Judges 2:18-19

2:18 When the Lord raised up leaders for them, the Lord was with each leader and delivered the people ¹  from their enemies while the leader remained alive. The Lord felt sorry for them ²  when they cried out in agony because of what their harsh oppressors did to them. ³  2:19 When a leader died, the next generation ⁴  would again ⁵  act more wickedly than the previous one. ⁶  They would follow after other gods, worshiping them ⁷  and bowing down to them. They did not give up ⁸  their practices or their stubborn ways.

[2:18]  ¹ tn Heb “them”; the referent (the people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:18]  ² tn The phrase “for them” is supplied in the translation for clarity.

[2:18]  ³ tn Heb “the ones oppressing them and afflicting them.” The synonyms “oppressing” and “afflicting” are joined together in the translation as “harsh oppressors” to emphasize the cruel character of their enemies.

[2:19]  ⁴ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the next generation) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:19]  ⁵ tn The verb שׁוּב (shuv, “to return; to turn”) is sometimes translated “turn back” here, but it is probably used in an adverbial sense, indicating that the main action (“act wickedly”) is being repeated.

[2:19]  ⁶ tn Heb “their fathers.”

[2:19]  ⁷ tn Or “serving [them]”; or “following [them].”

[2:19]  ⁸ tn Or “drop.”