Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 11:39:
Kupsabiny: “but since Solomon disrespected/sinned, I shall punish the house of David, but not forever.’ ’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “By doing this I will humble David’s descendants, but not forever.’ "” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Because of the sins of Solomon, I will-punish the descendants of David, but not forever/[lit. until whenever].’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Because of Solomon’s sins, I will punish David’s descendants, but I will not continue to punish them forever.’’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
For this means “because of the sins of Solomon” (those mentioned in verse 33). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh explains the meaning of the word this by placing the word “sin” within square brackets as follows: “for that [sin].” But since “sin” is implicit, translators do not need to enclose the words “sin” or “Solomon’s sin” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) in square brackets in the receptor language.
Regarding the Hebrew verb rendered afflict, see the comments on 1 Kgs 8.35. Other renderings of this verb in this context include “punish” (Good News Translation) and “chastise” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
Descendants is literally “seed” (King James Version; see verse 14). Surprisingly, New Century Version translates this term as “children,” but the meaning is not so limited.
But not for ever is literally “but not all the days.” The final part of this verse may have to be made into a separate sentence in certain languages; for example, International Children’s Bible says “But I will not punish them forever.”
Notice the use of both single and double quotation marks at the end of this verse. The single quotation mark indicates the end of God’s words, which began in verse 31b. The double quotation mark indicates the end of the prophet Ahijah’s words, which began in verse 31a. If, however, the first part of the quotation is made into indirect discourse, there will be only one set of quotation marks.
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 .
11:39 Because of this, I will humble David’s descendants—but not forever.’”
I will afflict David’s descendants because of ⌊Solomon’s sin⌋, but I will not do so forever.’” -or-
I will punish the children of David, but I will not ⌊punish them⌋ forever.’” -or-
I will cause the descendants of David to suffer because of their sin. But their suffering will not continue forever.”
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