Hakim-hakim 2:3

2:3 At that time I also warned you, ¹  ‘If you disobey, ²  I will not drive out the Canaanites ³  before you. They will ensnare you ⁴  and their gods will lure you away.’” ⁵ 

Hakim-hakim 5:11

5:11 Hear ⁶  the sound of those who divide the sheep ⁷  among the watering places;

there they tell of ⁸  the Lord’s victorious deeds,

the victorious deeds of his warriors ⁹  in Israel.

Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates –

Hakim-hakim 16:16

16:16 She nagged him ¹⁰  every day and pressured him until he was sick to death of it. ¹¹ 

[2:3]  ¹ tn Heb “And I also said.” The use of the perfect tense here suggests that the messenger is recalling an earlier statement (see Josh 23:12-13). However, some translate, “And I also say,” understanding the following words as an announcement of judgment upon those gathered at Bokim.

[2:3]  ² tn The words “If you disobey” are supplied in the translation for clarity. See Josh 23:12-13.

[2:3]  ³ tn Heb “them”; the referent (the Canaanites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[2:3]  ⁴ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word צִדִּים (tsiddim) is uncertain in this context. It may be related to an Akkadian cognate meaning “snare.” If so, a more literal translation would be “they will become snares to you.” Normally the term in question means “sides,” but this makes no sense here. On the basis of Num 33:55 some suggest the word for “thorns” has been accidentally omitted. If this word is added, the text would read, “they will become [thorns] in your sides” (cf. NASB, NIV, NLT).

[2:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “their gods will become a snare to you.”

[5:11]  ⁶ tn The word “Hear” is supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

[5:11]  ⁷ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain. Some translate “those who distribute the water” (HALOT 344 s.v. חצץ pi). For other options see B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 246-47.

[5:11]  ⁸ tn Or perhaps “repeat.”

[5:11]  ⁹ tn See the note on the term “warriors” in v. 7.

[16:16]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “forced him with her words.”

[16:16]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and his spirit was short [i.e., impatient] to the point of death.”