Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel: See verse 2.14 and verse 2.20 for comments on an identical sentence. Translators should try to use the same wording here. Therefore, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, effectively shows the LORD’s anger is a reaction to what the Israelites did.
And he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: The waw conjunction rendered and introduces the consequence of the LORD’s anger. Translators can use any appropriate transition word. For sold them into the hand of, see verse 2.14. If possible, it is good to have the same expression in both passages. The name Cushan-rishathaim forms an inclusio around this section, being repeated twice here and twice in verse 3.10. The name Cushan is linked to the Midianites, the traders who bought Joseph (Gen 37.28). The second part of this king’s name, rishathaim, means “two evils,” so his complete name means “Cushan of two evils.” Certainly this is a play on words, probably reflecting the king’s character. In many of the judges’ stories, the names of heroes and of villains have special significance. See, for example, verse 3.15 below. There is certainly also some irony here, since the people who “do evil” end up serving a king who is “twice evil.” Translators can include the meaning of Cushan-rishathaim in a footnote if so desired.
Cushan-rishathaim is identified as the king of Mesopotamia. For king see verse 1.7. In Hebrew Mesopotamia is Aram-naharaim, which means “Aram of the two rivers.” New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh transliterate the Hebrew, while Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have Mesopotamia. This was an ancient civilization, covering what is now Iraq. In many languages Mesopotamia is a known location, so it could be the better choice. However, it is clear that a play on words is intended here. The Israelites were given into the hand of a king named “Cushan of two evils” who was king of “the two rivers of Aram.” The function of this wordplay was certainly to poke fun, either at the king himself, or by extension, at the Israelites. Again the meaning of such names can be included in footnotes if so desired. New Jerusalem Bible changes “Aram-naharaim” to “Edom,” but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives “Aram-naharaim” an {A} rating, so this change should not be adopted here.
And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years: There is certainly a note of irony here since those who served foreign idols (verse 3.7) are now serving a foreign king. In previous verses (verse 2.7, 11, 13, 19; 3.6, 7) the verb served is used in the context of worshiping or following divinities, be it Yahweh or foreign gods. Here the Israelites serve or work for a foreign king. Thus the meaning of this keyword changes, probably designating forced or slave labor, which might imply payment of heavy taxes and restriction of movement. Translators will probably need two different terms for these two kinds of service, though this will rob the text of its literary links and irony. To preserve some of the irony, we might say they “became the servants of” or “were subject to” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
Repetition of the king’s name Cushan-rishathaim, along with the play on words, is a way of mocking the enemy. Many languages share this feature, especially in Africa where repetition of the villain’s name is common, focusing on the person who will eventually be defeated. However, if this repetition is not appreciated or does not express irony, pronouns or short phrases can be used here.
There seems to be no particular meaning behind the number eight, but it is a multiple of two, which figures prominently in this verse.
A translation model for this verse is:
• So the LORD was furious with the Israelites and allowed them to become slaves to the king of Mesopotamia, Cushan-rishathaim.* They served this foreign king for eight years.
* There are several wordplays here. “Rishathaim” means “two evils.” Thus the people who “did evil” must serve a king who is “twice evil.” Further, the Hebrew word for “Mesopotamia” means “two rivers of Aram,” so the number “two” figures twice in this verse.
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 .