From: Brian & Laureen Powell <PowellBrian AT omf.net>
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Shield-bearer 1 Samuel 17:41
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2004 10:51:38 +0800
Hi all.
I'm translating in I Samuel 17 at present, and am unclear why verse 41
is translated as it is.
My interlinear for the verse reads 'And-he-came the-Philistine coming
and-closer to David and-the-man bearing the-shield in-front-of-him'.
This is rendered in the NIV as 'Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his
shield-bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.'
My confusion is based on how it could have worked that two of them would
be approaching David. I understand the idea of an armour-bearer to carry
weapons etc. for a warrior, but surely when he is actually going to
battle the armour-bearer then gives the armour to the warrior.
My question is whether the Hebrew necessarily implies two different
people or whether 'the Philistine' in the first clause and 'the man' in
the second clause could not be one and the same person. This would lead
to a translation such as 'The Philistine kept coming closer to David
bearing his shield before him.'
Thanks
Brian
--
Brian Powell
Bible Translator
Philippines
[b-hebrew] Shield-bearer 1 Samuel 17:41,
Brian & Laureen Powell, 06/30/2004