1One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the Philistine garrison on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:1:
Kupsabiny: “One day, Jonathan told his servant who was carrying for him the things of war that, ‘Let’s go across where the Philistines have gathered.’ But, Jonathan did not inform his father.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “One day Saul’s son Jonathan said to his young weapons bearer, ̈"Come, let’s go the camp of the Philistines on the other side of the hill." But he did not tell this to his father.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “One day, Jonatan said to the young man who (was) the-one-who-carries his weapons-of-war, ‘Come, let- us (incl.) -go to place-of-watching/outpost of the Filistinhon in-order-to spy.’ But he did- not -tell his father.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “One day, Jonathan said to the young man who carried his weapons, ‘Come with me; we will go over to where the Philistia soldiers have put up their tents.’ So they went, but Jonathan did not tell his father what they were going to do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
This narrative concerning Jonathan and his armorbearer continues from chapter 13, where Jonathan is encamped in Geba, on the south bank of a steep valley, and the Philistine army is encamped at Michmash, on the north side of the valley.
One day: literally “And it happened the day.” The presence of this transition marker is taken by some as evidence that this is the proper place to consider as the beginning of the new episode and thus the correct place for the section heading.
Jonathan the son of Saul: since Jonathan is not being introduced here for the first time to the reader, Good News Translation omits the son of Saul for reasons of English style. This information is given in the previous chapter in verse 16 and again in verse 22. Good News Translation does, however, make explicit the name of Jonathan’s father at the end of the verse.
The young man who bore his armor: this person carried the large shield of his commanding officer and perhaps also other weapons. He was responsible for protecting the commanding officer during a battle. The shorter expression “armor-bearer” without the young man occurs in verse 7.
Garrison: the same word occurs in 13.23 and in 14.4, 6, 11, 15. See also comments on the related Hebrew term at 10.5.
Jonathan’s exhortation to go over to the Philistine garrison on yonder side may be rendered “Let us go across the valley to the Philistine garrison on the other side.”
If the antecedent of the pronouns he and his in the final sentence will not be clear, it will be wise to use the name “Jonathan.” Translators should certainly avoid giving the impression that the armorbearer did not tell his own father or that Jonathan did not tell the armorbearer’s father. The meaning is that Jonathan did not tell his own father, Saul.
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 .
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