complete verse (1 Samuel 25:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 25:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “When those people whom David had sent reached Nabal’s home, they told Nabal everything as they were told. When those people had said those words, they kept quite waiting for a reply from Nabal.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David’s men, having come, gave Nabal this news from David. Then they were waiting for a response.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So when the men of David reached Nabal, they spoke/(gave) the David’s message. Then they waited.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When David’s men arrived where Nabal was, they gave David’s message to him, and they waited for him to reply. But Nabal spoke harshly to them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 25:9

Young men: see the comments at verse 5.

All this: literally “all these words,” referring to the message from David included in verses 6-8.

In the name of David: that is, “for David.” See the comments on in my name at verse 5.

Then they waited: New Century Version takes this to mean that “Nabal insulted them,” probably by making them wait. The Septuagint connects this verb with the beginning of verse 10 and says “Nabal leaped up and answered David’s young men.” Anchor Bible translates “he behaved arrogantly,” based indirectly on the Septuagint and evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Klein likewise has “he reacted arrogantly.” It is quite possible that the Masoretic Text contains an error here, but since there is so little direct support for the proposed correction of the Masoretic Text, translators are urged to follow Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation here.

If a language requires an indirect object for the verb “wait,” it will be possible to adopt the model of Contemporary English Version: “waited for Nabal’s answer.”

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 .