The huge size of the enemy army is described in the common expression, “as many as the grains of sand on the seashore.” Readers who know anything about an ocean would have no difficulty understanding this figure of speech. However, even though it may be understood, many cultures will have expressions of their own which are more meaningful. For example, “as many men as there are trees in the jungle.”

The Hittite chariot was pulled by two horses and carried the driver and two warriors. It is possible to mention in one sentence the soldiers, horses, and chariots, and then to make the comparison in a separate sentence: “They brought together many soldiers and also a large number of war chariots that were drawn by horses. They had as many soldiers as there are grains of sand on the seashore.”

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 .