The hand of the LORD was heavy upon the people of Ashdod: this clause is connected to the next clause, and he terrified and afflicted them, with the word and. This should not be understood to mean that God first punished the people and then did something else. Rather the second part is a fuller explanation of the first.

Hand of the LORD: regarding the metaphorical use of the word hand, see the comments on 4.8. God’s “hand,” that is, his power, may be related to punishment or deliverance. The context here clearly indicates punishment (see also verses 7 and 11 below). A literal rendering is not advisable, and the clause may be rendered “The LORD caused a lot of trouble for the people of Ashdod” (Contemporary English Version) or “The LORD dealt severely with the people of Ashdod” (New American Bible).

Tumors: the noun comes from a root meaning “to swell” and has been variously interpreted to be hemorrhoids (New American Bible, Bible en français courant, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente), boils (Nueva Biblia Española), a form of tropical dysentery, and bubonic plague (see note in Good News Translation). If a specific word or expression does not exist for this word, a more general expression such as “growths on their skin” (New Century Version) or “sores” (Contemporary English Version) may be used.

Both Ashdod and its territory: the reference is to the city of Ashdod and the surrounding territory near the city. Several modern versions take this to mean the “neighbors” of the people of Ashdod (New Century Version, Contemporary English Version).

The Septuagint contains additional words at the end of this verse. The manuscripts of the Septuagint differ, but all refer to mice in this verse, while the Masoretic Text mentions mice for the first time in 6.4. Revised English Bible, following the Septuagint, translates the end of the verse as follows: “he plagued them with tumours, and their territory swarmed with rats. There was death and destruction all through the city.” La Bible du Semeur is similar to Revised English Bible and states in a footnote that these words are missing from the traditional Hebrew text and have been added according to the ancient Greek version. An American Translation, following one part of the Septuagint tradition, adds the following words: “He brought mice upon them, and they swarmed in their ships. Then mice went up into their land, and there was a mortal panic in the city” (so also New American Bible). For some interpreters the casual mention of mice in 6.4 seems to presuppose that they had been introduced earlier in the story; such an understanding gives support to the Septuagint text. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text. Translators may wish to include a footnote similar to that in Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .