complete verse (2 Kings 5:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 5:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “And/But when they arrived at a (certain) hill it happened that Gehazi took those things from the servants and kept (them) in his home. Then, he told those people to go back.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When they arrived at the hill where Elisha lived, he took those goods from their hands, put them in the house, then he sent Naaman’s servants back and they left.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Gehazi arrived at the mountain, he took from the servants the two bags and had- them -return. Then he brought those to the house and hid-(them),” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But when they arrived at the hill where Elisha lived, Gehazi took the silver and the clothes from Naaman’s servants and sent the servants back to Naaman. Then he took those things into his house and hid them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 5:24

When he came to the hill; that is, when Gehazi and the gift-bearers who were with him arrived at the place where Elisha lived. Good News Translation seeks to make it clear that the gift-bearers were also involved by using the plural subject “they.” Good News Translation also indicates clearly in translation what is only implied in the words the hill: “the hill where Elisha lived.” The Hebrew word translated hill probably has a more specific meaning here, referring to “the elevated or highest part of a city.” For this reason New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, and American Bible read “the citadel” instead of the hill. New Jerusalem Bible, Osty-Trinquet, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, and La Bible Pléiade transliterate the Hebrew noun as “Ophel,” but this approach is not recommended since the word “Ophel” will have no meaning for most readers.

He took them from their hand is literally “he took from their hand.” Gehazi took the sacks of silver and the two sets of clothing from the servants of Naaman so that they could return quickly to their master. Good News Translation seems to forget the changes of clothing, but surely they were included in what Gehazi took. New American Bible says “Gehazi took what they had.”

Put them in the house is literally “he put in the house.” Once again the pronoun them refers to the gifts of silver and clothing. The house would be the one in which Elisha lived and in which Gehazi served him. New Living Translation says “he hid the gifts inside the house,” which is probably a correct translation in this context.

He sent the men away, and they departed: In some languages it may sound redundant to use the two verbs sent … away and departed. In certain cases translators may prefer to say “he said goodbye to the men and they left” or “he thanked the servants and let them return.”

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 5:24

5:24a When Gehazi came to the hill,

When Gehazi and the servants arrived at ⌊Elisha’s⌋ hill,

-or-

They reached the hilltop ⌊where Elisha lived⌋ .

5:24b he took the gifts from the servants

Gehazi took the loads from their hands

-or-

⌊There⌋ Gehazi took the two bags from the servants

5:24c and stored them in the house.

and put/stored them in the house.

-or-

and hid them in ⌊Elisha’s⌋ house.

5:24d Then he dismissed the men, and they departed.

He then dismissed the servants and they went away.

-or-

Then he let Naaman’s servants go back to him,

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