Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 1:14:
Kupsabiny: “Nathan continued saying, ‘While you are still talking to the king, I will come inside the house and support what you have said.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “While you are speaking with the king, I will also come in and say that the words you have spoken are true."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “And while you are-talking to the king, I will-go-inside and I will-prove what you are-saying.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then, while you are still talking to the king, I will come in and tell him that what you are saying to him about Adonijah is true.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
Nathan began speaking to Bathsheba in verse 11, but several quotations within quotations have appeared in the intervening verses. Since it may be confusing for readers to remember who is speaking, the words “And Nathan added” may be inserted at the beginning of this verse (so Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie).
This verse begins in Hebrew with the interjection that is often translated “behold.” Here the interjection serves to focus on the action just beginning. See the discussion on Hebrew focusing particles in “Translating 1–2 Kings,” pages 13-14.
Confirm your words: The Hebrew verb here often means “to fill” or “to complete,” and could mean that Nathan will finish telling the story or add details. But this verb may also mean “to confirm” (so New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible) and that meaning is likely intended here. Compare “I … will tell him that what you have said about Adonijah is true” (New Century Version) and “I will say the same thing as you did” (Parole de Vie).
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
1:14a Then, while you are still there speaking with the king,
While you (sing) are talking/speaking with him, -or-
At the same time as you (sing) are telling him this, -or-
Then, Nathan said, while she was still talking to King David,
1:14b I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
I will enter/arrive and confirm/support what you (sing) have said.” -or-
I will come to see the king, and I will say the same thing to show that what you (sing) have said is true.” -or-
he himself would enter the room and give his support to what she said.
1:14a-b (reordered)
Nathan said that he would come in while Bathsheba was still there talking to the king, and he would support what she said.
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