complete verse (1 Samuel 12:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 12:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “The people replied that, ‘No. You have never deceived us or suppressed us or eaten/taken anyone’s thing.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They replied, "You have not deceived us. You have not oppressed us. You have not even taken anything from anyone."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The people answered, ‘You (sing.) have- not -cheated us (excl.) or oppressed us (excl.). You (sing.) also have-not taken anything from us (excl.).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They replied, ‘No, you have never cheated anyone or oppressed anyone or accepted a bribe from anyone.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 12:4

The pronoun They refers to the people of Israel present at the time. In some languages it may be appropriate to make this clearer in translation, as in Good News Translation.

Defrauded … oppressed: see verse 3.

Taken anything from any man’s hand: in light of verse 3, the sense is “you have not taken a bribe from anyone” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Since a literal translation may be misleading, the model of Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente may be helpful in many languages. Others may prefer to follow New Century Version, which reads “taken anything unfairly from anyone.”

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 .