complete verse (1 Samuel 18:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 18:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “In spite of that, when the day that Merab was to be given to David reached, that girl was turned over to someone called Adriel of Mehola to marry her.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The time came for Saul’s daughter Merab to be married to David and then Merab just married Adriel, who lived in Meholah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the time to-have- Merab now -married to David, Saul had- Merab -married to Adriel who (was) from-Mehola.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So, when it was time for Merab to be given to David to become his wife, instead, Saul gave her to a man named Adriel, from Meholah town.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

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 .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 18:19

But at the time: literally “And it came to pass at the time” (see page 19). Verse 19 refers to a time later than the events of verses 17-18, though how much later is not stated.

As verse 17 states, Merab was Saul’s eldest daughter. No reason is given to explain why she was given to another man instead of to David. The end of verse 17 suggests that Saul never intended to keep his promise to David. In certain languages it will sound unnecessarily repetitious to say again so soon that Merab is Saul’s daughter. This information is given in verse 17.

The two passive forms of the verb “give” (should have been given and was given) will have to be made active, with Saul as the agent, in some languages: “Saul gave Merab … to Adriel … instead of David.” Also the verb “give” will often be better translated “cause to marry” or something similar.

Adriel the Meholathite, son of Barzillai, was from the city-state of Abel-Meholah, which is mentioned in Judges 7.22. 2 Sam 21.7-9 states that Adriel’s five sons are killed by the Gibeonites because Saul had been guilty of murder.

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 .