Take courage: the basis of this translation is a reflexive form of the Hebrew verb meaning “be strong.” This form may be translated “strengthen yourselves” or “brace yourselves” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Or, since this verse represents what the Philistines are saying to each other, it may be more natural to say “Let’s be strong” or “Let’s brace ourselves.”

Acquit yourselves like men: literally “be men” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). The phrase occurs twice in this verse. It is an appeal by the Philistine speaker to other Philistines to fight hard in order to be victorious over the Israelites. The notion that men are better fighters than women or children is assumed in the various cultures of the Old Testament. In cultures where this idea is shared, the reference to men may be translated literally. But it is conceivable that some other image may be more appropriate in some languages.

Lest: the Hebrew conjunction so translated is often very difficult to reproduce in other languages. It contains the idea of purpose and negation at the same time: “in order not to [do something]” or “so that [something will] not [happen].” Some may express this idea by saying “for fear that….” But in other cases it may be better to begin a completely new sentence, saying something like “you [we] are in danger of becoming slaves” or “we risk becoming slaves.”

The Hebrews: see the comments on verse 6 above.

Lest you become … as they have been to you: since a Philistine is speaking, it will be more natural in some languages to say “lest we become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to us.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .