Safe translates the Hebrew “in peace”; see Jerusalem Bible “safe and sound.”

The section (10.16-21) ends with a graphic statement of the fear all the Canaanites felt. Not only did active opposition against the Israelites cease, but even criticism of them; “not a man moved his tongue” (Revised Standard Version). The verb translated “moved” means literally “to sharpen.”It is impossible to tell where New English Bible got its interpretation, “not a man of the Israelites suffered so much as a scratch on his tongue”—which seems an odd place to be wounded. Good News Translation, by rendering dared even to speak against, removes the metaphor of the Hebraic expression. Although it is doubtful if many languages can use the Hebrew idiom very effectively, it is quite possible that a number of languages will have their own idiomatic expressions which might be very effective. For example, “No one dared even to cast a glance toward the Israelites” or “… squint at the Israelites.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .