Good News Translation translates the names as pronouns, since the names were introduced in the previous verse. But in languages where there is no distinction between masculine and feminine pronouns, this will probably not be advisable. Naturalness in the receptor language should determine which forms are used in translation. The same standard will decide the details of word order in this verse.

So tormented: the root meaning of the word used here is “to press” or “to be narrow.” But the figurative sense is rather “to feel constrained” or “to be in distress.” It has been translated by a number of different verbs in English: “so frustrated” (New American Standard Bible); “so obsessed” (New Jerusalem Bible); “so distraught” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “so upset” (Contemporary English Version); “in such straits” (New American Bible); and “such was his longing” (Knox). Moffatt makes it clear that it was his desire for his half sister that was the cause of this inner torment: “so upset by his passion [for his sister].”

Made himself ill: the association of sickness and love is fairly common outside the Bible and is also found in the Song of Songs (2.5 and 5.8), which speaks of being “sick with love.” Some interpreters have suggested that this is simply a hint of what is about to happen later in the story, where Amnon actually pretends to be sick. But while the writer may be playing with words and ideas, the meaning here is more likely that Amnon was so upset and frustrated about the matter that it made him feel sick.

His sister Tamar: in English Tamar was actually what would be called Amnon’s half sister. This is made clear in the Bible en français courant and Revised English Bible renderings of this verse (“his half sister”). In languages that have a special term for a sister who has the same father but a different mother, it should probably be used here.

Virgin: the basic meaning of the word used here seems to be “a girl of marriageable age” (Anderson). The Hebrew noun bethulah often is used to refer to virgins, but it is frequently the context and not the word itself that specifies the idea of virginity. Many interpreters feel that the use of this term suggests that Tamar was well guarded and that it was extremely hard for Amnon to find an opportunity to be alone with her. This is perhaps behind the rendering of Good News Translation, “she was kept from meeting men.”

It seemed impossible to Amnon: literally “it was too difficult in the eyes of Amnon.” Revised English Bible translates “he thought it an impossible thing…,” while Contemporary English Version says “Amnon could not think of a way [to be alone with her].”

To do anything to her: while the expression used here is very general in nature, the context indicates that these words are a way of speaking about sexual relations. However, in many languages a rather literal rendering of this expression may be understood in the same way in this context.

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 .