sheep

“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep.’ In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb and sheep / lamb.

complete verse (1 Samuel 14:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:32:

  • Kupsabiny: “They took sheep, goats, oxen and calves (livestock) which they grabbed from their enemies and slaughtered (them), and after that they ate raw meat which still had blood (inside).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They plundered rushed the things and, taking the sheep, cows, and oxen, and killing them in a field they ate them with the blood.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So they rushed-as-a-group/swarmed/thronged to-take their plundered/taken-by-force sheep and cows, and they slaughtered them right there, and ate meat that still had blood.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They had taken many sheep and cattle that the Philistia soldiers had abandoned. Now, because they were extremely hungry, they butchered some of those animals and ate the meat without draining the blood from the animals.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:32

The text does not state that it was now evening and that the oath of verse 24 had expired. But the writer appears to assume that it was evening, and verse 34 indicates that it was nighttime. However, see on verse 33.

Flew upon: some commentators consider the Hebrew word used here to be incomprehensible in this context. It is literally the ordinary verb meaning “to do” or “to make.” A marginal note in the Hebrew text suggests that the correct reading is “wrapped,” or “enveloped themselves” in, which modern versions take to mean “pounced on” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New International Version, Anchor Bible) or “flung themselves on” (New Jerusalem Bible).

The spoil refers here to all the things that the Israelites had taken from their defeated enemies. This would not have been limited to the animals mentioned later in this verse, but they would certainly have been included. See verse 30.

Slew them on the ground: that is, they killed the animals immediately at the spot where they were taken. This was contrary to the usual practice of taking the animal to an altar (Exo 29.11; Lev 1.5).

Eating meat with the blood still in it was prohibited by the Mosaic Law (see Gen 9.4; Lev 7.26-27; 17.10-14; 19.26). The blood was supposed to be poured out on the ground (Deut 12.16, 24). By not draining off the blood, these soldiers were violating the law.

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 .