Most Popular Bible Verses in Judges

Judges Rank:

1

So Jephthah fled from the face of his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob, - and there gathered about Jephthah unemployed men, who went forth with him.

2

And, Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth, she, was judging Israel, at that time:

3

Then said Judah, unto Simeon his brother - Come up with me into the territory allotted me, and let us make war on the Canaanites, then will, I also, go with thee, into thy territory. So Simeon went with him.

4

And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek, and fought with him, - and smote the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

5

then sent Yahweh a prophet unto the sons of Israel, - who said unto them - Thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel, I, led you up out of Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of servants;

6

Wherefore also I said, I will not drive them out from before you, - but they shall be your adversaries, and, their gods, shall become unto you a snare.

7

Then said the trees unto the fig-tree, - Come! thou reign over us.

8

And Judah went up, and Yahweh delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand, - and they smote them in Bezek, ten thousand men.

9

So then these were left , that, by them, he might put Israel to the proof, - to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of Yahweh which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

10

So he spake to the men of Penuel also, saying, - When I return with success, I will break down this tower.

11

In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were forsaken, - and, the frequenters of highways, betook them to roundabout paths:

12

But Adoni-bezek fled, and they pursued him, - and took him, and cut off his thumbs, and his great toes.

13

Then said Adoni-bezek - Seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, have been picking up crumbs under my table, as I have done, so, hath God requited me. And they brought him into Jerusalem, and he died there.

14

And Judah went against the Canaanites who were dwelling in Hebron, now, the name of Hebron, formerly, was Kiriath-arba, - and they smote Sheshai and Ahiman, and Talmai.

15

So then Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the sons of Ammon, saying, - What occasion is there between us, that thou shouldst have come unto me, to fight against my land?

16

So the people took provisions in their hand, and their horns, but, every man of Israel besides, sent he away every man to his home, whereas, the three hundred men, he retained. Now, the camp of Midian, was beneath him in the vale.

17

Then said Yahweh unto the sons of Israel, - Was it not, from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, and from the sons of Ammon, and from the Philistines, that I saved you ?

18

And the sons of Judah made war upon Jerusalem, and captured it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, - and, the city, they set on fire.

19

so he told her all his heart, and said to her - No, razor, hath come on my head, for, one separate unto God, have I been, from my birth, - if I were shaven, then would depart from me my strength, and I should become weak, and be as any other man.

20

And, afterwards, the sons of Judah went down to make war upon the Canaanites, - dwelling in the hill country, and in the south, and in the lowland.

21

And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kiriath-sepher, and captureth it, I will give unto him Achsah my daughter, to wife.

22

And he went from thence, against the inhabitants of Debir, - now, the name of Debir, formerly, was Kiriath-sepher.

23

Yea I rescued you out of the hand of Egypt, and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, - that I might drive them out from before you, and I gave unto you their land;

24

And she sent and called for Barak son of Abinoam, out of Kadesh-naphtali, - and said unto him - Hath not Yahweh God of Israel, commanded, - Come and draw towards Mount Tabor, and bring with thee - ten thousand men, of the sons of Naphtali, and of the sons of Zebulun;

25

And Manoah said unto the messenger of Yahweh, - I pray thee, let us detain thee, that we may make ready for thy presence, a kid.

26

Now, the sons of the Kenite, father-in-law of Moses, had come up from the city of palm-trees, with the sons of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the south of Arad, - so they went and dwelt with the people.

27

Then came forth the sons of Benjamin out of Gibeah, - and laid low of Israel, on that day, twenty-two thousand men, to the ground.

28

But, the Jebusites dwelling in Jerusalem, the sons of Benjamin did not drive out, - but the Jebusites have dwelt with the sons of Benjamin, in Jerusalem, unto this day.

29

Then Othniel, son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, captured it, - and he gave him Achsah his daughter, to wife.

30

The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, oppressed you, - and ye made outcry unto me, and I saved you out of their hand.

31

But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I leave my sweetness, and mine excellent increase, - and go to wave to and fro, over the trees?

32

And the old man said - Thou art welcome! only, all thy wants, be on me, - by no means, in the broadway, mayest thou lodge.

33

And she said unto him - Give me a present; for, south land, hast thou given me, give me therefore pools of water. So Caleb gave her Upper-pools, and Lower-pools.

34

And Judah captured Gaza with the boundaries thereof, and Ashkelon, with the boundaries thereof, - and Ekron, with the boundaries thereof.

35

And it came pass, when she came, that she moved him to ask of her father a field, and, when she alighted from off the ass, Caleb said unto her - What aileth thee?

36

Then went Judah, with Simeon his brother, and they smote the Canaanites dwelling in Zephath, - and devoted it to destruction, and the name of the city was called Hormah.

37

And thus, the sons of Israel, dwelt in the midst of the Canaanites, - the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites;

38

So the watchers saw a man, coming forth from the city, - and they said unto him - Shew us, we pray thee, the way to get into the city, and we will deal with thee, in lovingkindness.

39

And it came to pass, when the messenger of Yahweh had spoken these words unto all the sons of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

40

So they gave unto Caleb Hebron, as spake Moses, - and he drave out from thence the three sons of Anak.

41

And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel, - now, the name of the city, formerly, was, Luz.

42

And the people served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, - and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of Yahweh which he had wrought for Israel.

43

Now, Zebah and Zalmunna, were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand, all that were left out of all the host of the sons of the east, - and, the fallen, were a hundred and twenty thousand men, who had drawn the sword.

44

And he shewed them the way to get into the city, and they smote the city, with the edge of the sword, - but, the man and all his family, they let go.

45

Then went up the house of Joseph - they also, - unto Bethel, - and, Yahweh, was with them.

46

Yea and I said to you, - I, Yahweh, am your God, Ye must not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye are about to dwell, - But ye have not hearkened unto my voice.

47

And it came to pass, on the fourth day, that they said to Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may tell us the riddle, lest we burn thee and the house of thy father, with fire. Was it not, to impoverish us, that ye invited us - was it not?

48

There was a failure of rulers, in Israel, a failure, - until I arose, a Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel: -

49

And it came to pass, on that night, that Yahweh said unto him, Arise! go down against the camp, - for I have delivered it into thy hand.

50

Then said the trees unto the vine, - Come! thou, reign over us.

51

Now, when Joshua had let the people go, the sons of Israel went their way, every man to his inheritance, to take possession of the land.

52

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then will I go - but, if thou wilt not go with me, I will not go.

53

And, when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying - Come up this once, for he hath told me all his heart. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought up the silver in their hand.

54

And the man went into the land of the Hittites, - and built a city, and called the name thereof, Luz, that, is the name thereof, unto this day.

55

so the messenger of Yahweh appeared unto him, - and said unto him, Yahweh, is with thee, thou mighty man of valour!

56

when Israel, however, had waxed strong, they put the Canaanites under tribute, - though they, dispossessed, them not.

57

And the king of the sons of Ammon said unto the messengers of Jephthah - Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto the Jabbok, and unto the Jordan, - now, therefore, restore them in peace.

58

Go and make outcry unto the gods whom ye have chosen, - they, must save you, in the time of your tribulation.

59

And the messenger of Yahweh did no more appear unto Manoah or unto his wife. Then, Manoah knew that, the messenger of Yahweh, he was.

60

And Gideon said unto him - Pardon, my lord! if Yahweh be with us, then wherefore hath all this befallen us? and where are all his wonders, which our fathers have recounted to us - saying, Was it not, out of Egypt, that Yahweh brought us up? But, now, hath Yahweh abandoned us, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.

61

So they called the name of that place, Bochim, and offered sacrifice there, unto Yahweh.

62

and I will draw unto thee, unto the torrent of Kishon, Sisera, prince of the host of Jabin, with his chariots, and with his multitude, - and will deliver him into thy hand?

63

Or, if, thou, art afraid to go down, go down - thou and Purah thy young man, unto the camp;

64

All that generation also, were gathered unto their fathers, - and there arose another generation, after them, who had not known Yahweh, nor even the work which he had wrought for Israel.

65

And they put away the gods of the stranger out of their midst, and served Yahweh, - and his soul was impatient of the misery of Israel.

66

Thus did the sons of Israel the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, and forgat Yahweh their God, - and served the Baals and the Asherahs.

67

And Jephthah yet once more sent messengers unto the king of the sons of Ammon;

68

And there judged Israel, after him, Abdon son of Hillel, the Pirathonite.

69

And the wife of Samson wept upon him, and said - Thou dost, altogether hate me, and dost not love me, a riddle, hast thou put forth to the sons of my people, and, unto me, thou hast not told it! And he said to her, Lo! to my own father and mother, have I not told it, and, to thee, shall I tell it?

70

They chose gods that were new, Then, - war at the gates! Was there, a shield, to be seen? or a spear? among forty thousand in Israel?

71

Then said Manoah unto the messenger of Yahweh, What is thy name, - that, when thy word cometh to pass, we may do thee honour?

72

so shalt thou hear what they shall say, - and, afterward, shall thy hands grow strong, and thou shalt go down against the camp. Then went he down, he and Purah his young man, unto the outmost part of the armed men that were in the camp.

73

and took their daughters to be their wives, their own daughters moreover, gave they unto their sons, and they served their gods.

74

Now the sons of Ammon were called out, and they encamped in Gilead, - and the sons of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpah.

75

But Manasseh took not possession of Beth-shean and her towns, nor of Taanach and her towns, nor dispossessed the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam, and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo, and her towns, - but the Canaanites were determined to remain in this land;

76

So Manoah took the kid, and the meal-offering, and caused them to ascend upon the rock unto Yahweh, who was about to do, wondrously, while Manoah and his wife were looking on.

77

So then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died, - being a hundred and ten years old.

78

and caught a young man, of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him, - so he wrote down for him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, seventy-seven men.

79

Then said the people, the princes of Gilead, one to another, Who is the man that will begin to fight against the sons of Ammon? he shall become head to all the inhabitants of Gilead.

80

Asher, dispossessed not the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, - nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob;

81

So, Gideon, went in, and made ready a kid of the goats, and, of an ephah of meal, unleavened cakes, the flesh, he put in a basket, and, the broth, he put in a pot, - and brought them forth unto him, under the oak, and presented them.

82

yet, even unto their judges, did thy not hearken, for they went unchastely astray after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them, - they turned aside speedily out of the way wherein their fathers who hearkened unto the commandments of Yahweh, walked, they did not so.

83

And, though Yahweh raised up judges, - who saved them out of the hand of them that plundered them,

84

And, when Yahweh raised them up judges, then was Yahweh with the judges, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies, all the days of the judge, - for Yahweh was grieved at their outcry, because of them who oppressed them, and ill-treated them.

85

So Sisera called together all his chariots - nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, - from Harosheth of the nations, unto the torrent of Kishon.

86

And he said unto him - Pardon, O my Lord! How, shall I save Israel? Lo! my thousand, is the poorest in Manasseh, and, I, am the youngest in the house of my father.

87

And they said unto him - Hold thy peace, lay thy hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and become to us a father and a priest, - is it better that thou be priest to the house of one man, or that thou be priest to a tribe and to a family in Israel?

88

Then did Yahweh, God of Israel, deliver up Sihon, and all his people, into the hand of Israel, and they smote them, - so Israel took possession of all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that land.

89

And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, then he pursued them, and captured the two kings of Midian - Zebah and Zalmunna, and, all the host, put he in terror.

90

And the messenger of Yahweh said unto him, Wherefore is it, that thou shouldst ask after my name, - seeing that, it, is Wonderful?

91

Then came he in unto the men of Succoth, and said, Lo! Zebah and Zalmunna, - concerning whom ye did taunt me, saying - Are the palms of the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in thy power, that we should give to thy weary men bread?

92

And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, - have I piled them up in heaps! With the jawbone of an ass, have I smitten a thousand men!

93

And the bramble said unto the trees, If, in truth, ye are about to anoint me to be king over you, come, take refuge in my shade, - but, if not, there shall come forth fire out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

94

for, when they came up out of Egypt, and Israel journeyed through the desert as far as the Red Sea, and came in unto Kadesh,

95

And Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle, - from the ascent of Heres;

96

So he took the elders of the city, and the thorns of the wilderness and the nettles, and taught therewith the men of Succoth:

97

And she said - I will, go, with thee; only, it shall not be, thine own honour, that shall arise from the journey which thou art about to take, for, into the hand of a woman, will Yahweh sell Sisera. So Deborah arose, and went with Barak, towards Kadesh.

98

And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him: Turn aside, my lord, turn aside with me, do not fear. So he turned aside with her into the tent, and she threw over him a coverlet.

99

Then said he unto Zebah and unto Zalmunna, What manner of men were they, whom ye slew at Tabor? And they said, As thou art, so were they, each one, as handsome as the sons of a king.

100

Now, Barak, pursued the chariots, and the host, as far as Harosheth of the nations, - and all the host of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword, there was not left so much as one.

101

Zebulun, dispossessed not the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol, - but the Canaanites remained in their midst, and came under tribute.

102

Now, therefore, if, in truth and sincerity, ye have acted, in making Abimelech king, - and if ye have dealt, well, with Jerubbaal and with his house, and if, according to the deserving of his hands, ye have done unto him;

103

And the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves, - and again set themselves in array for battle in the place where they had set themselves in array on the first day.

104

Yet have, ye, forsaken me, and served other gods, - therefore will I not again save you.

105

And so it was, he had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy ass colts, - and he judged Israel eight years.

106

My heart saith - for the governors of Israel, for the volunteers among the people, Bless ye Yahweh!

107

Thus God subdued, on that day, Jabin king of Canaan, - before the sons of Israel.

108

And, Ephraim, dispossessed not the Canaanites who were dwelling in Gezer, - so the Canaanites remained in their midst, in Gezer.

109

Then kindled the anger of Yahweh upon Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, - and the sons of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim, eight years.

110

but, if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the owners of Shechem, and the house of Millo, - and let fire come out from the owners of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech!

111

in that my father fought for you, and cast his soul away from before him, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian; -

112

Then responded his neighbour and said: - Nothing else, is this, than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, a man of Israel, - God hath delivered into his hand, both Midian and all the host.

113

if then, in truth and in sincerity, ye have dealt with Jerubbaal and with his house, this day, rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let, him also, rejoice in you;

114

And the Philistines seized him, and put out his eyes, - and took him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of bronze, and it came to pass that he used to grind in the prison.

115

And the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh, so Yahweh raised up a saviour unto the sons of Israel, who saved them, - even Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

116

And it came to pass, when the flame ascended from off the altar, towards the heavens, that the messenger of Yahweh ascended in the flame of the altar, - while Manoah and his wife were looking on. Then fell they on their faces, to the earth.

117

And the Spirit of Yahweh came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war, and Yahweh delivered into his hand, Chushan-rishathaim, king of Syria, - and his hand prevailed over Chushan-rishathaim.

118

Now, Jephthah the Gileadite, was a mighty man of valour, but, he, was the son of an unchaste woman, - yet Gilead was the father of Jephthah.

119

And the sons of Israel again did the thing that was wicked, in the sight of Yahweh, - and Yahweh emboldened Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel, because they did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh;

120

So Gideon went up by the way of the tent-dwellers, on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host, when, the host, had become secure.

121

But Sihon trusted not Israel, to pass through his boundary, so Sihon gathered together all his people, and encamped in Jahaz, - and fought against Israel.

122

and said a unto him, Thus, saith Jephthah, - Israel took not away the land of Moab, or the land of the sons of Ammon;

123

What Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess, that, wilt thou not possess? and, whatsoever Yahweh our God hath set before us to possess, that, shall we not possess?

124

Now, the lords of the Philistines, had gathered themselves together to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice, - and they said, Our god hath delivered into our hand, Samson our enemy.

125

then did Israel send messengers unto the king of Edom, saying - Let me pass, I pray thee, through thy land, but the king of Edom hearkened not, unto the king of Moab also, sent they, but he would not consent, - so Israel abode in Kadesh.

126

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto Yahweh, and said, - If thou wilt, deliver, the sons of Ammon into my hand,

127

Then journeyed they through the desert, and went round the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and so came, from the rising of the sun, to the land of Moab, but encamped beyond Arnon, - and entered not within the boundary of Moab, for, Arnon, is the boundary of Moab.

128

But the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, that rejoiceth gods and men, - and go to wave to and fro, over the trees?

129

So the owners of Shechem set for him liers in wait, upon the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who crossed over them by the road, - and it was told Abimelech.

130

Whithersoever they went out, the hand of Yahweh was found to be against them for misfortune, as spake Yahweh, and as sware Yahweh unto them, - and they were distressed exceedingly.

131

Now, Heber the Kenite, had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the sons of Hobab, father-in-law of Moses, - and moved his tent as far as the oak of Zaanaim, which is near Kadesh.

132

In the place of the noise of bowmen among the wells, there, laud ye - the righteous acts of Yahweh, the righteous acts of his rule over Israel. Then, had come down to the gates the people of Yahweh.

133

So she wept upon him the seven days, - while their banquet lasted, - and it came to pass, on the seventh day, that he told her, because she urged him, and she told the riddle unto the sons of her people.

134

And they buried him within the bounds of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, - on the north of Mount Gaash.

135

Ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit on carpets, and ye that walk upon the road, speak!

136

Then did Israel send messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, king of Heshbon, - and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land as far as my own place.

137

And Jotham hasted away, and fled, and went to Beer, - and dwelt there, away from the face of Abimelech his brother.

139

Now, the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east, were lying along in the vale, like locusts for multitude, - their camels also, were without number, as the sand that is by the sea side, for multitude.

140

And the sons of Israel said unto Yahweh - We have sinned, do, thou, with us, according to all that is fitting in thine eyes, - only rescue us, we beseech thee this day.

141

Lo, my virgin daughter, and his concubine, I must needs now bring, them, forth, and ye must humble, them, and do, unto them, what seemeth good in your own eyes, - but, unto this man, must ye not do this impious thing!

142

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall, die, - for, upon God, have we looked.

143

But, when the judge was dead, they again broke faith more than their fathers, by going their way after other gods, by serving them, and bowing themselves down to them, - they ceased not from their doings nor from their stubborn way.

144

And Barak called together Zebulun and Naphtali, towards Kadesh, and there went up at his feet - ten thousand men, - and Deborah, went up with him.

145

Yea, they forsook Yahweh, - and did service unto the Baal and unto Ashtaroth.

146

When I shall blow with the horn, I and all who are with me, then shall, ye also, round about all the camp, blow with your horns, and shall say, For Yahweh and for Gideon!

147

And the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh, and Yahweh raised up unto them a saviour, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed, - and the sons of Israel sent, by his hand, a present, unto Eglon king of Moab.

148

And Abdon son of Hillel, the Pirathonite died, - and was buried in Pirathon, in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

149

So Gideon came, and the hundred men that were with him, unto the outermost part of the camp, at the beginning of the middle watch, they had but, newly set, the watchers, - and they blew with the horns, and brake in pieces the pitchers, that were in their hand.

150

Then went up all the sons of Israel, and all the people, and came to Bethel, and wept, and tarried there before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, until the evening, - and caused to go up ascending-sacrifices and peace-offerings, before Yahweh.

151

and forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, and went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were round about them, and bowed themselves down unto them, - and angered Yahweh.

152

So Gideon built there an altar unto Yahweh, and called it, Yahweh-shalom. Unto this day, it remaineth, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

153

I also, will no further dispossess a man from before them, - from among the nations which Joshua left remaining, when he died;

154

But his wife said unto him, If Yahweh had been pleased to put us to death, he would not have received at our hand, an ascending-sacrifice and a meal-offering, nor would he have shewed us all these things, - and, at such a time, have let us hear the like of this!

155

And the sons of Israel again did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the sons of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, - and forsook Yahweh, and served him not.

156

And, messengers, did Gideon send through all the hill country of Ephraim, saying - Go down to meet Midian, and capture, before them, the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and captured the waters, as far as Beth-barah, and the Jordan.

157

And the man, the owner of the house, went forth unto them, and said unto them, Do not, my brethren, do not act vilely, I pray you, - after this man hath entered into my house, do not commit this impiety.

158

And the hair of his head began to grow, after he had been shaven.

159

And the men of the city said to him, on the seventh day - ere yet the sun went in, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them: If ye had not ploughed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle!

160

Now, these, are the nations which Yahweh left, that he might, by them, put Israel to the proof, - all who had not known any of the wars of Canaan;

161

Awake! awake! Deborah, Awake! awake! utter words of song, - Arise! Barak, and bind fast thy captives, O son of Abinoam!

162

And the spirit of Yahweh began to urge him to and fro, in the camp of Dan, - between Zorah and Eshtaol.

163

Yea they took possession of all the territory of the Amorites, - from Arnon, even as far as the Jabbok, and from the desert, even as far as the Jordan.

164

So Ehud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length, - and girded it under his raiment, upon his right thigh.

165

And there arose, after Abimelech, to save Israel - Tola son of Puah son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, - and, he, used to sit in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim;

166

Then kindled the anger of Yahweh upon Israel, and he delivered them into the hand of spoilers, who plundered them, - and he sold them into the hand of their enemies round about, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

167

And Yahweh said unto him - I will be with thee, - so shalt thou smite the Midianites, as one man.

168

And Gideon came in, and lo! a man relating to his neighbour a dream, - and he said - Lo! a dream, have I dreamt, and lo! a round cake of barley bread tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came as far as the tent - and smote it that it fell, and turned it upside down, and the tent lay along.

169

And Samson said - Let my soul die with the Philistines! And he bowed mightily, and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead, whom he slew at his death, were more than they whom he slew in his life.

170

And the land had rest forty years, - and Othniel son of Kenaz, died.

171

all the time that Israel hath been dwelling in Heshbon and in her towns, and in Aroer and in her towns, and in all the cities that are on the banks of Arnon, - for three hundred years? Wherefore, then, have ye not made a rescue within that time?

172

But the king of the sons of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah, which he sent unto him.

173

Then God let go a spirit of mischief between Abimelech and the owners of Shechem, - and the owners of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

174

And, when the people saw him, they praised their god, - for they said - Our god hath delivered into our hand our enemy, even him who laid waste our land, and who multiplied our slain.

175

So the woman hare a son, and called his name Samson, - and the boy grew, and Yahweh blessed him.

176

And it came to pass, when their heart was merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make sport for us. So they called for Samson out of the prison, and he made sport before them, and they stationed him between the pillars.

177

Out of Ephraim, came down they whose root was in Amalek, After thee, Benjamin, among thy tribes, - Out of Machir, had come down governors, And, out of Zebulun, such as bear aloft the staff of the marshal;

178

And the men of Ephraim were called together, and passed over northward, - and said unto Jephthah - Wherefore didst thou pass over to do battle with the sons of Ammon, and, for us, didst not call, to go with thee? Thy house, will we consume over thee with fire.

179

I, therefore, have not sinned against thee; but, thou, art doing me a wrong, in fighting against me, - Let Yahweh, the Judge, give judgment today, between the sons of Israel, and the sons of Ammon!

180

Then said all the trees, unto the bramble, - Come, thou, to reign over us.

181

So the sons of Israel served Eglon king of Moab, eighteen years.

182

and he gathered unto him, the sons of Ammon, and Amalek, - and came and smote Israel, and took possession of the city of palm-trees.

183

Now, therefore, it was, Yahweh God of Israel, that dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, - and shalt, thou, possess it?

184

And, after him, was Shamgar, son of Anath, who smote of the Philistines, six hundred men, with an ox-goad, - and, he also, saved Israel.

185

Then took Jael, wife of Heber, the tent-pin, and put the mallet in her hand, and went in unto him, softly, and smote the tent-pin into his temples, and it pierced through into the ground, - he being fast asleep and shrouded in darkness, and he died.

186

Now, Sisera, had fled on foot, unto the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin, king of Hazer, and the house of Heber the Kenite.

187

Now he had thirty sons, that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had, thirty cities, - they are called Havvoth-jair, until this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

188

Do not, I beseech thee, withdraw from hence, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said: I, will tarry until thou return.

189

And they stood still, every man in his place, round about the camp, - and all the host ran and shouted, and fled.

190

Then sang Deborah, and Barak, son of Abinoam, - on that day, saying: -

191

And, my princes in Issachar, were with Deborah, yea, Issachar, was the support of Barak, Into the vale rushed they forth at his feet. Among the divisions of Reuben, great were the resolves of the heart:

192

Then said Deborah unto Barak - Up! for, this, is the day on which Yahweh hath delivered Sisera into thy hand, hath not, Yahweh, gone forth before thee? So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men after him.

193

And they told Sisera that Barak, son of Abinoam, had gone up to Mount Tabor.

194

they said to him, Come now, say Shibboleth, and, if he said Sibboleth, and he could not take heed to speak in that manner, then laid they hold on him, and slew him at the fords of the Jordan, - and there fell, at that time, of the Ephraimites, forty-two thousand.

195

And it came to pass, on that night, that Yahweh said unto him - Take the young bullock that belongeth to thy father, even the second bullock of seven years, - and throw thou down the altar of Baal, that belongeth to thy father, and, the sacred stem that is by it, shalt thou cut down.

196

And she made him sleep upon her knees, and called for a man, and caused him to shave off the seven braids of his head, - and she began to humble him, and his strength departed from him.

197

And so it was, that every one who beheld said - There hath not happened, nor been seen the like of this, from the day when the sons of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt, until this day: Put it to yourselves contemning it, take counsel and speak!

198

Then, came down a remnant to the nobles - a people, - Yahweh, came down with me against the mighty.

199

but, he himself, turned back from the images that were by Gilgal, and said, A secret word, have I, unto thee, O king! And he said - Silence! Thereupon went out from his presence all who had been standing near him.

200

And it was so, when Gideon heard the story of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he bowed himself down, - and returned unto the camp of Israel, and said - Arise! for Yahweh hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

201

Then came down his brethren, and all the house of his father, and lifted him, and carried him up, and buried him, between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the buryingplace of Manoah his father, - he, having judged Israel twenty years.

202

And the Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan, against the Ephraimites, - and so it was, that, when the fugitives of Ephraim said, Let me pass over, the men of Gilead said to him, An Ephraimite, art thou? and, if he said - Nay!

203

And so it used to be, if Israel had sown, then came up Midian and Amalek and the sons of the east, yea came up against them,

204

And he divided the three hundred men, into three companies, - and put horns into the hands of them all, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers.

205

And the wife of Gilead bare him sons, - and, when the wife's sons grew up, they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him - Thou shalt not inherit with the house of our father, for, son of an alien woman, art thou.

206

So Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, - now, the prince of his host, was Sisera, and, he, dwelt in Harosheth of the nations.

207

So he offered the present unto Eglon, king of Moab, - now, Eglon, was an exceedingly fat man.

208

And there arose, after him, Jair the Gileadite, - and judged Israel twenty-two years.

209

Then the messenger of Yahweh put forth the end of the staff, that was in his hand, and touched the flesh, and the cakes, - and there came up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh, and the cakes, and, the messenger of Yahweh, had departed out of his sight.

210

So, perish all thine enemies, O Yahweh, But be, they who love him, as the going forth of the sun, in his might! And the land had rest forty years.

211

Then saw Gideon that, the messenger of Yahweh, it was, - so Gideon said - Alas, My Lord Yahweh! forasmuch as I have seen the messenger of Yahweh, face to face!

212

But Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, Have not, ye, hated me, and thrust me out from the house of my father? Wherefore then, are ye come unto me, now, when ye are in distress?

213

And, Ehud, came in unto him, he, having been sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself, alone, and Ehud said, A divine word, have I, unto thee. So he arose from off his seat.

214

And Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim, - and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said - Fugitives of Ephraim, are, ye, O ye Gileadites, in the midst of Ephraim, in the midst of Manasseh.

215

So then her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went forth, to go on his journey, - when lo! the woman, his concubine, fallen at the entrance of the house, with her hands upon the threshold.

216

And he said unto him, If, I beseech thee, I have found favour in thine eyes, then wilt thou work for me a sign, that it is, thou, who art speaking with me.

217

So the sons of Israel went up against the sons of Benjamin, on the third day, - and set themselves in array against Gibeah, as time after time.

218

And they said to Jephthah, Oh! come and be our commander, - that we may do battle with the sons of Ammon.

219

And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah - Yahweh himself, will be hearkening between us, if, according to thy word, so, we do not.

220

Then was the heart of the priest glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, - and came into the midst of the people.

221

O Yahweh! When thou didst come forth out of Seir, When thou didst march along out of the field of Edom, Earth, trembled, Heaven also, poured forth, - Yea, dark clouds, poured forth waters;

222

For the leadership of leaders in Israel, For the volunteering of the people, - Bless ye Yahweh!

223

But, ye, must not solemnise a covenant with the inhabitants of this land, Their altars, must ye tear down, - But ye have not hearkened unto my voice, what is this ye have done?

224

And Yahweh said unto him - Peace be unto thee! Do not fear, - thou shalt not die.

225

and Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, was standing before it in those days, saying: Shall I yet again go forth to battle, against the sons of Benjamin, my brother, or shall I forbear? And Yahweh said - Go up, for, to-morrow, will I deliver him into thy hand.

226

And there judged Israel, after him, Ibzan of Bethlehem.

227

And, the boundary of the Amorites, was from the ascent of Akrabbim, from Sela and upwards.

228

And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from off his right thigh, - and thrust it into his body;

229

Then went Jephthah with the elders of Gilead, and the people set him over them, as head and commander, - and Jephthah spake all his words before Yahweh, in Mizpah.

230

And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead - If ye do bring me back to do battle with the sons of Ammon, and Yahweh deliver them up before me, shall, I myself, become your head?

231

the tower of Penuel also, brake he down, - and slew the men of the city.

232

Gilead, beyond the Jordan, took his rest, but, Dan, wherefore remained he with the ships? Asher, abode by the shore of the seas, and, by his creeks, must needs rest.

233

Curse ye Meroz, saith the messenger of Yahweh, Curse ye with a curse, the inhabitants thereof, - because they came not in to the help of Yahweh, to the help of Yahweh, against the mighty.

234

Now, therefore, art thou, really better, than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Hath there been any, striving at all, with Israel, or any, fighting at all, with them,

235

and he judged Israel, twenty-three years, - and died, and was buried in Shamir.

236

Then said the men of Israel, unto Gideon, Rule over us - even thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, - for thou hast saved us out of the power of Midian.

237

And so it came to pass, after a time, - that the sons of Ammon made war with Israel.

238

And Elon the Zebulunite died, and was buried in Aijalon, in the land of Zebulun.

239

And Yahweh put to flight Sisera and all the chariots and all the host, with the edge of the sword, before Barak, - so Sisera alighted from his chariot, and fled on foot.

240

And it shall be, when their fathers, or their brethren, come in to complain to us, that we will say unto them - As a favour to us, grant them, because we took not for each man his wife in the battle, - for, ye yourselves, gave them not unto them, so as, now, to be guilty.

241

she used to sit, therefore, under the palm-tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel, in the hill country of Ephraim, - and the sons of Israel came up to her, for justice.

242

And he said unto her - Up! and let us be going. But there was no answer. So he took her up on the ass, and the man rose up, and went his way to his own place.

243

And the men of Ephraim said unto him - What is this thing thou hast done to us, in not calling us, when thou wentest to fight with Midian? And they did chide with him, sharply.

244

When, therefore, it came to pass that the sons of Ammon made war with Israel, then went the elders of Gilead, to summon Jephthah out of the land of Tob.

245

And, when Ehud came out into the porch, he closed the doors of the parlour upon him, and bolted them.

246

Blessed above women, shall be Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, - Above women in the tent, be blessed:

247

And, after him, did Elon the Zebulunite judge Israel, - and he judged Israel, ten years.

248

and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel, - because of Midian, did the sons of Israel prepare for themselves the hollows which were in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

249

And, when Jephthah had judged Israel six years, then Jephthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.

250

And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah - Therefore, have we, now, returned unto thee, that, if thou go with us, and do battle with the sons of Ammon, then shalt thou become our head, for all the inhabitants of Gilead.

251

And Yahweh said - Judah, shall go, - lo! I have delivered the land into his power.

252

And he said unto her, Stand at the entrance of the tent, - and it shall be, if any man come and ask thee and say - Is there here a man? that thou shalt say, There is not.

253

And the messenger of God said unto him - Take the flesh and the cakes, and set them on this crag, and, the broth, do thou pour out. And he did so.

254

Wherefore abodes thou among the folds? To hear the mocking of the flocks? The divisions of Reuben, had great counsellings of heart.

255

five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Zidonians, and the Hivites dwelling in Mount Lebanon, - from Mount Baal-hermon as far as the entering in of Hamath.

256

that I may, by them, put Israel to the proof, - whether they are going to be observant of the way of Yahweh, to walk therein as their fathers observed it, or not.

257

And the hand of the sons of Israel went on, waxing more and more heavy upon Jabin king of Canaan, - until they had cut off Jabin king of Canaan.

258

that the generations of the sons of Israel might certainly get to know, by being taught to make war, - such, at least, as aforetime knew nothing thereof: -

259

And Jephthah said unto them, Great strife, had, I and my people, even with the sons of Ammon; but, when I cried unto you for help, ye saved me not out of their hand.

260

And she said - The Philistines, are upon thee, Samson! And he awoke out of his sleep, and said - I will go out now, as time after time, and shake myself free: he, not knowing, that, Yahweh, had departed from him.

261

Thus Yahweh smote Benjamin before Israel, and the sons of Israel destroyed in Benjamin, that day, twenty-five thousand and one hundred men, - all these, drew the sword.

262

So the anger of Yahweh kindled upon Israel, - and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the sons of Ammon;

263

Yea the three companies blew with the horns, and shivered the pitchers, and caught hold - with their left hands - of the torches, while, in their right hands, were the horns, to blow with, - and they cried, A sword for Yahweh, and for Gideon!

264

So then the anger of Yahweh kindled upon Israel, and he said - Forasmuch as this nation have transgressed my covenant, which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice,

265

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, - and called the name of that place, Ramath-lehi.

266

And so it was, when he came, that he blew with a horn, throughout the hill country of Ephraim, - and the sons of Israel came down with him, out of the hill country, he, being before them.

267

And so it was, when he had made an end of offering the present, that he sent away the people who had been bearing the present;

268

And the sons of Ammon crossed the Jordan, to fight, even against Judah and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, - so that Israel was sore distressed.

269

they hemmed in the Benjamites, they pursued them, with ease, trode they them down, - as far as over against Gibeah, towards sunrise.

270

And, the liers in wait, hasted, and rushed upon Gibeah, - and the liers in wait marched forward, and smote all the city with the edge of the sword.

271

But the messenger of Yahweh said unto Manoah - Though thou detain me, yet will I not eat of thy food, and, though thou make ready an ascending-sacrifice, unto Yahweh, must thou cause it to ascend. For Manoah had not discerned that, the angel of Yahweh, he was.

272

From heaven, was the battle fought, - The stars in their courses, fought against Sisera.

273

So the brethren of his mother spake for him, in the ears of all the owners of Shechem, all these words, - and their heart inclined after Abimelech, for they said - Our own brother, is he.

274

On came kings, they fought, Then, fought the kings of Canaan, In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, - Plunder of silver, they took not away!

275

Thus was Israel greatly impoverished, because of Midian, - and the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh.

276

and, the handle also, went in after the blade, and the flesh closed upon the blade, for he withdrew not the sword out of his body, - and he came out into the ante-chamber.

277

And the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh, - for he had, nine hundred chariots of iron, and, he, oppressed the sons of Israel heavily, twenty years.

278

And he entered the house of his father, at Ophrah, and slew his brethren, sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone, - but there remained Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, for he had hidden himself.

279

So, when I saw that thou wast not going to save, then put I my life in my hand, and passed over against the sons of Ammon, and Yahweh delivered them into my hand. Wherefore, then, have ye come up against me this day, to fight against me?

280

Zebulun - a people that scorned their souls unto death; and, Naphtali, - upon the heights of the field.

281

And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.

282

And Moab was subdued on that day, under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years, and Ehud judged them until his death.

283

But, Ehud, escaped while they delayed, - yea, he, passed the images, and escaped into Seirah.

284

And Yahweh said unto Gideon, Too many, are the people that are with thee, for me to deliver the Midianites into their hand, - lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand, hath saved me.

285

And he said unto them - Come down after me, for Yahweh hath delivered your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand. So they came down after him, and captured the fords of the Jordan, towards Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

286

and, though the Amorites were determined to remain in the hill country of Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, yet was the hand of the house of Joseph heavy, so that they came under tribute.

287

And Gideon said unto them - I would make to you a request, Give me, then, every man the nose-ring of his spoil. For they had, nose-rings of gold, for, Ishmaelites, they were.

288

So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were smitten, - and that the men of Israel had given place to Benjamin, because they trusted to the liers in wait, whom they had set near Gibeah.

289

Water, he asked, Milk, she gave, - In a bowl for nobles, presented cream:

290

The torrent of Kishon, swept them away, the torrent of olden times, the torrent of Kishon! Let my soul march along, with victorious strength!

291

Thus was Midian subdued, before the sons of Israel, neither did they again lift up their head, - and the land had rest forty years, in the days of Gideon.

292

And he said unto her - Let me drink, I pray thee, a little water, for I am thirsty. So she opened the bottle of milk, and gave him to drink, and spread over him the coverlet.

293

And he said: My brethren, sons of my mother, they were! As Yahweh liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not have slain you.

294

Then did the sons of Israel make outcry unto Yahweh, saying, - We have sinned against thee, because we have forsaken our God, and have served the Baals.

295

And Gideon made thereof an Ephod, and set it up in his own city, in Ophrah, and all Israel went unchastely astray after it there, - so it became, to Gideon and to his house, a snare.

296

Then went Abimelech son of Jerubbaal, to Shechem, unto the brethren of his mother, - and spake unto them, and unto all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying;

297

And Gideon said unto them, I, will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you, - Yahweh, shall rule over you.

298

yet have, ye, risen up against the house of my father, to-day, and slain his sons - seventy men, upon one stone, - and made Abimelech, son of his maidservant, king over the owners of Shechem, because he is, your brother;

299

and they enfeebled and oppressed the sons of Israel in that year, - eighteen years, did they this unto all the sons of Israel who were beyond the Jordan, in the land of the Amorites, that was in Gilead.

300

And so it was, he had thirty sons, and, thirty daughters, sent he abroad, while, thirty daughters, brought he from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.

301

Thus then Yahweh left these nations, not dispossessing them speedily, - neither had he delivered them into the hand of Joshua

302

for, they with their cattle, used to come up, with their tents - yea they used to come like locusts, for multitude, both they and their cattle, were without number, - so they came into the land, to lay it waste.

303

Hear, ye kings! Give ear, ye princes! I, unto Yahweh, - I, will sing, Will make melody to Yahweh, God of Israel.

304

When, he, had come out, his servants, went in, and looked, and lo! the doors of the parlour were bolted, - so they said, Surely he covereth his feet, in the summer chamber.

305

And lo! Barak - in pursuit of Sisera! So Jael went forth to meet him, and said unto him, Come and let me shew thee - the man whom thou art seeking. And he came in with her, and lo! Sisera - lying dead, with the tent-pin in his temples.

306

So he said to Jether his firstborn, Up! slay them. But the youth drew not his sword, for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

307

When the three hundred blew the horns, Yahweh set the sword of every man, against his neighbour, and against all the host, - and the host fled, as far as the Place of Acacias, towards Zererath, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.

308

Then said Yahweh unto Gideon - By the three hundred men that lapped, will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thy hand; and let, all the rest of the people, go every man to his own place.

309

Is it not They keep finding - dividing spoil, One damsel, two damsels, to every several hero, Spoil, of divers coloured raiment for Sisera, Spoil, of divers coloured raiment, embroidered, Coloured raiment richly embroidered, on the necks of them who are taken as spoil?

310

Then said Zebah and Zalmunna - Up! thou, and fall upon us, for, like the man, is his might. So Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on the necks of their camels.

311

But, though they tarried a long time, yet lo! he opened not the doors of the parlour, - so they took the key, and opened them , when lo! their lord, fallen to the ground dead.

312

And Ibzan died, and was buried in Bethlehem.

313

And, Gideon, had seventy sons, sprung from his own loins, - for, many wives, had he.

314

And they smote of Moab, at that time, about ten thousand men, every one a mighty man, and every one a man of valour, - and, there escaped not a man.

315

Then he said unto them, On me, shall ye look, and, in like manner, shall ye do, - and lo! when I am coming unto the outermost part of the camp, then shall it be, that, as I do, so, shall ye do.

316

So Gideon took ten men from among his servants, and did as Yahweh had spoken unto him, - and so it was that, as he too much feared the house of his father, and the men of the city, to do it by day, he did it by night.

317

Then shalt thou build an altar, unto Yahweh thy God, on the top of this fort, with the pile, - and shalt take the second bullock, and cause it to go up as an ascending-sacrifice, with the wood of the sacred stem which thou shalt cut down.

318

And he said unto them, What have I done, now, in comparison with you? Is not the grape-gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

320

And Gideon came towards the Jordan, being about to pass over - he, and the three hundred men who were with him, faint yet pursuing.

321

From, mountains, came down streams In presence of Yahweh, - From this Sinai, In presence of Yahweh, God of Israel.

322

So he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread to the people that are following me; for, faint, they are, and, I, am in pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.

323

Through the window, looked out and shrilly cried, The mother of Sisera, through the lattice, - Why is his chariot ashamed to come? Why delay the wheels of his chariot?

324

And they captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew Oreb at Oreb's Rock, and, Zeeb, they slew at Zeeb's Winepress, and pursued Midian, - and, the heads of Oreb and Zeeb, brought they in unto Gideon at the ford of the Jordan.

325

So he brought him into his house, and gave provender to the asses, - and they bathed their feet, and did eat and drink.

326

So the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring forth thy son, that he may die, - because he hath overthrown the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the sacred stem that was by it.

327

And so it was, that the weight of the nose-rings of gold which he requested, was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, - besides the crescents, and the pendants, and the raiment of purple that were upon the kings of Midian, and besides the ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.

328

Then came the messenger of Yahweh, and sat down under the oak which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite; and, Gideon his son, was beating out wheat in the winepress, to escape the notice of the Midianites;

329

And, when it was told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried aloud, - and said unto them - Hearken unto me, ye owners of Shechem, and may God, hearken unto you.

330

Into your hand, hath God delivered the princes of Midian - Oreb and Zeeb, what then had I been able to do in comparison with you? Then, was their spirit softened toward him, when he had spoken this word.

331

Then said Yahweh unto Gideon - Yet, are the people too many, take them down unto the waters, that I may prove them for thee, there, - and it shall be, that, he of whom I say unto thee, This one, shall go with thee, the same, shall go with thee, and, every one of whom I say unto thee, This one, shall not go with thee, the same, shall not go.

332

Now, therefore, proclaim, I pray thee, in the ears of the people, saying, Whoso feareth and trembleth - let him turn and go hack from Mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty-two thousand, and, ten thousand, remained.

333

The trees, went their way, to anoint over them, a king, - and they said unto the olive tree - Reign thou over us.

334

So he went up from thence, to Penuel, and spake unto them in like manner, - and the men of Penuel answered him, as had answered the men of Succoth.

335

and encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the land, until thou comest unto Gaza, - neither left they sustenance in Israel, nor sheep nor ox, nor ass;

336

And the sons of Benjamin did so, and carried off wives, according to their number, of them who were dancing, whom they seized, - and they went their way, and returned unto their inheritance, and built the cities, and dwelt therein.

337

Between her feet, he bowed - he fell, he lay, - Between her feet, he bowed - he fell, Where he bowed, There, he fell - destroyed!

338

So he took down the people unto the waters, - and Yahweh said unto Gideon - Every one that lappeth with his tongue of the water, as a dog lappeth, thou shalt set him by himself, likewise, every one that boweth down upon his knees, to drink.

339

And the men of the city rose up early in the morning, and lo! the altar of Baal, had been overthrown, and, the sacred stem that was by it, had been cut down, and the second bullock had been caused to ascend upon the altar that had been built.

340

Then, stamped hoofs of horses, With the gallopings, gallopings of his mighty steeds.

341

And, his concubine who was in Shechem, she also, bare him a son, - and he gave him the name of Abimelech.

342

So they said, one to another, Who hath done this thing? And they inquired, and made search, and it was said, Gideon son of Joash, hath done this thing.

343

So then Jerubbaal, son of Joash, went and dwelt in his own house.

344

And the men of Israel were called together, out of Naphtali and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, - and pursued Midian.

345

Her hand, to the tent-pin, put she forth, and, her right hand, to the toilers' mallet, - Then smote she Sisera, She shattered his head, Yea she split open and pierced through his temples:

346

Then went Samson unto Gaza, - and saw there an unchaste woman, and went in unto her.

347

And Gideon said, Therefore, when Yahweh hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my power, then will I tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness, and with the nettles.

348

The wise ladies, her princesses, responded, - Nay! she, returned answer to, herself: -

349

And the Amorites forced the sons of Dan into the hill country, - for they suffered them not to come down into the vale;

350

but the Asherites dwelt in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, - for they dispossessed them not.

351

And they said, We will, freely give. So they spread out a mantle, and cast therein, every man the nose-ring of his spoil.

352

And the princes of Succoth said, Are the palms of the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in thy power, - that we should give to thine army bread?

353

Then were gathered together all the owners of Shechem, and all the house of Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, - by the oak of the pillar, that was in Shechem.

354

And Samson went down to Timnath, - and saw a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines.

355

And he was sore athirst, so he cried unto Yahweh, and said, Thou thyself, hast given, into the hand of thy servant, this great salvation, - and, now, must I die of thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?

356

And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.

357

Naphtali, dispossessed not the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but they dwelt in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, - and, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, and of Beth-anath, became theirs, under tribute.

358

And it came to pass, after the death of Jeshua, that the sons of Israel asked of Yahweh, saying, - Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites, first, to make war upon them?

359

And it came to pass in those days, when, king, there was none in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehem-judah.

360

So they turned, and went their way, - and put the little ones, and the cattle, and the goods, before them.

361

And so it was, that, the number of them that lapped with their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men, - but, all the rest of the people, bowed down on their knees, to drink water.

362

And the messenger of Yahweh came up from Gilgal, unto Bochim. And he said - I led you up out of Egypt, and brought you into the land, which I had sworn unto your fathers, And I said, I will not break my covenant with you, to times age-abiding;

363

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, and, his name, was Manoah; and, his wife, was barren, and had borne no child.

364

So the sons of Israel did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, - and served the Baals;

365

So they gave him seventy pieces of silver, out of the house of Baal-berith, - and Abimelech hired therewith, loose and unstable men, and they followed him.

366

that the cruel wrong to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come upon them , - and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the owners of Shechem who strengthened his hands, to slay his brethren.

367

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the owners of Shechem - Which is better for you, that there should rule over you, seventy men, all sons of Jerubbaal, or that there should rule over you, one man? And remember that, your bone and your flesh, am I.

368

And Gaal son of Ebed came, with his brethren, and they passed through to Shechem, - and the owners of Shechem put their trust in him.

369

And the sons of Israel did the thing that was wicked, in the sight of Yahweh, - so Yahweh delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years;

370

And Gaal son of Ebed said: Who is Abimelech - and who is the son of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve ye the men of Hamor, Shechem's father, but why should, we, serve him?

371

Now the sons of Israel had gone up, and wept before Yahweh, until the evening, and asked of Yahweh, saying, Shall I again draw near to battle against the sons of Benjamin, my brother? And Yahweh said, Go up against him.

372

Would, then, this people were in my hand! that I might set aside Abimelech, - and say to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out!

373

In those days, there was no king in Israel, - every man did, that which was right in his own eyes.

374

for lo! thou, art about to conceive and bear a son, and no, razor, shall come on his head, for, one separate unto God, shall the boy be from his birth, - and, he, shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

375

But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, which, in me, gods and men do honour, - and go to wave to and fro, over the trees?

376

Then went they out into the fields, and gathered the fruit of their vineyards and trode the grapes , and held a vintage festival, - and entered the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and poured contempt on Abimelech.

377

And the Spirit of Yahweh, came suddenly over him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and smote of them thirty men, and took their garments, and gave the changes of raiment to them who had told the riddle, - and his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father's house.

378

Then came upon Jephthah the spirit of Yahweh, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, - and passed through Mizpeh of Gilead, and, from Mizpeh of Gilead, he passed through unto the sons of Ammon.

379

And it came to pass, when the sons of Israel cried unto Yahweh, - on account of Midian,

380

And it came to pass, after this, that he loved a woman in the ravine of Shorek, whose, name, was Delilah.

381

And the sons of Israel again did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, - when, Ehud, was dead.

382

Then came Jephthah towards Mizpah, unto his own house, and lo! his daughter, coming forth to meet him, with timbrels, and with dances, - and, she, was none other than his only child, he had not, besides her, either son or daughter.

383

They, were gladdening their heart, when lo! men of the city, men of the sons of the Abandoned One, beset the house round about, beating violently against the door, - and they spake unto the old man the owner of the house, saying, Bring forth the man that hath entered into thy house, that we may know him.

384

then shall it be, that, whosoever cometh forth out of the doors of my house, to meet me, when I return successful, from the sons of Ammon, shall belong unto Yahweh, and I will offer him up, as an ascending-sacrifice.

385

So then God clave open the hollow that is in Lehi, and there came therefrom water, and he drank, and his spirit came back, and he revived, - for this cause, called he the name thereof - Ain-hakkore, which is in Lehi, until this day.

386

And, when Zubul, governor of the city, heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, then was kindled his anger.

387

And the wife of Samson was given unto his companion who had served him as his friend.

388

And the Spirit of Yahweh, came suddenly over him, and he tore it in pieces as if he had torn in pieces a kid, there being, nothing at all, in his hand, - but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

389

And there was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose, name, was Micah.

390

And Gideon said unto God, - If thou art about to bring salvation, by my hand, unto Israel, as thou hast spoken,

391

Then Jerubbaal, the same, is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and encamped by the fountain of Harod, - and, the camp of Midian, was on the north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the vale.

392

So then Samson cried unto Yahweh, and said, - My Lord Yahweh! remember me, I pray thee, - and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be avenged, with one avenging, for my two eyes, upon the Philistines.

393

They, had gone a good way from the house of Micah, when, the men that were in the houses near to the house of Micah, were called out and overtook the sons of Dan.

394

And the sons of Israel again did the thing that was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, - so Yahweh delivered them up into the hand of the Philistines, forty years.

395

So then Jephthah passed over unto the sons of Ammon, to fight against them, - and Yahweh delivered them into his hand;

396

And it same to pass that Yahweh was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, - but did not dispossess the inhabitants of the vale, because they had, chariots of iron.

397

And Benjamin came forth to meet them out of Gibeah, on the second day, and laid low, of the sons of Israel, yet eighteen thousand men, to the ground, - all these, drew the sword.

398

And the messenger of Yahweh appeared unto the woman, - and said unto her - Lo! I pray thee, thou, art barren, and hast borne no child, but thou shalt conceive, and shalt bear a son.

399

Then went forth all the sons of Israel, and the assembly came together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba with the land of Gilead, - unto Yahweh at Mizpah.

400

Of nothing that cometh of the vine, may she eat, nor wine nor strong drink, let her drink, nor, anything unclean, let her eat, - all that I commanded her, let her observe.

401

And they called unto the sons of Dan, who turned their faces, - and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou hast called out thy neighbours?

402

And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, twenty years.

403

So the sons of Israel came near against the sons of Benjamin, on the second day.

404

And Samson said unto the youth that held him by his hand, Place me where I may feel the pillars whereon the house resteth, that I may lean upon them.

405

And he said - My gods which I had made, ye have taken away, and the priest, and have departed, and what have I more? How then is it that ye can say unto me, What aileth thee?

406

But, the spirit of Yahweh, clothed Gideon, - so he blew with a horn, and Abiezer was gathered after him.

407

and it shall be, in the morning, about sunrise, thou shalt get up early, and spread thyself out against the city, - when lo! he and the people that are with him coming out against thee, so shalt thou do unto him as thy hand shall find opportunity.

408

Then said they - Lo! the festival of Yahweh in Shiloh, from year to year, Which Shiloh is on the north of Bethel, towards sunrise, by the highway that goeth up from Bethel, towards Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah.

409

And it came to pass, after a time, in the days of wheat-harvest, that Samson went to visit his wife, with a kid, and he said - I will go in unto my wife, in the chamber. But her father would not suffer him to go in.

410

In those days, there was no king in Israel, - and, in those days, the tribe of the Danites was seeking for itself an inheritance to dwell in for there had not fallen to them, unto that day, in the midst of the tribes of Israel, enough for an inheritance.

411

And the sons of Dan set up for themselves the graven image, - and, Jonathan, son of Gershom, son of Moses, he and his sons, became priests to the tribe of the Danites, until the day of the captivity of the land.

412

So Samson went down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, - and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnath, when lo! a young lion, roaring to meet him.

413

And it came to pass that, as soon as Gideon was dead, the sons of Israel turned back, and went unchastely astray after the Baals, - and appointed them Baal-berith, to be god:

414

So he smote them, leg on thigh, with a great smiting, - and went down and dwelt in a cleft of the crag Etam.

415

And the sons of Dan said unto him, Do not let thy voice be heard among us, - lest men embittered in soul fall upon you, and thou gather in thy life and the lives of thy household.

416

And the sons of Israel at that time went their several ways from thence, every man to his own tribe, and to his own family, - yea they went forth from thence, every man to his own inheritance.

417

And he returned, after a time, to take her, and went aside to see the carcass of the lion, - and lo! a swarm of bees, in the body of the lion, and, honey,

418

So the woman came in, and told her husband, saying, A man of God, came unto me, and, his, appearance, was as the appearance of the messenger of God, reverend exceedingly, - and I asked him not whence he was, and, his name, he told me not.

419

And, when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, - and sent her throughout all the bounds of Israel.

420

Then did Samson grasp the two middle pillars, whereon the house rested, and whereon it was upheld, and he braced himself against them, - the one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

421

Now, therefore, beware, I pray thee, and do not drink wine or strong drink, - nor eat anything unclean;

422

And Samson said unto them, I pray you let me put you forth a riddle, - if ye, tell, it me, within the seven days of the banquet, and find it out, then will I give you thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of raiment;

423

And his concubine went astray against him, and departed from him, unto the house of her father, in Bethlehem-judah, - and remained there, the space of four months.

424

Now, the men of Israel, had sworn in Mizpah, saying, - Not a man from among us, shall give his daughter unto Benjamin, to wife.

425

Now, the man Micah, had a house of gods, - and he made an ephod, and teraphim, and installed one of his sons, who became his priest.

426

and called the name of the city, Dan, by the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel, - howbeit, Laish, was the name of the city, at the first.

427

And the sons of Dan went on their journey, - and, when Micah saw that they were, too strong, for him, he turned and went back unto his house.

428

Out of all this people, were seven hundred chosen men, left-handed, - any one of whom could sling with a stone to a hair's-breadth, and not miss.

429

And the sons of Israel asked of Yahweh, - there, being the ark of the covenant of God, in those days;

430

Now, all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east, were gathered together, - and they crossed over and pitched in the vale of Jezreel.

431

Now, the house, was full of men and women, there, also were all the lords of the Philistines, - and, on the roof, were about three thousand men and women, looking on while Samson made sport.

432

He, was coming in as far as Lehi, and, the Philistines, came shouting to meet him, - when the Spirit of Yahweh came suddenly over him, and the ropes that were upon his arms became as threads of flax which have been ignited with fire, so that his bonds melted from off his hands.

433

But the man would not tarry the night, but rose up and went his way, and came as far as over against Jebus, the same, is Jerusalem, - and, with him, were a couple of asses, saddled, his concubine also, was with him.

434

But the men would not hearken unto him, so the man laid hold on his concubine, and brought her forth unto them, outside, - and they knew, her, and abused her all the night, until the morning, and let her go at the uprisings of the dawn.

435

Then found he the jawbone of an ass newly-slain, - so he thrust forth his hand, and took it, and smote therewith, a thousand men.

436

And he said to them - Out of the eater, came forth food, And, out of the strong, came forth sweetness. But they could not tell the riddle, in three days.

437

So the five men went their way, and entered Laish, - and saw the people who were therein, dwelling securely, after the manner of the Zidonians, quietly and securely, and there was no one to reproach them with anything in the land, none to possess himself of dominion, they being, far away, from the Zidonians, and having no dealings with any one.

438

And she said unto her father, Let this thing, be done for me, - Let me alone two months, that I may depart, and go down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.

439

They, therefore, took what Micah had made, and the priest that he had, and came upon Laish, upon a people quiet and secure, and smote them with the edge of the sword, - the city also, burned they with fire.

440

And, all the men of Israel, rose up out of their place, and set themselves in array in Baal-tamar, - and, the liers in wait of Israel, began to break forth out of their place, out of the forest of Gibeah.

441

So then the sons of Dan sent, out of their family, five men out of their bounds - men who were sons of valour - out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol - to spy out the land, and to explore it, and they said unto them, Go! explore the land. And they came into the hill country of Ephraim, as far as the house of Micah, and lodged there.

442

But lo! an old man, coming in from his work, out of the field, in the evening, and, the man, was from the hill country of Ephraim, he himself, being a sojourner in Gibeah, - but, the men of the place, were Benjamites.

443

Then Manoah made entreaty unto Yahweh, and said: Pardon, O My Lord! the man of God whom thou didst send, I pray thee, let him come again unto us, that he may teach us what we are to do, unto the boy that is to be born.

444

And he said unto his mother - The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken by thee, when, thou, didst utter a curse, and didst also say in my hearing, Lo! the silver, is with me! I took it. Then said his mother, Blessed, be my son by Yahweh.

445

Then responded the five men who had been to spy out the land of Laish, and said unto their brethren, Know ye that there are in these houses, an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image, - now, therefore, know what ye will do!

446

So the woman came in at the turnings of the morning, - and fell down at the entrance of the man's house where her lord was, and lay there till it was light.

447

And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said - Alas! my daughter, Thou hast, brought me low, Even, thou, hast come to be among them who trouble me, - Yet, I, opened wide my mouth unto Yahweh, and cannot go back.

448

But he said unto me, Lo! thou art about to conceive, and bear a son, - now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean, for, one separate unto God, shall the boy be, from his birth until the day of his death.

449

And there was no one to rescue, because it was, far, from Zidon, and they had no, dealings, with any one, it, being in the vale that pertaineth to Beth-rehob. Then built they the city, and dwelt therein,

450

And Delilah said unto Samson - Hitherto, hast thou been laughing at me, and speaking unto me falsehoods, do tell me, wherewith thou mightest be bound. And he said unto her, If thou weave the seven braids of my head with the warp.

451

And his father and his mother said to him - Is there not, among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, a woman, that thou art going away to take a woman from among the uncircumcised Philistines? But Samson said unto his father - Take, her, for me, for, she, is pleasant in mine eyes.

452

And it was told the Gazites, saying - Samson hath come in hither. So they came round, and lay in wait for him, all the night, in the gate of the city, - but kept themselves quiet all the night, saying, Until the light of the morning, then will we slay him.

453

And they arose, and went up to Bethel, and asked of God, and the sons of Israel said, Who shall go up for us first, to fight against the sons of Benjamin? And Yahweh said - Judah, first.

454

So they passed on, and went their way, - and the sun went in upon them beside Gibeah, which belongeth to Benjamin.

455

Then went up the Philistines, and encamped in Judah, - and were spread abroad in Lehi.

456

From year to year, departed the daughters of Israel, to lament aloud for the daughter of Jephthah, the Gileadite, four days in the year.

457

and he smote them, from Aroer even till thou enterest in to Minnith, even twenty cities, and as far as Abel-keramim, with an exceeding great smiting, - and thus were the sons of Ammon subdued before the sons of Israel.

458

And the sons of Benjamin came forth against the people, they were drawn away from the city, - and began to smite of the people, slaying as time after time, in the highways, whereof, one, goeth up to Bethel, and, the other, to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men in Israel.

459

Now, his father and his mother, knew not, that, from Yahweh, it was, that, an occasion, he was seeking of the Philistines, - at that time, the Philistines having dominion over Israel.

460

And she said unto him - My father! Thou hast opened wide thy mouth unto Yahweh, Do with me, according to that which hath gone forth out of thy mouth, - after that Yahweh hath exacted for thee an avenging from thine enemies, from the sons of Ammon.

461

And Gideon, son of Joash, died in a good old age, - and was buried in the grave of Joash his father, in Ophrah, of the Abiezrites.

462

And Israel set liers in wait against Gibeah, round about.

463

So they set up for themselves the graven image of Micah, which he had made, - and let it remain all the days that the house of God was in Shiloh.

464

So Samson went, and caught three hundred jackals, - and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put one torch between the two tails, in the midst.

465

So the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said to her - Entice him, and see wherein lieth his great strength, and wherewith we may prevail against him, and bind him, to humble him, - and, we, will give thee, every man, eleven hundred pieces of silver.

466

And, when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said - I had, hallowed, the silver unto Yahweh out of mine own hand, for my son, to make a graved (molten) image, now, therefore, I will restore it unto thee.

467

And he sent messengers unto Abimelech, by deceit, saying, - Lo! Gaal son of Ebed, and his brethren, are coming into Shechem; and lo! are fortifying the city against thee.

468

And it came to pass, when she urged him with her words continually, and pressed him, that his soul became impatient, unto death;

469

And Samson lay till midnight, and arose at midnight, and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and of the two doorposts, and tare them away, with the bar, and put them on his shoulders, - and carried them up to the top of the hill that faceth Hebron.

470

So he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said - A woman, have I seen in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines, - now, therefore, take her for me, to wife.

471

And there was a young man out of Bethlehem-judah, of the family of Judah, - he, being a Levite, and, he, being a sojourner there.

472

And the chiefs of all the people - all the tribes of Israel - presented themselves in the convocation of the people of God, - four hundred thousand footmen, that drew the sword.

473

And Micah said unto him - Dwell with me, and be to me a father and a priest, and, I, will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy sustenance. So the Levite went.

474

and look, and lo! if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, then shall ye come forth out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife, of the daughters of Shiloh, - and go your way to the land of Benjamin.

475

So he was called on that day, Jerubbaal, saying, - Let Baal, plead against him. Because he had overthrown his altar.

476

So the assembly sent thither twelve thousand men, of the sons of valour, - and commanded them, saying: - Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead, with the edge of the sword, with the women, and the little ones.

477

And his father went down unto the woman, - and Samson made there a banquet, for, so, used the young men, to do.

478

then, the cloud, began to ascend out of the city, a pillar of smoke, - and the Benjamites looked behind them, and lo! the whole city flamed up towards the heavens.

479

Nevertheless, straw and fodder too, is there for our asses, yea moreover, bread and wine, there are for me, and for thy handmaid, and for the young man that is with thy servants, - there is lack, of nothing.

480

And Joash said unto all who stood by him - Will, ye, plead for Baal, or will, ye, save him? Whoso pleadeth for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning, - if, a god, he be let him plead for himself, because one hath overthrown his altar.

481

So then the people came to Bethel, and abode there, until the evening, before God, - and lifted up their voice, and wept bitterly,

482

And, when they turned and fled towards the desert unto the cliff Rimmon, then gleaned they of them, in the highways, five thousand men, - and they followed hard after them as far as Gidom, and smote of them, two thousand men.

483

Then said the sons of Benjamin, They are, being smitten, before us, as at the first. But the sons of Israel had said - Let us flee, and draw them away from the city, into the highways.

484

And, when all the owners of the tower of Shechem heard, they entered into the basement of the house of El-berith.

485

And she said unto him - How canst thou say, I love thee, when, thy heart, is not with me? These three times, hast thou laughed at me, and hast not told me wherein lieth thy great strength.

486

Then Manoah arose, and followed his wife, - and came unto the man, and said unto him - Art, thou, the man that spake unto the wife? And he said - I am.

487

So Abimelech rose up,, and all the people that were with him, by night, - and they lay in wait above Shechem, in four companies.

488

And, Abimelech, fought against the city, all that day, and captured the city, the people also that were therein, he slew, - and brake down the city, and sowed it with salt.

489

And, when he had set fire to the torches, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, - and set fire, both to the stack of sheaves and to the standing corn, and besides to the olive plantation.

490

Then went Abimelech unto Thebez, - and encamped against Thebez, and captured it.

491

And God hearkened unto the voice of Manoah, - and the messenger of God came again unto the woman, as, she, was sitting in the field, Manoah her husband, not being with her.

492

Now, therefore, deliver up the men - the sons of the Abandoned One - who are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and vileness be consumed out of Israel. But the sons of Benjamin would not hearken unto the voice of their brethren, the sons of Israel.

493

And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon the head of Abimelech, - and brake in pieces his skull.

494

What are we to do for them who remain, for wives, - seeing that, we ourselves, have sworn by Yahweh, not to give them of our daughters, for wives?

495

And Samson said of them, I shall be more blameless, this time, than the Philistines, - though I should do them a mischief.

496

so the sons of Israel remembered not Yahweh, their own God, - who had rescued them out of the hand of all their enemies, on every side;

497

Then called he hastily unto the young man bearing his armour, and said unto him - Draw thy sword, and put me to death, lest they say of me, A woman, slew him! So his young man thrust him through, and he died.

498

And the sons of Israel said, Who was there that came not up, in the convocation, out of all the tribes of Israel, unto Yahweh? For, the great oath, had been taken, as to any who came not up unto Yahweh at Mizpah, saying - He shall be, put to death.

499

Then turned they aside there, to go in and tarry the night in Gibeah, - so he went in and abode in the broadway of the city; and there was no one minded to take them into a house, to tarry the night.

500

So he lifted up his eyes, and saw a wayfaring man in the broadway of the city, - and the old man said - Whither goest thou? and from whence hast thou come?

501

And, when the man rose up to go - he and his concubine and his young man, - his father-in-law, the father of the damsel, said to him, Come now, see! the day hath sunk down towards evening, come now! tarry the night; lo! the day goeth down, tarry the night here, and let thy heart be glad, so shall ye rise early to-morrow for your journey, and thou shalt go thy way to thine own home.

502

And the messenger of Yahweh said unto Manoah, - Of all that I said unto the woman, let her beware.

503

So the woman made haste, and ran, and told her husband, - and said unto him, Lo! the man, hath appeared unto me, who came the other day unto me.

504

And the Levite was content to dwell with the man, - and the young man became to him, as one of his sons.

505

lo! I am placing a woollen fleece, on the threshing-floor, - if, dew, be on the fleece alone and, on all the ground, it be dry, then shall I know that thou wilt bring salvation, by my hand, unto Israel, as thou hast spoken.

506

So Delilah said unto Samson, Do tell me, I pray thee, wherein lieth thy great strength, - and wherewith thou mightest be bound, to humble thee.

507

Then said Gideon unto God, Let not thine anger kindle upon me, but let me speak, only this once, - Let me, I pray thee, put to the proof, only this once, with the fleece, I pray thee, let it be dry on the fleece alone, while, on all the ground, there be dew.

508

And there came over against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men, out of all Israel, and the battle was severe, - they, not knowing that disaster was overtaking them.

509

But he restored the silver to his mother, - so his mother took two hundred pieces of silver, and gave it to the silversmith, who made thereof a graved (molten) image, and it was in the house of Micah.

510

Messengers also, sent he throughout all Manasseh, and, they also, were gathered after him, - messengers also, sent he throughout Asher, and throughout Zebulun, and throughout Naphtali, and they came up to meet them.

511

So he went down, and spake unto the woman, - and she was pleasant in the eyes of Samson.

512

And it came to pass, at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, and he fulfilled on her his vow which he had vowed, - she not having known man. And it became a statute, in Israel: -

513

Then arose her husband, and went after her, to speak unto her heart, that he might bring her back again, having his young man with him, and a couple of asses, - and she brought him into the house of her father, and, when the father of the damsel saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.

514

which he took into his hands, and went on - eating as he went, and came unto his father and unto his mother, and gave unto them, and they did eat, - but he told them not that, out of the carcass of the lion, he had taken the honey.

515

And his father-in-law, the father of the damsel, constrained him, and he abode with him three days, - and they did eat and drink, and lodged there.

516

So there brake up from thence, out of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men, begirt with weapons of war.

517

Now, the liers in wait, were tarrying for her, in an inner chamber, - and she said unto him, - The Philistines, are upon thee, Samson! And he snapped the cords as a thread of tow is broken, when fire bloweth thereon, so his strength was not discovered.

518

And Manoah said, Now, let thy words come to pass, - What shall be the rule for the boy, and his work?

519

So they came unto their brethren, in Zorah and Eshtaol, - and their brethren said unto them - Why are ye minded to do nothing?

520

So they said, What one of the tribes of Israel is there, that hath not come up unto Yahweh at Mizpah? And lo! no man had come into the camp, out of Jabesh-gilead, unto the convocation:

521

So the man took his journey out of the city, out of Bethlehem-judah, to sojourn, wheresoever he could find a home , - and he came into the hill country of Ephraim, as far as the house of Micah, in pursuing his journey.

522

And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green cords, that have not been dried, then shall I become weak, and be as any other man.

523

And, this, is the thing that ye shall do, - Every male, and every woman that hath cohabited with man, shall ye devote to destruction.

524

They being by Jebus, and, the day, having gone far down, the young man said unto his lord - Do come, I pray thee, and let us turn aside into this city of the Jebusites, and tarry the night therein.

525

Then went down three thousand men out of Judah, unto the cleft of the crag Etam, and said unto Samson - Knowest thou not that the Philistines are lording it over us? What, then, is this thou hast done to us? And he said unto them, As they have done to me, so, have I done to them.

526

And they went up and encamped in Kiriath-jearim, in Judah, - wherefore they have called that place, Mahaneh-dan - unto this day, lo! it is behind Kiriath-jearim.

527

all the wickedness also, of the men of Shechem, did God requite upon their own head, - and so brought in upon, them the curse of Jotham, son of Jerubbaal.

528

And her father said - I, thought, that thou didst, hate, her, so I gave her to thy companion, - Is not, her younger sister, fairer than she? Pray let her be thine, in her stead.

529

And he said - Depart. So he let her go, for two months, - and she departed, she and her companions, and bewailed her virginity, upon the mountains.

530

So she beat them up with the pin, and said unto him, The Philistines, are upon thee, Samson! And he awaked out of his sleep, and pulled out the pin of the loom, and the warp.

531

And Micah installed the Levite, and the young man became his priest, - and remained in the house of Micah.

532

And Samson said to them, Though ye do the like of this, yet will I be avenged upon you, and, afterwards, will I cease.

533

And the sons of Benjamin heard that the sons of Israel had gone up to Mizpah. Then said the sons of Israel, Tell us , In what manner was brought to pass this vileness?

534

And the owners of Gibeah rose up against me, and beset the house, for my sake, by night, - me, they thought to slay, and, my concubine, they so humbled, that she died.

535

When the people were numbered, lo! there was not there a man of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead.

536

Then said the Philistines - Who hath done this? And they said - Samson, son-in-law of the Timnite, because he hath taken his wife, and given her to his companion. So the Philistines went up and burned her and her father, with fire.

537

Then the whole assembly sent, and spake unto the sons of Benjamin, who were in the cliff Rimmon, - and proclaimed to them, peace.

538

And he said to his young man, Come and let us draw near unto one of the places, - and tarry the night in Gibeah, or in Ramah.

539

And it came to pass, on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, and gat up to go, that the father of the damsel said unto his son-in-law, - Stay thy heart with a morsel of bread, and, afterwards, ye shall go your way.

540

And the men of Israel went forth, to fight against Benjamin, - so the men of Israel set themselves in array against them, to fight against Gibeah.

541

And his lord said unto him, We will not turn aside into a city of aliens, who are, not of the sons of Israel, - but will pass on as far as Gibeah.

542

And they commanded the sons of Benjamin, saying, - Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;

543

And it was so, and he rose up early, on the morrow, and pressed together the fleece, - and wrung out the dew from the fleece, a small bowl full of water.

544

And he said unto him - We, are passing along, from Bethlehem-judah, unto the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim, whence I am, but I have been as far as Bethlehem-judah, and now, unto the house of Yahweh, am I going, and there is no one minded to take me into a house.

545

So they both of them sat down and did eat together, and drink. Then said the father of the damsel unto the man, Be content, I pray thee, and tarry the night, and let thy heart be glad.

546

So I laid hold on my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, - because they had wrought lewdness and impiety, in Israel.

547

And the sons of Benjamin were numbered on that day, out of the cities, twenty-six thousand men, that drew the sword, - besides, of the inhabitants of Gibeah, were numbered seven hundred chosen men.

548

And it came to pass, because they feared him, that they took thirty companions, who remained with him.

549

Then said Micah - Now, I know that Yahweh will do me good, - seeing I have a Levite as my priest.

550

So they said unto him - Ask of God, we pray thee, - that we may know whether the journey on which we are going shall have good success.

551

And the Levite, husband of the woman that was cut in pieces, responded and said, - Into Gibeah that pertaineth to Benjamin, I entered, I and my concubine, to tarry the night.

552

So Abimelech went up Mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him, and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and lifted it, and laid it on his shoulder, - and said unto the people that were with him - What ye have seen me do, haste! do likewise.

553

But, when, these, had entered the house of Micah, and taken the graven image and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image, the priest said unto them, What are ye doing?

554

And they found - of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead - four hundred young women, virgins, who had not cohabited with man, - so they brought them into the camp, at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

555

And Delilah said unto Samson, Lo! thou hast been laughing at me, and speaking unto me falsehoods, - Now, do tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

556

Then did Gaal yet further speak, and say - Lo! people coming down from the highest part of the land, - and one company, coming in by way of the Conjurers' Terebinth.

557

Now, the appointed sign, between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, had been, - to cause a great cloud of smoke to ascend out of the city.

558

So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him - The Philistines, are upon thee, Samson! Now, the liers in wait, were tarrying in an inner chamber. And he snapped them off his arms like a thread.

559

Yet, we, may not give them wives, of our own daughters, For the sons of Israel had sworn, saying, Cursed, be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

560

Now, therefore, this is the thing, that we will do to Gibeah, - Go against it by lot;

561

And the priest said unto them - Go! and prosper, - before Yahweh, is your journey on which ye go.

562

And, when he arose early on the morning of the fifth day, to go, the father of the damsel said - Come now, stay thy heart, and tarry ye until the decline of the day. And they did eat, both of them.

563

Thus, the men of Israel, turned against the sons of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, beginning with the city, each and every one down to the beast, even to every one that was met with, - moreover, all the cities they came to, they set on fire.

564

Then arose all the people, as one man, saying, - No man of us will go to his tent, and no man of us will turn aside to his house.

565

They, being by the house of Micah, knew the voice of the young man, the Levite, - so they turned aside there, and said to him - Who brought thee in hither? and what art thou doing in this place, and what hast thou here?

566

And Micah said unto him, Whence comest thou? And he said unto him - A Levite, am I, from Bethlehem-judah, and, I, am taking my journey to sojourn, wheresoever I can find a home .

567

So then, the elders of the assembly said, What are we to do for them who remain, for wives, - for womankind, hath been destroyed out of Benjamin?

568

Then went up the five men who had been to spy out the land, they came in thither, they took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image, - now, the priest, was standing at the entrance of the gate, with the six hundred men who were begirt with weapons of war.

569

And they answered him, saying - Nay; but we will, bind, thee, and deliver thee into their hand, but we will not, put thee to death. So they bound him with two new ropes, and took him up from the crag.

570

neither dealt they in lovingkindness with the house of Jerubbaal namely Gideon, - according to all the goodness wherewith he had dealt with Israel.

571

And the tribes of Israel sent men throughout all the divisions of Benjamin, saying, - What is this vile thing that hath been brought to pass, among you?

572

Then dwelt Abimelech in Arumah, - and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

573

So the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords, that had not been dried, - and she bound him therewith.

574

And Abimelech came in as far as the tower, and fought against it, - and so came near, as far as the entrance of the tower, to burn it with fire.

575

and we will take ten men of a hundred, of all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to fetch provisions for the people, - that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the impiety that it hath wrought in Israel.

576

And the sons of Israel grieved for Benjamin, their brother, - and they said, There is cut off, to-day, one tribe out of Israel.

577

So all the men of Israel were gathered together against the city, as one man knit together.

578

And they said - Arise! and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and lo! it is very good, - are, ye, then, minded to do nothing? do not be too slothful to go, and enter, and take possession of the land.

579

And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, - and there fell a multitude of slain as far as the entering of the gate.

580

Lo! ye all, are sons of Israel, - give your word and counsel, here.

581

And God did so on that night, - and it was dry on the fleece alone, while, on all the ground, there was dew.

582

And it came to pass, on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there, an altar, - and offered ascending-sacrifices, and peace-offerings.

583

And the men of Judah said, Wherefore have ye come up against us? And they said - To bind Samson, are we come up, to do unto him as he hath done unto us.

584

And he said unto her, If they, bind me fast, with new ropes, wherewith work was never done, then shall I become weak, and be as any other man.

585

So they turned aside thither, and entered into the house of the young man the Levite, the house of Micah, - and asked him of his welfare.

586

but, if ye cannot tell me, then shall, ye, give me thirty linen wraps, and thirty changes of raiment. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.

587

Now, the six hundred men, begirt with weapons of war, were standing at the entrance of the gate, - they being of the sons of Dan.

588

And the sons of Israel arose in the morning, - and encamped against Gibeah.

589

And, when the man rose up to go, his father-in-law pressed him, so he turned back and tarried the night there.

590

And they passed on from thence unto the hill country of Ephraim, - and came as far as the house of Micah.

591

And he said unto them, Thus and so, hath Micah dealt with me, and hath hired me, and I am become his priest.

592

Now, therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field;

593

Then came forth Gaal son of Ebed, and took his stand at the opening of the gate of the city, - so Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from the place of ambush.

594

and said, Wherefore, O Yahweh, God of Israel, hath this come about in Israel, - that there should be lacking, to-day, out of Israel, one tribe?

595

So then it came to pass that, all the fallen of Benjamin, were twenty-five thousand men, that drew the sword, on that day, - all these being men of valour.

596

So Benjamin returned at that time, and they gave them the women whom they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead, - but they found not for them to suffice , even so.

597

When ye do enter, ye will enter amongst a people secure, and, the land, is of ample bounds, - yea God hath delivered it into your hands, - a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth.

598

Now, the assembly, had grieved for Benjamin, - because Yahweh had made a breach, in the tribes of Israel.

599

Now, a strong tower, was in the midst of the city, and there fled thither all the men and the women, and all the owners of the city, and shut themselves in, - and went up on the roof of the tower.

600

So, even all the people cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and laid them over the basement, and set it on fire over them who were therein, - even all the men of the tower of Shechem died about a thousand men and women.

601

Then did the sons of Benjamin gather themselves together out of the cities, unto Gibeah, - to go forth to battle against the sons of Israel.

602

Thus did God requite the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father, in slaying his seventy brethren;

603

But there turned and fled, towards the desert, unto the cliff Rimmon, six hundred men, - who abode in the cliff Rimmon, four months.

604

So he took the people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field, - and he looked, and lo! the people coming forth out of the city, so he rose up against them, and smote them.

605

And they said, There is an inheritance for the escaped of Benjamin, - and there must not be wiped out, a tribe, out of Israel.

606

And Gaal went forth before the owners of Shechem, - and fought against Abimelech.

607

And, when Gaal saw the people, he said unto Zebul, Lo! people coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, The shadow of the mountains, thou seest, like men.

608

And, when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was, dead, they went their way every man to his own place.

609

And they said to him - To bind thee, are we come down, to deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said to them, Swear to me, that ye will not fall upon me, yourselves.

610

And, when they turned before the men of Israel unto the way of the desert, the battle, over took them, - while, as for them that came out of the cities, they began to destroy them in their midst: -

611

And, Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, spread themselves out, and one of the companies took their stand at the opening of the gate of the city, - while, the two companies, spread themselves out against all that were in the field, and smote them.

612

So then Zebul said unto him - Where, then, is thy mouth that kept on saying, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not, this, the people which thou didst despise? Go forth, I pray thee, now, and fight with them!

613

And it came to pass, on the morrow, that the people went forth into the field, - and they told Abimelech.

614

So, when the men of Israel turned in the battle, - and, the Benjamites, began to smite and slay of the sons of Israel, about thirty men, for they said, Yea! they are, smitten, before us, as in the first battle,

615

And it was told Abimelech, that all the owners of the tower of Shechem had gathered themselves together.

616

And, the men of Israel, were numbered, apart from Benjamin, four hundred thousand men, that drew the sword, - every one of these being a man of war.

617

So there fell of Benjamin, eighteen thousand men, - all these being men of valour.

618

And, when, the men of Israel, turned, then were the men of Benjamin dismayed, - for they saw that disaster had overtaken them.