And the LORD said to him: And renders the Hebrew waw conjunction. Since the LORD protests Gideon’s answer, this conjunction may also be translated “But.” Instead of the LORD, the Septuagint has “the angel of the LORD.” However, there is no textual justification for this change, and it is clear that the narrator is using “the LORD” and “the angel of the LORD” interchangeably (see comments on verse 6.12, verse 14). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “The LORD replied,” which is acceptable in this context.

But I will be with you: But renders the Hebrew particle ki, which may be better rendered “indeed” or “certainly” in this context. Most English versions leave this particle untranslated (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). This clause links back to “The LORD is with you” in verse 6.12 (see comments there). Fundamental to any call to service is the promise of divine presence and strength. Again, this account is very close to that of Moses (see Exo 3.12). There seems to be a link as well with the revelation of the divine name in the account of Moses, since the Hebrew word rendered I will be is ʾehyeh (see Exo 3.14). This link to Moses and the seeming reference to the divine name could be pointed out in a footnote if so desired. Good News Translation renders this whole clause as “You can do it because I will help you” (similarly Contemporary English Version), which shows the statement is meant to give Gideon confidence. However, this rendering shifts the viewpoint from God to Gideon and should not be used as a model here.

And you shall smite the Midianites as one man: The LORD tells Gideon that because of his help, Gideon will have no problem defeating the Midianite army. These words are meant to encourage Gideon and assure him of victory. The Hebrew verb rendered smite (nakah) means “crush,” “destroy,” or “defeat” (see comments on verse 1.4). As one man is an idiomatic expression whose exact meaning is unsure in this context. According to a footnote in NET Bible, later in the book (verse 20.8, 11), it refers to “the collective unity of a group,” so one possible interpretation is “you will strike down all the Midianites together” (New International Version). However, the expression might refer to the ease with which Gideon will defeat the Midianites, as in Contemporary English Version: “Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.” If this interpretation is followed, we could say “You will destroy the [whole army of] Midianites as if they were only one person.” But this expression could also refer to Gideon defeating the Midianites “single-handedly.” However, since Gideon rallies and fights with his fellow Israelites, this interpretation is doubtful. Rather, the idea of unity may be retained, with the Israelite soldiers acting as one man. Expressions with the word man are frequent in this story, as well as in the last chapters of the book. Given the number of possible meanings, translators should just chose one. This translation choice will not greatly affect the theological impact of the text or the story line.

Translation models for this verse are:

• But Yahweh replied to Gideon, and said, “I will certainly be with you. You will be able to defeat the [whole army of the] Midianites as if they were a single man.”

• The LORD replied to him, “Ah, but I will be with you, and you will destroy all the Midianites together.”*
* The Hebrew says “you will smash the Midianites as one man.” Some think this means “you will smash the Midianites single-handedly.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .