Said: in this conversation the verb may be more naturally translated “asked.” The same verb is rendered “answered” by Revised Standard Version later in this verse.

The question “What is your trouble?” is more literally “What to you?” It has been translated “What is the matter?” (New Century Version) and “What do you want?” (Good News Translation). Other languages may have an equivalent that is very different in form but is perfectly appropriate for an authority figure to ask of a person who comes with a request for help. The same expression is used in the account of the siege of Samaria (2 Kgs 6.28).

Alas: the word so translated by Revised Standard Version is often left untranslated. It may also mean “indeed” and “truly.” Here it seems to focus attention on what is about to be said.

After having said I am a widow, the rest of the verse may be considered redundant—especially in languages where the expression for widow is something like “a woman whose husband has died.” However, in the original this repetition does serve to emphasize the woman’s supposed condition and to heighten the emotional effect. The Hebrew text does not have an equivalent word for the word “poor” in Good News Translation, but Good News Translation expresses in idiomatic English the sad condition of a woman in that culture with no husband to provide for her and to protect 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 .