There is a distinct break here. While 21.1 provides background material, here the narrator returns to the main event line. Since there is a change in time and place, many versions start a new paragraph here (Contemporary English Version, New International Version).

And the people came to Bethel: The Israelites came from many regions to the town of Bethel. And, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, introduces a new episode here. Translators can either find an appropriate connector or leave this word untranslated (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). Contemporary English Version begins this verse well with “After the war with Benjamin….” The Hebrew word for people (ʿam) usually refers to all the Israelites (verse 2.4), but here refers to all the tribes except Benjamin. See verse 21.1. For Bethel (meaning “house of God”), see verse 1.22 and verse 20.18.

And sat there till evening before God means the Israelites came together in God’s presence. And is a good rendering of the Hebrew waw conjunction here, since it introduces the next event. Though the Israelites certainly sat down (most likely, outside on the ground), they were also busy discussing, praying, and carrying out various rituals of worship (see verse 20.26). The adverb there refers to the sacred place in Bethel. Till evening implies that they remained there all day, calling out to the LORD (see verse 20.23). Translators may also say “until sunset” or “until the night came.” Before God is literally “before the God,” but the definite article is omitted in most versions (see verse 6.36). For this clause we might say “and sat praying in God’s presence all day until sunset.” Contemporary English Version gives a good rendering: “the Israelites went to the place of worship at Bethel and sat there until sunset.”

And they lifted up their voices: Rather than showing subsequent action, the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered and introduces what the people did during the time they were “sitting before the LORD.” An appropriate expression should be used to render this temporal relationship. They lifted up their voices is a literal rendering of a Hebrew idiom that means they called out or spoke in a loud voice (see verse 2.4). The emotion they expressed in this case is one of great sadness. It is obvious that they were crying out to God, and this may be made explicit if necessary.

And wept bitterly is literally “and they wept a great weeping.” This emphatic expression in Hebrew combines a verb and noun coming from the root meaning “weep” used in verse 2.4, forming an inclusio around the book. Translators should try to find idiomatic expressions to reflect the strong distress of the Israelites. Revised English Bible says “raising their voices in bitter lamentation,” and Good News Translation has “Loudly and bitterly they mourned.”

Translation models for this verse are:

• After the war was over, the Israelites gathered together at Bethel and sat there, crying out to God and weeping bitterly until the night fell.

• The people met at the sacred place in Bethel. They stayed there until the sun went down, praying to God and wailing loudly.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .