David cuts Saul's robe (image)

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anointed

The Hebrew that is typically translated as “anointed (one)” in English is translated in Bashkir as masikh (мәсих), the same term that is used in the New Testament for Μεσσίας (engl. “Messiah”) and Χριστός (engl. “Christ”).

Translation team member Gulsira Gizatullina explains (in a translation from Bashkir by Teija Greed):

“When we were choosing in the team the term for ‘to anoint,’ from the very start we did not go for the simple verb ‘to rub (with) oil; to oil’ (which is used in contexts like ‘oiling one’s hair when combing it’ or ‘oiling a frying pan’), because we felt that this verb cannot fully express the true meaning [of the biblical concept]. The terms masekhlay [anoint], masekh mayy [anointing oil], Masikh [Messiah] also exist in Islam, and they are familiar terms to [Bashkir] Muslims who know religious terminology. That is why we chose masekhlay [for the concept ‘to anoint’].”

Teija Greed explains further: “The Turkic language Bashkir spoken in Russia uses the Bashkir word masikh (мәсих) for the Hebrew mashiach in Ps 2:2 [and in other places in the Old Testament], with a lower-case ‘m.’ The Bashkir team decided that this is how the Hebrew meaning ‘anointed one’ is translated everywhere. The link with the New Testament’s Masikh — capitalized — is therefore very easy to understand. Masikh (Мәсих) is known from the Qur’an as being Jesus’ title. The idea about using masikh for the general ‘anointed one’ was first introduced by one of the translators, and I’d think the link with the original Hebrew term is not generally known. However, we in the team find this a practical way to make the Bashkir audience aware of both the meaning of the word, and the connection between the two Testaments.”

In Chichewa, it is translated with wodzozedwa. In Chewa culture, this word is used to refer to people of authority such as chiefs who are anointed through the ritual of pouring oil on their head when they are being installed. The pouring of oil symbolizes receiving of spiritual powers that they may act wisely and justly under the guidance of God. This ritual also signifies that leadership comes from God and that it can be done accordingly if leaders depend on God. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also anoint and Christ / Messiah.

complete verse (1 Samuel 24:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 24:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “David told his people that, ‘God does not like what I have done to my master the one whom he anointed. I should not do bad/evil towards a person whom God anointed to become king. ’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then he said to his men, May the LORD save [him] for he is the LORD’s anointed man. May I not have to do him any harm."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He said to his men, ‘May-it-be that the LORD not allow that I do a bad-thing to my master, the one chosen of the LORD to-reign.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He said to his men, ‘I should not have done that to the king! I hope/desire that Yahweh will never allow me to attack the one whom God has appointed, because Yahweh is the one who chose him to be the king.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 24:6

Saul is called my lord and the LORD’s anointed. On the LORD’s anointed, see the comments on 2.10. In English the repeated use of the words the LORD and the lord with different reference may be confusing, especially to one who is hearing the text read. Translators in other languages may also normally use the same word for the LORD God and a human master or chief. In such cases it may be better to rephrase in order to avoid confusion, as Revised English Bible has done: “God forbid that I should harm my master, the LORD’s anointed.” Another possible way of saying this is “May God help me not to do anything to harm the one that he has anointed to be king, that one who is also my own master.”

This thing seems to refer to the attack on Saul suggested by David’s men and not to the cutting off of the edge of his robe. But some modern versions take it in very general terms as referring to “any harm” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version translates quite explicitly, but rather dynamically, changing the first person singular pronoun to first person plural: “We’re not going to attack Saul.”

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 .