complete verse (1 Kings 17:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 17:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “When that lady went on her way to bring water, Elijah called out saying, ‘And you also bring for me some little bread.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “While she was going to get water, he called to her loudly, "Then also bring me a piece of bread."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “As the widow was-going to get it, Elias still said to her, ‘Please bring me bread also.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “While she was going to get it, he called out to her, ‘Bring me a piece of bread, too!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (kīte)

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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 benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, kite (来て) or “come” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 17:11

And as she was going to bring it, he called to her is literally “And she went to bring, and he called to her.” The Hebrew seems to imply that the woman was moving away from Elijah for the purpose of getting the water that he had requested. But while she was still within the sound of his voice, he made an additional request.

To bring it is literally “to bring.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation supply the direct object it as the context requires.

Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand: As in the previous verse, the Hebrew also has the particle of entreaty following the verb Bring. Revised Standard Version does not attempt to translate this particle, but Good News Translation does with the word “please.” A morsel of bread most likely refers to “a piece of bread” (New International Version, Revised English Bible). Translators should not say “a slice of bread” since this piece would have been broken off by hand.

In those language that prefer indirect speech over direct quotations, it will be possible to translate this verse as follows:

• While the woman was going to get the water, Elijah asked her if she would also bring him a piece of bread.

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 17:11

17:11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread.”

As she was leaving to get the water, Elijah called, “Also, please bring (sing) a piece of bread for me.”
-or-
Then Elijah called to the widow ⌊again⌋ as she turned away to get the water. He said, “Please get/fetch (sing) me a piece of bread too.”

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