Other translations
New Catholic Bible
ordering them to occupy the mountain passes, since they were the only means of access to Judea. Since the narrow approach would not allow more than two men to advance abreast of each other, there would be no difficulty in preventing the advance of the attacking forces.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
ordering them to seize the mountain passes, since by them Judea could be invaded; and it would be easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, wide enough for only two at a time to pass.
Good News Translation®
He ordered them to occupy the mountain passes which led into the land of Judah, where it would be easy to withstand an attack, since the approach was only wide enough for two people at a time to pass.
Wycliffe Bible
And the sons of Israel did after this behest (or command), that Joakim, the (high) priest of the Lord, had ordained to them.
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
ordering them to seize the passes up into the hills, since by them Judea could be invaded, and it was easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, only wide enough for two men at the most.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
ordering them to seize the mountain passes, since by them Judea could be invaded, and it would be easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, wide enough for only two at a time to pass.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition
ordering them to seize the mountain passes, since by them Judea could be invaded; and it would be easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, wide enough for only two at a time to pass.
Common English Bible © 2011
telling them to guard the mountain passes because they were the entrance to Judea. It would be easy to stop anyone trying to enter through them, because the passages were narrow and allowed for only two men at the most to pass through.
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
and instructed them to keep firm hold of the mountain passes, since these offered access to Judea. It would be easy to stop those advancing, as the approach was only wide enough for two at a time.
Revised Standard Version
ordering them to seize the passes up into the hills, since by them Judea could be invaded, and it was easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, only wide enough for two men at the most.
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
ordering them to seize the mountain passes, since by them Judea could be invaded; and it would be easy to stop any who tried to enter, for the approach was narrow, wide enough for only two at a time to pass.