Judges 7:6-8

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Judges 7:6 tc The Hebrew phrase, “with their hands to their mouths.” is difficult in light of v. 5, which distinguishes between dog-like lappers (who would not use their hands to drink) and those who kneel (who would presumably use their hands). The words “with their hands to their mouths” may have been misplaced. They fit better at the end of v. 5 or v. 6. Perhaps these words were originally a marginal scribal note which was later accidentally inserted into the text in the wrong place. But on the other hand since the 300 men were the men selected for the army, lapping with their hands to their mouth would allow them to see their surroundings which would be a good procedure for a soldier. The kneelers were sent away presumably because they made themselves more vulnerable to enemy attack.
2. Judges 7:6 tn Heb “the people.”
3. Judges 7:7 tn Heb “you.” The Hebrew pronoun is masculine plural, probably referring to the entire army.
4. Judges 7:7 tn The Hebrew pronoun here is singular.
5. Judges 7:7 tn Heb “All the people should go, each to his place.”
6. Judges 7:8 tn Heb “The people.”
7. Judges 7:8 tn The words “who were chosen” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
8. Judges 7:8 tn The Hebrew text has “in their hands.”
9. Judges 7:8 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Gideon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
10. Judges 7:8 tn Heb “tents.”
11. Judges 7:8 tn Heb “Midian.”
12. Judges 7:8 tn The Hebrew text adds “him” (i.e., Gideon).