complete verse (1 Kings 20:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 20:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “Ben-hadad said, ‘Catch them alive whether they have come to fight or with peace.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He said, "If they have come on good terms, take them alive! Even if they have come to do battle, take them alive!” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ben Hadad said, ‘You (plur.) capture them if they come here to fight or even to reconcile.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said, ‘It does not matter whether they are coming to fight against us or to ask for peace. Capture them, but do not kill them” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 20:18

He said: The pronoun He refers to Benhadad.

If they come out for peace: These words should not be understood to mean “If they come peacefully.” Rather, the sense is “If they are coming to ask for peace” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, Good News Translation).

Take them alive … take them alive: Revised Standard Version preserves the form of the Hebrew by repeating the words take them alive. For reasons of style, Good News Translation avoids the repetition. New Jerusalem Bible repeats the words take them alive but adds the word “too” at the end of the verse to show clearly that the same action is to be taken in either case. In some languages the words take them alive will have to be translated “capture them, but do not kill them.”

Some readers may have expected Benhadad to say “If they have come out for war, kill them.” But for whatever reason, Benhadad wants the Israelite soldiers taken prisoners and not killed whether “they have come out to fight or to surrender” (Contemporary English Version).

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 20:18

20:18a “If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive.

Ben-Hadad answered, “If they are coming out in peace, capture (plur) them alive.
-or-
Ben-Hadad commanded ⌊his men,⌋ “If they want peace, make/take (plur) them prisoners ⌊of war⌋.
-or-
Ben-Hadad told them to take/capture the men ⌊of Israel⌋ alive, whether they were coming to make peace

20:18b Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.”

And if they are coming out for a battle, capture (plur) them alive.”
-or-
If they want to fight, make/take (plur) them prisoners.”
-or-
or to fight.

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