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 .

name (of God) (Japanese honorifics)

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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 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) can be used, as in mi-na (御名) or “name (of God)” in the referenced verses.

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

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 17:45

In the context of the ongoing dialogue with Goliath, the common verb said may be better rendered “responded” (Bible en français courant), “retorted” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “answered” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible).

A spear … a javelin: these are the same Hebrew words as found in verses 6-7 above. David contrasts these ordinary weapons with the spiritual weapon he possesses, the presence of the LORD.

The LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel: see the comments on 1.3.

Whom you have defied: the relative pronoun in Hebrew may be translated whom, with reference to God (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version, and New Jerusalem Bible), or “which” (Good News Translation and Revised English Bible), with reference to the Israelite army.

In some languages it may be better to restructure David’s response along the following lines:

• You are approaching me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But you have defied the God of the army of Israel. So I am approaching you in the name of our God, the LORD Almighty.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .