complete verse (1 Samuel 18:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 18:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Jonathan took off his robe and removed the weapons including his sword, a bow and belt and gave them to David to support/confirm the agreement.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jonathan, taking off the shawl which he had put on to cover himself and the upper garment of the crown prince, together with his sword, bow, and belt, he gave them to David.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “As proof/a witness of his promise, he took-off his outer garment and gave-(it) to David, including his cover/cloak-for-the-back/cape, sword, bow/bow-and-arrows and belt.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jonathan took off his own outer robe and gave it to David. He also gave David his soldier’s tunic, his sword, his bow and arrows, and his belt.” (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 18:4

The verb stripped himself should not be taken to mean that Jonathan was left completely naked. He removed his outer sleeveless robe and his armor, but he would have still been covered. The same verb is used in the Joseph story (Gen 37.23) and of the priests in Lev 6.11; 16.23 (“put off”).

Armor: the same word is rendered “clothes” by Revised Standard Version in 4.12, but its precise meaning is not clear. See the discussion in 17.38. Some say his “armor” (New Revised Standard Version). Others say “his tunic” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and New American Bible), “his military dress” (New American Bible), or “his warrior’s garment” (Klein).

The word bow is probably intended to include both the bow and the arrows that went with it. In some languages a single word is used to refer to both, but if this is not the case, translators may do as Contemporary English Version has done, saying “his bow and arrows.”

Girdle: the English word girdle has a special meaning today that is not what the Hebrew means. New Revised Standard Version correctly says “his belt.” Most other modern versions do the same.

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 .