11:20 Abishai the brother of Joab was head of the three 1 elite warriors. He killed three hundred men with his spear 2 and gained fame along with the three elite warriors. 3
1 tc The Syriac reads “thirty” here and at the beginning of v. 21; this reading is followed by some English translations (cf. NAB, NASB, NRSV, NLT).
2 tn Heb “he was wielding his spear against three hundred, [who were] slain.”
3 tn Heb “and to him [reading with the Qere] there was a name among the three.”
4 tn Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result: “so it might become a reality.”
5 tn Heb “so it might be established.”
6 tn Heb “and your name might be great permanently.” Following the imperative in v. 23b, the prefixed verbal form with vav conjunctive indicates purpose/result (parallel to the previous purpose/result clause): “[so]…you might gain lasting fame.”
7 tn Heb “saying.” The words “as people” are supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.
8 tc Heb “the
9 tn Heb “the house of David.”