complete verse (1 Samuel 30:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, no one will listen to what you (plur.) are saying. The things will be shared equally between those who had gone for war and those who remained on the way because they also were keeping watch.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “No one would be able to agree with what you said. Those who stayed to watch our belongings must have an equal share, just as much as those who go to battle.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “None at-all agree with what you (plur.) are-saying. Everybody should have-his/her-share! The share/portion of those (who) stayed to-watch our (incl.) things should-be the same-as those (who) went-(out) into battle.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Who will pay attention to you if you say things like that?/No one will pay attention to you if you say things like that. The men who stayed here with our supplies will get the same amount that the men who went into the battle will get. They will all receive the same amount.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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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 formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

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

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 30:24

The question Who would listen to you in this matter? is rhetorical and is intended to make a strong statement to the effect that no one would pay attention to what these men were saying. Bible en français courant says “No one can approve your proposition.”

The transition word rendered For is intended to show the reason why the idea of the good-for-nothing men should not be approved. In some languages it may be translated “because.” Fox translates this “Indeed” rather than “for” (see the comments on 8.7).

The baggage: or rather “the supplies” (Good News Translation), or “the stores” (Revised English Bible). Compare 10.22; 17.22; 25.13.

They shall share alike: in this decision David is following the law as found in Num 31.25-54. See also Josh 22.8. This application of the general principle is shifted forward in Good News Translation to precede the declaration of the principle. The general principal is set off in poetic format in New Jerusalem Bible, thus showing that this was almost like a proverbial statement that would have been well known to all Israelites.

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 .