complete verse (1 Kings 2:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 2:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “So there is something I would like to request you, and do not let me down.’ Then Bathsheba replied, ‘You say it now.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Now I will make one request of you, please do not refuse me."
    "Say what it is," she said.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, I have-a-favor-to-ask from you. And if possible (please) do- not -refuse me.’ Batsheba asked, ‘What is that?’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Now I have one thing that I ask you to do. Please do not refuse to do it.’ She replied, ‘Tell me what you want me to do.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

request / beg (Japanese honorifics)

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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 to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The concept of “requesting” is translated in the Shinkaiyaku Bible as o-negai (お願い), combining “request” (negai) with the respectful prefix o (お).

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

Japanese benefactives (-naide)

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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, -naide (ないで) or “do not (for their sake)” 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 2:16

I have one request to make of you is literally “one request I am requesting from you.”

Do not refuse me is literally “do not turn back my face.” The Hebrew idiom, which occurs also in verses 17 and 20, means “do not turn me away in humiliation.” Though many translations are similar to or identical to that in Revised Standard Version, the Hebrew idiom is a bit stronger. The sense is “don’t cause me to turn my face away in shame and humiliation.”

The word “please” is not in the Hebrew but is introduced by Good News Translation because of the context. The statement may in fact sound too abrupt without it. And it should be noted that the next verse contains a polite particle in the speech of Adonijah.

Say on is the same expression as at the end of verse 14. However, it may be translated differently because of the slightly different context. Since Adonijah has specifically stated that he wants to request something, Bathsheba’s answer may be something like “What is your request?” or “Tell me what you want” or simply “Go on” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .