He was very angry: The author speaks strongly here about the anger of Holofernes. “Boiled over with anger” in Good News Translation captures the mood well, but the translator of course must realize that this is an English metaphor. Translators should try to find suitable metaphors in their language; for example, “his nose got very hot” or “his liver seethed with anger.”

So he called together: Holofernes is apparently still at his camp between Geba and Scythopolis (see 3.10). His calling the commanders together is the result of what he had heard. Some translators will find it natural to use a connector like So here.

All the princes of Moab and the commanders of Ammon and all the governors of the coastland: Good News Translation has “rulers … generals … governors,” and Contemporary English Version “leaders … army commanders … rulers.” The author does not use technical terms, each one chosen to go with a particular area. These are general terms, chosen to vary the vocabulary and impress the reader with Holofernes’ diplomatic resources. Translators should try to use three different terms if possible. The term commanders used with Ammon does indicate a high military office, but this is incidental. Moab was directly east of the Dead Sea. Ammon was north of Moab. Any representatives of the coastland would have been in the old Philistine country along the Mediterranean coast. Holofernes is camped in the north, at the Jezreel Valley (see 3.9-10). He calls on these people not because they are nearby, but because they have had long historical experience with the Israelites. Good News Translation‘s “You live in Canaan, so tell me…” in the next verse neatly establishes this for the reader.

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.