16-00

The Deliverers

This title can also be translated as: “About how God rescued the Israelites from their enemies” or “Why did God need to rescue the Israelites from their enemies?”

Deliverers

This refers to the judges, or warriors, who God send to help the Israelites defeat their enemies and deliver them from their troubles.

16-01

After Joshua died

This begins a new event. In the previous story, Joshua reminded the Israelites of their promise to obey God. This story transitions to what the Israelites actually did after Joshua died. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

and they did not drive out

This tells how they disobeyed God, so in some languages it may be better to start this as a new sentence: “They did not…”

drive out the rest of the Canaanites from the Promised Land

This can be translated as: “fight with the rest of the Canaanites to force them to leave the Promised Land.”

the true God

This could mean the only real God. Yahweh is the only one that people should worship.

so everyone did what they thought

The connecting word so connects the reason (Israel had no king), with the result (everyone did what they thought was right rather than what God said). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

what they thought was right for themselves

This means that they all did whatever they wanted to do, including many evil things.

16-02

Then after Israel’s enemies oppressed them

The connecting word Then connects the reason (Israel’s enemies would oppress them), with the result (Israel would repent and ask God to rescue them). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

ask God to rescue them

That is, they asked God to help them and to set them free from their enemies.

16-03

by providing

This could be translated as: “by choosing” or “by appointing.”

there would be peace

This could be translated as: “the people could live without fear” or “ their enemies stopped attacking them.”

the land

That refers to Canaan, the Promised Land that God had given to Abraham.

16-04

crops

This refers to edible plants that the Israelites were growing in their gardens or fields.

were so scared, they hid

This could be translated as: “were very afraid of the Midianites, so they hid.”

Finally

This begins a new event. Signals a shift from the Midianites’ oppression and Israel’s suffering to Israel’s repentance and God’s deliverance. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])

they cried out

This might be translated as: “they called out” or “they prayed desperately.”

to save them

This might be translated as: “to set them free” or “to rescue them from these enemies.”

16-05

One day

This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story.

threshing grain

The grain was wheat, which has a head of many small grains, or seeds, on the top of a thin stalk. Threshing is separating the seeds of the plant from the stalks by beating the heads of grain. The seeds are food, but the stalks are not.

God is with you

This means: God is present with you in a special way or God has plans to use you in a special way.

16-06

to tear down

This means: to violently bring down or to take down and destroy.

But Gideon was afraid of the people

The connecting word But contrasts God’s command (tear down the altar), with the reason for Gideon’s delayed obedience (he was afraid). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

afraid of the people

Gideon was afraid that his fellow Israelites who worshiped the same idol would be angry with him.

so he waited until nighttime

The connecting word so connects the reason (Gideon was afraid of the people), with the result (he waited until nighttime to obey). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

waited until nighttime

Another way to say this would be: “waited until after dark.” Gideon smashed the altar at night, when everyone was asleep so that no one would see him do it.

16-07

Gideon’s father said, “Why are you trying to help your god? If he is a god, let him protect himself!”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “Gideon’s father asked why they were trying to help their god. If he is a god, he should be able to protect himself!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Why are you trying to help your god?

This is not a real question that asks for information. Another way of saying this would be: “You should not be trying to help your god” or “You should not need to help your god.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-rquestion/01.md]])

If he is a god, let him protect himself

This is a strong statement that if the idol were truly a god, he would be able to protect himself. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

Because he said this

The connecting word Because connects the reason (Gideon’s father’s defense), with the result (the people did not kill Gideon). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

16-08

Then the Midianites came again

The connecting word Then indicates sequential action. God called Gideon, and then the Midianites returned. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

came again to steal from the Israelites

This could be translated as: “came again to the Israelites’ land to steal things from them.”

they could not be counted

This could be translated as: “The number of the Midianites was too great to count” or “it would be very difficult to count all of the Midianites.”

for two signs

This could be translated as: “to do two miracles” or “to make two impossible things happen.”

to save Israel

This could be translated as: “to rescue Israel from the Midianites.”

16-09

sign

This could be translated as: “miracle” or “impossible thing.”

sheepskin

This is the skin of a sheep that has all of the wool on it. Wool is a very thick and curly hair that would hold a lot of water. Translate this so that it is clear that this skin is covered with thick, soft hair.

let the morning dew fall

This can be translated as: “make the morning dew appear” or “make the morning dew come up.” Dew refers to the drops of water that that form on cool surfaces at night. Dew naturally covers everything equally.

God did that

This could be translated as: “God did what Gideon asked him to do.”

Because of these two signs

The connecting word Because connects the reason (the two signs), with the result (Gideon believed God wanted to deliver Israel through him). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

16-10

Then Gideon called for soldiers to come to him, and 32,000 men came.

Some languages might need to say why he called the soldiers: “When Gideon called the Israelites to come fight against the Midianites, 32,000 soldiers came to him” (See: 16:08).

32,000

This could also be written in words: “thirty-two thousand men.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

But God told him

The connecting word But contrasts the number of men who came to fight compared with God’s view of the number he wanted. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

22,000

This could also be written in words: “twenty-two thousand.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

too many men

This was more soldiers than God wanted for this fight. If that many solders fought and won, they would think that they won the battle with their own strength, and they would not know that God did it.

So Gideon sent home 22,000 men

The connecting word So connects the reason (God told Gideon there were too many men), with the result (Gideon sent home 22,000 men). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

except for 300 soldiers

This sentence could be translated as: “So Gideon allowed only 300 men to stay, and the rest of the men went home.”

300

This could also be written in words: “three hundred.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

16-11

God told Gideon, “Go down to the Midianite camp and listen to them talk. When you hear what they say, you will no longer be afraid to attack them.”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “God told Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp and listen to them talk. When he would hear what they would say, he would no longer be afraid to attack them.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])

Go down to the Midianite camp and listen to them talk.

God gives Gideon a command that includes instruction on what he is to do.

Go down

The Midianite soldiers were camping out in a valley and were at a lower elevation than the Israelite soldiers.

you will no longer be afraid

This could mean you will stop being afraid.

something he had dreamed

This could mean something he had seen in a dream or a dream he had had.

This dream means that Gideon’s army will defeat us, the Midianite army!

This is a strong statement by the enemy soldier that Gideon would defeat them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

When Gideon heard this

The connecting word When connects the action or reason with the result. Gideon worshiped God as a result of hearing the interpretation of the soldier’s dream. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

16-12

Then Gideon returned to his soldiers

The connecting word Then introduces a sequential clause that connects Gideon hearing the dream and worshiping God with him rallying the 300 Israelites to fight the Midianites. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

horn

This could be translated as: “trumpet” or “ram’s horn trumpet.” These horns came from rams, or male sheep, and were often used to call men for battle.

a burning torch

This was probably a piece of wood wrapped with cloth and soaked in oil so that it could burn well. (This was not the modern torch that runs on batteries.)

so the Midianites could not see

The connecting word so connects the reason (the torches were in the pots), with the result (the Midianites could not see the light of the torches). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

16-13

Then, all of Gideon’s soldiers broke their pots

The connecting word Then introduces a sequential clause. Gideon’s men surrounding the Midianite camp, and then they broke their pots at the same moment. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

shouted

This could be translated as: “yelled loudly” or “said with a very loud voice.”

A sword

A sword is a weapon that has a long sharp blade and a handle at one end. People hold the handle and hit or stab the enemy with the sharp blade. If your people don’t have a weapon just like this, you could translate it as: “A long knife” or “A machete” or “A bush knife.”

sword

Here sword is a metonym that refers to their fighting. Alternate translation: “We fight for Yahweh and for Gideon” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metonymy/01.md]])

A sword for Yahweh and for Gideon!

This is a strong statement that Gideon was depending on Yahweh, and not the sword, for his victory. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])

16-14

God confused the Midianites

God caused the Midianites to be confused. They wanted to attack the Israelites, but instead, they attacked each other.

so that they started attacking and killing each other

The connecting word so connects the reason (God confused the Midianites), with the result (they started attacking and killing each other). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

many other Israelites

This could be translated as: “many other Israelite men.” This refers to the soldiers previously sent home in 16:10.

120,000

This could also be written in words: “one hundred and twenty thousand.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-numbers/01.md]])

16-15

did not allow them to do this

Gideon knew that it was better for the Israelites to have God as their king.

but he asked them

This phrase starts with but because what he did next was not wise.

16-16

Gideon used the gold to make a special garment

This could be translated as: “Gideon melted down the gold objects the people had given him and formed a special garment out of that gold.”

But the people started worshiping it

The connecting word But contrasts God’s deliverance of Israel from the Midianites with them worshiping the gold garment. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

So God punished Israel again

The connecting word So connects the reason (Israel started worshiping the garment as an idol), with the result (God punished them again). (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result/01.md]])

16-18

Finally

The connecting word Finally indicates a shift from the time of deliverers sent by God to the time when Israel asked God for a king. This could be translated as: “After their enemies attacked them many times” or “After many years of being attacked by many different nations…” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])

asked God for a king

This could be translated as: “demanded that God give them a king” or “kept asking God for a king.”

like all the other nations had

Other nations had a king. Israel wanted to be like them and have a king too.

God did not like this request

This could be translated as: “God did not agree with what they had asked him for.” God knew that they were rejecting him as their ruler and were choosing to follow a human leader instead.

but he gave them a king

The connecting word But contrasts God not liking the request with him giving Israel a king. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast/01.md]])

A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.