The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 15:4:
Kupsabiny: “If I was a judge in this country, I would be doing truth/justice for all the people who would bring me their requests.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then Absalom spoke like this, "If I were chosen as judge, a person who brought a case like this would be judged to be in the right."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “If only I would-be the judge, every man who has a complaint or case can-come to me, and I will-make-sure that he will-be-given justice.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Absalom would then add, ‘I wish that I were a judge in this land. If I were a judge, anyone who had a dispute could come to me, and I would decide it fairly/justly.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Said moreover: the word translated moreover is merely the common Hebrew conjunction, but the context here requires something like “also said” or a verb like “went on” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “continued,” or “would add” (New International Version, Revised English Bible as well as Good News Translation). This last rendering shows more clearly the habitual nature of this action, in keeping with the earlier verb forms.
Oh that I were judge: this false lament of Absalom begins with the interrogative pronoun that is sometimes used to introduce a kind of wish. A more literal rendering is “Who will make me judge…?” Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “Oh, who will appoint me judge in the land?” The same kind of device is used in Deut 5.29 and frequently in the book of Job (see, for example, 23.3; 29.2; 31.35). Another way of translating this in some cases may be like that of Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and Knox, “If only I could be appointed judge…,” or possibly “I wish someone would make me judge…” (New Century Version and Contemporary English Version).
In the land: this, of course, refers to the land of Israel. New Century Version makes this clearer with “in this land.” This is probably a better model in this case than Good News Translation, which omits any reference to the land.
Might come to me: the word order of the Hebrew places emphasis on the pronoun me. Revised English Bible attempts to reflect this order by beginning the clause “it would be my business to see that….” In languages that have emphatic forms of the pronouns, translators should consider using one here.
A suit or cause: the first of these two terms is the same as used in verse 2, and the use of two different words does not mean that Absalom is talking about two separate matters. They are rather two terms for the same thing, and for this reason they may be better translated as a single term or expression in some languages. Some may say something like “any kind of complaint.”
Give him justice: the text continues to imply habitual action. So the verb form used in translation should reflect this. Absalom is promising that he would “be fair to everyone” (Contemporary English Version). Some other ways of saying this may be “I would see that he gets justice” (New International Version), “I would see that he got his rights” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “I would adjudicate it in his favor” (Anchor Bible).
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 .
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