complete verse (2 Samuel 2:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 2:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “But the people of David had killed three hundred and sixty people of the clan of Benjamin those that Abner was leading.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But of the Benjaminites who followed Abner, 360 had been killed by David’s troops.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But they have-killed 360 men of Abner, and all-of-them from the tribe of Benjamin.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But David’s soldiers had killed 360 of Abner’s men, all from the tribe of Benjamin.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 2:31

But: showing contrast between the relatively small number of men on David’s side who were killed (20) and the larger number of Benjaminites who fought for Abner and who were lost in the battle (360).

Of Benjamin … of Abner’s men: here again Abner’s army is described as being made up primarily of Benjaminites. See verses 9, 15, and 25 above. Bible en français courant, however, understands this to mean that David’s men killed “three hundred and sixty Benjaminites and other soldiers of Abner.” The interpretation reflected in Bible en français courant is not, however, widely accepted, nor does it seem to be the most natural understanding of the Hebrew.

As in verse 15 the Masoretic Text reads Benjamin, but the Septuagint and a manuscript from Qumran read “sons of Benjamin.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {C} evaluation to the Masoretic Text.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .