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 .

terebinth

The Hebrew words ’elah and ’alah refer to any of three species of terebinth mentioned in the Bible: 1) the Atlantic terebinth Pistacia atlantica, 2) the Palestinian terebinth Pistacia palaestina, and 3) the Lentisk Terebinth Pistacia lentiscus, also called the mastic tree.

According to Zohary (Plants of the Bible, Cambridge University Press, 1982), the Atlantic terebinth, also called the teil tree, is found in the Negev, Lower Galilee, and the Dan Valley. Hepper (Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Plants, Baker Book House, 1992) says it was once abundant in Gilead, the trunk and bark being a possible source for aromatic resin (mastic) exported to Egypt. It is a dry-land tree that grows in the border areas between ever-green woodlands and the dwarf-shrub steppes (note “valley of Elah” in 1 Samuel 17:2 et al.). The nuts of the Atlantic terebinth are used for dyeing and tanning animal skins, but they can be eaten if roasted. They are often sold in Arab markets, are bigger than the nuts of the Palestinian terebinth, and are quite different from the true pistachio nuts.

The Palestinian terebinth is found mostly on wooded hills, often together with the common oak. Its little round nuts can be eaten whole, fresh, or roasted, and it is probably these nuts (boten) that were carried to Egypt by the sons of Jacob (Genesis 43:11).

The lentisk terebinth is a shrub or bush that grew in the hills of Gilead, and may be the source of the “balm/resin” (tsori in Hebrew) carried by the Ishmaelites in Genesis 37:25, and by the sons of Jacob to Egypt along with pistachio nuts in Genesis 43:11. The fact that Genesis 37:25 et al. all mention Gilead in connection with the resin tsori, suggests that its source was a plant unique to Palestine. That is why it could be used to trade for goods from Egypt. The references in Jeremiah (8:22 and 46:11) presumably refer to the salve made from the terebinth resin.

Terebinths look like oaks but have pinnate leaves. The Atlantic terebinth may reach a height of 10 meters (33 feet). The Palestinian terebinth species is shorter, reaching to 5 meters (17 feet). The lentisk terebinth, or mastic (gum) tree, is a small shrub or tree 1-3 meters (3-10 feet) in height that produces a sweet-smelling resin when the stem or branches are cut. The resin dries into hard lumps, which are then ground and dissolved in olive oil for medicinal use, per-fume, incense, varnish, and glue.

Both of the larger terebinths were revered by ancient Israelites and other peoples. They built shrines and altars in the terebinth groves, and sometimes buried people there. The resin of the lentisk terebinth was highly prized for its medicinal value, which is why the Ishmaelites and the sons of Jacob were carrying them as trade goods to Egypt. Sirach 24:16 uses the wide-spreading branches terebinth as a metaphor for wisdom.

Pistacia palaestina, Wikimedia Commons
Pistacia atlantica, Wikimedia Commons
Mastic resin hanging from mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) tree, Wikimedia Commons

Source: Each According to its Kind: Plants and Trees in the Bible (UBS Helps for Translators)

complete verse (2 Samuel 18:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 18:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, a person of the soldiers of David saw Absalom there hanging on that oak tree. (Then) that person went and told Joab that, ‘I saw Absalom hanging at/in an oak (tree).’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A certain one of David’s men saw this and spoke to Joab like this, "Truly, I saw Absalom hanging from the branch of a large tree."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When one of the men of David saw this, he went to Joab and said, ‘I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “One of David’s soldiers saw what happened, and went and told Joab, ‘I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 18:10

A certain man: the person who first saw Absalom in this predicament is not named, but he was apparently on the side of David, since he reported what he had seen to Joab. If it had been one of Absalom’s men, this would not have happened. For this reason Good News Translation says “One of David’s men.” The English translation A certain … may suggest that the writer is referring to a specific individual; but this expression, like the Hebrew that it translates, really means “someone indefinite.”

Told Joab: literally “made known to Joab and said.” Some languages may have to supply something that would be understood from the text, namely that the man went to the place where Joab was. If Joab had been present, there would have been no need for him to be told.

Behold: the focusing particle here directs attention to the importance of what is about to be said. Nothing could have been more important than the vulnerability of the enemy commander. New Jerusalem Bible tries to capture the immediacy of the event by translating “I have just seen….” If the direct quotation is rendered indirectly, this element may have to be dropped or translated by means of an adverb. New American Bible makes it into indirect discourse, translating the whole verse as “Someone saw this and reported to Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth.”

Hanging in an oak: the translation of oak here should correspond with what was done in the previous verse. And even if a specific kind of tree is named in verse 9, the more general term “tree” can be used here.

In some languages the direct quotation at the end of this verse will be more naturally rendered indirectly. A possible model is “told Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging in a big tree.”

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 .