complete verse (1 Kings 13:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 13:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “There and then, he started to return back home, but did not pass though the road coming from Bethel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So without going by the way he came before, he went back another way.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So he took another road when he went-home.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So he started to return home, but he did not go on the road on which he came to Bethel. He went on a different road.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 13:10

So: This verse begins in Hebrew with the common conjunction. Since verse 10 states what the man of God did in response to God’s command in verse 9, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other modern translations correctly translate the conjunction with So in English.

He went another way, and did not return by the way …: The writer states the same thing in two different ways, first positively and then negatively. It will be noted that Good News Translation reverses the order of the two elements. Whichever order is most natural should be used in the language of translation, but the repetition should be retained for the sake of emphasis. In most cases the conjunction that joins the two elements will mark a contrast (“but”) rather than a simple addition (“and”).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Kings 13:10

13:10 So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

So the man of God chose a different road from the one on/by which he had come to Bethel, and started home.
-or-
Then the prophet started his way/journey ⌊back to Judah⌋ on a different road. He did not go back the same way he had come.

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