My brother: again Good News Translation drops the reference to kinship, but this is not recommended to translators in most situations. The whole point of Tamar’s response is that their kinship makes sexual relations between them unthinkable. In some languages it may even be wise to say “No, you are my brother!”

Do not force me: the verb used here is repeated three more times in this story (verses 14, 22, and 32). In the form in which it occurs here, it means “to oppress,” “to humble,” and “to abuse” or “to rape.” In the later verses it is often translated “raped” where it occurs in the past tense. In some languages “do not rape me” may be a fitting translation here. Other versions, however, focus on the shame that results from such an action: “do not shame me” (New American Bible); “do not dishonour me” (Revised English Bible); and “do not humiliate me” (Anderson). Either interpretation is an acceptable choice.

For such a thing is not done in Israel: the connecting word for indicates that Tamar is giving the reason for her refusal. The people of Israel distinguished themselves from their Canaanite neighbors, who took incestuous relationships less seriously. Good News Translation cannot be recommended as a model here, because it does not make clear that the people of Israel have standards different from other people. These words may be restated as “That is a serious crime (or, offense) in Israel” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Compare Gen 34.7 and Deut 17.4.

Wanton folly: the Hebrew navalah translated by these two words normally carries the idea of foolishness, but recent studies have shown that such a translation may be too weak. The word refers to a violation of basic principles of society and is often used of wrong behavior related to sex. Prostitution (Deut 22.14), homosexuality (Judges 19.23), rape (Judges 20.5-10), and adultery (Jer 29.23) are all considered folly in this sense. Compare also the comments on 1 Sam 25.25, where there is a play on words between the name Nabal and the word here translated wanton folly. The term may be better rendered “anything so disgraceful” (New Jerusalem Bible), “wicked thing” (New International Version), or “outrage.”

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 .