inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (1Sam 10:14)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Saul’s uncle.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 10:14

Saul’s uncle: the uncle is not named. Perhaps the intended uncle is Ner (see 14.50), who was the brother of Saul’s father, Kish (though according to 1 Chr 8.33 and 9.39, Ner was Kish’s father rather than his brother). In some languages it is essential to know whether this was on the father’s side or on the side of the mother. If such a decision is required, it is better to translate the meaning “paternal uncle,” although it is impossible to be certain of this.

The initial occurrence of the verb said will be better rendered “asked,” since it is followed by a question. And in the second case it may be rendered “replied” (New American Bible) or “responded” (Bible en français courant).

In languages where it is unnatural to respond to a question using an incomplete sentence, translators may say “I have been looking for the [female] donkeys.”

They were not to be found: this passive expression may be made active by saying “we could not find them anywhere” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .