However, they: However is a rather strong connective for the simple Greek “and,” but it is not altogether inappropriate. “So” (New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version) is a possible translation. The subject now shifts from the men of Bethulia to the Assyrians, as Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version make clear with “the Assyrians” instead of they (“Holofernes’ men” in Moore).

Got under the shelter of the hill: “Were forced” (Good News Translation) says more than the Greek says, but it is not reading too much into the text. Probably the Assyrians had the intention of bringing Achior to the city gates, but were stopped by the stones; so they hid along the mountainside where the stones couldn’t reach them (shelter of the hill). They were still on the hill upon which Bethulia stood. Contemporary English Version‘s “had to hide among the foothills around Bethulia” seems to imply that they left this hill and went elsewhere. That is not what the text is saying.

They bound Achior and left him lying at the foot of the hill: Consequently they “tied Achior up” to keep him from getting away, and left him “at the foot [or, base/bottom] of the mountain.” For at the foot of the hill, the Greek phrase is “under the root of the mountain” (compare Job 28.9).

Returned to their master: “Holofernes” is not mentioned by name here; the men simply return to their master/lord. The main problem in this verse will be satisfied if the reader at all times knows to whom the pronouns refer.

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.