Zebul advises Abimelech to take his followers under cover of darkness and prepare a secret attack on Gaal. The brevity of the clauses conveys the urgency of the situation.

Now therefore is literally “And now.” Good News Translation has “Now then,” but another possible connector is “So.” Contemporary English Version begins with “This is what I think you should do,” which also conveys the meaning well.

Go by night is literally “arise by night.” As we have seen throughout this book, the Hebrew verb meaning “arise” (qum) is an important one used to incite action, often in the case of a judge or deliverer (see comments on verse 2.10). If possible, translators should keep this verb since it an important feature of the book. If this is not possible, they may use other expressions, for example, “set out at night” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). By night is part of the plan, so that Abimelech and his men will not be seen. We may also say “while it is still dark.”

You and the men that are with you addresses Abimelech and his followers. The first Hebrew pronoun rendered you is quite emphatic. Men is literally “people” (Revised English Bible), but most versions say “men,” since they would be those who would fight. New Revised Standard Version has “troops,” which indicates a more organized militia. However, more general words such as “followers” or “people” would be more correct. In Hebrew this phrase occurs between two imperative verbs, but in many languages it will be more natural to put this vocative expression at the beginning of Zebul’s message by saying “You and your men, set off by night….” Another possible model is “While it is still dark, take your men and set out [for Shechem]….” The two imperatives are singular in Hebrew, which is not unusual since Abimelech is in the lead.

And lie in wait in the fields is the second command in this verse. Abimelech and his men are to hide in the countryside near Shechem in order to launch a surprise attack on Gaal and his men. The Hebrew verb rendered lie in wait is the same one translated “men in ambush” in verse 9.25 (see comments there). Good News Translation says “hide,” but another possible model is “prepare an ambush.” The Hebrew word for fields is singular, and in this context it refers to the countryside in general (compare verse 9.27).

Translation models for this verse are:

• This is what you should do: You and your men, set out in the middle of the night and set up an ambush in the fields [near Shechem].

• So, while it is still dark, lead your men out. Go and hide on the outskirts of the city.

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 .