Good News Translation changes the proper nouns to pronouns, perhaps in order to make the story move faster. While this may be acceptable in some languages, those that do not distinguish between masculine and feminine pronouns may find it difficult.

At this point the food refers to the dumplings (or cakes) that Tamar had prepared. In some languages it may be more natural to use the more specific term here, since it has already been introduced earlier in the story.

Into the chamber: at last Amnon was able to get Tamar into the same room where he was lying. With the servants no longer around, he finally had the opportunity of taking her to bed with him. Chamber translates a Hebrew noun meaning a “dark inner room.” Such a room was often used for a bedroom, since it was away from the sunlight.

If the receptor language requires it, the direct quotation here may be made indirect by saying something like “Then Amnon told her to bring the dumplings into his room so that he could eat them directly from her hand.”

Her brother will, of course, be rendered “her half brother” in languages where this is more 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 .