The pronouns he and his refer to the king. His people means the Egyptians rather than the Israelites. It is not certain whether he spoke publicly to all the Egyptians or secretly to his close advisors. If a choice must be made in translation, it is better to have him speak to his advisors; for example: “He discussed this problem with his advisors, saying….”

Behold is not included in Good News Translation because it has become archaic in English. The Hebrew word, however, carries a meaning that can be expressed naturally in many languages. Some translations have attempted to catch its meaning in this verse with the word “Look.” (For example, the Jerusalem Bible [Jerusalem Bible], TANAKH (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh [the New Jewish Version]), and the New International Version [New International Version].) It is understood simply as a command to pay attention to what will be said. In certain languages this latter meaning will be a helpful model; for example: “Pay attention to me!” or “Listen to me well!”

The Hebrew may be understood as too many and too mighty for us, or as “more numerous and powerful than we” (the New Revised Standard Version [New Revised Standard Version]). Some translations such as Good News Translation and Jerusalem Bible draw from the danger implied in verse 10 and translate “so numerous and strong that they are a threat to us.” This idea may also be expressed as “so numerous and strong that we should fear them” or “… that they are dangerous to us.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .