power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (1 Samuel 30:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then David with his people cried and cried until they had no more strength.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then they wept. They wept so much that they didn’t have any strength.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So they cried-(out) very loudly until they became-weak.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David and his men cried loudly, until they were so weak that they could not cry any more.” (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 30:4

The people who were with him: that is, the men who had returned to Ziklag with David (see also verse 6 below). As is often the case, the word people may be translated “troops” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “his army” (New Century Version), or “his men” (New International Version).

Raised their voices and wept: this does not refer to two different actions but rather to a single event that may be rendered “wept aloud” (Revised English Bible) or “cried loudly” (New Century Version).

Until they had no more strength to weep: that is, “until they were too tired to cry any more.”

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 .