brother (older brother)

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “brother” in English is translated in Kwere as sekulu, in Elhomwe as mbalaawo´, and in Mandarin Chinese as gēgē (哥哥), all “older brother.”

Note that Kwere also uses lumbu — “older sibling” in some cases. (Source for Kwere and Elhomwe: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext; Chinese: Jost Zetzsche)

In Lama it is translated as “older or younger brother.” (Source: Neal Brinneman)

See also older brother (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (2 Samuel 21:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 21:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “This person used to mock the Israelites. But Jonathan son of Shimeah killed him. Shimeah was a brother to David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He taunted the Israelites and Jonathan, son of Shimeah, David’s elder brother killed him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When he mocked the Israelinhon, he was-killed by Jonatan the child of Shimea the brother of David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But when he made fun of/ridiculed the men in the Israeli army, Jonathan, the son of David’s older brother Shimeah, killed him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 21:21

Taunted: the verb so translated has a wide variety of meanings, but the basic sense is that of “stripping away.” In the present context it means “derided” or “mocked.” Contemporary English Version uses the English idiom “made fun of.” It may also be rendered “defied” (Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible) or “insulted” (New American Bible).

Translators will probably need to translate the name Israel in such a way as to ensure that there is no doubt in the readers’ minds that this refers to “the army of Israel” or “the men of Israel.” If it is translated literally, some readers may think that a single individual is intended.

Shime-i: this name is given as “Shimea” in the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles. But both of these are variants of the name “Shammah,” which appears elsewhere (1 Sam 16.9; 17.13) as the name of David’s brother. This person should not be confused with the Shimei who cursed David (16.5-14) and was later forgiven by the king (19.16-23). Translators are therefore advised to use the form “Shammah” here.

Instead of repeating the awkward structure the son of Shime-i, David’s brother, it may be simpler to say “David’s nephew” as in Contemporary English Version. In any case it must be clear that David’s brother is Shime-i (or “Shammah”), and that Jonathan is David’s nephew.

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 .