complete verse (2 Samuel 1:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 1:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “On the day that followed, a certain person arrived coming from where the army of Israelites and Philistines fought. That person had torn his clothes and had poured dust on his head showing that he was mourning. When that person reached where David was, he knelt and bowed down making his face touch the ground.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “On the third day, A man having put dust on his head and torn his clothes, came from Saul’s camp. As soon as he arrived, he bowed down, falling prostrate on the ground before David.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “On the third day, a man arrived at Ziklag from the camp of Saul, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head to show that he is-mourning. He went to David and knelt-down as a respect to him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “On the third day, unexpectedly a man arrived there who had come from where Saul’s army was camped. He had torn his clothes and put dust on his head to show that he was grieving. He came to David, and prostrated himself on the ground in front of David to show respect for him.” (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 2 Samuel 1:2

On the third day: literally “it happened on the third day” (as explained on page 19). In the context of the previous verse, which mentions staying in Ziklag for two days, it may be more natural in many languages to say simply “The next day” as Good News Translation has done. David had been in Ziklag for two days prior to the events recounted in this verse. It was on the following day that these events occurred.

Behold: the Hebrew particle translated in this way is often used to heighten the emotional impact of a narrative. Here it introduces a new, unexpected event. Most modern English versions leave it untranslated, but in those languages where such a device exists and is natural, it may be used here to increase the intensity of the events described in the following words. See page 18.

A man: later in the story we learn that this person was “a young man,” or a warrior, and that he was an Amalekite. But this additional information is introduced only gradually by the writer, who reserves the surprise until verse 8. While it may be necessary in some languages to introduce some of this information earlier, if at all possible it will be a good idea to respect the style of the author. The writer does, however, indicate immediately that this man was from Saul’s camp. This has been translated “a man from Saul’s army,” showing that the messenger was a member of Saul’s fighting force.

With his clothes rent and earth upon his head: (see 1 Sam 4.12) the text gives no explicit indication of who tore this man’s clothing and put earth on his head. A literal translation such as that in Revised Standard Version may give the incorrect impression that the man’s clothes had been torn accidentally. Revised English Bible renders the words earth upon his head as “and there was dust on his head.” The English word “dust” will suggest to most readers that he was accidentally covered with dust from running on a dirt road. It was, however, common practice for Jewish persons to do these things to themselves in order to show their sadness about something that had happened, particularly after a death. For this reason Good News Translation makes clear two facts that are only implied in the original: (1) the man had torn his own clothes and had put the dirt on his own head, and (2) the purpose of this action was “to show his grief.” Translators will do well to follow this example in most cases.

He fell to the ground and did obeisance: this is not intended to indicate two separate actions (see the comments on a similar phrase in 1 Sam 24.8 [Masoretic Text 24.9]). Rather the purpose of his bowing to the ground was to show his great respect for David. Instead of the coordinating conjunction and, it will be better in many languages to say something like New International Version, “fell to the ground to pay him honor.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .