GB my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies,
AV 1873 My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies
NKJV I smile at my enemies
ESV My mouth derides my enemies
NIV My mouth boasts over my enemies
NASB95 My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies
LSB My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies
CSB My mouth boasts over my enemies
Steinmann: My mouth is [opened] wide against my enemies,
Hoffner: My mouth boasts (lit. ‘is wide’) over my enemies,
It seems that the ESV comes to the translation “derides” from the seeing how the phrase is used in Isaiah 57:4 and Psalm 35:21. However, it is not clear to me that the phrase refers to mocking or deriding. To open the mouth wide seems to be an assertive kind of speaking, and in those contexts it is a mocking speech. In this context, it seems that the NASB/LSB properly captures the breadth of the expression: “My mouth speaks boldly.” The NIV and CSB reasonably provide a more specific translation based on this context. Hannah would have been speaking to enemies after having been exulted over them. Thus they translate, “boasts over.” However, I think the more general expression of the NASB/LSB is superior. Steinmann, for instance, notes that “now [Hannah] can open her mouth to reply to her ‘enemies’…, which would include her rival Peninnah” (Concordia Commentary, 78). It does not appear that the reply to Peninnah’s antagonism would need to be derisive or boastful. However, now Hannah can reply with boldness.
Alexander Krause says
Not understanding the Concordia reference, “revival Peninnah.”
Did you or they mean “rival?”
Brian says
Yes. Now fixed. Thank you.