Absalom (image)

Hand colored stencil print on momigami by Sadao Watanabe (1972).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

See also Absalom.

Absalom

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Absalom” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs depicting “hair + caught” referring to 2 Samuel 18:9. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

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

See also Absalom (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Absalom .

complete verse (2 Samuel 13:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 13:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “Absalom hated Amnon very much that he could not talk to him even a little, because he pressed/raped his sister Tamar.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Absalom didn’t say anything to Amnon, whether good or evil. [But] because he had disgraced his younger sister, Tamar, Absalom hated Amnon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And even though Absalom did- not -say-a-word to Amnon about what he had-done, he hated him because of his causing-shame to Tamar his sibling.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And Absalom hated Amnon, because he had raped his sister, so he would not speak to Amnon about anything.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 13:22

But: this reflects the common Hebrew conjunction, which does not necessarily imply contrast. What is presented in the following sentence is simply an additional fact that is a part of the story.

Good News Translation radically alters the order of the different elements in this verse. Translators should consider what kind of word order will be most natural in their own language.

Spoke … neither good nor bad: the translation of Contemporary English Version, “treated Amnon as though nothing had happened,” takes this expression to mean that Absalom said nothing about this matter to Amnon, but most versions understand it to mean that he said nothing at all to his half brother. That is, he was so angry with him that he would not talk to him about anything. This seems to be the more likely meaning of the text.

Forced: see the comments on this same verb in verses 12 and 14.

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 .