complete verse (1 Samuel 4:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 4:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Eli had ninety eight years and he was blind. When he heard the shouting, he asked that, ‘Hey, why are people shouting?’ Then that person who was bringing the news hurried to where Eli was.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hearing this sound, Eli asked, "What is this shouting all about?" Feeling the urgency to proclaim the news, that man came to Eli.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When- he -arrived at Shilo, Eli was-sitting on a chair beside the road and watching-(out) because he was- very -troubled/worried for the Box of God. Eli (was) the-age-of 98 back-then/at-that-time, and almost could- no-longer -see.
    Now, the man told the town/city what had-happened in the battle. When- the people -heard this they wept. Eli heard this and he asked, ‘Why are- the people -weeping?’ The man quickly came-near to him” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Eli asked, ‘Why are they making all that noise?’ The messenger ran over to Eli and told him the news.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 4:14

The sound of the outcry: while Eli had heard the general commotion in the city, he apparently had not learned the specific details that the runner had brought. Translators need not search for two different words for sound and outcry, since the overall meaning is simply “uproar” (Revised English Bible) or “commotion.”

The question is not really what but rather why there was so much noise and confusion. In some languages the question will have to be asked differently: “What is the meaning of this uproar?” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Moffatt) or “Why are people making so much noise?”

Instead of the verb said, some languages will more naturally put “asked” or “inquired,” since a question follows.

The man: that is, the man who had run from the battle (verse 12). Some languages may use a word like “runner” or “soldier” (Contemporary English Version) to avoid the general term man.

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 .