"So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall." (1 Samuel 25:22 KJV)
"thus does Elohim do to the enemies of David, and thus He does add, if I leave of all that he has till the light of the morning--of those sitting on the wall." (CLV)
Why do the translations differ?
This also applies to
1 Samuel 25:34
1 Kings 14:10
1 Kings 16:11
1 Kings 21:21
2 Kings 9:8
Hi! Paul
I'd say Bob is right in his assessment the KJV rendering is a bit crude. My NASV Bible renders it like this;
" Nevertheless, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from harming you, unless you had come quickly to meet me, surely there would not have been left to Nabal until the morning light as much as one male.” (!Sam.25:34). A males usually urinates against a wall. Strong's concordance #8366 = make water.
The different renderings I believe are for politeness more than anything.
The gist of the matter being that not a male would be left alive, as simple as that. Why the Hebrews had to use that expression I couldn't hazard a guess. Possibly a lack of vocabulary.
God bless you brother in our joint walk in Christ.
Love in Christ Jesus.
Roy UK