complete verse (1 Samuel 14:48)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:48:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul was determined to fight the Amalekites and he defeated them also. He rescued the Israelites from the enemies who had grabbed their property.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And he also defeated the Amalekites, and by saving the Israelites from raid soldiers, he did a work of great courage.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He fought bravely, and he defeated the Amaleknon. In this way he rescued/saved the Israelinhon from the hand of all who attacked them and took their possessions/things.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Saul’s army fought bravely and defeated the very tall descendants of Amalek. His army rescued the Israelis from those who had plundered/forcefully taken things from them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:48

Did valiantly: means that Saul “fought bravely” (New American Bible), that is, he showed great courage in battle.

Smote may mean either “killed” or “defeated.” But in this context the latter seems more likely.

The Amalekites, first mentioned in Gen 14.7, were a nomadic tribe descended from Esau. They roamed the desert south of Judah, and there was strong animosity between them and the people of Israel. For Saul’s defeat of the Amalekites, see 15.1-9. The Hebrew here says “Amalek” (so New American Bible, Fox), but the context clearly shows the reference is to the Amalekites, as nearly all translations clearly indicate (see the additional comments on 15.2). It is not clear why Good News Translation says “even the people of Amalek.”

The hands of: on the metaphorical use of hands, see 4.8.

Who plundered them: that is, who had previously attacked the Israelites and taken their belongings. New Jerusalem Bible correctly focuses on the fact that this was something in the past: “who used to pillage them.”

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 .