So they lived in the land of the Amorites: For lived compare the note on “settled” in 5.9. The verb used here is different from the two used in verses 7-9. Those two are verbs compounded from a verb root and two prepositions; the verb used here is the simple root. From this Moore suggests that both the previous verbs indicate temporary settlement, and that this verb indicates permanence. Enslin makes a good case that this occurrence is a textual corruption of the verb used earlier in verse 9 for permanent settlement. At any rate, at this point in the history the occupation becomes permanent. Good News Translation‘s “occupied” is an appropriate description of what happened. Others use the term “settle” (Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible). There is some emphasis here on beginning to live in the country of the Amorites, but this is completely missing from Revised Standard Version. New Revised Standard Version conveys it with “took up residence.” Amorites is an older term for “Canaanites”; they are two different terms for designating the original population. “Canaanites” never completely replaced Amorites, and in the Old Testament the two are often used in the same place. Compare Gen 15.16, 21. In a number of languages the Amorites will be termed “the people called Amorites.”

By their might destroyed all the inhabitants of Heshbon: By their might recalls one of Holofernes’ questions in 5.3, and may anticipate 13.8. This clause may also be expressed “They used their power to destroy [or, wipe out] the people of the region of Heshbon.” Heshbon was a city in Moab. It was east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho. Here the author probably intends a large section of the plateau on the east side of the Jordan, so Contemporary English Version has “the region of Heshbon.”

They took possession of all the hill country: Took possession is literally “inherited,” that is, took possession of that which the Lord had promised them. So we may translate “They took possession [or, control] of the hill country that God had promised to give to them” (compare the note on 4.12).

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.