The name that is transliterated as “Asa” in English means “physician,” “healer.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that depicts the concept of order and mandates. As the third king of Judah, Asa ordered the destruction of the altars, he took the cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made (see 1 Kings 15:11 and following). (Source: Missão Kophós )
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Jehoshaphat” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” and “mixup” referring to the fateful alliance with king Ahab of Israel in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 15:24:
Kupsabiny: “Then, he died and was buried where his grandfathers used to be kept in the City of David. Then his son who was called Jehoshaphat succeeded his father’s reign.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Asa died, as had his ancestors, he was buried with them in the city of David, his ancestor. After him, his son Jehoshaphat became king.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “And when he died, he was-buried in the burial-place of his ancestors in the town of his ancestor David. And Jehoshafat his child was-the-one who succeeded him as king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He died and was buried where his ancestors were buried in the part of Jerusalem called ‘The City of David’. Then his son Jehoshaphat became king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Slept with his fathers: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.21.
Was buried with his fathers: Osty-Trinquet omits the words with his fathers, explaining that a scribe accidentally repeated them from the words slept with his fathers. Good News Translation does not have either occurrence of the words with his fathers because the translators did not attempt to preserve the form of the Hebrew. But Good News Translation does say that he “was buried in the royal tombs,” which is the equivalent of saying that he was buried with his fathers. See the comments on 1 Kgs 14.31.
In the city of David his father: For the city of David, see the comments on 1 Kgs 2.10. Good News Translation omits the words his father perhaps since David was not literally Asa’s father. However, translators should keep these words if they are not unnatural. New Century Version renders them well by saying “his ancestor” (also NET Bible).
The reign of Asa’s son Jehoshaphat is recounted in 1 Kgs 22.41-50.
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 .
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