The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “go in peace” into English is an idiomatic expression of farewell which is translatable in other languages as an idiomatic expression as well:
The Hebrew and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:
“rest the heart” (Central Mazahua) / “rest within” (Lacandon) (source: Nida 1952, p. 40 and 128ff.) / “wait well in your heart” (Yatzachi Zapotec) (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 29:7:
Kupsabiny: “So, go in peace and never do anything which may annoy them.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “So you go home in peace and may there not be deeds on your part [lit.: work from you] that they would not think good.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “So [you (sing.)] just go-home now, and [you (sing.)] do- not -do anything that they will- not -be-pleased-with. Okay, go in peace/[lit. go just well].’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “So all of you go back home, and I hope/desire that things will go well for you. I do not want you(sg) to do anything that the other rulers of Philistia will not be pleased with.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Go back: or “return.” The text does not specify where David is to return, but the context has already spoken of the place that Achish had assigned to him (verse 4), that is, the town of Ziklag. This is undoubtedly what is to be understood here. If the receptor language requires something to complete the sense of the verb “return,” it will probably be a good idea to say “go back home,” as in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant, and La Bible du Semeur.
Go peaceably: the Good News Translation translation of the Hebrew seems to be simply a parting greeting. But in the context, these words most likely mean that David and his men should leave without causing problems among the five lords. New American Bible expresses this meaning clearly, “Withdraw peaceably, now, and do nothing that might displease the Philistine lords.”
That you may not displease the lords of the Philistines: literally “and you do not do wrong [or, evil] in the eyes of the lords of the Philistines.” The wording of Revised Standard Version makes it sound as if the purpose of David’s returning is to avoid provoking the Philistine kings. But it is more likely that this should be understood as an additional command not to do anything at all to annoy them. It is worth noting that New Revised Standard Version drops the word that: “… and go peaceably; do nothing to displease the lords of the Philistines.”
The lords of the Philistines: see the comment on verse 2. Good News Translation substitutes the pronoun “them” for a better style in English.
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 .
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