complete verse (1 Samuel 20:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 20:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Jonathan said that, ‘Nothing like that will ever happen. If I knew my father wanted to kill you, wouldn’t I have told you?’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jonathan said, "It’s not like that! If I knew that my father had in mind to do bad to you, would I not tell you?"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jonatan answered, ‘That will- not -happen! If I (am) sure that my father has an intention/plan to-kill you (sing.) I will- surely -let- you (sing.) -know this.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jonathan replied, ‘I will never do that! But if I find out that my father is determined to harm/kill you, I will certainly warn you.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 20:9

If it is more natural to do so, the verb said may be translated “answered” as in Good News Translation.

Far be it from you! See the comments on verse 2 and 2.30.

If I knew: literally “if to know I knew.” Good News Translation captures the force of the reinforcing verbs by adding “for sure,” and Fox, in his characteristic way, says “If I were to know, yes, know that my father has concluded evil to come against you.”

The passive formulation it was determined by my father may easily be made active by saying something like “my father has decided” or by following the model of Good News Translation. The Hebrew is literally “that evil was determined by my father.” The construction is the same as that in verse 7.

Would I not tell you? This question is Jonathan’s way of insisting that he would most definitely tell David if he knew his father wanted to kill him. Since the question format may not communicate this certainty in some languages, it may be advisable to translate “I’ll certainly let you know” (Contemporary English Version), or perhaps “I swear that I will inform you” (La Bible du Semeur).

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 .