So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel: The same clause appears in verse 2.14. Translators should try to use the same wording here.

And he said …: Rather than a direct address to Israel, Yahweh’s speech reads more like a pronouncement or judgment on Israel. This verse gives the reason for the judgment, before the judgment itself is given in verse 2.21.

Because this people have transgressed my covenant: Because translates the Hebrew conjunction yaʿan, which introduces the reason for the LORD’s judgment. This conjunction could be rendered “Since.” In some languages this causal word may be omitted. The Hebrew word for people is goy, which describes, even to this day, non-Jewish people. Even in modern-day speech, it can be a derogatory term used to describe “outsiders,” foreigners, or non-Jews. Certainly its use here is ironic since Yahweh uses this word to compare Israel to the nations they have integrated and imitated. Translators should try to express the note of disapproval here. Some versions say “this nation” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible). In some languages we might say “this nation here” or perhaps “this pagan nation.”

Have transgressed my covenant means they have failed to live by the requirements or laws of the covenant relationship between them and the LORD. For covenant see verse 2.1.

Which I commanded their fathers: This relative clause seems to describe the covenant, but usually God “establishes” rather than “commands” this agreement. There may be some kind of ellipsis here, which Good News Translation makes explicit: “the covenant that I commanded their ancestors to keep.” Contemporary English Version opts for a more natural expression, speaking of “the agreement I made with their ancestors.” The verb commanded seems to anticipate the next words which say that the Israelites have not obeyed my voice. For fathers see verse 2.1.

And have not obeyed my voice is literally “and they have not heard my voice.” This expression is well known from the book of Deuteronomy. See verse 2.2, where a similar clause is rendered “But you have not obeyed my command.” Good News Translation sees this clause as separate from what precedes and links it to what follows: “Because they have not obeyed me, 21 I will no longer drive out any of the nations….”

A possibility for the translation of this verse is:

• So the LORD was furious with Israel. He said, “This people here, they have broken the covenant I made with their ancestors. They have not obeyed me.

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 .