complete verse (1 Samuel 25:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 25:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “David told his people that, ‘Let each one properly tighten his sword.’ David also tied himself (prepared). David went with four hundred men and left two hundred men to guard the things in the camp.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David said to his men, "Each one take his sword!" They all tied their swords to their waists and David also tied his sword to [his] waist. About 400 men went following David and about 200 men stayed to watch the luggage.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then David said to his men, ‘Fasten-on your (plur.) swords!’ So they fastened-on their swords, and David also did so. About 400 men went with David. 200 stayed-behind to-watch-over the baggage/supplies/cargo.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When David heard that, he told his men, ‘We are going to kill Nabal; fasten your swords!’ So he fastened on his sword and about 400 men fastened on their swords and went with David. There were 200 of his men who stayed with their supplies.” (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 25:13

The direct quotation at the beginning of this verse may be made into indirect discourse if this seems more natural in the receptor language: “David instructed all his men to put on their swords.”

The verb gird/girded, which occurs three times in this verse, is rendered by the less archaic expression “strap/strapped on” in New Revised Standard Version.

After David: the preposition rendered after in Revised Standard Version may be understood to mean that the men went “behind” David as he led the way, or simply that they went “with” him.

Baggage: that is, the military supplies. The same word is translated “armor” in 17.54 and “weapons” in 20.40 and 21.8. Here it probably includes both. See the comments at 10.22.

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 .