And I will send hornets uses a rare Hebrew word that the Septuagint translated as “hornet,” or “wasp,” but scholars today are doubtful that this is the meaning. New Revised Standard Version has changed to “the pestilence,” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “a plague,” and Good News Translation has “panic,” each adding a footnote with the traditional rendering of hornets. The Hebrew lexicon by Koehler-Baumgartner (K-B) proposes the meaning of “depression,” or “discouragement.” It is quite likely that the word is similar in meaning to “terror” and “confusion” in verse 27, causing “panic” so that they flee.

Which shall drive out is literally “and she shall drive out,” referring to the feminine noun “hornet.” Good News Translation has “I will drive out,” following a few ancient versions, and the context supports this interpretation. In some languages it will be necessary to say “drive them out of the land.” (See verse 29.) Hivite, Canaanite, and Hittite lists only three of the six ethnic groups in verse 23. From before you may be understood as in New International Version, “out of your way,” or as in Contemporary English Version, “as you approach.” The you is singular.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• I will make your enemies, the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites panic; I will drive them out of the land as you advance [or, approach].

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .