the burden began to rise from the city, a pillar of smoke, and he turned south after it, and behold, the city’s cloud rose to the heavens. [§]
ve-hamas'eyet hechela la'alot min ha'ir amud ashan vayifen binyaman acharav vehineh ala kelil ha'ir ha-shamayim.
've' means 'and', 'hamas'eyet' means 'the burden' or 'the load', 'hechela' means 'began' or 'started', 'la'alot' means 'to rise', 'min' means 'from', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'amud' means 'pillar', 'ashan' means 'smoke', 'vayifen' means 'and he turned', 'binyaman' means 'to the south', 'acharav' means 'after him', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'ala' means 'rose', 'kelil' means 'the cloud' or 'the vapor', 'ha'ir' again means 'of the city', 'ha-shamayim' means 'the heavens'.
[JDG.20.41] And a man of Israel turned, and a man of Benjamin was humbled because he saw that the evil had struck him. [§]
ve-ish Yisrael hafach vayibachel ish Binyamin ki ra'ah ki-nage'a alav ha-ra'ah.
've' means 'and', 'ish' means 'man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hafach' means 'turned over', 'vayibachel' means 'and was humbled/ashamed', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'ki' means 'because', 'ra'ah' means 'he saw', 'ki-nage'a' means 'that it struck', 'alav' means 'upon him', 'ha-ra'ah' means 'the evil'.
[JDG.20.42] And they turned before a man of Israel toward the way of the desert, and the war clung to him, and those from the cities were destroying him within. [§]
Vayifnu lifnei ish Yisrael el-derekh ha-midbar ve-hamilchamah hidbikatohu va'asher meha'arim mashchitim oto betokho.
'Vayifnu' means 'and they turned', 'lifnei' means 'before/in front of', 'ish' means 'a man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'el-derekh' means 'to the way', 'ha-midbar' means 'the desert', 've-hamilchamah' means 'and the battle/war', 'hidbikatohu' means 'attached it to him' or 'stuck him', 'va'asher' means 'and those', 'meha'arim' means 'from the cities', 'mashchitim' means 'are destroying', 'oto' means 'him', 'betokho' means 'within him/inside'.
[JDG.20.43] Cut off Benjamin, pursue him, give him rest, draw him out, until the plain of the hill from the rising of the sun. [§]
Kitteru et-Binyamin herdiphuhu menucha hidrikhuhu ad nochach hagivah mimizrach-shemesh.
'Kitteru' means 'cut off', 'et-Binyamin' means 'Benjamin (object marker)', 'herdiphuhu' means 'pursue him', 'menucha' means 'rest', 'hidrikhuhu' means 'draw him out', 'ad' means 'until', 'nochach' means 'the plain', 'hagivah' means 'the hill', 'mimizrach-shemesh' means 'from the rising of the sun'.
[JDG.20.44] And they fell from Benjamin eighteen thousand men, all these men of valor. [§]
vayiplu miBinyam shmona-asar elef ish et kol eleh anshei chayil.
'vayiplu' means 'and they fell', 'miBinyam' means 'from Benjamin', 'shmona-asar' means 'eight and ten' i.e., 'eighteen', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'et' is the direct object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'eleh' means 'these', 'anshei' means 'men of' (construct form), 'chayil' means 'valor' or 'strength'.
[JDG.20.45] And they turned, and the wilderness fled to the rock of Oreb, and he pursued them in the passes, five thousand men each, and they stopped them until daybreak, and they struck from them two thousand men. [§]
vayifnu vayinusu hamidbara el sela harimon vayeollluho bamm'silot chameshet alafim ish vayyadbiku acharav ad gidom vayyaku mimenu alpayim ish.
'vayifnu' means 'and they turned', 'vayinusu' means 'and they fled', 'hamidbara' means 'the wilderness', 'el' means 'to', 'sela' means 'rock', 'harimon' means 'of Oreb', 'vayeollluho' means 'and he pursued them', 'bamm'silot' means 'in the passes', 'chameshet' means 'five', 'alafim' means 'thousands', 'ish' means 'each', 'vayyadbiku' means 'they stopped them', 'acharav' means 'behind them', 'ad' means 'until', 'gidom' means 'daybreak', 'vayyaku' means 'they struck', 'mimenu' means 'from them', 'alpayim' means 'two thousand', 'ish' means 'men'.
[JDG.20.46] And there were, from Benjamin, twenty‑five thousand men who wielded the sword that day, all these men of valor. [§]
Vayehi kol ha-noflim miBinyamin esrim vechamisha elef ish sholef cherev ba-yom ha-hu et kol eleh anshei chayil.
'Vayehi' means 'and it was', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha-noflim' means 'the fallen' (i.e., the warriors), 'miBinyamin' means 'from Benjamin', 'esrim vechamisha' means 'twenty and five', 'elef' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'sholef' means 'wielding' or 'sharpening', 'cherev' means 'sword', 'ba-yom' means 'on the day', 'ha-hu' means 'that', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'kol' again means 'all', 'eleh' means 'these', 'anshei' means 'men of', and 'chayil' means 'valor' or 'strength'.
[JDG.20.47] They turned and fled the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, six hundred men, and they dwelt in the rock of Rimmon for four months. [§]
vayyipnu vayyanusu hamidbarah el sela ha rimmon shesh meot ish vayeshvu be sela rimmon arbaah chadashim.
'vayyipnu' means 'they turned', 'vayyanusu' means 'they fled', 'hamidbarah' means 'the wilderness', 'el' means 'to', 'sela' means 'rock', 'ha' is the definite article 'the', 'rimmon' is a place name, 'shesh' means 'six', 'meot' means 'hundred', together 'shesh meot' = 'six hundred', 'ish' means 'men', 'vayeshvu' means 'and they dwelt', 'be' means 'in', 'sela rimmon' means 'the rock of Rimmon', 'arbaah' means 'four', 'chadashim' means 'months'.
[JDG.20.48] And a man of Israel returned to the children of Benjamin, and they struck them with the sword from the city of Metom to the cattle, to all that was found; also all the towns that were found they burned with fire. [§]
veish Yisrael shavu el bnei Binyamin vayakum lefi cheruv meir metom ad behamah ad kol hanimtza gam kol hearim hanimtzaot shilchu vaesh
'veish' means 'and a man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'shavu' means 'returned/settled', 'el' means 'to', 'bnei' means 'the children of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'vayakum' means 'and they struck/smit', 'lefi' means 'by the edge of', 'cheruv' means 'sword', 'meir' means 'from the city of', 'metom' is a place name, 'ad' means 'to/until', 'behamah' means 'cattle' or 'beast', 'kol' means 'all', 'hanimtza' means 'that which was found', 'gam' means 'also', 'hearim' means 'the towns', 'hanimtzaot' means 'the found (feminine plural)', 'shilchu' means 'they sent/burned', 'vaesh' means 'in fire'.
JDG.21
[JDG.21.1] And a man of Israel swore by the watchtower, saying, 'No man among us shall give his daughter to Benjamin as a wife.' [§]
veish Yisrael nishba ba-mitzpa le'emor ish mimen u lo yiten bito leBinyaman leishah.
'veish' means 'and a man', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'nishba' means 'swore', 'ba-mitzpa' means 'by the watchtower', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'ish' means 'man', 'mimen u' means 'among us', 'lo' means 'no', 'yiten' means 'shall give', 'bito' means 'his daughter', 'leBinyaman' means 'to Benjamin', 'leishah' means 'as a wife'.
[JDG.21.2] And the people went to the house of God and settled there until evening before the Gods and they lifted their voice and they wept with great lament. [§]
Vayyavo haam beit-El vayeshvu sham ad-ha'erev lifnei haElohim vayissa'u qolam vayivku bechi gadol.
'Vayyavo' means 'and came', 'haam' means 'the people', 'beit-El' means 'house of God' (El = God), 'vayeshvu' means 'they settled', 'sham' means 'there', 'ad-ha'erev' means 'until evening', 'lifnei' means 'before', 'haElohim' means 'the Gods' (Elohim = the Gods), 'vayissa'u' means 'they lifted', 'qolam' means 'their voice', 'vayivku' means 'they wept', 'bechi' means 'with lament', 'gadol' means 'great'.
[JDG.21.3] And they said, why Yahveh the Gods of Israel was this in Israel to appoint today from Israel a single tribe. [§]
Vayomru lama Yahveh Elohei Yisrael hayta zot beYisrael lehipaked hayom miYisrael shevet echad.
'Vayomru' means 'And they said', 'lama' means 'why', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of YHVH, 'Elohei' means 'the Gods of' (from Elohim), 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'hayta' means 'was' or 'became', 'zot' means 'this', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'lehipaked' means 'to appoint' or 'to set apart', 'hayom' means 'today', 'miYisrael' means 'from Israel', 'shevet' means 'tribe', 'echad' means 'one' or 'single'.
[JDG.21.4] And it happened the next day the people rose up and built there an altar and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. [§]
Vayehi mimmachorat vayashkimu ha'am vayivnu sham mizbeach vayalu olot ushalamim.
'Vayehi' means 'and it happened', 'mimmachorat' means 'the next day', 'vayashkimu' means 'they rose up', 'ha'am' means 'the people', 'vayivnu' means 'they built', 'sham' means 'there', 'mizbeach' means 'altar', 'vayalu' means 'they offered', 'olot' means 'burnt offerings', 'ushalamim' means 'peace offerings', and the solitary 'פ' is a paragraph marker in the Hebrew text.
[JDG.21.5] And the children of Israel said, 'Who is the one who has not gone up to the assembly from all the tribes of Israel before Yahveh? For the great oath was that the one who has not gone up to Yahveh the watch shall say, "He shall die."' [§]
Vayomeru B'nei Yisrael mi asher lo-ala baqahal mikol shivtei Yisrael el-Yahveh ki hashvuah hagedola hayta la-asher lo-ala el-Yahveh ha-mitzpah le'emor mot yumat.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'B'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'mi' means 'who', 'asher' means 'that', 'lo-ala' means 'has not gone up', 'baqahal' means 'to the assembly', 'mikol' means 'from all', 'shivtei' means 'the clans/tribes of', 'el-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh', 'ki' means 'for', 'hashvuah' means 'the oath', 'hagedola' means 'the great', 'hayta' means 'was', 'la-asher' means 'for the one who', 'lo-ala' again 'has not gone up', 'el-Yahveh' again 'to Yahveh', 'ha-mitzpah' means 'the watch/guard', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'mot' means 'death', 'yumat' means 'shall die'.
[JDG.21.6] And the children of Israel pitied Binyamin his brother, and they said, The day is torn; one tribe from Israel. [§]
Vayinnachamu b'nei Yisrael el-Binyamin achiv vayomeru nigda hayom shevet echad mi-Yisrael.
'Vayinnachamu' means 'and the children of Israel were sorry or repented', 'b'nei Yisrael' means 'the children of Israel', 'el-Binyamin achiv' means 'to Binyamin his brother', 'vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'nigda hayom' means 'the day is torn or cut off', 'shevet echad' means 'one tribe', 'mi-Yisrael' means 'from Israel'.
[JDG.21.7] What shall we do for them, the remaining, for women? And we have sworn by Yahveh not to give them our daughters for women. [§]
Mah na'aseh lahem la-notrim le-nashim va-anachnu nishba'nu b'Yahveh le-vilti teth lahem mi-bnotenu le-nashim.
'Mah' means 'what', 'na'aseh' means 'shall we do', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'la-notrim' means 'for the remaining (the leftovers)', 'le-nashim' means 'for women', 'va-anachnu' means 'and we', 'nishba'nu' means 'have sworn', 'b'Yahveh' means 'by Yahveh' (the literal translation of YHVH as Yahveh), 'le-vilti' means 'not to', 'teth' means 'give', 'lahem' again 'to them', 'mi-bnotenu' means 'our daughters', 'le-nashim' means 'for women' (as wives).
[JDG.21.8] And they said, Who is the one of the tribes of Israel that has not gone up to Yahveh the watch, and behold, no man came from the camp of Gilead to the assembly. [§]
Vayomeru mi echad mi-shevetey Yisrael asher lo ala el Yahveh ha-mitzpah ve-hineh lo ba ish el ha-machane mi-yabesh Gilad el ha-kahal.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'mi' means 'who', 'echad' means 'one', 'mi-shevetey' means 'of the tribes/families', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'asher' means 'that/who', 'lo' means 'not', 'ala' means 'went up/ascended', 'el' means 'to', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'ha-mitzpah' means 'the watch/assembly', 've-hineh' means 'and behold', 'lo' again means 'not', 'ba' means 'came', 'ish' means 'man', 'el' again 'to', 'ha-machane' means 'the camp', 'mi-yabesh' is a locative phrase meaning 'from the region of', 'Gilad' is the place name Gilead, 'el' again 'to', 'ha-kahal' means 'the assembly'.
[JDG.21.9] And the people were gathered, and behold, there was no man among the inhabitants of Yavesh of Gilad. [§]
Vayitpaked haam vehineh ein sham ish miyoshve yavesh Gilad.
'Vayitpaked' means 'and (they) were gathered', 'haam' means 'the people', 'vehineh' means 'and behold', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'sham' means 'there', 'ish' means 'a man', 'miyoshve' means 'of the dwellers/inhabitants', 'yavesh' is a proper name meaning 'Yavesh', 'Gilad' is a proper name meaning 'Gilad'.
[JDG.21.10] And they sent there the assembly, twelve thousand men of the sons of the mighty, and they ordered them, saying, 'Go and strike the inhabitants of the dry Gilead with the sword, the women also and the children.' [§]
Vayishlechu sham ha'edah shenayim-asar eleph ish mi-benei hechayil vayetsavu otam le'emor lekhu vehikitem et-yoshvei yavesh Gil'ad lefi-cherav vehanashim vehataf.
'Vayishlechu' means 'they sent', 'sham' means 'there', 'ha'edah' means 'the assembly', 'shenayim-asar' means 'twelve', 'eleph' means 'thousand', 'ish' means 'men', 'mi-benei' means 'from the sons of', 'hechayil' means 'the mighty', 'vayetsavu' means 'and they ordered', 'otam' means 'them', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'lekhu' means 'go', 'vehikitem' means 'and you will strike', 'et-yoshvei' means 'the inhabitants of', 'yavesh' means 'dry', 'Gil'ad' is the place name Gilead, 'lefi-cherav' means 'by the sword', 'vehanashim' means 'and the women', 'vehataf' means 'and the children'.
[JDG.21.11] And this is the command that you shall do: every male and every female who knows a male’s sexual relations you shall put to death. [§]
vezeh hadavar asher tasu kol-zachar vechol-isha yodaat mishkav-zachar tacharimu.
'vezeh' means 'and this', 'hadavar' means 'the word' or 'the matter', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'tasu' means 'you shall do', 'kol-zachar' means 'every male', 'vechol-isha' means 'and every female', 'yodaat' means 'knowing' or 'who knows', 'mishkav-zachar' means 'lying with a male' (sexual relations of a male), 'tacharimu' means 'you shall cut off' (i.e., put to death or eliminate).
[JDG.21.12] And they found the inhabitants of Yavesh Gilad, four hundred young virgins who had not known a man for lying with a male, and they brought them to the camp of Shiloh which is in the land of Canaan. [§]
Vayimtzeu mi-yoshvei Yavesh Gilad arba me'ot na'arah betulah asher lo-yadah ish le-mishkav zakhar vayaviu otam el-hamachaneh Shiloh asher be-eretz Kena'an.
'Vayimtzeu' means 'and they found', 'mi-yoshvei' means 'the inhabitants of', 'Yavesh' is a place name, 'Gilad' is a region, 'arba me'ot' means 'four hundred', 'na'arah' means 'young women/virgins', 'betulah' means 'virgin', 'asher' means 'who', 'lo-yadah' means 'had not known', 'ish' means 'a man', 'le-mishkav' means 'for lying with', 'zakhar' means 'a male', 'vayaviu' means 'and they brought', 'otam' means 'them', 'el' means 'to', 'hamachaneh' means 'the camp', 'Shiloh' is a place name, 'asher' means 'which', 'be-eretz' means 'in the land', 'Kena'an' means 'Canaan'.
[JDG.21.13] And they sent all the congregation, and they spoke to the sons of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon, and they called them peace. [§]
vayishlechu kol ha-eda vayedabru el-benei Binyamin asher be-sela rimmon vayikreu lahem shalom.
'vayishlechu' means 'and they sent', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha-eda' means 'the congregation', 'vayedabru' means 'and they spoke', 'el' means 'to', 'benei' means 'the sons of', 'Binyamin' means 'Benjamin', 'asher' means 'who', 'be-sela' means 'in the rock', 'rimmon' is a place name 'Rimmon', 'vayikreu' means 'and they called', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'shalom' means 'peace'.
[JDG.21.14] And the Benjamites turned back at that time, and the women gave them those who lived from the dry places of Gilgal, but they did not find any for them. [§]
Vayyashav Binyamin ba'et hahii vayittenu lahem hanashim asher chiyu minisheh yavesh Gilad velo-matzu lahem ken.
'Vayyashav' means 'and (he) turned/returned', 'Binyamin' is the name of the tribe Benjamin, 'ba'et' means 'at the time', 'hahii' means 'that', 'vayittenu' means 'and they gave', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'hanashim' means 'the women', 'asher' means 'who', 'chiyu' means 'lived', 'minisheh' means 'from the dry places', 'yavesh' means 'dry', 'Gilad' is the place Gilgal, 'velo-matzu' means 'and they did not find', 'lahem' means 'for them', 'ken' means 'thus/indeed'.
[JDG.21.15] And the people were grieved for Benjamin, because Yahveh made a breach among the tribes of Israel. [§]
veha'am nicham leVinyaman ki asah Yahveh peretz beshivtei Yisrael.
'veha'am' means 'and the people', 'nicham' means 'was sorry' or 'grieved', 'leVinyaman' means 'for Benjamin', 'ki' means 'because', 'asah' means 'made' or 'did', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'peretz' means 'a breach' or 'division', 'beshivtei' means 'in the tribes of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'.
[JDG.21.16] And the elders of the assembly said, "What shall we do for the women, because women are scarce from Benjamin?" [§]
Vayomeru ziknei ha'edah ma-na'aseh le-notarim le-nashim ki nishmedah mi-Binyamin ishah.
'Vayomeru' means 'they said', 'ziknei' means 'elders', 'ha'edah' means 'the assembly', 'ma' means 'what', 'na'aseh' means 'shall we do', 'le-notarim' means 'for the remaining', 'le-nashim' means 'for the women', 'ki' means 'because', 'nishmedah' means 'is lacking' or 'is scarce', 'mi-Binyamin' means 'from Benjamin', 'ishah' means 'woman' (here indicating women in general).
[JDG.21.17] And they said, the inheritance of the fugitives is for Benjamin, and no tribe shall be cut off from Israel. [§]
Vayomeru yerushat pleita leBinyamin velo yimacheh shevet miYisrael.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'yerushat' means 'inheritance', 'pleita' means 'of a fugitive' or 'fugitives', 'leBinyamin' means 'to Benjamin', 'velo' means 'and not', 'yimacheh' means 'shall be cut off', 'shevet' means 'tribe', 'miYisrael' means 'from Israel'.
[JDG.21.18] We are not able to give them women from our daughters, because the sons of Israel have sworn, saying, cursed is he who gives a woman to Benjamin. [§]
V'anachnu lo nukhal latet-lahem nashim mibnotenu ki-nishbe'u b'nei Yisrael le'emor arur noten isha levinyamin.
'V'anachnu' means 'and we', 'lo' means 'not', 'nukhal' means 'are able', 'latet-lahem' means 'to give them', 'nashim' means 'women', 'mibnotenu' means 'from our daughters', 'ki' means 'because', 'nishbe'u' means 'they have sworn', 'b'nei' means 'sons of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'le'emor' means 'to say', 'arur' means 'cursed', 'noten' means 'one who gives', 'isha' means 'a woman', 'levinyamin' means 'to Benjamin'.
[JDG.21.19] And they said, Behold, the festival of Yahveh in its season from days of days, which is northward to the house of God, eastward the sun, to the rising path from the house of God at dawn, and from the west to the west. [§]
Vayomeru hineh chag-Yahveh be-shilo mi-yamim yamimah asher mitzfonah le-beit-El mizrahah ha-shemesh limsilah ha-olah mi-beit-El shekema u-minagev lilbona.
'Vayomeru' means 'and they said', 'hineh' means 'behold', 'chag-Yahveh' means 'festival of Yahveh', 'be-shilo' means 'in its season', 'mi-yamim yamimah' means 'from days of days', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'mitzfonah' means 'is northward', 'le-beit-El' means 'to the house of God', 'mizrahah' means 'eastward', 'ha-shemesh' means 'the sun', 'limsilah' means 'to the path', 'ha-ola' means 'the rising', 'mi-beit-El' means 'from the house of God', 'shekema' means 'at dawn', 'u-minagev' means 'and from the west', 'lilbona' means 'to the west'.
[JDG.21.20] And he commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, 'Go and increase in the vineyards.' [§]
Va-yetzavu et-b'nei Binyamin le'emor lechu va'aravtem ba-keramim.
'Va-yetzavu' means 'and he commanded', 'et-b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'Binyamin' is the name Benjamin, 'le'emor' means 'saying', 'lechu' means 'go', 'va'aravtem' means 'and you shall increase/multiply', 'ba-keramim' means 'in the vineyards'.
[JDG.21.21] And you will see, and behold, if the daughters of Shilo go out to plunder in the vineyards, and you will go out from the vineyards, and you will seize for yourselves a man and his wife from the daughters of Shilo, and you will go to the land of Benjamin. [§]
Ure'item ve-hineh im-yetz'u benot-shilo lachul bamacholot vi-tzatem min-hakramim va-chataptem lakhem ish ishto mi-benot shilo va-halaktem eretz Binyamin.
'Ure'item' means 'and you will see', 've-hineh' means 'and behold', 'im-yetz'u' means 'if they go out', 'benot-shilo' means 'the daughters of Shilo', 'lachul' means 'to plunder', 'bamacholot' means 'in the vineyards', 'vi-tzatem' means 'and you will go out', 'min-hakramim' means 'from the vineyards', 'va-chataptem' means 'and you will seize', 'lakhem' means 'for yourselves', 'ish' means 'a man', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'mi-benot shilo' means 'from the daughters of Shilo', 'va-halaktem' means 'and you will go', 'eretz Binyamin' means 'the land of Benjamin'.
[JDG.21.22] And it shall be when their fathers or their brothers come to the multitude, to God, and we will say to them, have mercy on them, because we have not taken any man his wife in war, because you have not given them at the time they will be found guilty. [§]
ve-hayah ki yavo'u avotam o a'cheihem la-riv eleinu ve-amarnu a'leihem channunu otam ki lo la-kachnu ish ishto ba-milchamah ki lo atem netatem lahem ka'et te'ashamu.
've-hayah' means 'and it will be', 'ki' means 'when', 'yavo'u' means 'they come', 'avotam' means 'their fathers', 'o' means 'or', 'a'cheihem' means 'their brothers', 'la-riv' means 'to the multitude', 'eleinu' (from the root El meaning God) means 'to God', 've-amarnu' means 'and we said', 'a'leihem' means 'to them', 'channunu' means 'have mercy on us' (imperative plural), 'otam' means 'them', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo' means 'not', 'la-kachnu' means 'we took', 'ish' means 'a man', 'ishto' means 'his wife', 'ba-milchamah' means 'in war', 'ki' means 'because', 'lo' means 'not', 'atem' means 'you', 'netatem' means 'you gave', 'lahem' means 'to them', 'ka'et' means 'at the time', 'te'ashamu' means 'you will be guilty', 'ס' is a textual marker (segol). The name element 'El' in 'eleinu' is rendered literally as 'God' per translation rules.
[JDG.21.23] And so the sons of Benjamin did likewise, and they took women according to their number from the concubines that they had taken captive; and they went and returned to their inheritances and they built the cities and dwelt in them. [§]
Va-ya'asu ken b'nei Binyamin va-yishu nashim le-misparam min ha-mechollot asher gazalu va-yelekhu va-yashuvu el naḥalatham va-yibnu et ha-arei̱m va-yeshvu bahem.
'Va-ya'asu' means 'and they did', 'ken' means 'so' or 'thus', 'b'nei Binyamin' means 'the sons of Benjamin', 'va-yishu' means 'and they took', 'nashim' means 'women', 'le-misparam' means 'according to their number', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-mechollot' means 'the concubines', 'asher' means 'that', 'gazalu' means 'they had captured', 'va-yelekhu' means 'and they went', 'va-yashuvu' means 'and they returned', 'el' means 'to', 'naḥalatham' means 'their inheritances', 'va-yibnu' means 'and they built', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'ha-arei̱m' means 'the cities', 'va-yeshvu' means 'and they dwelt', 'bahem' means 'in them'.
[JDG.21.24] And the children of Israel went from there at that time, each man to his tribe and to his household, and they went out from there each man to his inheritance. [§]
Vayithal'chu misham b'nei Yisrael ba'et ha'hiya ish l'shivto u'lmishpachto vayetz'u misham ish l'nachalato.
'Vayithal'chu' means 'and they walked/goed', 'misham' means 'from there', 'b'nei' means 'the children of', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'ba'et' means 'at the time', 'ha'hiya' means 'that', 'ish' means 'a man', 'l'shivto' means 'to his tribe', 'u'lmishpachto' means 'and to his household', 'vayetzu' means 'and they went out', 'misham' again 'from there', 'ish' again 'a man', 'l'nachalato' means 'to his inheritance'.
[JDG.21.25] In those days there was no king in Israel; a man who was upright in his own eyes would act. [§]
Ba yamim hahem ein melekh beYisrael ish hayashar be'einav ya'aseh.
'Ba' means 'in', 'yamim' means 'days', 'hahem' means 'those', 'ein' means 'there is not', 'melech' means 'king', 'beYisrael' means 'in Israel', 'ish' means 'a man', 'hayashar' means 'the upright', 'be'einav' means 'in his own eyes', 'ya'aseh' means 'will do' or 'will act'.