complete verse (1 Samuel 7:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 7:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “From then on, Samuel became the advisor/counsellor for the whole of Israel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Samuel was the judge of the Israelites for his entire lifetime.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Samuel continued as leader/[lit. head] over Israel his whole/entire life.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Samuel continued to be the leader of the Israeli people until he died.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 7:15

Regarding the translation of the verb judged, see verse 6. A literal translation, “he judged,” may suggest in some languages that Samuel gave a negative evaluation of the people or that he was merely settling disputes. In such cases the sense of the Hebrew will be better translated as Samuel “ruled” (Good News Translation), or Samuel “was the leader” (Bible en français courant). Moffatt says that Samuel “managed the affairs of Israel.”

All the days of his life: see the similar “all the days of Samuel” in verse 13. This, of course, does not mean that Samuel was the ruler of Israel from the time of his birth, but rather for the remainder of his life. In some cases it may be wise to spell this out by translating “Samuel was ruler over Israel for the rest of his life.”

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 .