7 The next day Holofernes commanded all his army and all the people who’d come to be his allies, that they should move their camp towards Betulia, seize the passes of the hill country, and make war against the Israeli people. 2 Every mighty man of them moved that day. The army of their men of war was one hundred and seventy thousand footmen, plus twelve thousand horsemen, besides the baggage and the men who were on foot among them—a very great multitude. 3 They encamped in the valley near Betulia, by the fountain. They spread themselves in breadth over Dotan even to Belmaim, and in length from Betulia to Kuamon, which is near Yizre’el (Jezreel).

4 But the Israeli people, when they saw the multitude of them, were terrified, and everyone said to his neighbour, “Now these men will lick up the face of all the earth. Neither the high mountains, nor the valleys, nor the hills will be able to bear their weight. 5 Every man took up his weapons of war, and when they’d kindled fires on their towers, they remained and watched all that night.

6 But on the second day Holofernes led out all his cavalry in the sight of the Israeli people which were in Betulia, 7 viewed the ascents to their city, and searched out the springs of the waters, seized on them, and set garrisons of men of war over them. Then he departed back to his people.

8 All the rulers of the children of Esav (Esau), all the leaders of the people of Moav (Moab), and the captains of the sea coast came to him and said, 9 “Let our lord now hear a word, that there not be losses in your army. 10 Because this people of the Israeli people don’t trust in their spears, but in the height of the mountains wherein they live, for it isn’t easy to come up to the tops of their mountains. 11 And now, my lord, don’t fight against them as men fight who join battle, and there won’t so much as one man of your people perish. 12 Remain in your camp, and keep every man of your army safe. Let your servants get possession of the water spring, which flows from the foot of the mountain, 13 because all the inhabitants of Betulia get their water from there. Then thirst will kill them, and they’ll give up their city. Then we and our people will go up to the tops of the mountains that are near, and will camp on them, to watch that not one man gets out of the city. 14 They’ll be consumed with famine—they, their wives, and their children. Before the sword comes against them they’ll be laid low in the streets where they live. 15 And you’ll pay them back with evil, because they rebelled, and didn’t meet your face in peace.”

16 Their words were pleasing in the sight of Holofernes and in the sight of all his servants; and he ordered them to do as they’d spoken. 17 And the army of the children of Amon moved, and with them five thousand of the children of Ashur (Assyria), and they encamped in the valley. They seized the waters and the springs of the waters of the Israeli people. 18 The children of Esav (Esau) went up with the children of Amon, and encamped in the hill country near Dotan. They sent some of them towards the south, and towards the east, near Ekrebel, which is near Chusi, that’s on the brook Mochmur. The rest of the army of the Assyrians encamped in the plain, and covered all the face of the land. Their tents and baggage were pitched on it in a great crowd. They were a very great multitude.