complete verse (1 Samuel 20:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 20:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Jonathan told David that, ‘I accept to do for you whatever you need/want.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jonathan said to David, "I will do for you just what you would like."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jonatan said, ‘I will-do whatever you (sing.) have- me -do.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jonathan said to David, ‘I will do whatever you tell me to do.’” (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 .

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

Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight.

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 Samuel 20:4

Whatever you say: literally, “Whatever you say your nefesh.” Many translations seem to ignore the presence of “your nefesh,” but these words add a slight emphasis that may be preserved in translation by saying something like “whatever you yourself say” (so La Bible Pléiade). Since the nefesh is also considered the seat of feelings and sensations, one may translate “whatever you desire” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible) or “whatever you wish” (New American Bible).

In languages that prefer indirect discourse, this verse can be translated:

• Then Jonathan told David that he would do anything at all that David wanted him to do.

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 .