complete verse (1 Samuel 30:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “Hebron. Those are the cities which were supporting him when he was wandering around with his people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “to those living in Hebron and David and his men visited all the other places sent gift.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Hebron, and to other places where- David and his men -had-gone.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Hebron, and all the other places where David and his men had gone when they were hiding from Saul.” (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 30:31

Hebron: see the comments on 2 Sam 2.1.

The verb translated roamed is a special form of a common Hebrew verb meaning to walk or move. This form indicates movement back and forth. Certain versions speak of the places that “David and his men had frequented” (New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible), “… had passed through” (La Bible du Semeur) or “… had traveled” (Contemporary English Version).

For all the places … had roamed: literally “and for all the places … had roamed.” The difference in the transition word is crucial. The most likely sense of this Hebrew clause is that it stands in apposition to the places named in verses 27-31a. The conjunction “and” therefore functions in an explanatory manner. It may be rendered “namely,” that is, “in Hebron—namely all the places where David and his men had roamed.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “and to those in Hebron—all the places where David and his men had roamed.”

It is possible, however, that this final clause indicates that David sent additional presents to other places not named in verses 27-31a. Compare Revised English Bible, “in Hebron, and in all the places over which he and his men had ranged.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente is even more definite that the unnamed places are different places from those named in verses 27-31a: “Moreover David sent something to all the places in which he had traveled with his men.” New Century Version likewise makes a clear distinction: “He sent some things to the people in all the other places where he and his men had been.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar.

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 .