And: the transition word here serves merely to introduce the next step in the story. It may be unnecessary to translate it at all.

The writer shows Tamar performing four actions that are often connected with mourning for the dead. But in this case the grief had been caused by the loss of her virginity. In some languages it may be advisable to introduce these actions by saying that she “showed her grief [or, sorrow] by….”

Put ashes on her head: ashes are frequently mentioned in connection with showing sadness (for example, Est 5.3; Jonah 3.6; Ezek 27.30).

Rent the long robe: because the robe she wore was associated with virginity, some commentators speculate that tearing it was a symbol of the loss of her purity. But more than likely this action was merely a sign of anguish. While the tearing of clothing is most often associated with mourning a death, there are cases where it is used to show grief for other causes, as, for example, in the story of Naaman the leper (see 2 Kgs 5.7). Long robe translates the same two Hebrew nouns rendered “long robe with sleeves” in verse 18.

Laid her hand on her head: the image of Good News Translation is more in keeping with what may be done in Western culture, but may not be the best translation of this expression. In many places in the world, the placing of both hands on the top of the head is a sign of grief. While the word hand is singular, it may be used collectively here. So it is quite possible to translate “placed her hands on top of her head.” Compare Jer 2.37, where the plural is used, and note that here in 2 Samuel New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “put her hands on her head.” The Septuagint has the plural “hands,” and this is followed by Osty-Trinquet and New American Bible.

The verb describing the fourth action related to mourning is rendered crying aloud. It normally indicates more than mere “sobbing” (Revised English Bible). For this reason most versions add an adjective as in Revised Standard Version. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh makes it even stronger, with “screaming loudly.”

Went away: that is, she left the area around the house of Amnon. The text does not say where she went at this point, but the context seems to indicate that she went to the house of her brother Absalom.

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 .