complete verse (2 Samuel 12:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 12:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, gather the remaining young men and finish the war to get/capture the city. If you do not do like that, I will capture it so that it is named for me.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You should assemble your remaining soldiers in one place, surround the city and conquer it. Otherwise I will conquer that city and my name will always be there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now gather the remaining soldiers and finish the capturing of the town so-that you (sing.) will-be-honored and not me.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Now gather your troops and come and surround the city and capture it. If you do not do that, my troops will capture the city and it will then be named ‘the City of Joab’.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (semetotte)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.

Here, semetotte (攻め取って) or “capture” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 12:28

Now, then: these words have a very definite time reference in this context. The idea is that Joab is requesting action on the part of his commander in chief at this time. But there is also a logical connection. The request comes at this time because the city of Rabbah is about to fall. New Jerusalem Bible, which combines the temporal and logical connections, may provide the best model: “So now….”

The rest of the people: the people involved here are fighting men. This is taken by some as an indication that there was a second group of Israelite reserves “living in huts” (see 11.11). In any case there were clearly more fighting men available, and Joab requested that these men be assembled by David to help in the final battle against Rabbah.

Encamp against the city: the verb plus the Hebrew preposition here gives rather the sense of an active siege against the city. Contemporary English Version uses the verb “surround” while Good News Translation has “attack.” This is the second in a series of three military terms that must be taken together: “muster … besiege … capture” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “assemble … join the siege … capture” (New American Bible). This middle term refers to the active siege.

Lest: another way of saying this is “otherwise.” But in many languages it will be better to start a new sentence at this point, beginning with the idea “If you do not [come for the battle], then….”

And it be called by my name: literally “and he will be called by the name of me to her.” To call a person’s name over something or someone showed that person’s ownership or dominance over the thing or person (compare 6.2, where the ark is called by the name of the LORD). Joab was concerned for the reputation of David and showed his desire to give the honor of victory to his commander in chief.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .