complete verse (1 Kings 4:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 4:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “Ben-hesed was in charge of Arubboth city. The city of Socoh and the whole region of Hepher belonged to him.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Ben-Hesed in Arubboth. (He had responsibility for the whole country of Socoh and Hepher.)” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ben Hesed, who was-in-charge in Arubot, including here the Soco and the whole land of Hefer.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ben-Hesed, for Arubboth and Socoh towns and the area near Hepher town;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 4:10

Ben-hesed, or “The son of Hesed” (Contemporary English Version), was in charge of the third administrative district. This district is located by some archaeologists in the Plain of Sharon along the seacoast in the territory allotted to the tribe of Manasseh. Others have located the district further east in the hill country of Manasseh, and recent studies seem to support this location in the hill country.

Arubboth … Socoh … Hepher: All these places are towns. The town of Socoh was located on the eastern edge of the Plain of Sharon, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) northwest of Samaria. Although some have attempted to locate the towns of Arubboth and Hepher on the Plain of Sharon, recent studies suggest a location to the east of it in the hill country. The Hebrew expression for the land of Hepher refers to the territory around the city-state of Hepher and under its rule.

Where possible, it is advisable to restructure this verse in such a way as to avoid the parenthetical statement of Revised Standard Version (so Good News Translation).

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 4:10

4:10 Ben-hesed in Arubboth (Socoh and all the land of Hepher belonged to him);

Ben-Hesed was in charge of ⌊the towns of⌋ Arubboth and Sokoh and all the land around Hepher.
-or-
Ben-Hesed was responsible for Arubboth ⌊town⌋ and Sokoh ⌊town⌋, and also the region/territory belonging to Hepher ⌊town⌋.

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