Translation commentary on 1 Kings 5:7

In Hebrew this verse begins with the verbal transition that is sometimes rendered “And it came to pass” (so Jewish Publication Version). But it serves primarily to move the story along and should probably not be translated as a verb in the receptor language. And in this case it should probably be left untranslated as in most recent versions.

Blessed be the LORD: As with this same expression at 1 Kgs 1.48, some languages will require a different verb, if it is the case that God can “bless” people but people cannot “bless” God. In such languages it will be necessary to say something like “Praise the LORD” (Good News Translation), “I am grateful that the LORD” (Contemporary English Version), or “I thank the Lord” (International Children’s Bible).

Who has given to David a wise son: The Hebrew word translated who sometimes functions as a relative pronoun, and it is translated in this way in Revised Standard Version. But this same word sometimes functions as a conjunction and may express the reason or cause. Good News Translation has translated this word as a conjunction, that is, people should praise the LORD because he has given David such a wise son. Either translation is acceptable.

For wise see the comments on “wisdom” in 1 Kgs 2.6.

To be over this great people is literally “over this great people.” Good News Translation expresses the sense of “over” as “to succeed him as king of,” and New International Version says “to rule over.” This great people refers to the Israelite people. The adjective rendered great often means “many in number” or “populous” (Knox), but it also frequently means “great” in size, importance, or reputation (compare its use in 1 Kgs 3.8). Most translations render the Hebrew adjective here as “great,” but New American Bible says “numerous.” For the whole phrase Bible en français courant adds a verb and identifies the great people as follows: “to rule over the great people of Israel.” New Living Translation is similar with “to be king of the great nation of Israel.”

Probably the words of Hiram concerning Solomon are to be understood as a true praise of Solomon. But it is possible that the words may be understood as sarcastic. Solomon has given much more than he receives, so Hiram perhaps says, with sarcasm, “Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given to David a ‘wise’ son….”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments