The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is transliterated as “Solomon” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wise” referring to 1 Kings 3:12. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 9:27:
Kupsabiny: “Then, king Hiram sent his people who knew how to operate ships in the sea/ocean to help the people of Solomon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then Hiram sent his men who had knowledge of the sea along with Solomon’s men to operate the ship.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Hiram sent skilled marines to sail together-with the men of Solomon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “King Hiram sent some very expert sailors to work on the ships with Solomon’s workers.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Hiram was last mentioned in verse 14. Since verse 14 is in a different section in Good News Translation, he is identified as “King Hiram” here (also Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie). Since Hiram ruled over territory on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, this cooperation with Solomon gave him access across land all the way from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Seamen who were familiar with the sea is literally “men of ships knowing the sea.” Some other possible translations of this expression are “experienced seamen” (Revised English Bible), “expert seamen” (New American Bible), and “sailors who knew the sea” (New International Version). Since many modern readers will not know who King Hiram was, Bible en français courant says that King Hiram sent “experienced Phoenician sailors” (similarly Parole de Vie).
The word servants, which appears twice in this verse, refers in the first instance to people who were subjects of King Hiram, and in the second case to those who were subjects of King Solomon. But since their function is clearly spelled out in the context, it is legitimate to translate “sailors” or “seamen.”
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 .
9:27a And Hiram sent his servants, men who knew the sea,
⌊King⌋ Hiram sent his men, who were very experienced sailors, -or-
There were some excellent/knowledgeable sailors working for Hiram⌊King of Tyre⌋, and he sent them
9:27b to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants.
to serve/sail in ships together with Solomon’s men. -or-
on a sea voyage with⌊King⌋ Solomon’s sailors.
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