complete verse (1 Samuel 2:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 2:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “You disable those who take themselves to be strong,
    and strengthen those who are weak.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The bow of the mighty [lit.: of the very strong ones] has broken,
    But the ones who tripped, stumbled and fell down have [re-]gained strength.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The powerful-ones were-destroyed, but he causes- the weak-ones -to-be-strong.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Yahweh, you break the bows/weapons of mighty soldiers,
    and you give strength to those who stumble because of being weak.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 2:4

The bows of the mighty are broken: the word bows is used in the Old Testament for things that are in the form of an arc. The singular “bow” is used for the rainbow in Gen 9.13. Most often, however, it refers to the instrument of war used to shoot arrows, and this in turn is used metaphorically of instruments of war in general. In some languages it may be necessary to state who breaks the bows of these strong warriors. In the mind of Hannah it is almost certainly Yahweh, who thus weakens the strong just as, in the second half of the verse, he gives strength to those who are weak. Here Revised English Bible renders the meaning in nonpoetic language: “Strong men stand in mute dismay.”

Since the two elements in this verse are in contrast, it is appropriate to translate the conjunction that joins them by a word like “but” (most versions) or “while” (New American Bible).

The feeble: the word used here is related to “stumbling” (Moffatt), “faltering” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “tottering” (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). Contemporary English Version translates “everyone who stumbles.” But the word also has connotations of weakness, which causes people to stumble.

Gird on strength: the Hebrew verb is used in a metaphorical sense here. It is frequently used of girding on weapons in preparation for war. The idea of putting on strength as a person puts on weapons may not be an appropriate image in some languages. The Hebrew expression really means to make oneself strong. Compare the similar expressions in 2 Sam 22.40 and Psa 18.32. Some models that may be helpful for the second half of this verse are “weak people become strong” (New Century Version) and “the stumbling are braced up” (Moffatt). And in some languages it will be appropriate to say “God gives strength to people who are weak.”

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 .