PART B

English translations of 1 Kings 19:9-14

Discussion

Comparison of Translations

The Mathews translation offers a more literal translation. The passage adopts the use of three main subjects to indicate the characters/individuals are performing the various actions in place. The passage adopts the subjects; narrator, YHWH, and Elijah. By the use of a hyphen, the passage can interact with the reader by helping them to understand the great revelation of God to Elijah in the simplest yet profound ways

The New International Version separates verse 9 and 10 with sub-title while the Common English and Matthews translations combine the two without any sub-title. This would probably suggest the importance of expressing and indicating the significant change and shift in the atmosphere where Elijah was. This was also probably an intention to expressly show the change that comes in when God steps into the ordinary running of our life. Secondly, the New International Version by splitting the verse 9 into two is also symbolic of the very fact that God appeared to Elijah in the dead of night in His worry and fear. Additionally, in verse 9, we see different expressions in the three translations. In the New International Version verse 9 the second part begins by saying, “And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” the Common English Translation begins by “the Lord’s word came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?” and the Mathews translation, “And behold! The word of YHWH to him and he said to him what are you doing here Elijah”. These different yet significant expressions of the entry of God are very fundamental in the message passed across. The New International Version brings the subject as the word of God that came upon Elijah. The Common translation version shows possession of the word itself. That the word itself was of God and God alone. The Mathews translation, on the other hand, brings out the entry of God by an exclamation showing the change of environment.

Verse 13 also differs in the three translations. The New International Version and Mathews translation state that God asked Elijah, “what are you doing here, Elijah” while in the Common English translation God asked Elijah, “why are you here, Elijah?” The first two translations with their subsequent responses in verse 14 show that Elijah was agonized by the apostasy atmosphere that existed in the nation of Israel.

This comparison of translations should not be commenting on whether one translation sounds nicer than another, or even on the theological meaning of the passage that is conveyed by the translation. Each of the translations worked with the same original Hebrew text, so we are asking you to observe the differences and make suggestions as to why they differ. For example, Mathews uses the name YHWH while the others translate the name as “Lord”. NIV and CEV translate ַחוּר as “wind” and Mathews translates “spirit” – can the Hebrew word be translated with both English words? Why does Mathews translate “zealously zealous” instead of “very zealous” or “very jealous”?

References

Benner, J. A. (2005). The ancient hebrew lexicon of the Bible. Jeff A. Benner.

Brill, E.J.L, (1975), Vetus Testamentum Quarterly Published By the International Organization For the Study Of the Old Testament https://www.blueletterbible.org https://www.biblical-hebrew-study.com/bh-resources/hebrew-concordance/

Cogan, M. (Ed.). (2001). 1 Kings: a new translation with introduction and commentary (Vol. 10). Anchor Bible.

Davidson, B. (1848). The analytical Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon. S. Bagster and sons.

Robinson, B. P. (1991). Elijah at Horeb, 1 Kings 19: 1-18: A coherent narrative? Revue Biblique (1946-), 513-536.

VanGemeren, W. A. (1997). New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theo. Zondervan.

Walsh, J. T. (1). Kings (Berit Olam). Studies in Hebrew narrative and poetry.

Verheij, A. J. (1990). Verbs and numbers: a study of the frequencies of the Hebrew verbal tense forms in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. Uitgeverij Van Gorcum. THL100