So: the translation of the common Hebrew conjunction here as a logical connector is seen as unnecessary in several modern versions that leave it untranslated (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible, La Bible du Semeur). New American Bible, on the other hand, makes the connection even stronger, with “therefore.” Naturalness in the receptor language should probably be the determining factor in deciding how to handle the transition word in this case.
Images: this represents the same Hebrew term as is used to describe the creation of human beings in relationship to God in the creation story (Gen 1.26, 27). The term is also used of the kind of thing that is forbidden to the people of Israel in Exo 20.4 and Lev 26.1. Here it refers to small-scale representations of the tumors and rodents that had troubled the Philistines. Many versions use the word “models” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version), and some have “figures” (Knox, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Some languages will have to use words meaning “copy” or “likeness.”
Tumors: see the comments on 5.6.
The verb here translated ravage means to destroy or ruin. New American Bible uses the word “infesting,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “devastate.” Contemporary English Version translates using the more common language expression “wiping out.”
The land in this case means specifically the territory where the Philistines lived. Good News Translation, New International Version, New American Bible, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente say “your land”; however, if the priests and diviners are also Philistines (see the comments on verse 2), then it may be better to say “our land.”
And give glory to the God of Israel: nearly all translations render the Hebrew noun here as glory. “To give glory to God” is a common expression in the Old Testament (for example, Josh 7.19; Jer 13.16), meaning to recognize God’s authority and to submit to it. This is expressed in various ways in English: “pay honour” (New Jerusalem Bible), “give honour” (Revised English Bible). Many translations, including Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, use the word and, which suggests that two separate actions are advised: (1) make images and (2) give glory. It is possible, however, to translate “make images … and thereby give glory to God” (as in Maredsous and Nueva Biblia Española). See also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente (“Make these images … in this way you will acknowledge the might of the God of Israel”) and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh (“thus you shall honor the God of Israel”). Either interpretation is possible, but the second (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) seems more probable than the first (Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation).
It is very likely, however, that in this context of offering a payment to God by way of compensation (see verse 3), the Hebrew word should not be translated “glory” but rather “tribute” (Anchor Bible, New American Bible) or “a gift of honor” (Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje). If this interpretation is followed in translation, then the images of the tumors and mice become the gifts of honor to be given to God. Anchor Bible says “Make images … and give them to the god of Israel as tribute.” Similar is Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, “and give them as a present in honor to the God of Israel.”
He will lighten his hand from off you: this is the opposite of God’s hand being heavy on people (see 5.6). For the metaphorical use of hand, see the comments on 4.8. This expression may be more naturally translated in some languages following one of these models: “he will stop being so hard on you” (New Century Version) or “he will cease to afflict you” (New American Bible).
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 .