army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (1 Samuel 14:50)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:50:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul’s wife was called Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul’s soldiers was Abner the son of Ner who was Saul’s paternal uncle.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As for his wife, [she] was Ahinoam, daughter of Ahimaaz. And his commanding general was Abner, son of Ner, his father’s younger brother.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The wife of Saul was Ahinoam, the child/(daughter) of Ahimaaz. The commander of his soldiers was his first-cousin Abner, the child/(son) of his uncle Ner.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz. The commander of Saul’s army was Abner, who was the son of Saul’s uncle Ner.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:50

Ahino-am the daughter of Ahima-az: Saul’s wife Ahino-am is mentioned only here in the Old Testament. Another women of the same name became one of David’s wives (25.43). Ahima-az is mentioned only here, but since two other men have this name in the Old Testament, Ahima-az is certainly the father of Ahino-am, not the mother.

Abner was Saul’s cousin. Their fathers, Ner and Kish (verse 51), were brothers. Abner is therefore a part of Saul’s family as well as the leader of his military forces.

Concerning Ner, Saul’s uncle, see the comments on 10.14.

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 .