Hakim-hakim 5:14

5:14 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.

Hakim-hakim 5:16

5:16 Why do you remain among the sheepfolds, ⁵ 

listening to the shepherds playing their pipes ⁶  for their flocks? ⁷ 

As for the clans of Reuben – there was intense searching of heart.

Hakim-hakim 17:9

17:9 Micah said to him, “Where do you come from?” He replied, “I am a Levite from Bethlehem in Judah. I am looking for a new place to live.” 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.”

[5:16]  ⁵ tn The meaning of the Hebrew word מִשְׁפְּתַיִם (mishpÿtayim) is uncertain. Some understand the word to mean “campfires.”

[5:16]  ⁶ tn Or “whistling.”

[5:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “listening to the pipe playing for the flocks.”

[17:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “And I am going to reside in a place I can find.”