{1:1} Post mortem Iosue consuluerunt filii Israel Dominum, dicentes: Quis ascendet ante nos contra Chananæum, et erit dux belli?
{1:1} After the death of Joshua, the sons of Israel consulted the Lord, saying, “Who will ascend before us, against the Canaanite, and who will be the commander of the war?”
{1:2} Dixitque Dominus: Iudas ascendet: ecce tradidi Terram in manus eius.
{1:2} And the Lord said: “Judah shall ascend. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hands.”
{1:3} Et ait Iudas Simeoni fratri suo: Ascende mecum in sortem meam, et pugna contra Chananæum, ut et ego pergam tecum in sortem tuam. Et abiit cum eo Simeon.
{1:3} And Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Go up with me to my lot, and fight against the Canaanite, so that I also may go forth with you to your lot.” And Simeon went with him.
{1:4} Ascenditque Iudas, et tradidit Dominus Chananæum, ac Pherezæum in manus eorum: et percusserunt in Bezec decem millia virorum.
{1:4} And Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanite, as well as the Perizzite, into their hands. And they struck down ten thousand of the men at Bezek.
{1:5} Inveneruntque Adonibezec in Bezec, et pugnaverunt contra eum, ac percusserunt Chananæum, et Pherezæum.
{1:5} And they found Adonibezek at Bezek, and they fought against him, and they struck down the Canaanite and the Perizzite.
{1:6} Fugit autem Adonibezec: quem persecuti comprehenderunt, cæsis summitatibus manuum eius ac pedum.
{1:6} Then Adonibezek fled. And they pursued him and captured him, and they cut off the ends of his hands and feet.
{1:7} Dixitque Adonibezec: Septuaginta reges amputatis manuum ac pedum summitatibus colligebant sub mensa mea ciborum reliquias: sicut feci, ita reddidit mihi Deus. Adduxeruntque eum in Ierusalem, et ibi mortuus est.
{1:7} And Adonibezek said: “Seventy kings, with the ends of their hands and feet amputated, have been gathering the remnants of food under my table. Just as I have done, so has God repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
{1:8} Oppugnantes ergo filii Iuda Ierusalem, ceperunt eam, et percusserunt in ore gladii, tradentes cunctam incendio civitatem.
{1:8} Then the sons of Judah, besieging Jerusalem, seized it. And they struck it with edge of the sword, delivering the entire city to be burned.
{1:9} Et postea descendentes pugnaverunt contra Chananæum, qui habitabat in montanis, et ad meridiem, et in campestribus.
{1:9} And afterward, descending, they fought against the Canaanites who were living in the mountains, and in the south, and in the plains.
{1:10} Pergensque Iudas contra Chananæum, qui habitabat in Hebron, (cuius nomen fuit antiquitus Cariatharbe) percussit Sesai, et Ahiman, et Tholmai:
{1:10} And Judah, going forth against the Canaanites who were living at Hebron, (the name of which from antiquity was Kiriath-Arba) struck down Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
{1:11} atque inde profectus abiit ad habitatores Dabir, cuius nomen vetus erat Cariath Sepher, id est, civitas litterarum.
{1:11} And continuing on from there, he went to the inhabitants of Debir, the old name of which was Kiriath-Sepher, that is, the City of Letters.
{1:12} Dixitque Caleb: Qui percusserit Cariath Sepher, et vastaverit eam, dabo ei Axam filiam meam uxorem.
{1:12} And Caleb said, “Whoever will strike Kiriath-Sepher, and will lay waste to it, I will give to him my daughter Achsah as wife.”
{1:13} Cumque cepisset eam Othoniel filius Cenez frater Caleb minor, dedit ei Axam filiam suam coniugem.
{1:13} And when Othniel, the son of Kenaz, a younger brother of Caleb, had seized it, he gave his daughter Achsah to him in marriage.
{1:14} Quam pergentem in itinere monuit vir suus ut peteret a patre suo agrum. Quæ cum suspirasset sedens in asino, dixit ei Caleb: Quid habes?
{1:14} And as she was traveling on a journey, her husband admonished her, so that she would request a field from her father. And since she had sighed while sitting on her donkey, Caleb said to her, “What is it?”
{1:15} At illa respondit: Da mihi benedictionem, quia terram arentem dedisti mihi: da et irriguam aquis. Dedit ergo ei Caleb irriguum superius, et irriguum inferius.
{1:15} But she responded: “Give a blessing to me. For you have given me a dry land. Also give a watered land.” Therefore, Caleb gave to her the upper watered land and the lower watered land.
{1:16} Filii autem Cinæi cognati Moysi ascenderunt de Civitate Palmarum, cum filiis Iuda in desertum sortis eius, quod est ad meridiem Arad, et habitaverunt cum eo.
{1:16} Now the sons of the Kenite, the relative of Moses, ascended from the City of Palms, with the sons of Judah, into the wilderness of his lot, which is toward the south of Arad. And they lived with him.
{1:17} Abiit autem Iudas cum Simeone fratre suo, et percusserunt simul Chananæum qui habitabat in Sephaath, et interfecerunt eum. Vocatumque est nomen urbis, Horma, id est, anathema.
{1:17} Then Judah went out with his brother Simeon, and together they struck the Canaanites who were living at Zephath, and they put them to death. And the name of the city was called Hormah, that is, Anathema.
{1:18} Cepitque Iudas Gazam cum finibus suis, et Ascalonem, atque Accaron cum terminis suis.
{1:18} And Judah seized Gaza, with its parts, and Ashkelon as well as Ekron, with their borders.
{1:19} Fuitque Dominus cum Iuda, et montana possedit: nec potuit delere habitatores vallis, quia falcatis curribus abundabant.
{1:19} And the Lord was with Judah, and he possessed the mountains. But he was not able to wipe out the inhabitants of the valley. For they abounded with chariots armed with scythes.
{1:20} Dederuntque Caleb Hebron, sicut dixerat Moyses, qui delevit ex ea tres filios Enac.
{1:20} And just as Moses had said, they gave Hebron to Caleb, who destroyed out of it the three sons of Anak.
{1:21} Iebusæum autem habitatorem Ierusalem non deleverunt filii Beniamin: habitavitque Iebusæus cum filiis Beniamin in Ierusalem, usque in præsentem diem.
{1:21} But the sons of Benjamin did not wipe out the Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem. And the Jebusite has lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem, even to the present day.
{1:22} Domus quoque Ioseph ascendit in Bethel, fuitque Dominus cum eis.
{1:22} The house of Joseph also ascended against Bethel, and the Lord was with them.
{1:23} Nam cum obsiderent urbem, quæ prius Luza vocabatur,
{1:23} For when they were besieging the city, which was previously called Luz,
{1:24} viderunt hominem egredientem de civitate, dixeruntque ad eum: Ostende nobis introitum civitatis, et faciemus tecum misericordiam.
{1:24} they saw a man departing from the city, and they said to him, “Reveal to us the entrance to the city, and we will act with mercy toward you.”
{1:25} Qui cum ostendisset eis, percusserunt urbem in ore gladii: hominem autem illum, et omnem cognationem eius dimiserunt.
{1:25} And when he had revealed it to them, they struck the city with the edge of the sword. But that man, and all his relatives, they released.
{1:26} Qui dimissus, abiit in Terram Hetthim, et ædificavit ibi civitatem, vocavitque eam Luzam: quæ ita appellatur usque in præsentem diem.
{1:26} And having been sent away, he went out to the land of the Hittites, and he built a city there, and he called it Luz. And so it is called, even to the present day.
{1:27} Manasses quoque non delevit Bethsan, et Thanac cum viculis suis, et habitatores Dor, et Ieblaam, et Mageddo cum viculis suis, cœpitque Chananæus habitare cum eis.
{1:27} Likewise, Manasseh did not destroy Bethshean and Taanach, with their villages, nor the inhabitants of Dor and Ibleam and Megiddo, with their villages. And the Canaanite began to live with them.
{1:28} Postquam autem confortatus est Israel, fecit eos tributarios, et delere noluit.
{1:28} Then, after Israel had grown strong, he made them tributaries, but he was not willing to destroy them.
{1:29} Ephraim etiam non interfecit Chananæum, qui habitabat in Gazer, sed habitavit cum eo.
{1:29} And now Ephraim did not put to death the Canaanite, who was living at Gezer; instead, he lived with him.
{1:30} Zabulon non delevit habitatores Cetron, et Naalol: sed habitavit Chananæus in medio eius, factusque est ei tributarius.
{1:30} Zebulun did not wipe out the inhabitants of Kitron and of Nahalal. Instead, the Canaanite lived in their midst and became their tributary.
{1:31} Aser quoque non delevit habitatores Accho, et Sidonis, Ahalab, et Achazib, et Helba, et Aphec, et Rohob:
{1:31} Likewise, Asher did not destroy the inhabitants of Acco and Sidon, Ahlab and Achzib, and Helbah, and Aphik, and Rehob.
{1:32} habitavitque in medio Chananæi habitatoris illius terræ, nec interfecit eum.
{1:32} And he lived in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of that land, for he did not put them to death.
{1:33} Nephthali quoque non delevit habitatores Bethsames, et Bethanath: et habitavit inter Chananæum habitatorem Terræ, fueruntque ei Bethsamitæ et Bethanitæ tributarii.
{1:33} Naphtali also did not wipe out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Bethanath. And he lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. And the Beth-shemeshites and Bethanathites were tributaries to him.
{1:34} Arctavitque Amorrhæus filios Dan in monte, nec dedit eis locum ut ad planiora descenderent:
{1:34} And the Amorite hemmed in the sons of Dan on the mountain, and did not give them a place, so that they might descend to the flatlands.
{1:35} habitavitque in monte Hares, quod interpretatur testaceo, in Aialon et Salebim. Et aggravata est manus domus Ioseph, factusque est ei tributarius.
{1:35} And he lived on the mountain at Har-heres, which is translated as ‘resembling brick,’ and at Aijalon and Sha-alabbin. But the hand of the house of Joseph was very heavy, and he became a tributary to him.
{1:36} Fuit autem terminus Amorrhæi ab Ascensu Scorpionis, Petra, et superiora loca.
{1:36} Now the border of the Amorite was from the Ascent of the Scorpion, to the Rock and the higher places.
{2:1} Ascenditque Angelus Domini de Galgalis ad Locum Flentium, et ait: Eduxi vos de Ægypto, et introduxi in Terram, pro qua iuravi patribus vestris: et pollicitus sum ut non facerem irritum pactum meum vobiscum in sempiternum:
{2:1} And an Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to the Place of Weeping, and he said: “I led you away from Egypt, and I led you into the land, about which I swore to your fathers. And I promised that I would not nullify my covenant with you, even forever:
{2:2} ita dumtaxat ut non feriretis fœdus cum habitatoribus Terræ huius, sed aras eorum subverteretis: et noluistis audire vocem meam: cur hoc fecistis?
{2:2} but only if you would not form a pact with the inhabitants of this land. Instead, you should overturn their altars. Yet you were not willing to listen to my voice. Why have you done this?
{2:3} Quam ob rem nolui delere eos a facie vestra: ut habeatis hostes, et dii eorum sint vobis in ruinam.
{2:3} For this reason, I am not willing to destroy them before your face, so that you may have enemies, and so that their gods may be your ruin.”
{2:4} Cumque loqueretur Angelus Domini hæc verba ad omnes filios Israel: elevaverunt ipsi vocem suam, et fleverunt.
{2:4} And when the Angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, they lifted up their voice, and they wept.
{2:5} Et vocatum est nomen loci illius: Locus flentium, sive lacrymarum: immolaveruntque ibi hostias Domini.
{2:5} And the name of that place was called, the Place of Weeping, or the Place of Tears. And they immolated victims to the Lord in that place.
{2:6} Dimisit ergo Iosue populum, et abierunt filii Israel unusquisque in possessionem suam, ut obtinerent eam:
{2:6} Then Joshua dismissed the people, and the sons of Israel went away, each one to his own possession, so that they might obtain it.
{2:7} servieruntque Domino cunctis diebus eius, et seniorum, qui longo post eum vixerunt tempore, et noverant omnia opera Domini, quæ fecerat cum Israel.
{2:7} And they served the Lord, during all his days, and during all the days of the elders, who lived for a long time after him, and who knew all the works of the Lord, which he had done for Israel.
{2:8} Mortuus est autem Iosue filius Nun, famulus Domini, centum et decem annorum,
{2:8} Then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred and ten years old.
{2:9} et sepelierunt eum in finibus possessionis suæ in Thamnathsare in monte Ephraim, a Septentrionali plaga montis Gaas.
{2:9} And they buried him in the parts of his possession at Timnath-Serah, on Mount Ephraim, before the northern side of Mount Gaash.
{2:10} Omnisque illa generatio congregata est ad patres suos: et surrexerunt alii, qui non noverant Dominum, et opera quæ fecerat cum Israel.
{2:10} And that entire generation was gathered to their fathers. And there rose up others, who had not known the Lord and the works that he had done for Israel.
{2:11} Feceruntque filii Israel malum in conspectu Domini, et servierunt Baalim.
{2:11} And the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they served the Baals.
{2:12} Ac dimiserunt Dominum Deum patrum suorum, qui eduxerat eos de Terra Ægypti: et secuti sunt deos alienos, deosque populorum, qui habitabant in circuitu eorum, et adoraverunt eos: et ad iracundiam concitaverunt Dominum,
{2:12} And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had led them away from the land of Egypt. And they followed foreign gods and the gods of the peoples who were living around them, and they adored them. And they provoked the Lord to wrath,
{2:13} dimittentes eum, et servientes Baal et Astaroth.
{2:13} forsaking him, and serving Baal and Ashtaroth.
{2:14} Iratusque Dominus contra Israel, tradidit eos in manus diripientium: qui ceperunt eos, et vendiderunt hostibus, qui habitabant per gyrum: nec potuerunt resistere adversariis suis:
{2:14} And the Lord, having become angry against Israel, delivered them into the hands of plunderers, who seized them and sold them to the enemies that were living on all sides. Neither were they able to withstand their adversaries.
{2:15} sed quocumque pergere voluissent, manus Domini super eos erat, sicut locutus est, et iuravit eis: et vehementer afflicti sunt.
{2:15} Instead, wherever they wanted to go, the hand of the Lord was upon them, just as he said and just as he swore to them. And they were greatly afflicted.
{2:16} Suscitavitque Dominus iudices, qui liberarent eos de vastantium manibus: sed nec eos audire voluerunt,
{2:16} And the Lord raised up judges, who would free them from the hands of their oppressors. But they were not willing to listen to them.
{2:17} fornicantes cum diis alienis, et adorantes eos. Cito deseruerunt viam, per quam ingressi fuerant patres eorum: et audientes mandata Domini, omnia fecere contraria.
{2:17} Fornicating with foreign gods and adoring them, they quickly deserted the way along which their fathers had advanced. And having heard the commandments of the Lord, they did all things to the contrary.
{2:18} Cumque Dominus iudices suscitaret, in diebus eorum flectebatur misericordia, et audiebat afflictorum gemitus, et liberabat eos de cæde vastantium.
{2:18} And while the Lord was raising up the judges, in their days, he was moved to mercy, and he listened to the groaning of the afflicted, and he freed them from the slaughter of their oppressors.
{2:19} Postquam autem mortuus esset iudex, revertebantur, et multo faciebant peiora quam fecerant patres eorum, sequentes deos alienos, servientes eis, et adorantes illos. Non dimiserunt adinventiones suas, et viam durissimam, per quam ambulare consueverunt.
{2:19} But after a judge had died, they turned back, and they were doing much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They did not abandon their pursuits and their very stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.
{2:20} Iratusque est furor Domini in Israel, et ait: Quia irritum fecit gens ista pactum meum, quod pepigeram cum patribus eorum, et vocem meam audire contempsit:
{2:20} And the fury of the Lord was enraged against Israel, and he said: “For this people has made void my covenant, which I had formed with their fathers, and they have despised listening to my voice.
{2:21} et ego non delebo gentes, quas dimisit Iosue, et mortuus est:
{2:21} And so, I will not destroy the nations that Joshua left behind when he died,
{2:22} ut in ipsis experiar Israel, utrum custodiant viam Domini, et ambulent in ea, sicut custodierunt patres eorum, an non.
{2:22} so that, by them, I may test Israel, as to whether or not they will keep the way of the Lord, and walk in it, just as their fathers kept it.”
{2:23} Dimisit ergo Dominus omnes nationes has, et cito subvertere noluit, nec tradidit in manus Iosue.
{2:23} Therefore, the Lord left all these nations, and he was not willing to quickly overthrow them, nor did he deliver them into the hands of Joshua.
{3:1} Hæ sunt gentes, quas Dominus dereliquit, ut erudiret in eis Israelem, et omnes, qui non noverant bella Chananæorum:
{3:1} These are the nations which the Lord left, so that by them he might instruct Israel and all who had not known the wars of the Canaanites,
{3:2} ut postea discerent filii eorum certare cum hostibus, et habere consuetudinem præliandi:
{3:2} so that afterward their sons might learn to contend with their enemies, and to have a willingness to do battle:
{3:3} quinque satrapas Philisthinorum, omnemque Chananæum, et Sidonium, atque Hevæum, qui habitabat in monte Libano, de monte Baal Hermon usque ad introitum Emath.
{3:3} the five princes of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who were living on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath.
{3:4} Dimisitque eos, ut in ipsis experiretur Israelem, utrum audiret mandata Domini quæ præceperat patribus eorum per manum Moysi, an non.
{3:4} And he left them, so that by them he might test Israel, as to whether or not they would listen to the commandments of the Lord, which he instructed to their fathers by the hand of Moses.
{3:5} Itaque filii Israel habitaverunt in medio Chananæi, et Hethæi, et Amorrhæi, et Pherezæi, et Hevæi, et Iebusæi:
{3:5} And so, the sons of Israel lived in the midst of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
{3:6} et duxerunt uxores filias eorum, ipsique filias suas filiis eorum tradiderunt, et servierunt diis eorum.
{3:6} And they took their daughters as wives, and they gave their own daughters to their sons, and they served their gods.
{3:7} Feceruntque malum in conspectu Domini, et obliti sunt Dei sui, servientes Baalim et Astaroth.
{3:7} And they did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot their God, while serving the Baals and Ashtaroth.
{3:8} Iratusque contra Israel Dominus, tradidit eos in manus Chusan Rasathaim regis Mesopotamiæ, servieruntque ei octo annis.
{3:8} And the Lord, having become angry with Israel, delivered them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, and they served him for eight years.
{3:9} Et clamaverunt ad Dominum: qui suscitavit eis salvatorem, et liberavit eos, Othoniel videlicet filium Cenez, fratrem Caleb minorem:
{3:9} And they cried out to the Lord, who raised up for them a savior, and he freed them, namely, Othniel, the son of Kenaz, a younger brother of Caleb.
{3:10} fuitque in eo Spiritus Domini, et iudicavit Israel. Egressusque est ad pugnam, et tradidit Dominus in manus eius Chusan Rasathaim regem Syriæ, et oppressit eum.
{3:10} And the Spirit of the Lord was in him, and he judged Israel. And he went out to fight, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Syria, and he overwhelmed him.
{3:11} Quievitque terra quadraginta annis, et mortuus est Othoniel filius Cenez.
{3:11} And the land was quiet for forty years. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died.
{3:12} Addiderunt autem filii Israel facere malum in conspectu Domini: qui confortavit adversum eos Eglon regem Moab: quia fecerunt malum in conspectu eius.
{3:12} Then the sons of Israel resumed doing evil in the sight of the Lord, who strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab, against them because they did evil in his sight.
{3:13} Et copulavit ei filios Ammon, et Amalec: abiitque et percussit Israel, atque possedit Urbem Palmarum.
{3:13} And he joined to him the sons of Ammon and the sons of Amalek. And he went forth and struck Israel, and he possessed the City of Palms.
{3:14} Servieruntque filii Israel Eglon regi Moab decem et octo annis:
{3:14} And the sons of Israel served Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years.
{3:15} et postea clamaverunt ad Dominum: qui suscitavit eis salvatorem vocabulo Aod, filium Gera, filii Iemini, qui utraque manu pro dextera utebatur. Miseruntque filii Israel per illum munera Eglon regi Moab.
{3:15} And afterward, they cried out to the Lord, who raised up for them a savior, called Ehud, the son of Gera, the son of Benjamin, who used either hand as well as the right hand. And the sons of Israel sent gifts to Eglon, the king of Moab, by him.
{3:16} Qui fecit sibi gladium ancipitem, habentem in medio capulum longitudinis palmæ manus, et accinctus est eo subter sagum in dextro femore.
{3:16} And he made for himself a two-edged sword, having a handle, reaching to the middle, the length of the palm of a hand. And he was girded with it under his cloak, on the right thigh.
{3:17} Obtulitque munera Eglon regi Moab. Erat autem Eglon crassus nimis.
{3:17} And he offered the gifts to Eglon, the king of Moab. Now Eglon was exceedingly fat.
{3:18} Cumque obtulisset ei munera, prosecutus est socios, qui cum eo venerant.
{3:18} And when he had presented the gifts to him, he followed out his companions, who had arrived with him.
{3:19} Et reversus de Galgalis, ubi erant idola, dixit ad Regem: Verbum secretum habeo ad te, o Rex. Et ille imperavit silentium: egressisque omnibus, qui circa eum erant,
{3:19} And then, returning from Gilgal where the idols were, he said to the king, “I have a secret word for you, O king.” And he ordered silence. And when all those who were around him had departed,
~ Ehud presented the gifts to the king. Then he followed the companions of the king as they left the presence of the king to go out to Gilgal, where the idols were. They were perhaps thanking their gods for a successful visit with the king. Since Ehud was returning from Gilgal, the king may have assumed that Ehud had received some kind of message from the idols (the pagan gods) there. Thus he was willing to listen to Ehud alone.
{3:20} ingressus est Aod ad eum: sedebat autem in æstivo cœnaculo solus, dixitque: Verbum Dei habeo ad te. Qui statim surrexit de throno.
{3:20} Ehud entered to him. Now he was sitting alone in a summer upper room. And he said, “I have a word from God to you.” And immediately he rose up from his throne.
{3:21} Extenditque Aod sinistram manum, et tulit sicam de dextro femore suo, infixitque eam in ventre eius
{3:21} And Ehud extended his left hand, and he took the dagger from his right thigh. And he thrust it into his abdomen
{3:22} tam valide, ut capulus sequeretur ferrum in vulnere, ac pinguissimo adipe stringeretur. Nec eduxit gladium, sed ita ut percusserat, reliquit in corpore: statimque per secreta naturæ alvi stercora proruperunt.
{3:22} so strongly that the handle followed the blade into the wound, and was enclosed by the great amount of fat. Neither did he withdraw the sword. Instead, he left it in the body just as he had struck with it. And immediately, by the private parts of nature, the filth of the bowels went out.
{3:23} Aod autem clausis diligentissime ostiis cœnaculi, et obfirmatis sera,
{3:23} Then Ehud carefully closed the doors of the upper room. And securing the bars,
{3:24} per posticum egressus est. Servique regis ingressi viderunt clausas fores cœnaculi, atque dixerunt: Forsitan purgat alvum in æstivo cubiculo.
{3:24} he departed by a back exit. And the servants of the king, entering, saw that the doors of the upper room were closed, and they said, “Perhaps he is emptying his bowels in the summer room.”
~ The servants drew this conclusion because of the locked door and the smell.
{3:25} Expectantesque diu donec erubescerent, et videntes quod nullus aperiret, tulerunt clavem: et aperientes invenerunt dominum suum in terra iacentem mortuum.
{3:25} And after waiting a long time, until they were embarrassed, and seeing that no one opened the door, they took the key, and opening it, they found their lord lying dead on the ground.
{3:26} Aod autem, dum illi turbarentur, effugit, et pertransiit locum idolorum, unde reversus fuerat. Venitque in Seirath:
{3:26} But Ehud, while they were in confusion, escaped and passed by the place of the idols, from which he had returned. And he arrived at Seirath.
{3:27} et statim insonuit buccina in monte Ephraim: descenderuntque cum eo filii Israel, ipso in fronte gradiente.
{3:27} And immediately he sounded the trumpet on Mount Ephraim. And the sons of Israel descended with him, he himself advancing at the front.
{3:28} Qui dixit ad eos: Sequimini me: tradidit enim Dominus inimicos nostros Moabitas in manus nostras. Descenderuntque post eum, et occupaverunt vada Iordanis quæ transmittunt in Moab: et non dimiserunt transire quemquam:
{3:28} And he said to them: “Follow me. For the Lord has delivered our enemies, the Moabites, into our hands.” And they descended after him, and they occupied the fords of the Jordan, which cross over to Moab. And they did not permit anyone to cross.
{3:29} sed percusserunt Moabitas in tempore illo, circiter decem millia, omnes robustos et fortes viros. Nullus eorum evadere potuit.
{3:29} And so, they struck down the Moabites at that time, about ten thousand, all strong and robust men. None of them were able to escape.
{3:30} Humiliatusque est Moab in die illo sub manu Israel: et quievit Terra octoginta annis.
{3:30} And Moab was humbled in that day under the hand of Israel. And the land was quiet for eighty years.
{3:31} Post hunc fuit Samgar filius Anath, qui percussit de Philisthiim sexcentos viros vomere: et ipse quoque defendit Israel.
{3:31} After him, there was Shamgar, the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred men of the Philistines with a plowshare. And he also defended Israel.
{4:1} Addideruntque filii Israel facere malum in conspectu Domini post mortem Aod,
{4:1} But after the death of Ehud, the sons of Israel resumed doing evil in the sight of the Lord.
{4:2} et tradidit illos Dominus in manus Iabin regis Chanaan, qui regnavit in Asor: habuitque ducem exercitus sui nomine Sisaram, ipse autem habitabat in Haroseth Gentium.
{4:2} And the Lord delivered them into the hands of Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor. And he had a commander of his army named Sisera, but this man lived at Harosheth of the Gentiles.
{4:3} Clamaveruntque filii Israel ad Dominum: nongentos enim habebat falcatos currus, et per viginti annos vehementer oppresserat eos.
{4:3} And the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. For he had nine hundred chariots with scythes, and he vehemently oppressed them for twenty years.
{4:4} Erat autem Debbora prophetis uxor Lapidoth, quæ iudicabat populum in illo tempore.
{4:4} Now there was a prophetess, Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, who judged the people in that time.
{4:5} Et sedebat sub palma, quæ nomine illius vocabatur, inter Rama et Bethel in monte Ephraim: ascendebantque ad eam filii Israel in omne iudicium.
{4:5} And she was sitting under a palm tree, which was called by her name, between Ramah and Bethel, on Mount Ephraim. And the sons of Israel went up to her for every judgment.
{4:6} Quæ misit et vocavit Barac filium Abinoem de Cedes Nephthali: dixitque ad eum: Præcepit tibi Dominus Deus Israel, vade, et duc exercitum in montem Thabor, tollesque tecum decem millia pugnatorum de filiis Nephthali, et de filiis Zabulon:
{4:6} And she sent and called Barak, the son of Abinoam, from Kedesh of Naphtali. And she said to him: “The Lord, the God of Israel, instructs you: ‘Go and lead an army to Mount Tabor, and you shall take with you ten thousand fighting men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun.
{4:7} ego autem adducam ad te in loco torrentis Cison, Sisaram principem exercitus Iabin, et currus eius, atque omnem multitudinem, et tradam eos in manu tua.
{4:7} Then I will lead to you, at the place of the torrent Kishon, Sisera, the leader of the army of Jabin, with his chariots and the entire multitude. And I will deliver them into your hand.’ ”
{4:8} Dixitque ad eam Barac: Si venis mecum, vadam: si nolueris venire mecum, non pergam.
{4:8} And Barak said to her: “If you will come with me, I will go. If you are not willing to come with me, I will not go.”
{4:9} Quæ dixit ad eum: Ibo quidem tecum, sed in hac vice victoria non reputabitur tibi, quia in manu mulieris tradetur Sisara. Surrexit itaque Debbora, et perrexit cum Barac in Cedes.
{4:9} She said to him: “Indeed, I will go with you. But due to this change, the victory shall not be reputed to you. And so Sisera will be delivered into the hand of a woman.” Therefore, Deborah rose up, and she traveled with Barak to Kedesh.
{4:10} Qui, accitis Zabulon et Nephthali, ascendit cum decem millibus pugnatorum, habens Debboram in comitatu suo.
{4:10} And he, summoning Zebulun and Naphtali, ascended with ten thousand fighting men, having Deborah in his company.
{4:11} Haber autem Cinæus recesserat quondam a ceteris Cinæis fratribus suis filiis Hobab, cognati Moysi: et tetenderat tabernacula usque ad vallem, quæ vocatur Sennim, et erat iuxta Cedes.
{4:11} Now Heber, the Kenite, had previously withdrawn from the rest of the Kenites, his brothers, the sons of Hobab, the relative of Moses. And he had pitched his tents as far as the valley that is called Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.
{4:12} Nunciatumque est Sisaræ quod ascendisset Barac filius Abinoem, in montem Thabor:
{4:12} And it was reported to Sisera that Barak, the son of Abinoam, had ascended to Mount Tabor.
{4:13} et congregavit nongentos falcatos currus, et omnem exercitum de Haroseth Gentium ad torrentem Cison.
{4:13} And he gathered together the nine hundred chariots with scythes, and the entire army, from Harosheth of the Gentiles to the torrent Kishon.
{4:14} Dixitque Debbora ad Barac: Surge, hæc est enim dies, in qua tradidit Dominus Sisaram in manus tuas: en ipse ductor est tuus. Descendit itaque Barac de monte Thabor, et decem millia pugnatorum cum eo.
{4:14} And Deborah said to Barak: “Rise up. For this is the day on which the Lord delivers Sisera into your hands. For he is your commander.” And so, Barak descended from Mount Tabor, and the ten thousand fighting men with him.
{4:15} Perterruitque Dominus Sisaram, et omnes currus eius, universamque multitudinem in ore gladii ad conspectum Barac: in tantum, ut Sisara de curru desiliens, pedibus fugeret,
{4:15} And the Lord struck Sisera with great fear, and all his chariots and all his multitude with the edge of the sword, in the sight of Barak, so much so that Sisera, leaping from his chariot, fled on foot.
{4:16} et Barac persequeretur fugientes currus, et exercitum usque ad Haroseth Gentium, et omnis hostium multitudo usque ad internecionem caderet.
{4:16} And Barak pursued the fleeing chariots, and the army, as far as Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the entire multitude of the enemy was cut down, unto utter annihilation.
{4:17} Sisara autem fugiens pervenit ad tentorium Iahel, uxoris Haber Cinæi. Erat enim pax inter Iabin regem Asor, et domum Haber Cinæi.
{4:17} But Sisera, while fleeing, arrived at the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. For there was peace between Jabin, the king of Hazor, and the house of Heber, the Kenite.
{4:18} Egressa igitur Iahel in occursum Sisaræ, dixit ad eum: Intra ad me, domine mi: intra, ne timeas. Qui ingressus tabernaculum eius, et opertus ab ea pallio,
{4:18} Therefore, Jael went out to meet Sisera, and she said to him: “Enter to me, my lord. Enter, you should not be afraid.” And he entered her tent, and having been covered by her with a cloak,
{4:19} dixit ad eam: Da mihi, obsecro, paululum aquæ, quia sitio valde. Quæ aperuit utrem lactis, et dedit ei bibere, et operuit illum.
{4:19} he said to her: “Give me, I beg you, a little water. For I am very thirsty.” And she opened a bottle of milk, and she gave him to drink. And she covered him.
{4:20} Dixitque Sisara ad eam: Sta ante ostium tabernaculi: et cum venerit aliquis interrogans te, et dicens: Numquid hic est aliquis? Respondebis: Nullus est.
{4:20} And Sisera said to her: “Stand before the door of the tent. And if anyone arrives, questioning you and saying, ‘Could there be any man here?’ you shall respond, ‘There is no one.’ ”
{4:21} Tulit itaque Iahel uxor Haber clavum tabernaculi, assumens pariter et malleum: et ingressa abscondite, et cum silentio posuit supra tempus capitis eius clavum, percussumque malleo defixit in cerebrum usque ad terram: qui soporem morti consocians defecit, et mortuus est.
{4:21} And so Jael, the wife of Heber, took a spike from the tent, and also took a mallet. And entering unseen and with silence, she placed the spike over the temple of his head. And striking it with the mallet, she drove it through his brain, as far as the ground. And so, joining deep sleep to death, he fell unconscious and died.
{4:22} Et ecce Barac sequens Sisaram veniebat: egressaque Iahel in occursum eius, dixit ei: Veni, et ostendam tibi virum, quem quæris. Qui cum intrasset ad eam, vidit Sisaram iacentem mortuum, et clavum infixum in tempore eius.
{4:22} And behold, Barak arrived, in pursuit of Sisera. And Jael, going out to meet him, said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And when he had entered her tent, he saw Sisera lying dead, with the spike fixed in his temples.
{4:23} Humiliavit ergo Deus in die illo Iabin regem Chanaan coram filiis Israel:
{4:23} Thus did God humble Jabin, the king of Canaan, on that day, before the sons of Israel.
{4:24} qui crescebant quotidie, et forti manu opprimebant Iabin regem Chanaan, donec delerent eum.
{4:24} And they increased every day. And with a strong hand they overpowered Jabin, the king of Canaan, until they wiped him out.
{5:1} Cecineruntque Debbora et Barac filius Abinoem in illo die, dicentes:
{5:1} In that day, Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam, sang out, saying:
{5:2} Qui sponte obtulistis de Israel animas vestras ad periculum, benedicite Domino.
{5:2} “All you of Israel who have willingly offered your lives to danger, bless the Lord!
{5:3} Audite reges, auribus percipite principes: Ego sum, ego sum quæ Domino canam, psallam Domino Deo Israel.
{5:3} Listen, O kings! Pay attention, O princes! It is I, it is I, who will sing to the Lord. I will sing a psalm to the Lord, the God of Israel!
{5:4} Domine cum exires de Seir, et transires per regiones Edom, terra mota est, cælique ac nubes distillaverunt aquis.
{5:4} O Lord, when you departed from Seir, and you crossed through the regions of Edom, the earth and the heavens were moved, and the clouds rained down water.
{5:5} Montes fluxerunt a facie Domini, et Sinai a facie Domini Dei Israel.
{5:5} The mountains flowed away before the face of the Lord, and Sinai, before the face of the Lord God of Israel.
{5:6} In diebus Samgar filii Anath, in diebus Iahel quieverunt semitæ: et qui ingrediebantur per eas, ambulaverunt per calles devios.
{5:6} In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the paths were quiet. And whoever entered by them, walked along rough byways.
{5:7} Cessaverunt fortes in Israel, et quieverunt: donec surgeret Debbora, surgeret mater in Israel.
{5:7} The strong men ceased, and they rested in Israel, until Deborah rose up, until a mother rose up in Israel.
{5:8} Nova bella elegit Dominus, et portas hostium ipse subvertit: clypeus et hasta si apparuerint in quadraginta millibus Israel.
{5:8} The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overturned the gates of the enemies. A shield with a spear was not seen among the forty thousand of Israel.
{5:9} Cor meum diligit principes Israel: qui propria voluntate obtulistis vos discrimini, benedicite Domino.
{5:9} My heart loves the leaders of Israel. All you who, of your own free will, offered yourselves during a crisis, bless the Lord.
{5:10} Qui ascenditis super nitentes asinos, et sedetis in iudicio, et ambulatis in via, loquimini.
{5:10} You who ride upon donkeys laboring, and you who sit in judgment, and you who walk along the way, speak out.
{5:11} Ubi collisi sunt currus, et hostium suffocatus est exercitus, ibi narrentur iustitiæ Domini et clementia in fortes Israel: tunc descendit populus Domini ad portas, et obtinuit principatum.
{5:11} Where the chariots were struck together, and the army of the enemies was choked, in that place, let the justices of the Lord be described, and let his clemency be for the brave of Israel. Then did the people of the Lord descend to the gates, and obtain leadership.
{5:12} Surge, surge Debbora, surge, surge, et loquere canticum: surge Barac, et apprehende captivos tuos fili Abinoem.
{5:12} Rise up, rise up, O Deborah! Rise up, rise up, and speak a canticle! Rise up, Barak, and seize your captives, O son of Abinoam.
{5:13} Salvatæ sunt reliquiæ populi, Dominus in fortibus dimicavit.
{5:13} The remnants of the people were saved. The Lord contended with the strong.
{5:14} Ex Ephraim delevit eos in Amalec, et post eum ex Beniamin in populos tuos, o Amalec: de Machir principes descenderunt, et de Zabulon qui exercitum ducerent ad bellandum.
{5:14} Out of Ephraim, he destroyed those with Amalek, and after him, out of Benjamin, those of your people, O Amalek. From Machir, there descended leaders, and from Zebulun, those who led the army to war.
{5:15} Duces Issachar fuere cum Debbora, et Barac vestigia sunt secuti, qui quasi in præceps ac barathrum se discrimini dedit: diviso contra se Ruben, magnanimorum reperta est contentio.
{5:15} The commanders of Issachar were with Deborah, and they followed the steps of Barak, who endangered himself, like one rushing headlong into a chasm. Reuben was divided against himself. Contention was found among great souls.
{5:16} Quare habitas inter duos terminos, ut audias sibilos gregum? Diviso contra se Ruben, magnanimorum reperta est contentio.
{5:16} Why do you live between two borders, so that you hear the bleating of the flocks? Reuben was divided against himself. Contention was found among great souls.
{5:17} Galaad trans Iordanem quiescebat, et Dan vacabat navibus: Aser habitabat in littore maris, et in portubus morabatur.
{5:17} Gilead rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan was occupied with ships. Asher was living on the shore of the sea, and dwelling in the ports.
{5:18} Zabulon vero et Nephthali obtulerunt animas suas morti in regione Merome.
{5:18} Yet truly, Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merom.
{5:19} Venerunt reges et pugnaverunt, pugnaverunt reges Chanaan in Thanach iuxta aquas Mageddo, et tamen nihil tulere prædantes.
{5:19} The kings came and fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach, beside the waters of Megiddo. And yet they took no spoils.
{5:20} De cælo dimicatum est contra eos: stellæ manentes in ordine et cursu suo, adversus Sisaram pugnaverunt.
{5:20} The conflict against them was from heaven. The stars, remaining in their order and courses, fought against Sisera.
{5:21} Torrens Cison traxit cadavera eorum, torrens Cadumim, torrens Cison: conculca anima mea robustos.
{5:21} The torrent of Kishon dragged away their carcasses, the onrushing torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, tread upon the stalwart!
{5:22} Ungulæ equorum ceciderunt, fugientibus impetu, et per præceps ruentibus fortissimis hostium.
{5:22} The hoofs of the horses were broken, while the strongest of the enemies fled away with fury, and rushed on to ruin.
{5:23} Maledicite terræ Meroz, dixit Angelus Domini: maledicite habitatoribus eius, quia non venerunt ad auxilium Domini, in adiutorium fortissimorum eius.
{5:23} ‘Cursed be the land of Meroz!’ said the Angel of the Lord. ‘Cursed be its inhabitants! For they did not come to the aid of the Lord, to the assistance of his most valiant men.’
{5:24} Benedicta inter mulieres Iahel uxor Haber Cinæi, et benedicatur in tabernaculo suo.
{5:24} Blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. And blessed is she in her tabernacle.
{5:25} Aquam petenti lac dedit, et in phiala principum obtulit butyrum.
{5:25} He begged her for water, and she gave him milk, and she offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.
{5:26} Sinistram manum misit ad clavum, et dexteram ad fabrorum malleos, percussitque Sisaram quærens in capite vulneri locum, et tempus valide perforans.
{5:26} She put her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman’s mallet. And she struck Sisera, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and strongly piercing his temples.
{5:27} Inter pedes eius ruit: defecit, et mortuus est: volvebatur ante pedes eius, et iacebat exanimis et miserabilis.
{5:27} Between her feet, he was ruined. He fainted away and passed on. He curled up before her feet, and he lay there lifeless and miserable.
{5:28} Per fenestram respiciens, ululabat mater eius: et de cœnaculo loquebatur: Cur moratur regredi currus eius? Quare tardaverunt pedes quadrigarum illius?
{5:28} His mother gazed through a window and wailed. And she spoke from an upper room: ‘Why does his chariot delay in returning? Why are the feet of his team of horses so slow?’
{5:29} Una sapientior ceteris uxoribus eius, hæc socrui verba respondit:
{5:29} One who was wiser than the rest of his wives responded to her mother-in-law with this:
{5:30} Forsitan nunc dividit spolia, et pulcherrima feminarum eligitur ei: vestes diversorum colorum Sisaræ traduntur in prædam, et supellex varia ad ornanda colla congeritur.
{5:30} ‘Perhaps he is now dividing the spoils, and the most beautiful among the women is being selected for him. Garments of diverse colors are being delivered to Sisera as spoils, and various goods are being collected for the adornment of necks.’
{5:31} Sic pereant omnes inimici tui Domine: qui autem diligunt te, sicut Sol in ortu suo splendet, ita rutilent.
{5:31} O Lord, so may all your enemies perish! But may those who love you shine with splendor, as the sun shines at its rising.”
{5:32} Quievitque Terra per quadraginta annos.
{5:32} And the land rested for forty years.
{6:1} Fecerunt autem filii Israel malum in conspectu Domini: qui tradidit illos in manu Madian septem annis,
{6:1} Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, who delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.
{6:2} et oppressi sunt valde ab eis. Feceruntque sibi antra et speluncas in montibus, et munitissima ad repugnandum loca.
{6:2} And they were greatly oppressed by them. And they made for themselves hollows and caves in the mountains, and very fortified places for defense.
{6:3} Cumque sevisset Israel, ascendebat Madian et Amalec, ceterique Orientalium nationum:
{6:3} And when Israel had planted, Midian and Amalek, and the rest of the eastern nations ascended,
{6:4} et apud eos figentes tentoria, sicut erant in herbis cuncta vastabant usque ad introitum Gazæ: nihilque omnino ad vitam pertinens relinquebant in Israel, non oves, non boves, non asinos.
{6:4} and pitching their tents among them, they laid waste to all that was planted, as far as the entrance to Gaza. And they left behind nothing at all to sustain life in Israel, neither sheep, nor oxen, nor donkeys.
{6:5} Ipsi enim et universi greges eorum veniebant cum tabernaculis suis, et instar locustarum universa complebant, innumera multitudo hominum, et camelorum, quidquid tetigerant devastantes.
{6:5} For they and all their flocks arrived with their tents, and they filled all places like locusts, an innumerable multitude of men and camels, devastating whatever they touched.
{6:6} Humiliatusque est Israel valde in conspectu Madian.
{6:6} And Israel was humbled greatly in the sight of Midian.
{6:7} Et clamavit ad Dominum postulans auxilium contra Madianitas.
{6:7} And he cried out to the Lord, requesting assistance against the Midianites.
{6:8} Qui misit ad eos virum prophetam, et locutus est: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israel: Ego vos feci conscendere de Ægypto, et eduxi vos de domo servitutis,
{6:8} And he sent to them a man who was a prophet, and he said: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I caused you to ascend from Egypt, and I led you away from the house of servitude.
{6:9} et liberavi de manu Ægyptiorum, et omnium inimicorum, qui affligebant vos: eiecique eos ad introitum vestrum, et tradidi vobis Terram eorum.
{6:9} And I freed you from the hand of the Egyptians and from all of the enemies who were afflicting you. And I cast them out at your arrival, and I delivered their land to you.
{6:10} Et dixi: Ego Dominus Deus vester, ne timeatis deos Amorrhæorum, in quorum terra habitatis. Et noluistis audire vocem meam.
{6:10} And I said: I am the Lord your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live. But you were not willing to listen to my voice.’ ”
{6:11} Venit autem Angelus Domini, et sedit sub quercu, quæ erat in Ephra, et pertinebat ad Ioas patrem familiæ Ezri. Cumque Gedeon filius eius excuteret atque purgaret frumenta in torculari, ut fugeret Madian,
{6:11} Then an Angel of the Lord arrived, and he sat under an oak tree, which was at Ophrah, and which belonged to Joash, the father of the family of Ezri. And while his son Gideon was threshing and cleaning the grain at the winepress, so that he might flee from Midian,
{6:12} apparuit ei Angelus Domini, et ait: Dominus tecum virorum fortissime.
{6:12} the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and he said: “The Lord is with you, most valiant of men.”
{6:13} Dixitque ei Gedeon: Obsecro mi domine, si Dominus nobiscum est, cur apprehenderunt nos hæc omnia? Ubi sunt mirabilia eius, quæ narraverunt patres nostri, atque dixerunt: De Ægypto eduxit nos Dominus? Nunc autem dereliquit nos Dominus et tradidit in manu Madian.
{6:13} And Gideon said to him: “I beg you, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why have these things happened to us? Where are his miracles, which our fathers described when they said, ‘The Lord led us away from Egypt.’ But now the Lord has forsaken us, and he has delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
{6:14} Respexitque ad eum Dominus, et ait: Vade in hac fortitudine tua, et liberabis Israel de manu Madian: scito quod miserim te.
{6:14} And the Lord looked down upon him, and he said: “Go forth with this, your strength, and you shall free Israel from the hand of Midian. Know that I have sent you.”
{6:15} Qui respondens ait: Obsecro, mi domine, in quo liberabo Israel? Ecce familia mea infima est in Manasse, et ego minimus in domo patris mei.
{6:15} And responding, he said: “I beg you, my lord, with what shall I free Israel? Behold, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in the house of my father.”
{6:16} Dixitque ei Dominus: Ego ero tecum: et percuties Madian quasi unum virum.
{6:16} And the Lord said to him: “I will be with you. And so, you shall cut down Midian as if one man.”
{6:17} Et ille, Si inveni, inquit, gratiam coram te, da mihi signum quod tu sis qui loqueris ad me.
{6:17} And he said: “If I have found grace before you, give me a sign that it is you who is speaking to me.
{6:18} Nec recedas hinc, donec revertar ad te, portans sacrificium, et offerens tibi. Qui respondit: Ego præstolabor adventum tuum.
{6:18} And may you not withdraw from here, until I return to you, carrying a sacrifice and offering it to you.” And he responded, “I will wait for your return.”
{6:19} Ingressus est itaque Gedeon, et coxit hœdum, et de farinæ modio azymos panes: carnesque ponens in canistro, et ius carnium mittens in ollam, tulit omnia sub quercu, et obtulit ei.
{6:19} And so Gideon entered, and he boiled a goat, and he made unleavened bread from a measure of flour. And setting the flesh in a basket, and putting the broth of the flesh in a pot, he took it all under the oak tree, and he offered it to him.
{6:20} Cui dixit Angelus Domini: Tolle carnes et azymos panes, et pone supra petram illam, et ius desuper funde. Cumque fecisset ita,
{6:20} And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Take the flesh and the unleavened bread, and place them on that rock, and pour out the broth upon it.” And when he had done so,
{6:21} extendit Angelus Domini summitatem virgæ, quam tenebat in manu, et tetigit carnes et panes azymos: ascenditque ignis de petra, et carnes, azymosque panes consumpsit: Angelus autem Domini evanuit ex oculis eius.
{6:21} the Angel of the Lord extended the end of a staff, which he was holding in his hand, and he touched the flesh and the unleavened loaves. And a fire ascended from the rock, and it consumed the flesh and the unleavened loaves. Then the Angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
{6:22} Vidensque Gedeon quod esset Angelus Domini, ait: Heu mi Domine Deus: quia vidi Angelum Domini facie ad faciem.
{6:22} And Gideon, realizing that it had been the Angel of the Lord, said: “Alas, my Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”
{6:23} Dixitque ei Dominus: Pax tecum: ne timeas, non morieris.
{6:23} And the Lord said to him: “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid; you shall not die.”
{6:24} Ædificavit ergo ibi Gedeon altare Domino, vocavitque illud, Domini pax, usque in præsentem diem. Cumque adhuc esset in Ephra, quæ est familiæ Ezri,
{6:24} Therefore, Gideon built an altar to the Lord there, and he called it, the Peace of the Lord, even to the present day. And while he was still at Ophrah, which is of the family of Ezri,
{6:25} nocte illa dixit Dominus ad eum: Tolle taurum patris tui, et alterum taurum annorum septem, destruesque aram Baal, quæ est patris tui: et nemus, quod circa aram est, succide:
{6:25} that night, the Lord said to him: “Take a bull of your father’s, and another bull of seven years, and you shall destroy the altar of Baal, which is your father’s. And you shall cut down the sacred grove which is around the altar.
{6:26} et ædificabis altare Domino Deo tuo in summitate petræ huius, super quam ante sacrificium posuisti: tollesque taurum secundum, et offeres holocaustum super struem lignorum, quæ de nemore succideris.
{6:26} And you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, at the summit of this rock, on which you placed the sacrifice before. And you shall take the second bull, and you shall offer a holocaust upon a pile of the wood, which you shall cut down from the grove.”
{6:27} Assumptis ergo Gedeon decem viris de servis suis, fecit sicut præceperat ei Dominus. Timens autem domum patris sui, et homines illius civitatis, per diem noluit id facere, sed omnia nocte complevit.
{6:27} Therefore, Gideon, taking ten men from his servants, did just as the Lord had instructed him. But fearing his father’s household, and the men of that city, he was not willing to do it by day. Instead, he completed everything by night.
{6:28} Cumque surrexissent viri oppidi eius mane, viderunt destructam aram Baal, lucumque succisum, et taurum alterum impositum super altare, quod tunc ædificatum erat.
{6:28} And when the men of that town had risen up in the morning, they saw the altar of Baal destroyed, and the sacred grove cut down, and the second bull set upon the altar, which then had been built.
{6:29} Dixeruntque ad invicem: Quis hoc fecit? Cumque perquirerent auctorem facti, dictum est: Gedeon filius Ioas fecit hæc omnia.
{6:29} And they said one to another, “Who has done this?” And when they inquired everywhere as to the author of the deed, it was said, “Gideon, the son of Joash, did all these things.”
{6:30} Et dixerunt ad Ioas: Produc filium tuum huc, ut moriatur: quia destruxit aram Baal, et succidit nemus.
{6:30} And they said to Joash: “Bring forward your son here, so that he may die. For he has destroyed the altar of Baal, and he has cut down the sacred grove.”
{6:31} Quibus ille respondit: Numquid ultores estis Baal, ut pugnetis pro eo? Qui adversarius est eius, moriatur antequam lux crastina veniat: si deus est, vindicet se de eo, qui suffodit aram eius.
{6:31} But he responded to them: “Could you be the avengers of Baal, so that you fight on his behalf? Whoever is his adversary, let him die before the light arrives tomorrow; if he is a god, let him vindicate himself against him who has overturned his altar.”
{6:32} Ex illo die vocatus est Gedeon, Ierobaal, eo quod dixisset Ioas: Ulciscatur se de eo Baal, qui suffodit aram eius.
{6:32} From that day, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, because Joash had said, “Let Baal avenge himself against him who has overturned his altar.”
{6:33} Igitur omnis Madian, et Amalec, et Orientales populi congregati sunt simul. Et transeuntes Iordanem, castrametati sunt in valle Iezrael.
{6:33} And so, all of Midian, and Amalek, and the eastern peoples were gathered together. And crossing the Jordan, they encamped in the valley of Jezreel.
{6:34} Spiritus autem Domini induit Gedeon, qui clangens buccina convocavit domum Abiezer, ut sequeretur se.
{6:34} But the Spirit of the Lord entered Gideon, who, sounding the trumpet, summoned the house of Abiezer so that he might follow him.
{6:35} Misitque nuncios in universum Manassen, qui et ipse secutus est eum: et alios nuncios in Aser et Zabulon et Nephthali, qui occurrerunt ei.
{6:35} And he sent messengers into all of Manasseh, who also followed him, and other messengers into Asher, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, who went to meet him.
{6:36} Dixitque Gedeon ad Deum: Si salvum facis per manum meam Israel, sicut locutus es,
{6:36} And Gideon said to God: “If you will save Israel by my hand, just as you have said:
{6:37} ponam hoc vellus lanæ in area: si ros in solo vellere fuerit, et in omni terra siccitas, sciam quod per manum meam, sicut locutus es, liberabis Israel.
{6:37} I will set this wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there will be dew only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that by my hand, as you have said, you will free Israel.”
{6:38} Factumque est ita. Et de nocte consurgens expresso vellere, concham rore implevit.
{6:38} And so it was done. And rising in the night, wringing out the fleece, he filled a vessel with the dew.
{6:39} Dixitque rursus ad Deum: Ne irascatur furor tuus contra me si adhuc semel tentavero, signum quærens in vellere. Oro ut solum vellus siccum sit, et omnis terra rore madens.
{6:39} And again he said to God: “Let not your fury be enkindled against me, if I test once more, seeking a sign in the fleece. I pray that only the fleece may be dry, and all the ground may be wet with dew.”
{6:40} Fecitque Deus nocte illa ut postulaverat: et fuit siccitas in solo vellere, et ros in omni terra.
{6:40} And that night, God did as he had requested. And it was dry only on the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground.
{7:1} Igitur Ierobaal qui et Gedeon, de nocte consurgens, et omnis populus cum eo, venit ad fontem qui vocatur Harad. Erant autem castra Madian in valle ad Septentrionalem plagam collis excelsi.
{7:1} And so Jerubbaal, who is also Gideon, rising in the night, and all the people with him, went to the fountain which is called Harod. Now the camp of Midian was in the valley, to the northern region of the high hill.
{7:2} Dixitque Dominus ad Gedeon: Multus tecum est populus, nec tradetur Madian in manus eius: ne glorietur contra me Israel, et dicat: Meis viribus liberatus sum.
{7:2} And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people with you are many, but Midian shall not be delivered into their hands, for then Israel might glory against me, and say, ‘I was freed by my own power.’
{7:3} Loquere ad populum, et cunctis audientibus prædica: Qui formidolosus et timidus est, revertatur. Recesseruntque de monte Galaad, et reversi sunt, de populo viginti duo millia virorum, et tantum decem millia remanserunt.
{7:3} Speak to the people, and proclaim in the hearing of all, ‘Whoever is has dread or fear, let him return.’ And twenty-two thousand of the men from the people withdrew from Mount Gilead and returned, and only ten thousand remained.
{7:4} Dixitque Dominus ad Gedeon: Adhuc populus multus est, duc eos ad aquas, et ibi probabo illos: et de quo dixero tibi ut tecum vadat, ipse pergat: quem ire prohibuero, revertatur.
{7:4} And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people are still too many. Lead them to the waters, and there I will test them. And those about whom I tell you that he may go with you, let him go; he whom I shall forbid to go, let him return.”
{7:5} Cumque descendisset populus ad aquas, dixit Dominus ad Gedeon: Qui lingua lambuerint aquas, sicut solent canes lambere, separabis eos seorsum: qui autem curvatis genibus biberint, in altera parte erunt.
{7:5} And when the people had descended to the waters, the Lord said to Gideon: “Whoever will lap the water with the tongue, as dogs usually lap, you shall separate them by themselves. Then those who will drink by bending their knees shall be on the other side.”
{7:6} Fuit itaque numerus eorum qui manu ad os proiiciente, lambuerunt aquas, trecenti viri: omnis autem reliqua multitudo flexo poplite biberat.
{7:6} And so the number of those who had lapped the water, by bringing it with the hand to the mouth, was three hundred men. And all the remainder of the multitude drank by bending the knee.
{7:7} Et ait Dominus ad Gedeon: In trecentis viris qui lambuerunt aquas, liberabo vos, et tradam in manu tua Madian: omnis autem reliqua multitudo revertatur in locum suum.
{7:7} And the Lord said to Gideon: “By the three hundred men who lapped the water, I will free you, and I will deliver Midian into your hand. But let all the remainder of the multitude return to their place.”
{7:8} Sumptis itaque pro numero cibariis et tubis, omnem reliquam multitudinem abire præcepit ad tabernacula sua: et ipse cum trecentis viris se certamini dedit. Castra autem Madian erant subter in valle.
{7:8} And so, taking food and trumpets in accord with their number, he instructed all the rest of the multitude to go back to their tents. And with the three hundred men, he gave himself to the conflict. Now the camp of Midian was below, in the valley.
{7:9} Eadem nocte dixit Dominus ad eum: Surge, et descende in castra: quia tradidi eos in manu tua.
{7:9} In the same night, the Lord said to him: “Rise up, and descend into the camp. For I have delivered them into your hand.
{7:10} Sin autem solus ire formidas, descendat tecum Phara puer tuus.
{7:10} But if you dread to go alone, let your servant Purah descend with you.
{7:11} Et cum audieris quid loquantur, tunc confortabuntur manus tuæ, et securior ad hostium castra descendes. Descendit ergo ipse et Phara puer eius in partem castrorum, ubi erant armatorum vigiliæ.
{7:11} And when you will hear what they are saying, then your hands will be strengthened, and you will descend more confidently to the camp of the enemy.” Therefore, he descended with his servant Purah into a portion of the camp, where there was a watch of armed men.
{7:12} Madian autem et Amalec, et omnes Orientales populi fusi iacebant in valle, ut locustarum multitudo: cameli quoque innumerabiles erant, sicut arena quæ iacet in littore maris.
{7:12} But Midian, and Amalek, and all the eastern peoples lay spread out in the valley, like a multitude of locusts. Their camels, too, were innumerable, like the sand that lies on the shore of the sea.
{7:13} Cumque venisset Gedeon, narrabat aliquis somnium proximo suo: et in hunc modum referebat quod viderat: Vidi somnium, et videbatur mihi quasi subcinericius panis ex hordeo volvi, et in castra Madian descendere: cumque pervenisset ad tabernaculum, percussit illud, atque subvertit, et terræ funditus coæquavit.
{7:13} And when Gideon had arrived, someone told his neighbor a dream. And he related what he had seen, in this way: “I saw a dream, and it seemed to me as if bread, baked under ashes from rolled barley, descended into the camp of Midian. And whenever it arrived at a tent, it struck it, and overturned it, and utterly leveled it to the ground.”
{7:14} Respondit is, cui loquebatur: Non est hoc aliud, nisi gladius Gedeonis filii Ioas viri Israelitæ: tradidit enim Dominus in manus eius Madian, et omnia castra eius.
{7:14} He to whom he spoke, responded: “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel. For the Lord has delivered Midian into his hands, with their entire camp.”
{7:15} Cumque audisset Gedeon somnium, et interpretationem eius, adoravit: et reversus est ad castra Israel, et ait: Surgite, tradidit enim Dominus in manus nostras castra Madian.
{7:15} And when Gideon had heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped. And he returned to the camp of Israel, and he said: “Rise up! For the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into our hands.”
{7:16} Divisitque trecentos viros in tres partes, et dedit tubas in manibus eorum, lagenasque vacuas ac lampades in medio lagenarum.
{7:16} And he divided the three hundred men into three parts. And he gave trumpets, and empty pitchers, and lamps for the middle of the pitchers, into their hands.
{7:17} Et dixit ad eos: Quod me facere videritis, hoc facite: ingrediar partem castrorum, et quod fecero sectamini.
{7:17} And he said to them: “What you will see me do, do the same. I will enter a portion of the camp, and what I do, you shall follow.
{7:18} Quando personuerit tuba in manu mea, vos quoque per castrorum circuitum clangite, et conclamate Domino et Gedeoni.
{7:18} When the trumpet in my hand blares out, you also shall sound the trumpets, on every side of the camp, and shout together to the Lord and to Gideon.”
{7:19} Ingressusque est Gedeon, et trecenti viri qui erant cum eo in partem castrorum, incipientibus vigiliis noctis mediæ, et custodibus suscitatis, cœperunt buccinis clangere, et complodere inter se lagenas.
{7:19} And Gideon, and the three hundred men who were with him, entered a portion of the camp, at the beginning of the watch in the middle of the night. And when the guards were alerted, they began to sound the trumpets and to clap the pitchers against one another.
{7:20} Cumque per gyrum castrorum in tribus personarent locis, et hydrias confregissent, tenuerunt sinistris manibus lampades, et dextris sonantes tubas, clamaveruntque: Gladius Domini et Gedeonis:
{7:20} And when they had sounded their trumpets in three places around the camp, and had broken their water pitchers, they held the lamps in their left hands, and sounded the trumpets in their right hands. And they cried out, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”
{7:21} stantes singuli in loco suo per circuitum castrorum hostilium. Omnia itaque castra turbata sunt, et vociferantes, ululantesque fugerunt:
{7:21} And each one was standing in his place throughout the camp of the enemies. And so the entire camp was in confusion; and they fled away, wailing and crying out.
{7:22} et nihilominus insistebant trecenti viri buccinis personantes. Immisitque Dominus gladium omnibus castris, et mutua se cæde truncabant,
{7:22} And the three hundred men nevertheless continued sounding the trumpets. And the Lord sent the sword into the entire camp, and they maimed and cut down one another,
{7:23} fugientes usque ad Bethsetta, et crepidinem Abelmehula in Tebbath. Conclamantes autem viri Israel de Nephthali, et Aser, et omni Manasse persequebantur Madian.
{7:23} fleeing as far as Bethshittah, and the base of Abelmeholah in Tabbath. But the men of Israel pursued Midian, shouting from Naphtali and Asher, and from all of Manasseh.
{7:24} Misitque Gedeon nuncios in omnem montem Ephraim, dicens: Descendite in occursum Madian, et occupate aquas usque Bethbera atque Iordanem. Clamavitque omnis Ephraim, et præoccupavit aquas atque Iordanem usque Bethbera.
{7:24} And Gideon sent messengers throughout all of Mount Ephraim, saying, “Descend to meet Midian, and occupy the waters ahead of them as far as Bethbarah and the Jordan.” And all of Ephraim cried out, and they occupied the waters ahead of them, from the Jordan even to Bethbarah.
{7:25} Apprehensosque duos viros Madian, Oreb, et Zeb, interfecit Oreb in Petra Oreb, Zeb vero in Torculari Zeb. Et persecuti sunt Madian, capita Oreb et Zeb portantes ad Gedeon trans fluenta Iordanis.
{7:25} And having apprehended two men of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, they put Oreb to death at the Rock of Oreb, and truly, Zeeb, at the Winepress of Zeeb. And they pursued Midian, carrying the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, across the waters of the Jordan.
{8:1} Dixeruntque ad eum viri Ephraim: Quid est hoc quod facere voluisti, ut nos non vocares, cum ad pugnam pergeres contra Madian? Iurgantes fortiter, et prope vim inferentes.
{8:1} And the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this, that you wanted to do, so that you would not call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they rebuked him strongly, and came close to using violence.
{8:2} Quibus ille respondit: Quod enim tale facere potui, quale vos fecistis? Nonne melior est racemus Ephraim, vindemiis Abiezer?
{8:2} And he responded to them: “But what could I have done that would be so great as what you have done? Is not one bunch of grapes of Ephraim better than the vintages of Abiezer?
{8:3} In manus vestras Dominus tradidit principes Madian, Oreb, et Zeb: quid tale facere potui, quale vos fecistis? Quod cum locutus esset, requievit spiritus eorum, quo tumebant contra eum.
{8:3} The Lord has delivered into your hands the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What could I have done that would be so great as what you have done?” And when he had said this, their spirit, which was swelling up against him, was quieted.
{8:4} Cumque venisset Gedeon ad Iordanem, transivit eum cum trecentis viris, qui secum erant: et præ lassitudine, fugientes persequi non poterant.
{8:4} And when Gideon had arrived at the Jordan, he crossed over it with the three hundred men who were with him. And they were so weary that they were unable to pursue those who were fleeing.
{8:5} Dixitque ad viros Soccoth: Date, obsecro, panes populo, qui mecum est, quia valde defecerunt: ut possimus persequi Zebee, et Salmana reges Madian.
{8:5} And he said to the men of Succoth, “I beg you, give bread to the people who are with me, for they are greatly weakened, so that we may be able to pursue Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
{8:6} Responderunt principes Soccoth: Forsitan palmæ manuum Zebee et Salmana in manu tua sunt, et idcirco postulas ut demus exercitui tuo panes.
{8:6} The leaders of Succoth answered, “Perhaps the palms of the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hand, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to your army.”
~ In other words, perhaps you are the allies of Zebah and Zalmunna.
{8:7} Quibus ille ait: Cum ergo tradiderit Dominus Zebee et Salmana in manus meas, conteram carnes vestras cum spinis, tribulisque deserti.
{8:7} And he said to them, “So then, when the Lord will have delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands, I will thresh your flesh with the thorns and briers of the desert.”
{8:8} Et inde conscendens, venit in Phanuel: locutusque est ad viros loci illius similia. Cui et illi responderunt, sicut responderant viri Soccoth.
{8:8} And going up from there, he arrived at Penuel. And he spoke to the men of that place similarly. And they also answered him, just as the men of Succoth had answered.
{8:9} Dixit itaque et eis: Cum reversus fuero victor in pace, destruam turrim hanc.
{8:9} And so he said to them also, “When I will have returned as a victor in peace, I will destroy this tower.”
{8:10} Zebee autem et Salmana requiescebant cum omni exercitu suo. Quindecim enim millia viri remanserant ex omnibus turmis Orientalium populorum, cæsis centum viginti millibus bellatorum educentium gladium.
{8:10} Now Zebah and Zalmunna were resting with their entire army. For fifteen thousand men were left out of all the troops of the eastern people. And one hundred twenty thousand warriors that drew the sword had been cut down.
{8:11} Ascendensque Gedeon per viam eorum, qui in tabernaculis morabantur, ad Orientalem partem Nobe, et Iegbaa, percussit castra hostium, qui securi erant, et nihil adversi suspicabantur.
{8:11} And Gideon ascended by the way of those who were dwelling in tents, to the eastern part of Nobah and Jogbehah. And he struck the camp of the enemies, who were confident and were suspecting nothing adverse.
{8:12} Fugeruntque Zebee et Salmana, quos persequens Gedeon comprehendit, turbato omni exercitu eorum.
{8:12} And Zebah and Zalmunna fled. And Gideon pursued and overtook them, sending their entire army into confusion.
{8:13} Revertensque de bello ante solis ortum,
{8:13} And returning from the war before sunrise,
{8:14} apprehendit puerum de viris Soccoth: interrogavitque eum nomina principum et seniorum Soccoth, et descripsit septuaginta septem viros.
{8:14} he took a boy from among the men of Succoth. And he asked him the names of the leaders and elders of Succoth. And he described seventy-seven men.
{8:15} Venitque ad Soccoth, et dixit eis: En Zebee, et Salmana super quibus exprobrastis mihi, dicentes: Forsitan manus Zebee et Salmana in manibus tuis sunt, et idcirco postulas ut demus viris qui lassi sunt, et defecerunt panes.
{8:15} And he went to Succoth, and he said to them: “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, over whom you rebuked me, saying: ‘Perhaps the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hands, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to men who are languishing and weakened.’ ”
{8:16} Tulit ergo seniores civitatis et spinas deserti ac tribulos, et contrivit cum eis, atque comminuit viros Soccoth.
{8:16} Therefore, he took the elders of the city, and, using the thorns and briers of the desert, he threshed them with these, and he cut the men of Succoth to pieces.
{8:17} Turrim quoque Phanuel subvertit, occisis habitatoribus civitatis.
{8:17} He also overturned the tower of Penuel, and he killed the men of the city.
{8:18} Dixitque ad Zebee et Salmana: Quales fuerunt viri, quos occidistis in Thabor? Qui responderunt: Similes tui, et unus ex eis quasi filius regis.
{8:18} And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were those whom you killed at Tabor?” They responded, “They were like you, and one of them was like the son of a king.”
{8:19} Quibus ille respondit: Fratres mei fuerunt, filii matris meæ. Vivit Dominus, quia si servassetis eos, non vos occiderem.
{8:19} He answered them: “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had preserved them, I would not kill you.”
{8:20} Dixitque Iether primogenito suo: Surge, et interfice eos. Qui non eduxit gladium: timebat enim, quia adhuc puer erat.
{8:20} And he said to Jether, his firstborn son, “Rise up, and put them to death.” But he did not draw his sword. For he was afraid, being still a boy.
{8:21} Dixeruntque Zebee et Salmana: Tu surge, et irrue in nos: quia iuxta ætatem robur est hominis. Surrexit Gedeon, et interfecit Zebee et Salmana: et tulit ornamenta ac bullas, quibus colla regalium camelorum decorari solent.
{8:21} And Zebah and Zalmunna said: “You should rise up and rush against us. For the strength of a man is in accord with his age.” Gideon rose up, and he killed Zebah and Zalmunna. And he took the ornaments and studs, with which the necks of the royal camels are usually adorned.
{8:22} Dixeruntque omnes viri Israel ad Gedeon: Dominare nostri tu, et filius tuus, et filius filii tui: quia liberasti nos de manu Madian.
{8:22} And all the men of Israel said to Gideon: “You should rule over us, and your son, and your son’s son. For you freed us from the hand of Midian.”
{8:23} Quibus ille ait: Non dominabor vestri, nec dominabitur in vos filius meus, sed dominabitur vobis Dominus.
{8:23} And he said to them: “I will not rule over you. Neither shall my son rule over you. Instead, the Lord shall rule over you.”
{8:24} Dixitque ad eos: Unam petitionem postulo a vobis: Date mihi inaures ex præda vestra. Inaures enim aureas Ismaelitæ habere consueverant.
{8:24} And he said to them: “I petition one request from you. Give me the earrings from your spoils.” For the Ishmaelites were accustomed to wear gold earrings.
{8:25} Qui responderunt: Libentissime dabimus. Expandentesque super terram pallium, proiecerunt in eo inaures de præda:
{8:25} They responded, “We are very willing to give them.” And spreading a cloak on the ground, they cast upon it the earrings from the spoils.
{8:26} et fuit pondus postulatarum inaurium, mille septingenti auri sicli, absque ornamentis, et monilibus, et veste purpurea, quibus reges Madian uti soliti erant, et præter torques aureas camelorum.
{8:26} And the weight of the earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, aside from the ornaments, and necklaces, and purple garments, which the kings of Midian were accustomed to use, and aside from the gold chains on the camels.
{8:27} Fecitque ex eo Gedeon ephod, et posuit illud in civitate sua Ephra. Fornicatusque est omnis Israel in eo, et factum est Gedeoni et omni domui eius in ruinam.
{8:27} And Gideon made an ephod from these, and he kept it in his city, Ophrah. And all of Israel committed fornication with it, and it became a ruin to Gideon and to all his house.
{8:28} Humiliatus est autem Madian coram filiis Israel, nec potuerunt ultra cervices elevare: sed quievit terra per quadraginta annos, quibus Gedeon præfuit.
{8:28} But Midian was humbled before the sons of Israel. Neither were they able any longer to lift up their necks. But the land rested for forty years, while Gideon presided.
{8:29} Abiit itaque Ierobaal filius Ioas, et habitavit in domo sua:
{8:29} And so Jerubbaal, the son of Joash, went and lived in his own house.
{8:30} habuitque septuaginta filios, qui egressi sunt de femore eius: eo quod plures haberet uxores.
{8:30} And he had seventy sons, who went forth from his own thigh. For he had many wives.
{8:31} Concubina autem illius, quam habebat in Sichem, genuit ei filium nomine Abimelech.
{8:31} But his concubine, whom he had in Shechem, bore him a son named Abimelech.
{8:32} Mortuusque est Gedeon filius Ioas in senectute bona, et sepultus est in sepulchro Ioas patris sui in Ephra de familia Ezri.
{8:32} And Gideon, the son of Joash, died in a good old age, and he was buried in the sepulcher of his father, at Ophrah, of the family of Ezri.
{8:33} Postquam autem mortuus est Gedeon, aversi sunt filii Israel, et fornicati sunt cum Baalim. Percusseruntque cum Baal fœdus, ut esset eis in deum:
{8:33} But after Gideon died, the sons of Israel turned away, and they committed fornication with the Baals. And they struck a covenant with Baal, so that he would be their god.
{8:34} nec recordati sunt Domini Dei sui, qui eruit eos de manibus inimicorum suorum omnium per circuitum:
{8:34} And they did not remember the Lord their God, who rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on all sides.
{8:35} nec fecerunt misericordiam cum domo Ierobaal Gedeon iuxta omnia bona, quæ fecerat Israeli.
{8:35} Neither did they show mercy to the house of Jerubbaal Gideon, in accord with all the good that he had done for Israel.
{9:1} Abiit autem Abimelech filius Ierobaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suæ, et locutus est ad eos, et ad omnem cognationem domus patris matris suæ, dicens:
{9:1} Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, to his maternal brothers, and he spoke to them, and to all the relatives of the house of his maternal grandfather, saying:
~ These were Abimelech’s half-brothers, who had the same mother but a different father from him.
{9:2} Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem: Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri omnes filii Ierobaal, an ut dominetur unus vir? Simulque considerate quod os vestrum, et caro vestra sum.
{9:2} “Speak to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you: that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And consider also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
{9:3} Locutique sunt fratres matris eius de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos, et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech, dicentes: Frater noster est.
{9:3} And his maternal brothers spoke about him to all the men of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying, “He is our brother.”
{9:4} Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberit. Qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.
{9:4} And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him.
{9:5} Et venit in domum patris sui in Ephra, et occidit fratres suos filios Ierobaal septuaginta viros, super lapidem unum: remansitque Ioatham filius Ierobaal minimus, et absconditus est.
{9:5} And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.
{9:6} Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem, et universæ familiæ urbis Mello: abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech iuxta quercum, quæ stabat in Sichem.
{9:6} Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem.
{9:7} Quod cum nunciatum esset Ioatham, ivit, et stetit in vertice montis Garizim: elevataque voce, clamavit, et dixit: Audite me viri Sichem, ita audiat vos Deus.
{9:7} When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: “Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
{9:8} Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem: dixeruntque olivæ: Impera nobis.
{9:8} The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
{9:9} Quæ respondit: Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii utuntur, et homines, et venire ut inter ligna promovear?
{9:9} And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’
{9:10} Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum: Veni, et super nos regnum accipe.
{9:10} And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’
{9:11} Quæ respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, fructusque suavissimos, et ire ut inter cetera ligna promovear?
{9:11} And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?’
{9:12} Locutaque sunt ligna ad vitem: Veni, et impera nobis.
{9:12} And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
{9:13} Quæ respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod lætificat Deum et homines, et inter ligna cetera promoveri?
{9:13} And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’
{9:14} Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum: Veni, et impera super nos.
{9:14} And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
{9:15} Quæ respondit eis: Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite, et sub umbra mea requiescite. Si autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno, et devoret cedros Libani.
{9:15} And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ ”
{9:16} Nunc igitur, si recte, et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech, et bene egistis cum Ierobaal, et cum domo eius, et reddidistis vicem beneficiis eius, qui pugnavit pro vobis,
{9:16} So now, if you are upright and without sin in appointing Abimelech as a king over you, and if you have acted well with Jerubbaal, and with his house, and if you have repaid, in turn, the benefits of him who fought on your behalf,
{9:17} et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,
{9:17} and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,
{9:18} qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei, et interfecistis filios eius septuaginta viros super unum lapidem, et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillæ eius super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit:
{9:18} though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,
{9:19} si ergo recte, et absque vitio egistis cum Ierobaal, et domo eius, hodie lætamini in Abimelech, et ille lætetur in vobis.
{9:19} if therefore you are upright and have acted without fault with Jerubbaal and his house, then you should rejoice on this day in Abimelech, and he should rejoice in you.
{9:20} Sin autem perverse: egrediatur ignis ex eo, et consumat habitatores Sichem, et oppidum Mello: egrediaturque ignis de viris Sichem, et de oppido Mello, et devoret Abimelech.
{9:20} But if you have acted perversely, may fire go forth from him and consume the inhabitants of Shechem and the town of Millo. And may fire go forth from the men of Shechem and from the town of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”
{9:21} Quæ cum dixisset, fugit, et abiit in Bera: habitavitque ibi ob metum Abimelech fratris sui.
{9:21} And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.
{9:22} Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israel tribus annis.
{9:22} And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
{9:23} Misitque Dominus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem: qui cœperunt eum detestari,
{9:23} And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,
{9:24} et scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Ierobaal, et effusionem sanguinis eorum conferre in Abimelech fratrem suum, et in ceteros Sichimorum principes, qui eum adiuverant.
{9:24} and to place blame for the crime of the killing of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for the shedding of their blood, upon Abimelech, their brother, and upon the rest of the leaders of the Shechemites, who assisted him.
{9:25} Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in summitate montium: et dum illius præstolabantur adventum, exercebant latrocinia, agentes prædas de prætereuntibus. Nunciatumque est Abimelech.
{9:25} And they stationed an ambush against him at the summit of the mountains. And while they were waiting for his arrival, they committed robberies, taking spoils from those passing by. And this was reported to Abimelech.
{9:26} Venit autem Gaal filius Obed cum fratribus suis, et transivit in Sichimam. Ad cuius adventum erecti habitatores Sichem,
{9:26} Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,
{9:27} egressi sunt in agros, vastantes vineas, uvasque calcantes: et factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui, et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,
{9:27} departed into the fields, laying waste to the vineyards, and trampling the grapes. And while singing and dancing, they entered into the shrine of their god. And while feasting and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.
{9:28} clamante Gaal filio Obed: Quis est Abimelech, et quæ est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? Numquid non est filius Ierobaal, et constituit principem Zebul servum suum super viros Emor patris Sichem? Cur ergo serviemus ei?
{9:28} And Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried out: “Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, who has appointed Zebul, his servant, as ruler over the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
{9:29} Utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech. Dictumque est Abimelech: Congrega exercitus multitudinem, et veni.
{9:29} I wish that someone would set this people under my hand, so that I might take away Abimelech from their midst.” And it was told to Abimelech, “Gather the multitude of an army, and approach.”
{9:30} Zebul enim princeps civitatis auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Obed, iratus est valde,
{9:30} For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.
{9:31} et misit clam ad Abimelech nuncios, dicens: Ecce, Gaal filius Obed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis, et oppugnat adversum te civitatem.
{9:31} And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: “Behold, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has arrived at Shechem with his brothers, and he has set the city against you.
{9:32} Surge itaque nocte cum populo, qui tecum est, et latita in agro:
{9:32} And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.
{9:33} et primo mane oriente sole, irrue super civitatem. Illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei quod potueris.
{9:33} And at first light in the morning, as the sun is rising, rush upon the city. And when he goes out against you, with his people, do to him what you are able to do.”
{9:34} Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte, et tetendit insidias iuxta Sichimam in quattuor locis.
{9:34} And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.
{9:35} Egressusque est Gaal filius Obed, et stetit in introitu portæ civitatis. Surrexit autem Abimelech, et omnis exercitus cum eo de insidiarum loco.
{9:35} And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and he stood at the entrance to the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and all the army with him, from the places of the ambushes.
{9:36} Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul: Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit. Cui ille respondit: Umbras montium vides quasi capita hominum, et hoc errore deciperis.
{9:36} And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, a multitude is descending from the mountains.” And he responded to him, “You are seeing the shadows of the mountains, as if they were the heads of men, and so you are being deceived by this error.”
{9:37} Rursumque Gaal ait: Ecce populus de umbilico terræ descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam quæ respicit quercum.
{9:37} Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”
{9:38} Cui dixit Zebul: Ubi est nunc os tuum, quo loquebaris? Quis est Abimelech ut serviamus ei? Nonne hic populus est, quem despiciebas? Egredere, et pugna contra eum.
{9:38} And Zebul said to him: “Where is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people that you were despising? Go out and fight against him.”
{9:39} Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech,
{9:39} Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,
{9:40} qui persecutus est eum fugientem, et in urbem compulit: cecideruntque ex parte eius plurimi, usque ad portam civitatis:
{9:40} who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.
{9:41} et Abimelech sedit in Ruma: Zebul autem, Gaal, et socios eius expulit de urbe, nec in ea passus est commorari.
{9:41} And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.
{9:42} Sequenti ergo die egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nunciatum esset Abimelech,
{9:42} Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,
{9:43} tulit exercitum suum, et divisit in tres turmas, tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit, et irruit in eos
{9:43} he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them,
{9:44} cum cuneo suo, oppugnans, et obsidens civitatem: duæ autem turmæ palantes per campum adversarios persequebantur.
{9:44} along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.
{9:45} Porro Abimelech omni die illo oppugnabat urbem: quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus eius, ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.
{9:45} Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.
~ He scattered salt on the ground so that nothing would grown.
{9:46} Quod cum audissent qui habitabant in turre Sichimorum, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui Berith, ubi fœdus cum eo pepigerant, et ex eo locus nomen acceperat, qui erat munitus valde.
{9:46} And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.
{9:47} Abimelech quoque audiens viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,
{9:47} Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
{9:48} ascendit in montem Selmon cum omni populo suo: et arrepta securi, præcidit arboris ramum, impositumque ferens humero, dixit ad socios: Quod me videtis facere, cito facite.
{9:48} ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.”
{9:49} Igitur certatim ramos de arboribus præcidentes, sequebantur ducem. Qui circumdantes præsidium, succenderunt: atque ita factum est, ut fumo et igne mille homines necarentur, viri pariter et mulieres, habitatorum turris Sichem.
{9:49} And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.
{9:50} Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod circumdans obsidebat exercitu.
{9:50} Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
{9:51} Erat autem turris excelsa in media civitate, ad quam confugerant simul viri ac mulieres, et omnes principes civitatis, clausa firmissime ianua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.
{9:51} Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.
{9:52} Accedensque Abimelech iuxta turrim, pugnabat fortiter: et appropinquans ostio, ignem supponere nitebatur:
{9:52} And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
{9:53} et ecce una mulier fragmen molæ desuper iaciens, illisit capiti Abimelech, et confregit cerebrum eius.
{9:53} And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
{9:54} Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum, et ait ad eum: Evagina gladium tuum, et percute me: ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim. Qui iussa perficiens, interfecit eum.
{9:54} And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.
{9:55} Illoque mortuo, omnes qui cum eo erant de Israel, reversi sunt in sedes suas:
{9:55} And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.
{9:56} et reddidit Deus malum, quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.
{9:56} And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
{9:57} Sichimitis quoque quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Ioatham filii Ierobaal.
{9:57} The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.
{10:1} Post Abimelech surrexit dux in Israel Thola filius Phua patrui Abimelech, vir de Issachar, qui habitavit in Samir montis Ephraim:
{10:1} After Abimelech, a leader rose up in Israel, Tola, the son of Puah, the paternal uncle of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, who lived in Shamir on mount Ephraim.
{10:2} et iudicavit Israelem viginti et tribus annis, mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Samir.
{10:2} And he judged Israel for twenty-three years, and he died and was buried at Shamir.
{10:3} Huic successit Iair Galaadites, qui iudicavit Israel per viginti et duos annos,
{10:3} After him succeeded Jair, a Gileadite, who judged Israel for twenty-two years,
{10:4} habens triginta filios sedentes super triginta pullos asinarum, et principes triginta civitatum, quæ ex nomine eius sunt appellatæ Havoth Iair, id est, oppida Iair, usque in præsentem diem in Terra Galaad.
{10:4} having thirty sons sitting upon thirty young donkeys, and who were leaders of thirty cities, which from his name were called Havvoth Jair, that is, the towns of Jair, even to the present day, in the land of Gilead.
{10:5} Mortuusque est Iair, ac sepultus in loco, cui est vocabulum Camon.
{10:5} And Jair died, and he was buried in the place which is called Kamon.
{10:6} Filii autem Israel peccatis veteribus iungentes nova, fecerunt malum in conspectu Domini, et servierunt idolis, Baalim et Astaroth, et diis Syriæ ac Sidonis et Moab et filiorum Ammon et Philisthiim: dimiseruntque Dominum, et non coluerunt eum.
{10:6} But the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, joining new sins to old, and they served idols, the Baals and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria and Sidon, and of Moab and the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines. And they abandoned the Lord, and they did not worship him.
{10:7} Contra quos Dominus iratus, tradidit eos in manus Philisthiim et filiorum Ammon.
{10:7} And the Lord, becoming angry against them, delivered them into the hands of the Philistines and the sons of Ammon.
{10:8} Afflictique sunt, et vehementer oppressi per annos decem et octo, omnes qui habitabant trans Iordanem in Terra Amorrhæi, qui est in Galaad:
{10:8} And they were afflicted and vehemently oppressed for eighteen years, all who were living beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorite, which is in Gilead,
{10:9} in tantum, ut filii Ammon, Iordane transmisso, vastarent Iudam et Beniamin et Ephraim: afflictusque est Israel nimis.
{10:9} to such a great extent that the sons of Ammon, crossing over the Jordan, laid waste to Judah and Benjamin and Ephraim. And Israel was exceedingly afflicted.
{10:10} Et clamantes ad Dominum, dixerunt: Peccavimus tibi, quia dereliquimus Dominum Deum nostrum, et servivimus Baalim.
{10:10} And crying out to the Lord, they said: “We have sinned against you. For we have forsaken the Lord our God, and we have served the Baals.”
{10:11} Quibus locutus est Dominus: Numquid non Ægyptii et Amorrhæi, filiique Ammon et Philisthiim,
{10:11} And the Lord said to them: “Did not the Egyptians, and the Amorites, and the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines,
{10:12} Sidonii quoque et Amalec et Chanaan oppresserunt vos, et clamastis ad me, et erui vos de manu eorum?
{10:12} and also the Sidonians, and Amalek, and Canaan, oppress you, and so you cried out to me, and I rescued you from their hand?
{10:13} Et tamen reliquistis me, et coluistis deos alienos: idcirco non addam ut ultra vos liberem:
{10:13} And yet you have forsaken me, and you have worshipped foreign gods. For this reason, I will not continue to free you any more.
{10:14} ite, et invocate deos quos elegistis: ipsi vos liberent in tempore angustiæ.
{10:14} Go, and call upon the gods whom you have chosen. Let them free you in the time of anguish.”
{10:15} Dixeruntque filii Israel ad Dominum: Peccavimus, redde tu nobis quidquid tibi placet: tantum nunc libera nos.
{10:15} And the sons of Israel said to the Lord: “We have sinned. You may repay us in whatever way pleases you. Yet free us now.”
{10:16} Quæ dicentes, omnia de finibus suis alienorum deorum idola proiecerunt, et servierunt Domino Deo: qui doluit super miseriis eorum.
{10:16} And saying these things, they cast out all the idols of the foreign gods from their regions, and they served the Lord God. And he was touched by their miseries.
{10:17} Itaque filii Ammon conclamantes in Galaad fixere tentoria: contra quos congregati filii Israel, in Maspha castrametati sunt.
{10:17} And then the sons of Ammon, shouting out together, pitched their tents in Gilead. And the sons of Israel gathered together against them, and they made camp at Mizpah.
{10:18} Dixeruntque principes Galaad singuli ad proximos suos: Qui primus ex nobis contra filios Ammon cœperit dimicare, erit dux populi Galaad.
{10:18} And the leaders of Gilead said to one another, “Whoever among us will be the first to begin to contend against the sons of Ammon, he shall be the leader of the people of Gilead.”
{11:1} Fuit illo tempore Iephte Galaadites vir fortissimus atque pugnator, filius mulieris meretricis, qui natus est de Galaad.
{11:1} At that time, there was a Gileadite, Jephthah, a very strong man and a fighter, the son of a kept woman, and he was born of Gilead.
~ Jephthah mother was not a common prostitute, for then she could not have known who the father was (especially in that time period, when they did not understand conception). She must have been a kept woman, that is, a concubine of her father’s. Thus, she would know who the father would be, and would send the son to live with the father and his wife.
{11:2} Habuit autem Galaad uxorem, de qua suscepit filios: qui postquam creverant, eiecerunt Iephte, dicentes: Heres in domo patris nostri esse non poteris, quia de altera matre natus es.
{11:2} Now Gilead had a wife, from whom he received sons. And they, after growing up, cast out Jephthah, saying, “You cannot inherit in the house of our father, because you were born of another mother.”
{11:3} Quos ille fugiens atque devitans, habitavit in Terra Tob: congregatique sunt ad eum viri inopes, et latrocinantes, et quasi principem sequebantur.
{11:3} And so, fleeing and avoiding them, he lived in the land of Tob. And men who were indigent and robbers joined with him, and they followed him as their leader.
{11:4} In illis diebus pugnabant filii Ammon contra Israel.
{11:4} In those days, the sons of Ammon fought against Israel.
{11:5} Quibus acriter instantibus perrexerunt maiores natu de Galaad, ut tollerent in auxilium sui Iephte de Terra Tob:
{11:5} And being steadfastly attacked, the elders of Gilead traveled so that they might obtain for their assistance Jephthah, from the land of Tob.
{11:6} dixeruntque ad eum: Veni et esto princeps noster, et pugna contra filios Ammon.
{11:6} And they said to him, “Come and be our leader, and fight against the sons of Ammon.”
{11:7} Quibus ille respondit: Nonne vos estis, qui odistis me, et eiecistis de domo patris mei, et nunc venistis ad me necessitate compulsi?
{11:7} But he answered them: “Are you not the ones who hated me, and who cast me out of my father’s house? And yet now you come to me, compelled by necessity?”
{11:8} Dixeruntque principes Galaad ad Iephte: Ob hanc igitur causam nunc ad te venimus, ut proficiscaris nobiscum, et pugnes contra filios Ammon, sisque dux omnium qui habitant in Galaad.
{11:8} And the leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “But it is due to this necessity that we have approached you now, so that you may set out with us, and fight against the sons of Ammon, and be commander over all who live in Gilead.”
~ The pronoun ‘hanc’ refers to the ‘necessity’ in the previous verse. The translation states what the pronoun implies, for the sake of clarity.
{11:9} Iephte quoque dixit eis: Si vere venistis ad me, ut pugnem pro vobis contra filios Ammon, tradideritque eos Dominus in manus meas, ego ero vester princeps?
{11:9} Jephthah also said to them: “If you have come to me so that I may fight for you against the sons of Ammon, and if the Lord will deliver them into my hands, will I truly be your leader?”
{11:10} Qui responderunt ei: Dominus, qui hæc audit, ipse Mediator ac Testis est quod nostra promissa faciemus.
{11:10} They answered him, “The Lord who hears these things is himself the Mediator and the Witness that we shall do what we have promised.”
{11:11} Abiit itaque Iephte cum principibus Galaad, fecitque eum omnis populus principem sui. Locutusque est Iephte omnes sermones suos coram Domino in Maspha.
{11:11} And so Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead, and all the people made him their leader. And Jephthah spoke all his words, in the sight of the Lord, at Mizpah.
{11:12} Et misit nuncios ad regem filiorum Ammon, qui ex persona sua dicerent: Quid mihi et tibi est, quia venisti contra me, ut vastares terram meam?
{11:12} And he sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, who said on his behalf, “What is there between you and me, that you would approach against me, so that you might lay waste to my land?”
{11:13} Quibus ille respondit: Quia tulit Israel terram meam, quando ascendit de Ægypto a finibus Arnon usque Iaboc atque Iordanem: nunc ergo cum pace redde mihi eam.
{11:13} And he responded to them, “It is because Israel took my land, when he ascended from Egypt, from the parts of Arnon, as far as the Jabbok and the Jordan. Now therefore, restore these to me with peace.”
{11:14} Per quos rursum mandavit Iephte, et imperavit eis ut dicerent regi Ammon:
{11:14} And Jephthah again commissioned them, and he ordered them to say to the king of Ammon:
{11:15} Hæc dicit Iephte: Non tulit Israel Terram Moab, nec Terram filiorum Ammon:
{11:15} “Jephtha says this: Israel did not take the land of Moab, nor the land of the sons of Ammon.
{11:16} sed quando de Ægypto conscenderunt, ambulavit per solitudinem usque ad Mare Rubrum, et venit in Cades.
{11:16} But when they ascended together from Egypt, he walked through the desert as far as the Red Sea, and he went into Kadesh.
{11:17} Misitque nuncios ad regem Edom, dicens: Dimitte me ut transeam per terram tuam. Qui noluit acquiescere precibus eius. Misit quoque ad regem Moab, qui et ipse transitum præbere contempsit. Mansit itaque in Cades,
{11:17} And he sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Permit me to pass through your land.’ But he was not willing to agree to his petition. Likewise, he sent to the king of Moab, who also refused to offer him passage. And so he delayed in Kadesh,
{11:18} et circuivit ex latere Terram Edom, et Terram Moab: venitque contra Orientalem plagam Terræ Moab, et castrametatus est trans Arnon: nec voluit intrare terminos Moab: Arnon quippe confinium est Terræ Moab.
{11:18} and he circled around the side of the land of Edom and the land of Moab. And he arrived opposite the eastern region of the land of Moab. And he made camp across the Arnon. But he was not willing to enter the borders of Moab. (Of course, Arnon is the border of the land of Moab.)
{11:19} Misit itaque Israel nuncios ad Sehon regem Amorrhæorum, qui habitabat in Hesebon, et dixerunt ei: Dimitte ut transeam per terram tuam usque ad fluvium.
{11:19} And so Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who was living at Heshbon. And they said to him, “Permit me to cross through your land as far as the river.”
{11:20} Qui et ipse Israel verba despiciens, non dimisit eum transire per terminos suos: sed infinita multitudine congregata egressus est contra eum in Iasa, et fortiter resistebat.
{11:20} But he, too, despising the words of Israel, would not permit him to cross through his borders. Instead, gathering an innumerable multitude, he went out against him at Jahaz, and he resisted strongly.
{11:21} Tradiditque eum Dominus in manus Israel cum omni exercitu suo, qui percussit eum, et possedit omnem Terram Amorrhæi habitatoris regionis illius,
{11:21} But the Lord delivered him, with his entire army, into the hands of Israel. And he struck him down, and he possessed all the land of the Amorite, the inhabitant of that region,
{11:22} et universos fines eius de Arnon usque Iaboc, et de solitudine usque ad Iordanem.
{11:22} with all its parts, from the Arnon as far as the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jordan.
{11:23} Dominus ergo Deus Israel subvertit Amorrhæum, pugnante contra illum populo suo Israel, et tu nunc vis possidere terram eius?
{11:23} Therefore, it was the Lord, the God of Israel, who overthrew the Amorites, by means of his people Israel fighting against them. And now you wish to possess his land?
{11:24} Nonne ea quæ possidet Chamos, deus tuus, tibi iure debentur? Quæ autem Dominus Deus noster victor obtinuit, in nostram cedent possessionem:
{11:24} Are not the things that your god Chemosh possesses owed to you by right? And so, what the Lord our God has obtained by victory falls to us as a possession.
{11:25} nisi forte melior es Balac filio Sephor rege Moab: aut docere potes, quod iurgatus sit contra Israel, et pugnaverit contra eum:
{11:25} Or are you, perhaps, better than Balak, the son of Zippor, the king of Moab? Or are you able to explain what his argument was against Israel, and why he fought against him?
{11:26} Quando habitavit in Hesebon, et viculis eius, et in Aroer, et villis illius, vel in cunctis civitatibus iuxta Iordanem, per trecentos annos, quare tanto tempore nihil super hac repetitione tentastis?
{11:26} And though he has lived in Heshbon, and its villages, and in Aroer, and its villages, and in all the cities near the Jordan for three hundred years, why have you, for such long a time, put forward nothing about this claim?
{11:27} Igitur non ego pecco in te, sed tu contra me male agis, indicens mihi bella non iusta. Iudicet Dominus arbiter huius diei inter Israel, et inter filios Ammon.
{11:27} Therefore, I am not sinning against you, but you are doing evil against me, by declaring an unjust war against me. May the Lord be the Judge and the Arbiter this day, between Israel and the sons of Ammon.”
{11:28} Noluitque acquiescere rex filiorum Ammon verbis Iephte, quæ per nuncios mandaverat.
{11:28} But the king of the sons of Ammon was not willing to agree to the words of Jephthah that he commissioned by the messengers.
{11:29} Factus est ergo super Iephte Spiritus Domini, et circuiens Galaad, et Manasse, Maspha quoque Galaad, et inde transiens ad filios Ammon,
{11:29} Therefore, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jephthah, and circling around Gilead, and Manasseh, and also Mizpah of Gilead, and crossing from there to the sons of Ammon,
{11:30} votum vovit Domino, dicens: Si tradideris filios Ammon in manus meas,
{11:30} he made a vow to the Lord, saying, “If you will deliver the sons of Ammon into my hands,
{11:31} quicumque primus fuerit egressus de foribus domus meæ, mihique occurrerit revertenti cum pace a filiis Ammon, eum holocaustum offeram Domino.
{11:31} whoever will be the first to depart from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, the same will I offer as a holocaust to the Lord.”
{11:32} Transivitque Iephte ad filios Ammon, ut pugnaret contra eos: quos tradidit Dominus in manus eius.
{11:32} And Jephthah crossed to the sons of Ammon, so that he might fight against them. And the Lord delivered them into his hands.
{11:33} Percussitque ab Aroer usque dum venias in Mennith, viginti civitates, et usque ad Abel, quæ est vineis consita, plaga magna nimis. Humiliatique sunt filii Ammon a filiis Israel.
{11:33} And he struck them down from Aroer, as far as the entrance to Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel, which is covered with vineyards, in an exceedingly great slaughter. And the sons of Ammon were humbled by the sons of Israel.
{11:34} Revertente autem Iephte in Maspha domum suam, occurrit ei unigenita filia sua cum tympanis et choris. Non enim habebat alios liberos.
{11:34} But when Jephthah returned to Mizpah, to his own house, his only daughter met him with timbrels and dances. For he had no other children.
{11:35} Qua visa, scidit vestimenta sua, et ait: Heu me filia mea decepisti me, et ipsa decepta es: aperui enim os meum ad Dominum, et aliud facere non potero.
{11:35} And upon seeing her, he tore his garments, and he said: “Alas, my daughter! You have cheated me, and you yourself have been cheated. For I opened my mouth to the Lord, and I can do nothing else.”
{11:36} Cui illa respondit: Pater mi, si aperuisti os tuum ad Dominum, fac mihi quodcumque pollicitus es, concessa tibi ultione atque victoria de hostibus tuis.
{11:36} And she answered him, “My father, if you have opened your mouth to the Lord, do to me whatever you have promised, since victory has been granted to you, as well as vengeance against your enemies.”
{11:37} Dixitque ad patrem: Hoc solum mihi præsta quod deprecor: Dimitte me ut duobus mensibus circumeam montes, et plangam virginitatem meam cum sodalibus meis.
{11:37} And she said to her father: “Grant to me this one thing, which I request. Permit me, that I may wander the hillsides for two months, and that I may mourn my virginity with my companions.”
{11:38} Cui ille respondit: Vade. Et dimisit eam duobus mensibus. Cumque abiisset cum sociis ac sodalibus suis, flebat virginitatem suam in montibus.
{11:38} And he answered her, “Go.” And he released her for two months. And when she had departed with her friends and companions, she wept over her virginity in the hillsides.
{11:39} Expletisque duobus mensibus, reversa est ad patrem suum, et fecit ei sicut voverat, quæ ignorabat virum. Exinde mos increbruit in Israel, et consuetudo servata est:
{11:39} And when the two months expired, she returned to her father, and he did to her just as he had vowed, though she knew no man. From this, the custom grew up in Israel, and the practice has been preserved,
~ St. Thomas Aquinas quotes St. Gregory saying, “If you have promised ill, break your faith.” Although Jephthah promised to kill whoever met him on his return, he should not have promised. God did not give him the victory in exchange for that immoral promise, but despite the promise. This also highlights the danger of making a deal with God in prayer, where, if God’s Providence and grace grants you a favor, you promise to do something. God may want to do the favor, but He also might not want what you are promising.
{11:40} ut post anni circulum conveniant in unum filiæ Israel, et plangant filiam Iephte Galaaditæ diebus quattuor.
{11:40} such that, after each year passes, the daughters of Israel convene as one, and they lament the daughter of Jephthah, the Gileadite, for four days.
{12:1} Ecce autem in Ephraim orta est seditio. Nam transeuntes contra aquilonem, dixerunt ad Iephte: Quare vadens ad pugnam contra filios Ammon, vocare nos noluisti, ut pergeremus tecum? Igitur incendemus domum tuam.
{12:1} And behold, a sedition rose up in Ephraim. Then, while passing by toward the north, they said to Jephthah: “When you were going to fight against the sons of Ammon, why were you unwilling to summon us, so that we might go with you? Therefore, we will burn down your house.”
{12:2} Quibus ille respondit: Disceptatio erat mihi et populo meo contra filios Ammon vehemens: vocavique vos, ut præberetis mihi auxilium, et facere noluistis.
{12:2} And he answered them: “I and my people were in a great conflict against the sons of Ammon. And I called you, so that you might offer assistance to me. And you were not willing to do so.
{12:3} Quod cernens posui animam meam in manibus meis, transivique ad filios Ammon, et tradidit eos Dominus in manus meas. Quid commerui, ut adversum me consurgatis in prælium?
{12:3} And discerning this, I put my life in my own hands, and I crossed to the sons of Ammon, and the Lord delivered them into my hands. What am I guilty of, that you would rise up in battle against me?”
{12:4} Vocatis itaque ad se cunctis viris Galaad, pugnabat contra Ephraim: percusseruntque viri Galaad Ephraim, quia dixerat: Fugitivus est Galaad de Ephraim, et habitat in medio Ephraim et Manasse.
{12:4} And so, calling to himself all the men of Gilead, he fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck down Ephraim, because he had said, “Gilead is a fugitive from Ephraim, and he lives in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh.”
{12:5} Occupaveruntque Galaaditæ vada Iordanis, per quæ Ephraim reversurus erat. Cumque venisset ad ea de Ephraim numero, fugiens, atque dixisset: Obsecro ut me transire permittatis: dicebant ei Galaaditæ: Numquid Ephrathæus es? Quo dicente: Non sum:
{12:5} And the Gileadites occupied the fords of the Jordan, along which Ephraim was to return. And when anyone from the number of Ephraim had arrived, fleeing, and had said, “I beg that you permit me to pass,” the Gileadites would say to him, “Could you be an Ephraimite?” And if he said, “I am not,”
{12:6} interrogabant eum: Dic ergo Scibboleth, quod interpretatur Spica. Qui respondebat, Sibboleth: eadem littera spicam exprimere non valens. Statimque apprehensum iugulabant in ipso Iordanis transitu. Et ceciderunt in illo tempore de Ephraim quadraginta duo millia.
{12:6} they would ask him, then say ‘Shibboleth,’ which is translated as ‘ear of grain.’ But he would answer ‘Sibboleth,’ not being able to express the word for an ear of grain in the same letters. And immediately apprehending him, they would cut his throat, at the same crossing point of the Jordan. And in that time of Ephraim, forty-two thousand fell.
{12:7} Iudicavit itaque Iephte Galaadites Israel sex annis: et mortuus est, ac sepultus in civitate sua Galaad.
{12:7} And so Jephthah, the Gileadite, judged Israel for six years. And he died, and he was buried in his city in Gilead.
{12:8} Post hunc iudicavit Israel Abesan de Bethlehem:
{12:8} After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
{12:9} qui habuit triginta filios, et totidem filias, quas emittens foras, maritis dedit, et eiusdem numeri filiis suis accepit uxores, introducens in domum suam. Qui septem annis iudicavit Israel.
{12:9} He had thirty sons, and the same number of daughters, whom he sent away to be given to husbands. And he accepted wives for his sons of the same number, bringing them into his house. And he judged Israel for seven years.
{12:10} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Bethlehem.
{12:10} And he died, and he was buried in Bethlehem.
{12:11} Cui successit Ahialon Zabulonites: et iudicavit Israel decem annis:
{12:11} After him succeeded Elon, a Zebulunite. And he judged Israel for ten years.
{12:12} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Zabulon.
{12:12} And he died, and he was buried in Zebulun.
{12:13} Post hunc iudicavit Israel Abdon, filius Illel Pharathonites:
{12:13} After him, Abdon, the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
{12:14} qui habuit quadraginta filios, et triginta ex eis nepotes, ascendentes super septuaginta pullos asinarum, et iudicavit Israel octo annis:
{12:14} And he had forty sons, and from them thirty grandsons, all riding upon seventy young donkeys. And he judged Israel for eight years.
{12:15} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Pharathon terræ Ephraim, in monte Amalec.
{12:15} And he died, and he was buried at Pirathon, in the land of Ephraim, on the mountain of Amalek.
{13:1} Rursumque filii Israel fecerunt malum in conspectu Domini: qui tradidit eos in manus Philisthinorum quadraginta annis.
{13:1} And again, the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. And he delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
~ The eschatological meaning of this verse refers to the period of time from 2000 to 2040, which contains the first part of the tribulation.
{13:2} Erat autem quidam vir de Saraa, et de stirpe Dan, nomine Manue, habens uxorem sterilem.
{13:2} Now there was a certain man from Zorah, and of the stock of Dan, whose name was Manoah, having a barren wife.
{13:3} Cui apparuit Angelus Domini, et dixit ad eam: Sterilis es et absque liberis: sed concipies et paries filium:
{13:3} And an Angel of the Lord appeared to her, and he said: “You are barren and without children. But you shall conceive and bear a son.
{13:4} Cave ergo ne bibas vinum ac siceram, nec immundum quidquam comedas:
{13:4} Therefore, take care that you do not drink wine or strong drink. Neither shall you eat anything unclean.
{13:5} quia concipies, et paries filium, cuius non tanget caput novacula: erit enim Nazaræus Dei ab infantia sua, et ex matris utero, et ipse incipiet liberare Israel de manu Philisthinorum.
{13:5} For you shall conceive and bear a son, whose head no razor shall touch. For he shall be a Nazirite of God, from his infancy and from his mother’s womb. And he shall begin to free Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
{13:6} Quæ cum venisset ad maritum suum, dixit ei: Vir Dei venit ad me, habens vultum angelicum, terribilis nimis. Quem cum interrogassem, quis esset, et unde venisset, et quo nomine vocaretur, noluit mihi dicere:
{13:6} And when she had gone to her husband, she said to him: “A man of God came to me, having the countenance of an Angel, exceedingly terrible. And when I had inquired of him, who he was, and where he was from, and what name he was called, he was not willing to tell me.
~ The more grammatically correct ‘from where he was’ would be needlessly awkward here. Also, since this is dialogue, it should reflect the way that people express themselves, and not be overly formal.
{13:7} sed hoc respondit: Ecce concipies et paries filium: cave ne vinum bibas, nec siceram, et ne aliquo vescaris immundo: erit enim puer Nazaræus Dei ab infantia sua, ex utero matris suæ usque ad diem mortis suæ.
{13:7} But he responded: ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Take care that you do not drink wine or strong drink. And you shall not consume anything unclean. For the boy shall be a Nazirite of God from his infancy, from his mother’s womb, even until the day of his death.’ ”
{13:8} Oravit itaque Manue Dominum, et ait: Obsecro Domine, ut vir Dei, quem misisti, veniat iterum, et doceat nos quid debeamus facere de puero, qui nasciturus est.
{13:8} And so Manoah prayed to the Lord, and he said, “I beg you Lord, that the man of God, whom you sent, may come again, and may teach us what we ought to do about the boy who is to be born.”
{13:9} Exaudivitque Dominus deprecantem Manue, et apparuit rursum Angelus Dei uxori eius sedenti in agro. Manue autem maritus eius non erat cum ea. Quæ cum vidisset Angelum,
{13:9} And the Lord heeded the prayer of Manoah, and the Angel of the Lord appeared again to his wife, sitting in a field. But her husband Manoah was not with her. And when she had seen the Angel,
{13:10} festinavit, et cucurrit ad virum suum: nunciavitque ei, dicens: Ecce apparuit mihi vir, quem ante videram.
{13:10} she hurried and ran to her husband. And she reported to him, saying, “Behold, the man appeared to me, whom I had seen before.”
{13:11} Qui surrexit, et secutus est uxorem suam: veniensque ad virum, dixit ei: Tu es qui locutus es mulieri? Et ille respondit: Ego sum.
{13:11} And he rose up and followed his wife. And going to the man, he said to him, “Are you the one who spoke to my wife?” And he responded, “I am.”
{13:12} Cui Manue: Quando, inquit, sermo tuus fuerit expletus, quid vis ut faciat puer? Aut a quo se observare debebit?
{13:12} And Manoah said to him: “When will your word be fulfilled. What do you want the boy to do? Or from what should he keep himself?”
{13:13} Dixitque Angelus Domini ad Manue: Ab omnibus, quæ locutus sum uxori tuæ, abstineat se:
{13:13} And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah: “Concerning all the things about which I have spoken to your wife, she herself should abstain.
{13:14} et quidquid ex vinea nascitur, non comedat: vinum et siceram non bibat, nullo vescatur immundo: et quod ei præcepi, impleat atque custodiat.
{13:14} And let her eat nothing from the vine. She may not drink wine or strong drink. She may consume nothing unclean. And let her observe and keep what I have instructed to her.”
{13:15} Dixitque Manue ad Angelum Domini: Obsecro te ut acquiescas precibus meis, et faciamus tibi hœdum de capris.
{13:15} And Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “I beg you to agree to my petition, and to let us prepare a kid from the goats.”
{13:16} Cui respondit Angelus: Si me cogis, non comedam panes tuos: si autem vis holocaustum facere, offer illud Domino. Et nesciebat Manue quod Angelus Domini esset.
{13:16} And the Angel answered him: “Even if you compel me, I will not eat from your bread. But if you are willing to offer a holocaust, offer it to the Lord.” And Manoah did not know that he was an Angel of the Lord.
{13:17} Dixitque ad eum: Quod est tibi nomen, ut, si sermo tuus fuerit expletus, honoremus te?
{13:17} And he said to him, “What is your name, so that, if your word is fulfilled, we may honor you?”
{13:18} Cui ille respondit: Cur quæris nomen meum, quod est mirabile?
{13:18} And he answered him, “Why do you ask my name, which is a wonder?”
~ The true names of the Angels are unspeakable in human language. The Angels called Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael also have their own angelic names, given to them before human language ever existed. But these names are too wonderful to express in human language.
{13:19} Tulit itaque Manue hœdum de capris, et libamenta, et posuit super petram, offerens Domino, qui facit mirabilia: ipse autem et uxor eius intuebantur.
{13:19} And so, Manoah took a kid from the goats, and libations, and he placed them upon a rock, as an offering to the Lord, who accomplishes wonders. Then he and his wife watched.
{13:20} Cumque ascenderet flamma altaris in cælum, Angelus Domini pariter in flamma ascendit. Qu