complete verse (1 Chronicles 12:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 12:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “Fifty thousands (50,000) people came from the clan of Zebulun. They were prepared/trained and had all sorts of weapons for war. They had completely dedicated themselves to aid David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Furthermore, 50,000 soldiers loyal to David came from the tribe of Zebulun prepared for battle [and] brought all kinds of weapons.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From the tribe of Zebulun: 50,000 expert/skilled soldiers who were ready for battle. They were armed with different weapons. They were very ready to help and to-take-side with David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “There were 55,000 men from the tribe of Zebulun. They were all experienced warriors and knew how to use all kinds of weapons well. They were completely loyal to David.” (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 .

large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 12:33

12:33a From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war,

From the tribe of Zebulun came fifty thousand skilled warriors, armed with all sorts of weapons, ready for battle.
-or-
From Zebulun’s tribe came fifty thousane (50,000) soldiers armed with all kinds of weapons and trained to use them.

12:33b who with one purpose were devoted to David.

Those men came to help David and were ready do die ⌊for him⌋ .
-or-
They came willing to help David and to obey him completely.

12:33:a–b (combined)

From Zebulun’s tribe, there were fifty thousand (50,000) brave men who were ready to fight. They knew how to use many different kinds of weapons. They were completely faithful to David. (EEB)

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.