And: it will not be necessary in some languages to translate the conjunction in this case. It serves merely to join together the description of Joab’s attire and his encounter with Amasa.

The report of Joab’s behavior toward Amasa was considered perfectly normal at the time. He asks first about Amasa’s welfare, using the common word for “peace” often found in greetings in the Middle East to this day. And he calls his cousin Amasa my brother, using the term in its broadest sense. In languages where this very general meaning is likely to be misunderstood in a stricter sense, it will be better to use a different word such as “my friend” (Good News Translation) or something similar. Contemporary English Version and New Living Translation say “my cousin.” In some languages it will be more natural to put this address before the question about welfare (or greeting) rather than after it. The translation will then read something like “My brother [or, friend], is everything all right with you?”

The action of taking someone by the beard was not considered unusual in such a setting. It was a friendly gesture commonly used between men when they were greeting each other. So translators should avoid giving the impression that this was an obviously hostile action.

Kiss: see 15.5.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .