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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu.utopia.com (Russell Hendel)
Date: Fri, 3 Jan 1997 14:55:43 -0500
Subject: English Translation Inconsistencies

There are 8 times in Chumash when the word NA is said by G-d. In 3 of
them the Stone English translation uses the word NOW(Gen 13:14,15:5,Nu
12:6);in 3 cases the word is translated as PLEASE (Gen 22:2,
31:12,Ex11:2) and in 2 cases the word IS OMITTED in translation (Ex 4:6,
Gen 18:21).

Some background may help: NA is usually translated as PLEASE but
according to many rishonim (early authorities) can also mean NOW. The
Sifray on Num 12:6 clearly indicates PLEASE as a translation. What is
bothering me however is the arbitrariness in translation
inconsistency---sometimes NOW is used and sometimes PLEASE and sometimes
the word is OMITTED. The standard Aramaic translation, Oonklus, by
contrast, translates all 8 cases the same.

Does anyone know how these translations decisions are arrived at? Also,
are there are other examples of translation duality for one word.

Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d, ASA  rhendel @ mcs drexel edu