Discovery BoxJudges 5:14
Context5:14 They came from Ephraim, who uprooted Amalek, 1
they follow 2 after you, Benjamin, with your soldiers.
From Makir leaders came down,
from Zebulun came 3 the ones who march carrying 4 an officer’s staff.
Judges 11:8
Context11:8 The leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That may be true, 5 but now we pledge to you our loyalty. 6 Come with us and fight with the Ammonites. Then you will become the leader 7 of all who live in Gilead.” 8
[5:14] 1 tn Heb “From Ephraim their root in Amalek” (the words “they came” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons). Because of the difficulty of the MT, many prefer to follow one of the ancient versions or emend the text. For various proposals see B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 252-53. The present translation repoints שָׁרְשָׁם (shorsham, traditionally translated “their root”) as a Piel verb form with enclitic mem (ם). The preposition ב (bet) on עֲמָלֵק (’amaleq) introduces the object (see Job 31:12 for an example of the construction). Ephraim’s territory encompassed the hill country of the Amalekites (Judg 12:15).
[5:14] 2 tn The words “They follow” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
[5:14] 3 tn The word “came” is supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
[5:14] 4 tn Or possibly “who carry.”
[11:8] 5 tn Heb “therefore”; “even so.” For MT לָכֵן (lakhen, “therefore”) the LXX has an opposite reading, “not so,” which seems to be based on the Hebrew words לֹא כֵן (lo’ khen).
[11:8] 6 tn Heb “we have returned to you.” For another example of שׁוּב אֶל (shuv ’el) in the sense of “give allegiance to,” see 1 Kgs 12:27b.
[11:8] 7 sn Then you will become the leader. The leaders of Gilead now use the word רֹאשׁ (ro’sh, “head, leader”), the same term that appeared in their original, general offer (see 10:18). In their initial offer to Jephthah they had simply invited him to be their קָצִין (qatsin, “commander”; v. 6). When he resists they must offer him a more attractive reward – rulership over the region. See R. G. Boling, Judges (AB), 198.
