38 Heb “One thousand from before [or “because of”] one battle cry.” גְּעָרָה (gé’arah) is often defined as “threat,” but in war contexts it likely refers to a shout or battle cry. See Ps 76:6.
39 Heb “from before [or “because of”] the battle cry of five you will flee.
40 Heb “until you are left” (so , , ).

In other versions

A thousand shall flee at the threat of one;

at the threat of five you shall flee,

till you are left

like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,

like a signal on a hill.

A thousand will flee

at the threat of one;

at the threat of five

you will all flee away,

till you are left

like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,

like a banner on a hill.”

One thousand will flee at the threat of one,

at the threat of five you will flee,

until you remain

like a solitary pole on a mountaintop

or a banner on a hill.

One of them will chase a thousand of you.

Five of them will make all of you flee.

You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill

or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

One thousand because of a threat of one,

because of a threat of five you shall flee,

until you are left like a flagstaff on top of a mountain,

and like a signal on a hill.

One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one;

At the rebuke of five shall ye flee:

Till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain,

And as an ensign on an hill.

Public Domain