concubine

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “concubine” in English is translated in Kutu as “slave made to be his woman” or “female slave he married” and similarly in Makonde, “a slave who is/was a wife.”

In Kwere it is translated as “small wives.” This is the term for subsequent wives when polygamy is practiced among the Kwere. While they enjoy most of the same rights and privileges as the first wife, their status is not necessarily the same. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Kalanga it is likewise translated with balongwana or “small wives.” (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Concubine .

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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 16:22

So: it is not essential to translate the common conjunction here; but if it is overtly represented, the connection is more logical than temporal. The action was taken as a result of the advice given.

They: there is no clear referent for this pronoun. Rather it is a way of saying that some unknown or unnamed persons performed the action, following instructions from Absalom. Translators may say “someone” or “some people.” Or, following Contemporary English Version, it may be possible to begin by saying that “Absalom had a tent set up….” The passive form is used in certain modern versions (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible), and this may be reproduced in those languages that have natural passives in such a context.

Pitched a tent … upon the roof: since it is unthinkable to put a tent on the roof of a house in many cultures, translators must take special care in rendering these words. While the original readers and hearers understood that the roof was flat, this information may have to be supplied in other cultures. New Century Version and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, for example, translate clearly “put up a tent on the flat roof of the palace.” The use of the word tent in this context suggests a bridal tent set up for newly married people (compare Psa 19.4).

Went in to his father’s concubines: the same expression as is used in verse 20, but here it is in the past tense. See the comments above.

In the sight of all Israel: this probably does not mean that all the people of Israel watched the actual act of sexual intercourse, but rather that they were able to see Absalom go into the tent on the palace roof with David’s concubines, and that they knew what would happen inside.

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 .