But: because the events that follow are very different from what Tamar had expected, some languages will mark this by a conjunction like But or “However.” Nevertheless what happens is not contrary to what the reader or hearer of the story is expecting. So in other languages the conjunction may be better translated “Then,” simply showing the next step in the series of events.

Took hold of her: the words used here indicate clearly that significant force was involved. Several versions use the English verb “grabbed” (New International Version and New Century Version as well as Good News Translation). Some other renderings are “caught hold of” (Knox) and “seized her” (New American Bible, Bible en français courant, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

Lie with me: see the comments on 11.11 and 12.11. The same imperative form is used in Gen 39.7 and 12, where Potiphar’s wife attempts to force Joseph into a sexual relationship. But note that there the roles are reversed.

Good News Translation omits the words my sister. While it may seem unnatural to have this as a part of the direct quotation, it is so pertinent to the story that some translators may choose to introduce the quotation by saying “said to his [half] sister” instead of simply said to her.

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 .