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 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 )
The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 15:8:
Kupsabiny: “Then later, Abija died and was buried in the City of David where his grandfathers were buried. Then his son who was called Asa took over his father’s rule.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “When Abijah died, as had his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David, and after him his son Asa became king.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When Abia died, he was-buried in the Town of David. And Asa his child was-the-one who succeeded him as king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Abijah died and was buried in the part of Jerusalem called ‘The City of David’, and his son Asa became king.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Yet another standard formula of the books of 1–2 Kings is used here to describe the end of the reign of Abijah.
Slept with his fathers: See the comments on 1 Kgs 1.21.
They buried him: Grammatically the pronoun they could refer to his fathers, but this is certainly not the intention of the writer and should be avoided in translation. This impersonal third person form may be translated by a passive form in languages where such forms are natural. In other cases it may be necessary to say “people buried him.”
The city of David: See the comments on 1 Kgs 2.10.
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.