This verse begins with a strong rhetorical question that seems to “come from out of the blue.” Those singing are turning to the descendants of Reuben and asking them why they were too lazy to help their brothers. After the question, made up of two clauses, the last two lines of the previous verse are repeated (with slight modifications), rounding off this section. Though in European languages such abrupt shifts of address are not known or are unnatural and confusing, in some languages this style of criticism is very common in oral speech, both in song and in other contexts. Translators should adapt to a style that is acceptable in their own language.

Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks?: This rhetorical question is meant to severely criticize the people of the tribe of Reuben. This question is not asking for an answer, but saying “You should not have tarried….” Most English versions maintain the question here, and in most target languages the impact of this rhetorical question will be immediately understood. However, some may prefer to start with a statement that is concluded with a question, for example, “You tarried …How could you do such a thing?” If this model is not acceptable, translators may have to use a strong statement, such as “You did a very bad thing—you tarried….” In some languages criticism may be signaled in part by saying the person’s name, so translators might be able to convey some of the rebuking tone by saying “Reubenites, how could you just sit there…?” or “My brothers, you just sat there….”

The pronoun you is singular in Hebrew, referring to the tribe of Reuben as a whole. However, most languages will prefer to use a plural pronoun here.

Tarry renders the common Hebrew verb (yashab) for sitting or dwelling in a place, so it implies that the Reubenites just sat where they were, almost too lazy to get up and respond to the call to battle. It is clear they made no effort to get up and come to their brothers’ aid. Translators might say “Why did you just sit around…?” or “Why did you stay behind…?” The idea seems to be that they should have made an effort, but they were reluctant or too lazy to do so.

Even though the exact meaning of the Hebrew word translated sheepfolds is unknown, most versions render it with the same sense as Revised Standard Version. Sheepfolds is an old English expression for flocks or groups of sheep. Contemporary English Version has “sheep pens,” while Good News Translation simply says “sheep.” However, several versions and commentators think the word used here really means “hearths” (New American Bible) or “campfires” (New International Version). With this meaning the Reubenites preferred to remain comfortably seated around their campfires, rather than getting involved in helping their brothers. New International Version mentions an alternative reading of “saddlebags” in a footnote. With this reading the idea is that the people of Reuben prepared for departure, but could not decide to move out. However, the renderings in New International Version and New American Bible are minority views, and in light of the following line that speaks of flocks, the reference to sheepfolds or “sheep pens” is probably the best interpretation here.

To hear the piping for the flocks is another line that can have several interpretations. Revised Standard Version‘s rendering gives the picture of shepherds preferring to spend their time listening to flutes being played as they watch their flocks. To hear may show that the people are passive, preferring to sit and listen, rather than to play or sing themselves. It is easy to extend this imagery to the Reubenites, who preferred to sit by and watch rather than participate actively in the war. There may be some irony here as well, since the Hebrew verb for hear (shamaʿ) is the same one used elsewhere to describe how the Israelites did not listen to or obey the LORD (see, for example, verse 2.2), and it is the first word of the very famous, “Hear O Israel” (Deut 6.4), which was the “byword” of the Israelite people.

The Hebrew noun rendered piping comes from a verb meaning “hiss” or “whistle.” Some versions think flutes are being played (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), while others think the shepherds are whistling for flocks (Contemporary English Version, New International Version), presumably to gather them together or make them come into their stalls. For the flocks gives the impression that the shepherds are playing their flutes on behalf of their flocks, as if to calm them down, but this seems unlikely. The Hebrew of this line is literally “to hear [the] whistling of [the] flocks,” so New American Bible says “listening to the lowing of the herds.” However, Good News Translation and some other versions think the shepherds are calling to their sheep. Translators will need to decide which interpretation to follow and use natural equivalents here. Flocks seems to be parallel to sheepfolds. The Hebrew word for flocks refers to a group of domesticated animals, composed mostly of sheep. Sheep are known to be passive animals, so this may be part of the reason this image is used here.

Translation models for the first two lines of this verse are:

• How could you just sit there, along with your sheep,
listening to tunes being played on the pipes?

• [People of Reuben], why did you refuse to budge,
sitting next to your flocks,*
listening to the melodies of flutes?
* Some versions have “campfires.”

Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart: These two lines repeat the last two lines of 5.15 to round out the inclusio and close this unit on a sad note, as one brother abandons another. In Hebrew these two lines are almost identical to those at the end of 5.15. One difference lies with the preposition rendered Among. In 5.15 it is literally “Among,” but here it is “According to.” Another difference concerns the Hebrew word rendered searchings. In 5.15 it is literally “resolutions,” but here it is “investigations.” Despite these minor differences, many versions use the exact same wording here (RSV/New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible). Revised English Bible omits these lines, but this is definitely not recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project. Some scholars see the slight change in words as evidence of a wordplay. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “Among the clans of Reuben Were great decisions of heart” at 5.15 and “… great searchings of heart” here. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible gives a unique solution, which creates a good play on words:

5.15de “In the clans of Reuben, there were great resolutions!”
5.16cd “In the clans of Reuben, there were great interrogations!”

Verses 15d-16 are meant to mock and criticize the Reubenites, and this wordplay draws attention to their indecision and lack of bravery. Translating these verses as a unit will help preserve the irony and bitter criticism expressed here.

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 .