BoR: An interesting example this week about how, as Derech HaMelech mentioned above, a translation cannot carry all the nuances of the original Hebrew text:
G-d allowed Bilam to go with the officers of Balak. Bilam does that and then G-d is angry at Bilam for going.
Difficult to understand – if G-d let him go, why was He angry with him for doing that.
Goan of Vilna gives a simple explanation. There are two words which both mean ‘with’: ?? and ??. ?? means going with equal intent and ?? means accompanying, but with different intent.
If you now read through the Hebrew text, it makes perfect sense: G-d allowed Bilam to go ???. But: ???? *??* ??? ???? – Bilam did not obey and therefore G-d was angry with him.
If you have just the translation to work with, you’re stuck. Which is why you need a translation which includes commentary.