And you shall hear what they say closely renders the Hebrew. The pronoun you refers to Gideon. Hear may be rendered “overhear,” since Gideon is sneaking close to the Midianite camp. What they say is literally “what they speak,” which refers to the conversation between two Midianites that Gideon will overhear. They say may be translated “the Midianite soldiers say to each other.” Some versions understand this whole clause to be an instruction. For example, New International Version says “and listen to what they are saying” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). However, Revised English Bible renders it as a temporal clause with “and when you hear what they are saying” (similarly Contemporary English Version, New American Bible).

And afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp expresses what the result will be when Gideon overhears what his enemies are saying: he will be encouraged. And afterward (literally “and after”) may be rendered “as a result,” “thus,” or “and if you do.” Your hands shall be strengthened is a Hebrew idiom that speaks of “becoming stronger” or “being encouraged.” Your hands represents the person of Gideon, so most versions say simply “you.” Once again the storyteller is using the word hand in the context of delivering Israel. For this whole idiom Good News Translation says “you will have the courage,” while Contemporary English Version has “you’ll be brave enough.” These are both good models to follow. Another possibility is “you will find the strength.”

To go down against the camp renders an independent clause in Hebrew, literally “and you will go down against the camp.” In this context the verb go down means “attack” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), as in verse 7.9. This clause can be understood as a purpose or result clause. Like Revised Standard Version, most other versions take it to be a purpose clause, for example, “to attack the camp” (New International Version). Another possible rendering with this understanding is “so that you will be able to attack the Midianites.” NET Bible takes it as a result clause by saying “and [you will] attack the camp.”

Translation models for the first half of this verse are:

• Listen to what the Midianites are saying. This will encourage you to attack their camp.”

• When you hear what they are talking about, you will become brave enough to attack them.”

This is the end of Yahweh’s instructions to Gideon, and as is often the case in Hebrew stories, the narrative and dialogue are closely linked. Contemporary English Version and New Living Translation begin a new paragraph here with Gideon carrying out the LORD’s instructions.

Then he went down with Purah his servant …: Then renders the Hebrew waw conjunction. Here it introduces Gideon’s response to God’s instructions, so it may be rendered “So” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible) or even “So right away.” For he went down with Purah his servant, see the comments on verse 7.10. This clause may be rendered “Gideon took Purah, his weapons bearer, and sneaked down to the camp.”

To the outposts of the armed men that were in the camp: This phrase shows that Gideon and Purah intend to spy on the Midianites. They do not go into the middle of the camp where they would be recognized and captured. Rather, they position themselves at the outposts of the camp, that is, on its outskirts. The outposts may be rendered “the edge of the enemy camp” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). The armed men refers to the Midianite soldiers inside the camp. The Hebrew word for armed men is an unusual one, referring to soldiers who are armed for combat or guard duty. NET Bible has “sentries.” That were in the camp tells where the armed men were, but many versions prefer to put this reference to the camp earlier. For example, Contemporary English Version says “Gideon and Purah worked their way to the edge of the enemy camp, where soldiers were on guard duty.” Other possible models are:

• So Gideon took Purah, his weapons bearer, and went to the edge of the Midianite camp, where soldiers were standing guard.

• So he went down to the camp with his helper Purah. They went as far as the armed soldiers stationed at the outposts of their camp.

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 .