Thus says the LORD of hosts begins the final subparagraph. Good News Translation has no equivalent. Translators should try to mark this point as the beginning of a new subunit in some way. They will have to decide whether to do so by repeating the introductory formula (for example, “The LORD Almighty says”) or by some other means that is stylistically more appropriate in their own language.

In those days is the same phrase in Hebrew as that translated “in these days” in verse 6. Here it clearly refers to the indefinite future, the time when the promises of verses 20-22 will be fulfilled (compare “On that day” in Hag 2.23).

Ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew: As in verses 17 and 20, Revised Standard Version translates a text that omits one word, the relative pronoun, from the traditional Hebrew text. In its translation Revised Standard Version is following the Septuagint, again without acknowledgment. Most modern versions do the same (Moffatt, New American Bible, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Bible en français courant, Biblen: Det Gamle og Det Nye Testamente). This causes a problem however, in that it leaves unexplained the repetition in the Hebrew of the verb take hold. Most modern versions simply ignore this repetition. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh repeats the verb in English, but this just sounds clumsy. New International Version tries to bring out something of the effect of the repetition by saying “take firm hold.” The only available version that tries to translate the traditional text is New English Bible, which has “when ten men from nations of every language pluck up courage, they shall pluck the robe of a Jew.” This maintains the repetition of the verb in English, but gives the verb very different meanings in its two occurrences, and must be regarded as rather doubtful. Literally, the Hebrew says, “those who take hold will be ten men from every gentile language group; they will take hold of the robe of a Jew.” These elements of meaning could be kept more naturally in English by reordering to say, “There will be ten men who take hold of the robe of a Jew. They will all come from different foreign language groups, and will say.” Ten here is probably a round figure indicating a large number (compare Gen 31.7; Lev 26.26; 1 Sam 1.8.). So the statement should not be understood to refer just to one Jew and ten foreigners. Rather, it is a general statement that for every Jew there will be ten foreigners.

The nations of every tongue is very unnatural English. As indicated above, this means “different foreign language groups.” Good News Translation says merely “foreigners,” but this is not sufficient. New American Bible brings out the point better with “men of every nationality, speaking different tongues.” The prophet is emphasizing that people from many different nations will come to seek the God of Israel (compare 8.20, 22). He is not saying that every person involved spoke several languages!

To take hold of the robe of a Jew was not a gesture that expressed hostility (as it does in 14.13), but rather great urgency (compare 1 Sam 15.27; Matt 9.20). Good News Translation says only “will come to one Jew,” but this is not adequate. If the modern reader will not understand the meaning of take hold of the robe, translators could say “will come and plead with.” It would also be possible to translate both the form and the meaning, and say, “will come and grab the robe of a Jew and plead with him.” The word translated robe in Revised Standard Version refers to “the edge of his garment” (New American Bible; see Hag 2.12). Other possible translations are “the sleeve” (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible), “the hem of one … robe” (New Living Translation), and “a corner of his cloak” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The word “Jew” is unusual in the Old Testament outside the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. It occurs also in Jer 34.9. Because the term Jew is unusual in the Old Testament, translators may consider using the term they have used in the New Testament, if it is different from their normal term for the inhabitants of Judah in the Old Testament.

Let us go with you: Compare verse 21. In Hebrew, you is plural. The foreigners may be addressing one Jew, but they speak about the Jews as a nation. Good News Translation “We want to share in your destiny” is not a very helpful example for translators. It is both high-level English and an unjustified expansion of the Hebrew.

We have heard that God is with you: The gentiles use the general name God rather than the personal name translated as “the LORD.” For the thought of this verse, compare Isa 7.14; Isa 45.14; Hag 1.13. You is again plural in Hebrew.

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .