Along with them went a mixed crowd: A mixed crowd of people accompanies the army as it begins its march. Good News Translation describes these as “other troops,” but it is not clear that this is intended. These are probably camp followers—merchants, scavengers, swindlers, prostitutes, anyone seeking profit from the anticipated carnage and destruction. A mixed crowd may therefore be alternatively translated “a huge crowd of other people.”

Like a swarm of locusts, like the dust of the earth: This crowd of people was also countless, like swarming insects. Locusts are the migratory type of winged, hopping insects that swarm in the air. They are enormously destructive to plant life. In cultures where locusts are unknown, one could say “like a swarm of winged insects.” The stress here is on the great number of insects rather than the actual variety. These people were also described as the dust of the earth. The Greek text is literally “sand,” not dust. Good News Translation has “like grains of sand in the desert,” while Contemporary English Version has “like grains of sand on the seashore.” However, in cultures where sand is non-existent, dust may be used.

A multitude that could not be counted: Good News Translation provides a good model here with “There were so many that it was impossible to count them.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.