complete verse (1 Samuel 11:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 11:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul was bringing back the oxen from the field. When he heard people shouting, he asked that, ‘What is wrong? Why are all the people weeping?’ He was told about the message which the people of Jabesh had brought.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Saul, however, was coming from the field, bringing [his] oxen. And Saul asked, "What happened to the people? Why are all the people beginning to weep loudly?" So [they] told Saul all the news that was spread by the men who came to give the news from Jabesh.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(It) happened back-then/at-that-time that Saul was-coming-home from field/farm with his cows. When he heard the crying, he asked, ‘What happened? Why are- the people -weep/crying-a-long-time?’ Then they people told him what the ones from-Jabesh had-said.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “At that time, Saul was plowing in the field. When he returned home, he asked, ‘Why are all the people crying?’ So they told him what the messengers from Jabesh had reported.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 11:5

Now translates the Hebrew word that is often rendered “Behold.” It focuses attention on the entry of Saul into the scene.

Was coming from the field behind the oxen: the word order in Hebrew is “was coming behind the oxen from the field.” The word order in Revised Standard Version may incorrectly suggest that the writer is indicating the location of the field (behind the oxen) rather than the location of Saul, who was behind the oxen. In some languages it will be more natural to say “Saul was driving his oxen home from the field.”

What ails the people: literally “What to the people?” New International Version provides a possible model: “What is wrong with the people?”

In those languages that are reluctant to use direct quotations, it will be possible to translate the middle part of this verse as “Saul asked what was troubling the people and causing them to weep” or “Saul asked what the people were crying about.”Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 11:5

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .