complete verse (2 Kings 9:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 9:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Joram turned around and fled while saying to Ahaziah, ‘Ahaziah, my boy/friend, this is treason.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Joram turned his chariot around and escaping repeatedly yelled to Ahaziah, "This is betrayal, Ahaziah!"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Joram turned-about his horse and drove-(it)/had-(it)-run swiftly. He shouted to Ahazia, ‘Jehu has-betrayed me!’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Joram cried out, ‘Ahaziah, they have deceived us! They want to kill us!’ So Joram turned his chariot around and tried to flee.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 9:23

Joram’s actions of retreating and speaking in this verse were almost certainly simultaneous, but in some languages it will be more natural to reverse the order of the Hebrew as Good News Translation has done, placing the speaking part ahead of the actual physical retreat.

Reined about is literally “turned his hands” (King James Version). But the hands were used to guide the horses by pulling on one of the straps. The meaning is that Joram “turned the horses” in an attempt to escape what he now perceived as a very dangerous situation. Other translations include “wheeled about” (Revised English Bible) and “wheeled” (New Jerusalem Bible). Compare the similar expression in 1 Kgs 22.34.

Treachery: The Hebrew term used here involves deception and is used in the story of Jacob and Esau (Gen 27.35). In the book of Psalms, it is often translated “deceit” (for example, 10.7; 17.1; 34.13; 35.20). Here New Century Version translates “It’s a trick,” which is probably better than “Treason” (New Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible).

In some languages the name of the person being addressed (Ahaziah) will have to precede the actual message (Treachery).

Contemporary English Version provides a helpful model for the verse as a whole:

• “Ahaziah, let’s get out of here!” Joram yelled. “It’s a trap!” As Joram tried to escape….

The end of this verse in Contemporary English Version translates Joram reined about and fled. It is taken as a temporal clause introducing the action of Jehu in the following verse.

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 9:23

9:23a Joram turned around and fled,

Then Joram turned ⌊his horses/chariot⌋ around and tried to get away.

-or-

⌊When Joram heard this,⌋ he turned his war cart around and drove away very fast.

-or-

King Joram turned his horses and tried to retreat/escape.

9:23b calling out to Ahaziah, “Treachery, Ahaziah!”

⌊As he went⌋ he shouted to King Ahaziah, “Ahaziah, it is a trick/trap!”

-or-

He called out loudly to Ahaziah, “Ahaziah, they have deceived/tricked ⌊us (incl.) ⌋ !”

-or-

He shouted to Ahaziah that Jehu and his men had deceived/betrayed them.

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