31Rehoboam slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonite. His son Abijam succeeded him.
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Rehoboam” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” + “divide” + “south.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The name that is transliterated as “Abijah” or “Abijam” in English means “God my Father” (Abijah) or “father of the sea,” “father of light (Abijam). (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 14:31:
Kupsabiny: “Then, Rehoboam died and was buried where his grandfathers/ancestors were buried in the City of David. The mother of Rehoboam was called Naamah, and was a daughter of the community of Ammonites. Then, his son Abijam got the kingship replacing his father.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Rehoboam died, had his ancestors. He was buried with them in the city of David. His mother was Naamah, she was an Ammonite. After Rehoboam, Abijah, his son, became king.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When Rehoboam died, he was-buried in the burial-place of his ancestors in the Town of David. (The mother of Rehoboam was Naama the Ammonhon). Abia his child was the (one who) succeeded him as king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Rehoboam died , and he was buried in the part of Jerusalem called ‘The City of David’, where his ancestors were buried. Then his son Abijah became the king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The account of Rehoboam’s reign is concluded by the common formula used to summarize the reign of most of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Slept with his fathers: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.21.
Was buried with his fathers: This expression occurs also in 1 Kgs 15.24 and 22.50. Archaeological evidence shows that numerous family members were sometimes buried in the same tomb or cave (see the comments on 1 Kgs 13.22). Bible en français courant says that he was buried “in the family tomb.” Since special burial places existed for the kings, Good News Translation says that Rehoboam “was buried in the royal tombs.”
The city of David: See the comments on 1 Kgs 2.10.
His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess: These words are not in the parallel text in 2 Chr 12.16. New Jerusalem Bible, along with the Septuagint, omits them here in verse 31, considering them to be a later addition. La Bible Pléiade places these words within parentheses, with a footnote stating that a later editor who added them forgot that the name of Rehoboam’s mother had already been given in verse 21.
These words are omitted also in Good News Translation, but for translation reasons and not for textual reasons. Since verse 21 has already identified Rehoboam’s mother as Naamah the Ammonitess, Good News Translation does not repeat this information here as the Hebrew does.
Abijam is a transliteration of the Hebrew name here. But in 1 Chr 3.10 and 2 Chr 12.16, as well as in some Hebrew manuscripts here in verse 31, the Hebrew name is “Abijah,” which is the spelling that Good News Translation uses in all the occurrences of the name. In 2 Chr 13.20 the name is spelled “Abijahu” in the Hebrew text. Translators should use the same spelling in all occurrences in the receptor language in order to avoid confusion for the reader.
Reigned in his stead: See the comments on 1 Kgs 11.43.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.