raisin

The Hebrew that is translated as “raisin” in English is translated in Kwere descriptively as “dried grape.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also raisin cake.

complete verse (2 Samuel 6:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 6:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then he took bread, a little meat, and cakes prepared from grapes and divided to all the people of Israel, including men and women. After that passed, all the people returned to their homes.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then to whole people or whole Israelites of men and women [he] gave a piece of bread a cake of date, and one cluster of raisins. Then all the people went to their own houses.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then he gave each Israelinhon there, male and female, a bread, meat, and raisins. And then the people went-home to their house.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He also distributed food to all the people. To each Israeli man and woman he gave a loaf of bread, some meat, and a raisin cake. Then all the people returned to their homes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 6:19

Distributed: the direct object of this verb in Revised Standard Version is some distance from the verb itself, and this is the cause of the restructuring found in other versions. The verb is translated “share” in 1 Sam 30.24 and “divide” in 2 Sam 19.29. But in this passage the context allows for an object like “food” (New Revised Standard Version as well as Good News Translation) if a general statement is made before the details are given. Some translators may prefer the rendering of Contemporary English Version, “He gave all the men and women in the crowd a small loaf of bread, some meat, and a handful of raisins.” However, the expression the whole multitude of Israel should probably be retained, since it seems to emphasize that a very large group was involved.

A cake of bread: since the English word cake implies something sweet, this may be more accurately translated “a loaf of bread” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New American Bible as well as Good News Translation). This was probably ordinary bread and not something sweet.

A portion of meat: while the words so translated may refer to a cut of roasted meat, this meaning is far from certain. Other possible interpretations are “one roll” (Fox), “a cake of dates” (Anchor Bible, New International Version, Jerusalem Bible, and New Century Version), and “a cake made in a pan” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Goldman). The expression is found only here and in the parallel passage in 1 Chr 16.3. Many modern scholars seem to prefer a rendering containing the idea of meat (New Revised Standard Version and Revised English Bible as well as Good News Translation).

A cake of raisins: this was a mass of dried grapes, or raisins, pressed together. So the word cake may be misleading and should rather be translated in many languages as “block,” “bar” or “mass.” On the word raisins see 1 Sam 25.18; 30.12.

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 .