Honorary "are" construct denoting God (“sell them over”)

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, uriwatas-are-ru (売り渡される) or “sell them over” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 12:9

Verses 9-11 refer to various events recorded in the Book of Judges. For the historical references regarding Sisera, see Judges 4.2; regarding the Philistines, see Judges 13.1; and regarding the king of Moab, see Judges 3.12.

But: the common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse marks the contrast between God’s gracious deliverance of his people from Egypt (verse 8) and their neglectful response. Most modern versions retain the contrasting conjunction.

They forgot the LORD: the verb “to forget” with God as the object is found often in the Old Testament (for example, Deut 32.18; Psa 106.21; Jer 23.27). In these verses the Hebrew verb does not express primarily a loss of memory but rather the idea of “overlooking” or “neglecting” God. According to Deut 8.11, one “forgets” God by failing to obey his laws.

The second occurrence of the common conjunction in this verse is rendered and in Revised Standard Version, but since what follows is the consequence of Israel’s forgetting God, it is better translated “so” (New International Version, New Century Version).

Sold: the Hebrew verb is often used in the Book of Judges to mean that God has “handed over” or “surrendered” his people to their enemies (for example, Judges 2.14; 3.8; 4.2, 9; 10.7). If a literal translation will suggest the exchange of money, then a verb such as “abandoned” (Revised English Bible) or a phrase such as “allowed them to fall into the clutches of” (New American Bible) may be better.

Into the hand of Sisera: for the metaphorical use of hand as “power” or “control,” see 4.8.

Jabin king of Hazor: as the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, the Hebrew text does not include the name of this king. This information is found only in the ancient Greek version of the Old Testament (the Septuagint). While this text is also followed by Revised English Bible and New American Bible, it is not recommended. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not even mention the problem.

Hazor was a fortified city located strategically along the main trade routes to the north of the Sea of Galilee. It was large enough to have its own king, army, and military commander (Sisera). In most translations it will probably be a good idea to include the classifier term “city,” as Good News Translation has done. Otherwise it is likely that readers and hearers will think that it is a larger region.

Moab: the plateau of Moab rose a thousand meters (three thousand feet) above sea level east of the Dead Sea. The Moabites and the Israelites were often in conflict, and at various times in its history, Israel ruled over the territory of Moab.

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 .