complete verse (1 Kings 4:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 4:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “Ben-abinadab was in charge of the highland of Dor. (He was the husband of the daughter of Solomon who was called Taphath.)” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Ben-Abinadab in Naphoth-Dor, (He had married Taphath, the daughter of Solomon.)” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ben Abinadab, who was-in-charge in Nafot Dor. (He was the husband of Tafat the child of Solomon.)” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ben-Abinadab, who was married to Solomon’s daughter Taphath, for all the Dor district;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 4:11

Ben-abinadab, or “The son of Abinadab” (Contemporary English Version), was in charge of the fourth administrative district, which was located north of the third district in the northern part of the Plain of Sharon.

Naphath-dor was a city-state located about 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Mount Carmel on the seacoast. The exact meaning of Naphath is uncertain. Suggested meanings include “district,” “[sand] dune,” and “wooded country.” Anchor Bible translates “the district of Dor,” and Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie say “the region of the hills of Dor.”

He had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife: Ben-abindab was a son-in-law to Solomon since he had married his daughter Taphath. This daughter of Solomon is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Taphath and her sister “Basemath” (verse 15) are the only daughters of Solomon mentioned in the Old Testament.

As in the previous verse, the parentheses here seem unnecessary and may be omitted.

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 4:11

4:11 Ben-abinadab in Naphath-dor (Taphath, a daughter of Solomon, was his wife);

Ben-Abinadab was in charge of ⌊the city of⌋ Naphoth Dor. He had married Solomon’s daughter Taphath.
-or-
Ben-Abinadab, who had married Solomon’s daughter Taphath, was responsible for the Naphoth Dor area.

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