Japanese honorifics (1 Samuel 22:3)

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, -sete (せて) or “let/allow (for me)” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

Other uses of honorifics in this verse include:

  • The choice of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, s-are-ru (される) or “do/make” is used to show a deep sense of reverence.
  • The choice of an imperative construction with the honorific form kudasai (ください) reflects that the action is called for as a favor for the sake of the beneficiary. This polite kudasai imperative form is often translated as “please” in English. While English employs pure imperatives in most imperative constructions (“Do this!”), Japanese chooses the polite kudasai (“Do this, please.”).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 22:3

Went from there: that is, from the cave near the town called Adullam. This information is left implicit in some versions, including New Century Version, which says simply “went to Mizpeh.”

Mizpeh of Moab: Mizpeh was a city in the territory of Moab, east of the Dead Sea. The exact location of this city is unknown. To make clear that Mizpeh is not the name of the king of Moab, it may be wise to say “the city of Mizpeh.” Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible spell the place name “Mizpah,” which is a variant of the same name.

Pray let … stay: the verb let stay is followed by the particle of entreaty (see the comments on 2.36). Here it is represented in Good News Translation by the polite request form beginning with “Please” (so also Contemporary English Version). La Bible du Semeur attempts to convey the same meaning with “I beg you.”

Stay: Revised Standard Version follows the ancient Syriac andVulgate versions here rather than the Hebrew, which reads “come out.” It is not clear whether Good News Translation follows the Masoretic Text, or whether for purposes of translation it has made explicit that David asks permission for his parents to “stay” in Moab. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text and claims that the verb “go out” here means “go out in order to be with someone.” In this case, the verb “stay” or “remain” will be the proper translation.

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 .