self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (1 Samuel 29:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 29:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, wake/get up tomorrow at dawn and go away with your people whom you came with.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So get up early tomorrow morning and as soon as it gets light go quickly from here with the men you came with."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So get-up early-in-the-morning tomorrow and go-home together-with your (sing.) men while (it) is- still -dawning.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So early tomorrow morning you and your men must leave. Get up as soon as it is light and leave.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 29:10

Now then: literally “And now.” Most modern versions, however, take this as a kind of logical transition marker. Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, for example, has “Therefore.”

With the servants of your lord who came with you: the servants … who came with you refers to the other Israelites who fled to Philistine territory with David in order to escape from King Saul (see 27.1-3). Your lord almost certainly refers to King Saul (Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, and see verses 3-4) and not to King Achish (see verse 8 and comments there). One model is “you and all those who had once served Saul” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Some versions avoid the problem by saying “you and the men who have come with you” (Bible en français courant) or “you and the men who are with you” (Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). But it is probably best to follow the model of Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and make explicit that Saul is intended.

New Century Version translates the entire verse in this way: “Early in the morning you and your master’s servants, the Israelites, should go back. Go back to the city I gave you. Leave as soon as the sun comes up.”

Following the words who came with you, the Septuagint has additional words that are translated by Revised English Bible as “and go to the town which I allotted to you; harbour no resentment, for I am well satisfied with you.” New Revised Standard Version likewise follows this longer text, saying “and go to the place that I appointed for you. As for the evil report, do not take it to heart, for you have done well before me. Start early in the morning, and leave as soon as you have light.” A number of other translations also include these words (New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Osty-Trinquet). Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament considers that the shorter Masoretic Text is the result of an error. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament therefore gives a {D} rating to the text of the Septuagint and recommends that it be followed. Translators are advised to include the longer text of the Septuagint, although it is not found in Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation.

Contemporary English Version has restructured the Septuagint, and this may serve as a good model in other languages:

• You and your troops will have to go back to the town I gave you. Get up and leave tomorrow morning as soon as it’s light. I am pleased with you, so don’t let any of this bother you.

The above words in italics show clearly what the Septuagint additions are.

This verse contains three different expressions that refer to beginning activity early: rise early in the morning, start early in the morning, and as soon as you have light. These may be considered redundant if all three are translated literally. Yet the repetition is probably used intentionally in Hebrew for the sake of emphasis. The following model may be helpful in restructuring some languages:

• Therefore, early tomorrow morning all of you who left Saul and came over to me will have to get up and leave as soon as you see the light of dawn. Go back to the town I gave you, and don’t let any of this bother you, because I am pleased with you.

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 .