army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (1 Chronicles 12:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 12:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those people helped David to fight against the enemies who raided them because they were all brave soldiers. They later became leaders of the soldiers of David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They helped David fight the enemy that came to attack [him]. For they were all brave and able warriors, and they became commanders in his army.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They helped David in flighting-against the attackers, for they were all good soldiers. That is why they became the commanders of the soldiers of David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They were all brave soldiers, and they helped David to fight against the groups of men who roamed throughout the country, robbing people. So those men became commanders in David’s army.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 12:21

They helped David against the band of raiders: As the footnote in Good News Translation indicates, this clause may be translated two different ways, and versions are rather evenly divided. The Hebrew preposition translated against may also be rendered “over” as in Good News Translation, so the two possible interpretations are as follows:

• (1) If the preposition is translated against, then the clause means the soldiers from Manasseh helped David’s troops fight a group of raiders. Compare “They assisted David against the raiding bands” (Braun; similarly New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Reina-Valera revisada). American Bible says “They aided David against the marauders.” The band of raiders most likely refers to the Amalekites who burned Ziklag while David and his men were away (see 1 Sam 30).

• (2) If the preposition is translated “over,” then the sense is that the soldiers from the tribe of Manasseh helped David (as officers) over David’s own troops, referred to in verse 18 (so Contemporary English Version, New American Bible, Bible en français courant, Segond, Nouvelle Bible Segond, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, La Bible Pléiade, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

For they were all mighty men of valor: The transition word for (Good News Translation “because”) introduces the reason why the soldiers from Manasseh helped David, whichever meaning is understood. The status of these men as “good fighters” (Revised English Bible) explains why they were capable of leading David’s troops or why they were able to fight against the enemy troops.

And were commanders in the army: Good News Translation takes this clause to mean that these men eventually became leaders in the Israelite army and not that they had already attained this status when the defected to David. For this reason Good News Translation begins with “Later they were officers….” New Living Translation follows the same interpretation by saying “who became commanders in his army.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 12:21

12:21a They helped David against the raiders,

(Contemporary English Version🙂 They fought on his side when enemy troops attacked.

They helped David fight against bad men who were going around the country and stealing things from people. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
They helped David to fight against other armies,

12:21b for they were all mighty men of valor

All these men of Manasseh were brave soldiers. (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
because they all were brave/virtuous soldiers.

12:21c and commanders in the army.

David made them leaders in his army.
-or-
And they became officers in David’s army. (Easy English Bible)

12:21:a-c (combined)

They were brave/virtuous warriors and able commanders in David’s army. They assisted David when he fought against the band of raiders at Ziklag.

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