concubine

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “concubine” in English is translated in Kutu as “slave made to be his woman” or “female slave he married.”

Similarly, in Kwere it is translated as “slaves who were like wives.” The translation team explained: “We discussed how concubines are different from prostitutes (there is a word for that) in that they have a similar status to wives (they live with the man often and are provided for physically) and so we decided not to use the word for prostitute which is a loose woman or someone engaging in sexual immorality. But since concubines were an accepted part of the society and culture, this would give wrong meaning.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Absalom (image)

Hand colored stencil print on momigami by Sadao Watanabe (1972).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

See also Absalom.

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 16:22

So: it is not essential to translate the common conjunction here; but if it is overtly represented, the connection is more logical than temporal. The action was taken as a result of the advice given.

They: there is no clear referent for this pronoun. Rather it is a way of saying that some unknown or unnamed persons performed the action, following instructions from Absalom. Translators may say “someone” or “some people.” Or, following Contemporary English Version, it may be possible to begin by saying that “Absalom had a tent set up….” The passive form is used in certain modern versions (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible), and this may be reproduced in those languages that have natural passives in such a context.

Pitched a tent … upon the roof: since it is unthinkable to put a tent on the roof of a house in many cultures, translators must take special care in rendering these words. While the original readers and hearers understood that the roof was flat, this information may have to be supplied in other cultures. New Century Version and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, for example, translate clearly “put up a tent on the flat roof of the palace.” The use of the word tent in this context suggests a bridal tent set up for newly married people (compare Psa 19.4).

Went in to his father’s concubines: the same expression as is used in verse 20, but here it is in the past tense. See the comments above.

In the sight of all Israel: this probably does not mean that all the people of Israel watched the actual act of sexual intercourse, but rather that they were able to see Absalom go into the tent on the palace roof with David’s concubines, and that they knew what would happen inside.

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 .