She continued praying: the word translated continued is a causative verb that means “to make many,” in the sense of doing something continually. Klein’s translation (“she multiplied her prayers”) is not good English, but it does capture the Hebrew idiom. Both Good News Translation and Bible en français courant add the words “for a long time.” Similarly Revised English Bible says “For a long time she went on praying,” and New American Bible states “she remained long at prayer.” Perhaps the context implies “for a long time,” but one may also translate the Hebrew accurately by stating simply that “she kept on praying” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version) without stating explicitly for how long. In languages that have a verb form indicating continued action, it is quite appropriate to use it here.

Before the LORD is a literal translation of the Hebrew. Hannah was of course praying to God, and many translations say “to the LORD” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible [“to Yahweh”]). But the Hebrew expression often means “in the sanctuary,” “at the sanctuary,” or even “before the covenant box.” Here the focus seems to be on where Hannah was praying, in the sanctuary at Shiloh where God was present, rather than on whom she was praying to.

Her mouth: Revised Standard Version translates literally. A different Hebrew word, which means “lips,” occurs in the next verse. In contemporary English, however, one would more naturally say here “watched her lips,” as in Good News Translation. In some languages it may be more natural to say simply “observed her” (Bible en français courant), without focusing on the specific part of the body involved.

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 .