English question. (today's text- April 27/2022)

[Hotteok]

David said : " Who am I and who are my people that we should be in a position to make voluntary offerings like this?"

 

What does should mean here? 

Can it mean 'have to'? 

Or does it mean, 'could'?

[Br. Ice]

40 minutes ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

David said : " Who am I and who are my people that we should be in a position to make voluntary offerings like this?"

 

What does should mean here? 

Can it mean 'have to'? 

Or does it mean, 'could'?

This particular scripture and the word combination indicates David's humility. 

 

New Living Translation says:
But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you?

 

I don't think it can be 'have to', because that would indicate that David or his people were under compulsion or were forced to make the offering, but this offering was a voluntary donation to help build the temple.

[Br. Ice]

1 hour ago, VisualizeUrParadise said:

What does should mean here?

In some languages of the NWT the word combination "that we should be in a position" is translated as meaning: "that we may have the privilege"

 

NWT Afrikaans says: "Maar wie is ek en wie is my volk, dat ons die voorreg kan hê om sulke vrywillige bydraes te gee?"

English translation from Afrikaans: "But who am I and who is my people, that we may have the privilege of making such voluntary contributions?"

English NWT says: "Who am I and who are my people that we should be in a position to make voluntary offerings like this?"

[Dages]

In French, it's could

[Girl81]

"are able to"

JMO

Edited April 27, 2022 by Michelle81

[Hotteok]

Thanks for the answers.  I wonder why anyone would use 'should' instead of could.. Maybe there's a slight nuance there..?