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 .

hand (of God) (Japanese honorifics)

Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way to do this is through the usage (or a lack) of an honorific prefix as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. When the referent is God, the “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御 or み) is used here in mi-te (御手) or “hand (of God).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also hand of the LORD.

Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("say")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 8:15

He said: The verb said has been translated “prayed” by International Children’s Bible in view of the fact that what follows (verses 15-21) may be understood as a prayer to God. But even International Children’s Bible calls verses 12-21 “Solomon Speaks to the People” and then calls verses 22-61 “Solomon’s Prayer.” New American Bible, which translates “He said to them,” is better since Solomon is addressing the assembly.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel: In some languages it will not be possible to say that people Blessed God. It will be necessary to say something like Good News Translation, which has “Praise the LORD….” See the comments on this expression at 1 Kgs 1.48.

Who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father: See 2 Sam 7.4-11; 1 Chr 17.3-10. The translation of this part of the verse in Revised Standard Version is closer to the form of the Hebrew than is Good News Translation, but it is not a literal translation. The Hebrew says “who said with his mouth to David my father, and with his hand has fulfilled.” The same figurative language occurs again in verse 24.

The Hebrew noun hand is often used in the Old Testament in a figurative way for “power” or “strength.” In this context it is quite legitimate to translate with his hand as “by his power” or “in a powerful way.” The words with his mouth also do not need to be translated literally since the meaning is that God “spoke directly to … David” (Revised English Bible).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Kings 8:15

8:15a and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

Then he said, “Bless/Praise (plur) Yahweh, the God of Israel!
-or-
He said: “How good is Yahweh, the God whom ⌊we(incl.) ⌋ ⌊the people of⌋ Israel ⌊worship⌋ !

8:15b who has fulfilled with His own hand

For he has worked/acted in power to fulfill
-or-
By his power he has done exactly

8:15c what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying,

his words of promise to my father David.
-or-
what he personally/directly told my father David that he would do.

8:15b-c (reordered)

He made/spoke a promise to my father David, and now by his power he has fulfilled that promise.

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