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.

inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (2Sam 17:5)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.

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 17:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 17:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “But Absalom said that, ‘Call also Hushai so that we can hear his thoughts.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But Absalom said, "Send to summon Hushai the Arkite, and let us hear what he will say."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But Absalom said, ‘Let- us (incl.) also -summon/call-for Hushai the Arkite, so-that we (incl.) can- also -hear what he will-say.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But Absalom said, ‘Summon Hushai also, and we will hear what he suggests.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 17:5

Then: after having heard the advice of his counselor and having had it confirmed by a larger group, Absalom nevertheless sought further confirmation from Hushai. Since this may be somewhat contrary to expectations, some versions use the conjunction “but” at this point (Revised English Bible, Fox). Most versions, however, take it as simply introducing the next step in the decision-making process and translate “Then” (New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible, for example).

Call … also: the fact that Hushai is called at this point indicates that he was not a part of the group of elders who had already given their approval to the proposed plan. The Hebrew text has a particle sometimes translated “I pray” (see, for example, 13.13). Like Good News Translation, several other versions translate this by beginning the quotation with “Now…” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Century Version). The imperative verb call is singular in the Hebrew, but several ancient versions have the plural. In some cases the verb may be translated “let someone call…” (Bible en français courant).

Hushai the Archite: if the repetition of the Archite is awkward or unnatural, it may be omitted, since this information has already been provided in 15.32 and 16.16.

What he has to say: literally “what in his mouth also he.” Compare Fox, who translates “what is in his mouth, his also.” The word “also” should be considered important, and it is reflected as “too” in New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh. Another possible model for the whole expression is “find out his opinion too” (Knox).

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 .