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)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 3:7

Now: the Hebrew has only the common conjunction that is most often translated “And.” But the context may require a different transition word in some languages. Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch say “One day” and make a paragraph break at the beginning of this verse.

Saul had: at this point in the story Saul has been dead for some time. Knowledge of this fact may affect the verb form used in this case. Anchor Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New International Version use the English pluperfect tense, “Saul had had a concubine” (so also Bible en français courant, La Bible du Semeur). Knox, on the other hand, conveys the idea of Saul’s departure, with the words “Saul had left a concubine.”

Concubine: the exact status of a concubine in Israelite culture is not absolutely certain, but most probably such a woman was a legitimate wife of lower status. These included slaves and women captured during wars. Her standing was therefore less than that of the principal wife or wives, but she should not be thought of as a prostitute, and her status was not temporary. The term is also found in Gen 22.24 and frequently in the book of Judges, as well as in this book. Some languages have had to translate this term as “spouse of second rank” (Bible en français courant) or “second-level wife.” Translators are advised not to follow New Century Version‘s rendering of this term, “slave woman.”

Ish-bosheth: or “Ishbaal” (New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible). See the comments at 2.8. The Masoretic Text of this verse says literally “and he said.” Most translations add the name Ish-bosheth, either following the Septuagint, which has the name Memphibosthe, or simply making the name explicit as the context requires. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, following the Septuagint, and a manuscript from Qumran recommend the following corrected text: “And Ishbosheth son of Saul said.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} evaluation to this corrected text, but for reasons of style it may be unnecessary in receptor languages to repeat the information that Ishbosheth is “the son of Saul.”

Gone in to: this is a euphemistic expression for having sexual relations with a woman. Compare Gen 16.2; Psa 51.1; and Ezek 23.44. Many English versions use the English euphemism “sleep with” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or “lie with” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). New American Bible has “Why have you been intimate with…?” while New Century Version is more direct, “Why did you have sexual relations with…?” It is possible to understand the Hebrew verb as referring to a regular practice rather than to a one-time affair (so Anchor Bible, “why have you been sleeping with…?”).

The direct quotation of Revised Standard Version may be made indirect as in Good News Translation, if this will be more natural in the receptor language.

The Masoretic Text never states directly that Abner had been sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. All that is stated is Ishbosheth’s accusation that Abner had done so. Some Greek manuscripts, however, have the words “And Abner took [or, went in to] her,” and this is the basis for the translation in several versions (New Jerusalem Bible, Osty-Trinquet). New Jerusalem Bible, for example, says “Now, there was a concubine of Saul’s called Rizpah daughter of Aiah, and Abner took her.” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, as reflected in Revised Standard Version.

Rizpah appears again in 21.8-11. Though the Hebrew does not state explicitly that Aiah was the father of Rizpah, the name Aiah is a man’s name in Gen 36. Almost all Bible dictionaries agree that Aiah was the father (not the mother) of Rizpah.

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 .