complete verse (2 Samuel 3:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 3:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Ishbosheth had received those news, he sent people to remove Michal from the home of Paltiel son of Laish, because he had taken (her) to be his wife.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So Isbosheth sent men and took Michal from her husband Palti, son of Laish and brought [her].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Ishboshet commanded to take-away Mical from her husband Paltiel the child of Laish.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Ishbosheth sent some men to take Michal from her husband Palti. But when they took her, her husband followed them all the way to Bahurim town, crying as he went.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 3:15

And: it is as a result of the message from David that Ishbosheth took this action. For this reason a stronger transition word may be required. Revised English Bible uses the less common language word “Thereupon,” while New Jerusalem Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, like Good News Translation, have “So.”

Sent, and took: the idea behind the two verbs is that Ishbosheth made the decision that resulted in Michal’s being taken from her present husband. It does not mean that he performed the action himself. This is made clear in Contemporary English Version, “sent some of his men to take Michal away from her new husband….”

Her husband Palti-el: this man’s name is given as “Palti” in 1 Sam 25.44. But since the reference is obviously to the same person, it will be legitimate to harmonize the two different forms of the name as is done in New Century Version. Instead of saying “her husband” it may be necessary in some cases to say something like “the man she was living with at the time” or “her current husband.”

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 .