Last Thursday morning some of the women were actively engaging the text of 1 Samuel 13, pondering the meaning of a few seemingly obscure expressions.

I was unprepared as usual so my influence on their semantic wrangling was ineffectual.

I could only note for myself the futility of their efforts owing to the textual notes in my Jewish Study Bible on the verses in question.

For instance, in verse 12, Saul tells Samuel that he forced himself to present the burnt offering in Samuel's absence, contrary to Samuel's instructions. The women debated what Saul meant when he said that he forced himself. The footnote says that the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. Still, I think that the translators got as close as they could without being certain.

Again, in verse 20, among a series of tools listed appears the obtuse "colters" which require sharpening. The ladies wondered what sort of tool this could be. The textual note says that the Hebrew is uncertain but that the LXX reads "sickle."

These notes are helpful. It's convenient to know at a glance which expressions are uncertain and how the LXX renders the same. I appreciate the sincerity of the Jewish Study Bible; most Christian Bibles don't readily admit that there's any ambiguity or uncertainty about the meaning of the original Hebrew. Only the better commentaries provide such insight and who always has the time to read those?