bear child / give birth

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “bear (a child)” or “give birth to” is translated in Mairasi as “go to the forest,” reflecting the traditional place of childbirth for Mairasi women. (Source: Enggavoter 2004)

In Spanish it is translated as dar a luz, literally “to give to light.” Likewise, in Portuguese (dar à luz) and Italian (dare alla luce). (Source: Mark Terwilliger)

See also in childbirth / travail and birth.

Elisha

The name that is transliterated as “Elisha” in English means “God the Savior,” “to whom God is salvation,” “God of salvation,” “God is Savior.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying “help + prophet.” (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Elisha” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “bald,” referring to 2 Kings 2:23. This is a sign that was adapted from Kenyan Sign Language. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Elisha” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with with the sign depicting “putting on mantel” referring to 2 Kings 2:13. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Elisha” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Elisha .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (2 Kings 4:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 4:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “But later, that woman became pregnant and she bore a son in the days like those the other/next year. So, the words she was told came true.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But the woman became pregnant. Just like Elisha said, the following year she gave birth to a son.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But the woman indeed got-pregnant, and she gave birth to a male at that- very -particular time of the following year, according-to what Elisha had-said to-her.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But a few months later, the woman became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son at that time the following year, just like Elisha had predicted.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 4:17

But: Although the Hebrew has only the common conjunction here, many languages will render it “But” to mark the contrast between the doubt and anxiety of the woman on the one hand, and the certainty of what happened on the other.

The verb conceived is expressed in a variety of ways in different languages. While modern English naturally says “got pregnant,” other languages say things such as “received a stomach,” “came to accept a stomach,” or “stopped seeing the moon,” meaning “stopped having her monthly period.”

Again there is some important implied information that will probably be understood in most cases. But if there is any possibility that the readers will think of some kind of supernatural conception or that someone other than her husband slept with the woman, it may be necessary to indicate that the old man did sleep with his wife.

About that time the following spring is literally “at this season according to the time of life” (same phrase as in the previous verse). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh takes this to mean “at the same season the following year.” This information is shifted forward to the beginning of the verse in Contemporary English Version, which reads “But a few months later….”

It will be noted that the structure of this verse has also been altered by Good News Translation, shifting as Elisha had said to her to the beginning of the sentence and placing she bore a son at the very end. This may be a helpful model for certain other languages. Good News Translation omits the verb conceived since it is clearly implied in the statement “she gave birth to a son.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 4:17

4:17a But the woman did conceive,

But the woman conceived.

-or-

But ⌊soon after⌋ the woman did become pregnant.

4:17b and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son,

At the same season in the next/following year she had a son,

-or-

She delivered a baby boy about a year after

4:17c just as Elisha had told her.

just as Elisha had said/predicted to her.

-or-

Elisha had given her this promise/message.

4:17a-c (reordered)

But, just as Elisha had said, she gave birth to a baby boy about a year later.

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