complete verse (1 Samuel 30:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “And when David was heading home with his people, he reached river Besor where those two hundred tired people had been left along the way. When those people saw David and the other people, they got up and welcomed them. David greeted those people with joy.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And David arrived at the place of those 200 men who, not being able to go up with him, were staying near the Besor river. They came to meet David and the men who were with him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When David and-company were-able-to-return to the Stream of Besor, they were-met by 200 of his men who became-too-tired to-go-with/accompany them, and he greeted them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David and his men got back to where the other 200 men were waiting, the men who did not go with David because they were very exhausted. They had stayed at Besor Ravine. When they saw David and his men coming, they went out to greet them. And David greeted them and said to them, ‘I hope that things are going well with you!’” (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 30:21

Regarding the two hundred men … who had been left at the brook Besor, see verses 9-10. Since David had left these men there, Good News Translation correctly says that he “went back.” Revised English Bible says that he “returned.”

The brook Besor: see the comments on verse 9.

The people who were with him: that is, the troops that had followed him. See the comments on verse 4 above.

He saluted them: see 10.4; 17.22; 25.5, where the same expression occurs. The word “salute” has very definite military connotations in English, but the meaning here is rather more general and should be translated “greeted.” Some versions depart from the Masoretic Text here, following the Septuagint. Klein, for example, says “As David approached with the troops, they greeted them,” following the Septuagint in making the subject of the verb plural.

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 .