complete verse (2 Samuel 15:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 15:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “David continued ahead with his people climbing the Hill of Olives while he was crying. He had removed the shoes and he had covered his head because those words/matters had pained him. The heads of all the people who were with him were also covered and (they) were also crying.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But David covered his head and went up the Mount of Olives bare foot and weeping. All the people who were with him also went up weeping, with their heads covered.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “David went-up to the Mount of Olives. He was-barefooted and he covers his head while he was-weeping. His companions were- also -weeping and they also cover their heads.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David and those with him went up Olive Tree Hill. David was crying while he walked. He was walking barefoot and had something covering his head to show that he was sorrowful. All those who were going with him also covered their heads and were crying while they walked.” (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 15:30

But: the common conjunction here may be adequately translated by beginning a new paragraph. But in other languages it will be important to indicate a shift in subject from Zadok and Abiathar back to David. Anderson translates the conjunction at this point “on the other hand….” It will also be possible to begin this verse with “Meanwhile….”

Went up the ascent: in the Hebrew text the verb meaning “going up” is repeated before and after the place name (Mount of Olives). The meaning seems to be “kept on going up…” or, as New International Version puts it, “continued up….”

The Mount of Olives: the word Mount is not actually in the text. But the Hebrew word for ascent shows that he walked up a slope. Anderson and Anchor Bible speak of “the Slope of the Olives.” This general geographical area just outside the city of Jerusalem is well known from references in the New Testament, but it is also mentioned in Zech 14.4. Anchor Bible indicates that the expression probably refers more specifically to the second and steepest of the three ridges on the Mount of Olives.

Barefoot: going barefoot is also associated with mourning in Isa 20.2-4.

With his head covered: in order to make it clear that this action was intended to show his distress, Good News Translation adds “as a sign of grief.” The addition of this information may also be helpful in other languages. Revised English Bible has the opposite meaning, describing David as being “bareheaded” and his followers with “their heads uncovered.” This is based on considerable speculation about the text and is not recommended to translators.

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 .