complete verse (1 Kings 14:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 14:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, Jeroboam’s wife returned to her house which was in the city of Tirzah. When she approached the door, that son of hers died.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Jeroboam’s wife went back home to Tirzah. As soon as she stepped on the threshold of the house door, the boy died.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the wife of Jeroboam went-home to Tirza. As-soon-as she arrived at the door of their house, her child died right-away.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jeroboam’s wife returned home to Tirzah city, the new capital of Israel. And just as she entered her house, her son died.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 14:17

This verse begins in Hebrew with the common conjunction, which is rendered Then by Revised Standard Version. But this may be unnecessary since a new paragraph begins at this point. The lengthy speech of the prophet Ahijah ends at the close of verse 16. What follows is a description of the reaction of Jeroboam’s wife. New American Bible begins with “So” since it takes the conjunction as a logical connector.

For the use of the verb arose, see the comments at verse 2 and 1 Kgs 2.40.

Came to Tirzah: According to 1 Kgs 12.25, Jeroboam had fortified Shechem as his capital city. Apparently the capital was moved from Shechem to Tirzah, which was about 11 kilometers (7 miles) northeast of Shechem. About fifty years later, King Omri moved the capital from Tirzah to Samaria (1 Kgs 16.23-24). Since Jeroboam’s wife started her trip from Tirzah, it may be more natural to say that she “returned to Tirzah” or “went back….”

And as she came to the threshold of the house, the child died: This sentence has an immediacy not preserved in Revised Standard Version. The force may be expressed in English as “She comes to the threshold of the house, and the child dies.”

The Hebrew word translated threshold refers to the entrance of the house where the sick child was lying. The fact that the child died at this moment is seen as a fulfillment of the words of the prophet in verse 12 even though the wording is not exactly the same.

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 14:17

14:17a Then Jeroboam’s wife got up and departed for Tirzah,

Then Jeroboam’s wife stood up, left ⌊the house of Ahijah⌋ and went back to ⌊the town of⌋ Tirzah.
-or-
So the wife of Jeroboam left ⌊the house of Ahijah⌋ and returned home to Tirzah ⌊town⌋.

14:17b and as soon as she stepped over the threshold of the house, the boy died.

As soon as she stepped through the doorway/entrance of the house, the boy died.
-or-
The child died as she was entering her house.

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