complete verse (2 Samuel 20:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 20:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then one man of war of Joab stood on the body of Amasa and shouted, ‘Any person who follows the words of Joab and/or who is on the side of David, let that one follow Joab.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “One of Joab’s men stood near Amasa’s corpse and spoke loudly like this, "All who side with Joab and David should follow Joab."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “One of the men of Joab stood beside Amasa, and said to the men of Amasa, ‘If you (plur.) are in-favor-of/loyal to Joab and to David, you (plur.) follow Joab!’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “One of Joab’s soldiers stood alongside Amasa’s body and called out, ‘Everyone who wants Joab to be our commander and who wants David to be our king, go with Joab!’” (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 20:11

Took his stand by Amasa: the wording of Revised Standard Version in English almost makes it sound like this soldier was a sympathizer with Amasa, but this is certainly not the meaning here. These words simply describe his physical location while he was appealing to the other soldiers to accept Joab as the leader of David’s army once again. Since the army with Joab and Abishai was moving on, it is possible to translate the verb here “stayed behind” with Amasa (as the remainder of the soldiers passed by).

Since Amasa was probably dead by this time, some languages will find it more natural to say “the corpse” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “the body” (Knox) rather than “Amasa.” The Hebrew text has only a pronoun here. However, the wording of the following verse may give the impression that he was not yet completely dead. The translation here is therefore related to both “he died” in the previous verse and to “lay wallowing” in the following verse.

Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David: a literal rendering of this expression may give the impression of two different groups (one for Joab and one for David), but because Joab and David were together in this matter, the translation should probably read “whoever is for David and his man Joab” or something similar.

Let him follow Joab: literally “after Joab.”

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 .