Thus: the Hebrew has only the common conjunction at this point, and it is left untranslated by Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible. But since what follows is a kind of summary statement about the behavior of Eli’s sons, some languages will require a transition word like “So.” Naturalness in the receptor language should be the determining factor in deciding how to express this transition.

The young men … the men: various interpretations are possible regarding whom these two nouns refer to. (1) The two nouns refer to different people, that is, the young men are the priests’ servants who came to get the meat (verses 13 and 15), and the men are Eli’s sons. (2) Both nouns refer to the servants (Nueva Biblia Española). (3) Both nouns refer to Eli’s sons (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). In support of the first interpretation is the fact that the Hebrew word translated as young men is the same word translated as servant in verses 13 and 15. Also, because the Hebrew then says men and not “they,” two separate groups seem to be in view.

However, the Septuagint and a manuscript from Qumran omit the word the men. These texts may be the basis for the New Revised Standard Version translation, “for they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt” (so also Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Septuagint text. Translators are encouraged therefore to follow the models found in New Revised Standard Version and Revised English Bible, in which the subject of the verb treated … with contempt is the young men.

The offering of the LORD, that is, “the offerings to the LORD” (New American Bible) or “the offering made to Yahweh” (New Jerusalem Bible).

Treated … with contempt may prove difficult to translate in some languages. The verb is often translated elsewhere as “despised” (Num 14.11; Deut 31.20), “spurned” (Deut 32.19), or “scorned” (2 Sam 12.14). One possible way of communicating the idea in this context is “did not show respect for” (New Century Version). It is not clear why Revised English Bible translates in such a way as to suggest that other people had contempt for the offerings because of the priest’s behavior: “for they caused what was offered to him [the LORD] to be brought into general contempt.” Thus the Revised English Bible is not recommended as a model for other languages.

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 .