Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 10:16

Hadadezer: while this name was mentioned frequently in chapter 8, this is the first specific mention since that point, and it may be a good idea to remind the reader that Hadadezer was a king, as Good News Translation has done by adding the title.

Sent, and brought out: the verb “send” will require an object in many languages. New Century Version and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible both have “sent messengers….” It will also be possible to say “sent men [or, troops] to bring the Syrians….” Another reasonable solution is to use a verb that means “fetched” or “sent for” (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Beyond the Euphrates: as indicated in the Revised Standard Version footnote and in translations like King James Version, New King James Version , New American Standard Bible, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, the Hebrew text does not actually have the name Euphrates. It says only “beyond the river” (compare 8.3). But the reference is almost certainly to the Euphrates, and most modern versions include the name. This should probably also be done in other languages, since it is unlikely that modern readers or hearers will automatically think of the Euphrates when they hear “the river,” as the original readers almost certainly did.

The word beyond refers to the east side of the Euphrates from the point of view of a person located in Israel. This can be made clear in translation if “the other side” may be misunderstood or meaningless in the receptor language. See Josh 24.2. Compare also comments on “beyond the Jordan” at 1 Sam 31.7.

Helam: this place name is mentioned only here and in the following verse, although it is possibly the same as “Alema,” mentioned in 2 Maccabees 5.26, 35. While it is not absolutely certain whether the word refers to a city or a region, most scholars think it was very likely a city.

At their head: this may be better expressed in some languages by saying something like “as their commander” or “as their leader.” Another way of wording this is to use a verbal expression like “… was leading them” or “… was in charge of the army.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 10:17

When it was told: as in verse 5, this passive expression will have to be made active in many languages by saying “when David heard about it” or “when someone told David about it.” See also 3.23 and 6.12.

Gathered all Israel together: in this expression all Israel refers to the fighting forces of Israel and not to every single person including women and children. This should probably be made clear in translation as Good News Translation has done. David and his troops crossed the Jordan, going from the west side to the east side.

Arrayed themselves: see verses 8-10, where this same expression is used.

Fought: since the description of the battle continues in the following verse, this verb form in English may be misleading. The idea at this point is that the battle began. In some cases it may be best to translate “the battle started” or, if the Syrians are still the subject, a verb like “attacked” or “charged” may be most natural.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 10:18

And: depending on how the end of the previous verse is translated, a conjunction like “But” may be more appropriate here. The Syrians first attacked but then retreated. This reversal of fortune may be highlighted by the transition word chosen here.

The men of seven hundred chariots: literally “seven hundred chariot.” The word “chariot” is singular but is used collectively to refer to groups of chariots. The ancient Syriac version speaks of “a thousand seven hundred charioteers,” but no modern translation consulted follows this evidence. The parallel passage in 1 Chr 19.18 has “the men of seven thousand chariots.” However, there is no evidence for such a reading here in 2 Samuel. Translators are advised to translate the meaning found in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. While New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible speak of “seven hundred chariot teams,” most versions take this to mean seven hundred individual chariot drivers. Both interpretations are possible, and translators may follow either.

Forty thousand horsemen: following the Masoretic Text, Revised Standard Version has horsemen and Good News Translation has “cavalry.” Some manuscripts of the Septuagint, as well as the parallel passage in 1 Chr 19.18, have “foot soldiers.” This reading of the Septuagint is followed by New American Bible and New International Version. New Jerusalem Bible avoids the problem by saying simply “forty thousand men.” However, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament argues that horsemen is the original reading, and that the reading “foot soldiers” is the result of harmonizing the text to the reading in 1 Chronicles. The Masoretic Text should be followed.

Wounded … so that he died: the wording of both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation seems to suggest that there was a lapse of time between the injury and the death that resulted from it. The verb translated wounded means “strike down.” Depending on the context the verb in this form may mean either “to kill” or “to wound.” The Hebrew grammar is most naturally understood as expressing two different actions, the one occurring after the other, as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. It is possible, though not likely, that the grammar should be understood as expressing one single action: he was struck down—that is, he died there.

The adverb there refers to the field of battle where the foregoing events took place. New American Bible and Revised English Bible translate this adverb by the prepositional phrase “on the field.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 10:19

Kings who were servants: in some languages the use of the two terms kings and servants for the same persons would be impossible. These kings were subjects of Hadadezer, but they were people of such high status that they could not be referred to as “servants” in many cultures. New International Version translates the Hebrew word with the technical English word “vassal,” which refers to someone who is subordinate to someone else. A number of versions call them “vassal kings” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Revised English Bible), or one may use a verbal expression like “the kings who served Hadadezer” (New Century Version) or “kings who had been under Hadadezer’s rule” (Contemporary English Version).

Had been defeated by Israel: this passive expression can be made active in many languages; for example, “that the Israelites had defeated them.”

Made peace: the immediate context shows that this involved accepting the terms of peace dictated by the victorious army. In some languages the proper expression here will be “begged for peace,” “sat in peace,” or “gave up fighting.”

So: that is, as a result of seeing the military victory of the people of Israel. The conjunction here introduces a final note in the story of the Syrians’ relationship to Israel. That the Syrians feared to help the Ammonites any more reminds the reader of verse 6, where the Ammonites hired Syrian troops to help them fight against Israel.

Any more: or, more literally, “again” as in Revised English Bible and New Century Version.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 11:1

This verse describes the same events as 1 Chr 20.1, but the focus is different here, since it sets the scene for David’s sin with Bathsheba, while the Chronicler omits any reference to this wrongdoing on the part of the king. While the account in 1 Chronicles says simply that “Joab led out the army,” the account here specifically says that David sent Joab. This difference in focus must, of course, be maintained in translation. The verse begins with a form of the verb “to be” that is often omitted in translation but is rendered “And it came to pass” (King James Version) or “Then it happened” (New American Standard Bible). Translators need not imitate the form of the Hebrew but should begin this new story in whatever way is considered natural in their language.

In the spring of the year: literally “At the return of the year.” In addition to the parallel in 1 Chr 20.1, this kind of expression is also used in 1 Kgs 20.22 and 26 to refer to the king of Syria attacking the Israelites in the spring of the year, and in 2 Chr 36.10 to indicate the time when Nebuchadnezzar brought Jehoiachin to Babylon. A similar Hebrew expression occurs in 2 Kgs 13.20 to situate the habitual invasion of the land by the Moabites. In those parts of the world where the season of spring is unknown, it may be necessary to translate as New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New Jerusalem Bible, “at the turn of the year.” The basic meaning of the word used here is generally thought to be that of repetition or return of a time of the year. Some scholars, however, argue that the meaning of this passage is rather “When the time of the year at which the kings had marched out came around again…” (Anchor Bible). Very few other translators follow this interpretation, so it is not recommended.

When kings go forth to battle: since this speaks of something that happened repeatedly, the habitual verb form may be the most appropriate in many languages. The word translated kings is actually “messengers” in the traditional Hebrew text, but there is a note to the effect that it should be read as “kings.” Most scholars agree with this, and almost all modern versions translate in this way. There is the possibility that the word “messengers” is an intentional play on words, since it closely resembles the word for kings, and the words to battle are not in the Hebrew. Thus this can be the story about the many messages the king sent and received at the hands of messengers—and he continued to think he kept his secret hidden! However, such a play on words will be impossible to retain in translation, and the standard translation will have to be followed.

His servants: the term servants in this context refers to the military officers loyal to David and serving under Joab. It is therefore wise to translate “his officers,” as in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New American Bible as well as Good News Translation.

Ravaged: the root meaning of the verb here is “decay,” and the causative form may be rendered “ruined,” “spoiled,” “destroyed” (New International Version), “devastated” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “massacred” (New Jerusalem Bible).

The Ammonites is literally “the sons of Ammon.” This Hebrew idiom means simply “the Ammonite people.”

Besieged: see 1 Sam 11.1.

Rabbah: this name refers to the capital city of the Ammonites. It is known today as Amman in the modern country of Jordan. In many languages it will be helpful to add a classifier term so that the reader will know that Rabbah is a city. Although it is not mentioned by name in the Hebrew text, there is an allusion to Rabbah in 10.8 (where Good News Translation makes it explicit).

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 11:21

It happened: this verse begins as the previous one with a form of the verb “to be” that is traditionally translated “And it came to pass” (King James Version). This form, however, simply serves as a kind of transition marker and may be translated using the natural transition devices of the receptor language, indicating the passage of a certain amount of time since David had sent his troops into battle against the Ammonites.

Late one afternoon: literally “at the time of the evening.” The use of the expression “one evening” (Anchor Bible, New American Bible, Revised English Bible, and New International Version) may make the reader think of a time after dark. It was, however, more likely “towards evening” (New Jerusalem Bible) or late in the afternoon just toward the setting of the sun. Compare 1.12 as well as 1 Sam 14.24 and Ruth 2.17.

Arose from his couch: probably David was getting up from his afternoon siesta before his evening meal. Translations should therefore avoid giving the impression that he had already gone to bed for the night. New American Bible makes this quite specific with “rose from his siesta,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “got up from resting.” The thought is similar to that in 4.5, where it is said that Ishbosheth was taking his noonday rest. Couch translates a noun that is rather literally “a place of lying.” The noun may refer to a simple mat, a royal sofa or lounge, or even a stand on which a corpse or a coffin is placed. In this context the general word “couch” probably expresses the correct meaning in English. Certain versions say simply “bed” (New International Version, New Century Version). Several translations avoid representing the object by using words like “nap” (Contemporary English Version), “siesta” (New American Bible), or “resting” (New Jerusalem Bible) to describe what David had been doing there.

Walking on the roof: this may sound strange indeed in languages where people do not have flat roofs and never go up on the roof of a house except to make repairs. But it does reflect the biblical culture and should not be made to fit the culture of the receptor language. In some languages an explanatory footnote may be required. But it will also be legitimate to translate “flat roof” (Contemporary English Version) instead of simply “roof.” Compare also Josh 2.6-8 and 1 Sam 9.25-26.

The king’s house: in some languages it will be more natural to say “his house” or “the palace.”

A woman bathing: Good News Translation “taking a bath in her house” may be misleading. Probably she was not inside a building where David was able to see her through a window, but in the courtyard of her house and plainly visible to David, whose palace was at a higher elevation. As is suggested in verse 4, this bathing probably included the ritual purification required by Lev 15.19-24 following a woman’s monthly menstrual flow of blood. Contemporary English Version attempts to bring out this aspect in translation by saying “bathing as her religion required.”

The woman was very beautiful: the idea rendered “very beautiful” is more literally “of very good appearance” or “very good to look at.” While this is taken as a separate sentence in most versions, it may be necessary in some languages to combine it with the previous sentence and say something like “saw a very good-looking woman bathing” or “watched a woman who was very beautiful while she was taking a bath.”

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 11:3

Sent and inquired: this two-verb construction conveys the idea of David’s giving an order that resulted in an inquiry about the identity of the woman he had just seen taking her bath. While the verb sent has no object in Hebrew, one will have to be supplied in most languages. It may be best in many cases to say “sent a servant to inquire” or “sent someone to find out” (New International Version).

One said: literally “he said.” This may be a reference to some unnamed person whose identity was either hidden or unknown to the writer or considered unimportant to the story. Or it may be a reference to the implied object of the verb “send.” New International Version translates “the man said,” indicating that the person revealing this information was in fact the same person that David had sent to ask questions about Bathsheba. Many other modern versions do something similar. Good News Translation deals with the problem by saying only that David “learned.” Revised English Bible avoids the problem of stating the subject by using the passive form “was told.”

The answer is given in the form of a question, which may indicate some doubt on the part of the speaker. But questions are also used in contexts like this to establish a fact. In addition to Good News Translation, the following versions and commentaries make this a simple statement of fact rather than a question: New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version, Anchor Bible, and Anderson. And Revised English Bible translates “it must be Bathsheba daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

Daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite: it is unusual to identify a woman by the name of her father and of her husband at the same time. Some commentators speculate that this shows that it is important who her father was, but no reasons are given as to why this should be so. The Eliam referred to is probably not the same as the person with the same name mentioned later in 23.34. Bathsheba’s husband is further identified as the Hittite, showing that he was one of the non-Israelites who were taken into David’s army. However, his name, which means “the LORD is light,” may be an indication that Uriah or his father had embraced the Israelite religion.

At the end of this verse, a manuscript from Qumran adds the words “the armor bearer of Joab.” New American Bible includes these words within brackets; but most translations follow the Masoretic Text here, to which Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives an {A} rating.

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 11:4

So: this translates the common Hebrew conjunction that is often rendered “And” (King James Version, New American Standard Bible) or left untranslated altogether (Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Revised English Bible). Several versions render it “Then” (New American Bible, New International Version, and New Jerusalem Bible). The most important function of this word is to make the story read smoothly. So a word that functions in this way should be chosen in the receptor language. In some cases nothing more than a new paragraph will be required.

Sent messengers, and took her: in some languages a literal translation of the word messengers will not be appropriate because its meaning may be too limited. The people that David sent were to do more than deliver a message. So in some languages it may be better to say “sent men to bring her back” or “sent his agents to make her come to him.”

He lay with her: on this expression for sexual intercourse, see the comments on 1 Sam 2.22.

Now she was purifying herself from her uncleanness: the bath mentioned in verse 2 probably included ritual purification, since women were considered unclean for seven days following their monthly period (Lev 15.19). Several common language translations indicate that Bathsheba was performing a regular “monthly” purification (so Good News Translation, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), which suggests to contemporary readers the cause of her uncleanness.Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente says more directly “had just purified herself from her menstruation.” Similarly Nueva Biblia Española says “from her period.” This is considered by some commentators as an explanation why she became pregnant following her relations with David. That she had just had her monthly period also proves that David, and not her husband, is the father of the child (verse 5). It is enclosed in parentheses by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation to show that it is an interruption in the story to give necessary information to the reader. Revised English Bible translates “though she was still purifying herself after her period.” In light of Lev 15.19-30 this may be more accurate, since it is difficult to see how Bathsheba could have completed all the requirements for her complete purification between the time she was seen having her bath and the time that David summoned her to the palace.

A manuscript from Qumran lacks the Hebrew noun translated her uncleanness. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project considers the shorter reading to be an abbreviation of the longer, original text found in the Masoretic Text, to which it gives a {C} rating. McCarter, on the other hand, considers the shorter reading original and thinks that the Masoretic Text has expanded in order to clarify. Even if the shorter text is judged to be original, translators will need to be sure that the meaning is clear in receptor languages.

The statement that Bathsheba was purifying herself contains much implicit information that was understood by the original readers: (1) a woman became ritually impure each month from her menstrual bleeding, and (2) the Mosaic Law required a ritual of purification. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch may provide a useful model to make some of this information explicit: “She had just undertaken the required purification after her monthly bleeding.” Good News Translation may suggest that Bathsheba was following a practice that was unique to her. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch makes clear that what she did was “required” (by the Law).

Then she returned to her house: the adverb Then translates the common Hebrew conjunction, but in this context it is well translated because it introduces the next step in a sequence of events. Instead of her house it will be more natural in some languages to say “the place where she [habitually] lived.”

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 .