This is the counterpart of verses 7 and 8 above.

Set my face against you: see 17.10; 20.3, 6.

You shall be smitten before your enemies: the verb “to smite” or “to strike” is often used in Scripture to mean “kill” or “defeat in battle.” In some languages the passive construction may be better rendered “your enemies will defeat you.”

Rule over you: the Septuagint has instead “pursue you,” but this is followed only by New English Bible. Translators are advised to communicate the idea “dominate,” “subjugate,” “rule over,” or “be your rulers.”

You shall flee when none pursues you: Good News Translation makes the meaning explicit by adding “you will be so terrified….” This contrasts with verses 7 and 8, where the enemy is made to flee by a much smaller number of Israelite soldiers.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .