complete verse (2 Samuel 20:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 20:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “After it had been moved away, all the soldiers joined the side of Joab and they went looking for Sheba.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After the corpse had been dragged off from the middle of the main road, all the men went following Joab to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the corpse of Amasa had- now -been-removed from the road, all continued to follow Joab to pursue Sheba.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After the body had been taken off the road, all the soldiers went with Joab to pursue Sheba.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 20:13

He was taken out of the highway: the passive form here will have to be replaced by an active expression in certain languages. Since the previous verse states very clearly that it was the follower of Joab who had stayed behind and had removed the body, translators may say “When the man had taken the body away from the road” or something similar.

All the people: this expression again refers to the soldiers who were present at the time. But in this context it may be translated “all of them” or “everyone” (Good News Translation).

Went on after Joab: in some languages it will be better to say “went on with Joab,” since they were accompanying him in pursuit of Sheba.

It may be unnecessary to say the son of Bichri again in this verse, since this information appeared already in verses 1, 2, 6, and 7.

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 .