anger

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The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “anger” in English in this verse is translated with a variety of solutions (Bratcher / Nida says: “Since anger has so many manifestations and seems to affect so many aspects of personality, it is not strange that expressions used to describe this emotional response are so varied).”

  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “be warm inside”
  • Mende: “have a cut heart”
  • Mískito: “have a split heart”
  • Tzotzil: “have a hot heart”
  • Mossi: “a swollen heart”
  • Western Kanjobal: “fire of the viscera”
  • San Blas Kuna: “pain in the heart”
  • Chimborazo Highland Quichua: “not with good eye”
  • Citak: two different terms, one meaning “angry” and one meaning “offended,” both are actually descriptions of facial expressions. The former can be represented by an angry stretching of the eyes or by an angry frown. The latter is similarly expressed by an offended type of frown with one’s head lowered. (Source: Graham Ogden)

See also God’s anger.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 20:30

Saul’s anger was kindled: on this expression to describe personal rage, see the comments at 17.28.

You son of a perverse, rebellious woman: this is a difficult expression in Hebrew. Perverse: the Hebrew verb in this form means “agitated” or “disturbed.” Rebellious is literally “rebellion.” New Jerusalem Bible clearly captures the negative connotations: “Son of a rebellious slut!” See also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente “[You] Bastard!” While these versions take this rebuke as a reflection on Jonathan’s mother, Contemporary English Version focuses on Jonathan himself and translates “You’re no son of mine, you traitor!” The Dead Sea Scrolls and one ancient version have “you’re just like a runaway slave girl.”

The question do I not know…? is a rhetorical question. It is a strong statement that Saul knows quite well that Jonathan is in league with David. So this question will be more naturally translated in many languages as a statement (so Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Have chosen: the Septuagint says “are a partner [or, companion] of.” Revised English Bible, following the Septuagint, says “you have made a friend of the son of Jesse.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text, but the difference in sense between “to have chosen David” and “to have become a friend of David” is negligible for translation purposes.

The son of Jesse: see the comments on verse 27.

The shame of your mother’s nakedness: Revised English Bible says “to bring dishonour on your mother.” Contemporary English Version translates “your own mother should be ashamed that you were ever born.”

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 .