The Greek and Hebrew that is typically translated as “behead” in English is translated in Newari as “cut on the neck” (source: Newari Back Translation).
Translation commentary on Psalm 151:7
But I drew his own sword; I beheaded him: See 1 Sam 17.51. The Greek version of this psalm says nothing about the sling and the stone that David used to kill Goliath, though the Old Latin, Ethiopic, and Arabic versions add this detail.
And removed reproach from the people of Israel: See 1 Sam 17.26. Reproach refers to the shame and disgrace of being oppressed by the Philistines and in particular being bullied by Goliath.
An alternative translation model for this verse is:
But I cut off his head with his own sword,
and gave the people of Israel back their respect.
Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see
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