messenger

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “messenger” in English is translated in Noongar as moort yana-waangki or “person walk-talk” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”

Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (1 Samuel 31:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 31:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those Philistines cut off Saul’s head and removed his weapons. After that, people were sent to announce the message to their idols/gods and all the Philistines.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They cut off Saul’s head and took all his armor. Then they sent people [with] this news all around the country to the temples of their gods and to all the people.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They cut-(off) the head of Saul and took his weapons-of-war. Then they sent messengers throughout the whole land of Filistia to-bring-the-news to the temple of their little-gods/false-gods and their fellowmen/countrymen that Saul (was) now dead.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They cut off Saul’s head and took his weapons. Then they sent messengers throughout their land, to proclaim the news, in the temple where they kept their idols, and to the other people, that their army had killed Saul.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 31:9

Cut off his head: compare 17.51, where David “cut off” Goliath’s head. Since Saul is the person in focus, the pronoun his clearly refers to Saul, even though other dead people are mentioned. If there is any doubt about the reference of the pronoun in the receptor language translation, the name should be used in place of the pronoun.

Stripped off his armor: several modern non-English versions speak of “arms” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Bible en français courant, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) rather than armor. Klein also speaks of “weapons.” The Hebrew term is a rather general one that is translated “utensils,” “instruments,” or “equipment” in other contexts. Since both weapons and armor are utensils of war, either interpretation is possible. Perhaps the term was intended to refer to both.

Sent messengers: literally “they sent.” Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have both added the word messengers according to the sense of the Hebrew and the requirements of good English style.

Throughout translates a single preposition in Hebrew. Languages may have idiomatic expressions as in English, “through the length and breadth of their land” (Revised English Bible).

A textual problem exists regarding the words their idols, which is a translation of the Septuagint (followed by Revised English Bible, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). The reading in the Septuagint agrees with the Hebrew text of 1 Chr 10.9. The Masoretic Text says “to the house of their idols and to the people” (so New Revised Standard Version, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). New International Version says “to the temple of their idols…” (so also Contemporary English Version and La Bible du Semeur). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text, which makes specific mention of the house.

The people clearly refers to the Philistine people. Good News Translation makes this clear by saying “their people.”

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 .