1Sam 25:35 – TIPs

peace (inner peace)

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

“a song in the body” (Baoulé — see also joy)
“heart coolness” (Eastern Maninkakan / Moronene) / “inner coolness” (Binumarien) (source for Moronene: David Andersen; Binumarien: Oates 1995, p. 249)
“coolness” (Pular / Kutu) (source for Kutu: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
“sit down in the heart” (South Bolivian Quechua) / “my heart sits down” (Northern Grebo)
“rest the heart” (Central Mazahua) / “rest within” (Lacandon) (source: Nida 1952, p. 40 and 128ff.) / “wait well in your heart” (Yatzachi Zapotec) (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
“quietness of heart” (Chol)
“kobe (= the abdominal region, including the heart) quiet” (Warao) (source: Henry Osborn in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 74ff. )
“have a quiet mind” (Ngäbere)
“heart will lie quietly” (Isthmus Zapotec)
“live quietly” (Central Tarahumara) (source for this and above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
“quiet goodness” (Kekchí)
“goodness of life” (Uma) (source: Uma Back Translation)
“strength of heart” (Highland Puebla Nahuatl)
“leaning on the liver” (Kare)
“sweet insides” (Shilluk)
“evenness” (Toraja-Sa’dan)
“having your hearts feel oneness for one another” (Tzeltal)
“have one heart” (Miskito)
“well-arranged soul” (Mashco Piro)
“completeness” (Highland Puebla Nahuatl) (source for this and two above: Nida 1952, p. 128ff.)
“stomach flat in” (“one’s stomach sticks out when one is upset”) (Kimyal) (source: Young 2022)
“joy in heart” (Eastern Highland Otomi) (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
“have security in your heart” (Highland Totonac) (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
“smooth interior” (Bariai) (source: Bariai Back Translation)
tangnefedd — “an internal condition that makes external peace (heddwch) possible” (Welsh) (source: Rosa Hunt in Journal of European Baptist Studies 1/23 (2023), p. 1ff. ) (source for all non-attributed translations: Bratcher / Nida)

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)

“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

complete verse (1 Samuel 25:35)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 25:35:

Kupsabiny: “After that, David received the food that was brought to him and told the woman that, ‘Go in peace. I have heard your message and I will do to you as you wish.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then David, having taken the gift that Abigail had brought for him, spoke like this, "Go home in peace. I have heard your concern [lit. matter] and I have accepted your request."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “David received the gifts of Abigail and said, ‘[You (sing.)] go-home and do- not -worry anymore, for I will-fulfill what you (sing.) have-asked-for.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then David accepted the gifts that Abigail had brought to him. He said to her, ‘I hope/desire that things will go well for you. I have heard what you said, and I will do what you have requested.’” (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 25:35

Received from her hand: it may be inadvisable to include a literal translation of the words from her hand in some languages. Translators should look for a verb that conveys the notion of gracious acceptance of a gift offered. Knox translates simply “accepted all the gifts she brought him.”

Go up in peace: in the present context this expression means that Abigail no longer had anything to be upset about. She could return home without further anxiety.

See: the imperative form of this verb is used in a way that is quite similar to the focusing particle often translated “behold” or “lo.” The imperative verb here directs attention to David’s statement that follows.

Hearkened to your voice may be translated “granted your request” (New International Version) or “I will do what you have asked” (New Century Version).

And I have granted your petition: literally “and I have lifted up your face.” This expression means that the person who is the superior has accepted the other person’s request (see the same idiom in Gen 19.21).

In languages where indirect discourse is preferred, the last part of this verse may be translated “He told her to stop worrying and go back home because he had listened to her and had decided to do what she asked.”

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 .

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Verse: 1 Samuel 25:35