complete verse (2 Kings 17:40)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 17:40:

  • Kupsabiny: “In spite of this, people did not listen to/obey those words, but they continued to do as they did before.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But they did not heed the message and continued living like they had been living before.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But those people did- not -listen to the LORD, but-rather they continued to do their old customs.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But the people from those foreign nations would not heed what Yahweh said. Instead, they continued to adhere to their old customs.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 17:40

However: The common Hebrew conjunction here should be understood as marking contrast, as the renderings of Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation indicate. Most modern versions do something similar.

It is not altogether clear to whom the pronoun they refers. For those interpreters who understand verses 34-40 as referring to the Israelites, this pronoun may be rendered “the Israelites” (New Century Version). For those who understand these verses as referring to the people from other nations who were resettled in Samaria, this pronoun may be translated “those nations” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, La Biblia: Traducción en Lenguaje Actual).

Would not listen: See verse 14, where the same expression is used.

According to their former manner: The repetition of this phrase (see verse 34) is seen by some commentators as setting off the intervening passage as a distinct literary unit. This analysis is also confirmed by the distinctive content of verses 34b-39.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 17:40

17:40a But they would not listen,

However, the people did not listen/obey.

-or-

But these people ignored ⌊what Yahweh said/commanded⌋ ,

17:40b and they persisted in their former customs.

Instead, they continued their former practices.

-or-

and they kept on following their old customs/traditions.

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