grain

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated in English as “grain” (or: “corn”) is translated in Kui as “(unthreshed) rice.” Helen Evans (in The Bible Translator 1954, p. 40ff. ) explains: “Padddy [unthreshed rice] is the main crop of the country and rice the staple diet of the people, besides which [grain] is unknown and there is no word for it, and it seemed to us that paddy and rice in the mind of the Kui people stood for all that corn meant to the Jews.” “Paddy” is also the translation in Pa’o Karen (source: Gordon Luce in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 153f. ).

Other translations include: “wheat” (Teutila Cuicatec), “corn” (Lalana Chinantec), “things to eat” (Morelos Nahuatl), “grass corn” (wheat) (Chichimeca-Jonaz) (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.), or ntimumma lujia / “seeds for food” (Lokạạ — “since Lokạạ does not have specific terms for maize and rice that can be described as grains”) (source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )

cakes of figs

The Hebrew that is translated as “cakes of figs” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “piles of dried figs” because the concept of pressing figs into a cake is not known. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

sheep

“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep’. In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCAM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 25:18

When the intensive verb translated made haste occurs in series with another verb in Hebrew, it may often be translated by an adverb like “hurriedly” or “hastily” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). This verb is used four times to describe Abigail’s actions in this chapter.

The word loaves represents the same Hebrew word that is translated “bread” in verse 11. In some languages the presence of the number two hundred will require something like “loaves of bread,” but in other cases “two hundred breads” will be perfectly normal.

Skins of wine: New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Contemporary English Version say “jars of wine.” Regarding the meaning and translation of the word rendered skins, see the comments on 1.24.

Ready dressed: translates the passive participle of a verb often rendered “to do” or “to make.” So a literal rendering would be “done” or “made.” Here it means “dressed” (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, and Klein). Others say “ready dressed” (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible) or “ready prepared.” When used in this way, the English word “dressed” is a technical term describing an animal or bird that has been prepared for cooking by removing skin (or feathers) and internal organs. The meaning in this context seems to be that the sheep were already prepared and “roasted” (so Moffatt as well as Good News Translation), although the text does not say that the meat was already cooked.

Five measures of parched grain: five measures is literally “five seahs.” A seah was equal to about a third of an ephah (see 1.24 and 17.17). The equivalent measure is approximately “two bushels,” or “forty liters” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). The grain (see 17.17) was probably wheat (so La Bible du Semeur) or barley. Where precise measurements are not possible or would sound unnatural, one may say something like “five sacks” (em>Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). It is not recommended that the Hebrew term be transliterated as in New American Bible (“five seahs of roasted grain”), since the word “seah” will have no meaning in most languages.

Raisins are grapes that have been dried in the sun. Dried grapes were sometimes pressed together to form lumps or masses of raisins (see 2 Sam 6.19).

Cakes of figs: figs are small, sweet, pear-shaped fruit. Dried figs were pressed together to form chunks and were ideal food for those who were traveling (see also 30.12). Such chunks are sometimes referred to as cakes in English. But this should not be thought of as something made with flour and baked in an oven. The Contemporary English Version model (“handfuls”) may be helpful in some languages.

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 .