complete verse (1 Chronicles 11:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 11:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “David made that home/palace of Zion to become his. So that place was called the City of David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David went and lived in the fortress, so it was called "The city of David."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “After David captured the heavily-guarded-place/fortress, he lived there, and he called it the City of David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After they captured the city which had strong walls around it, David moved there. That is why they named it ‘The City of David’.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language 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 1 Chronicles 11:7

And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David: It is important that the relationship of cause and effect between the two clauses in this verse be made clear in translation. This may be done by using a transition expression such as therefore or “that is why” (Revised English Bible) between them or by introducing the first clause with a word such as “Because” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version includes the implied information that David’s move took place some time after the battle, translating the whole verse as follows: “Later, David moved to the fortress– that’s why it’s called the City of David.”

For stronghold see 1 Chr 11.5 above. But in this case the qualifying words “of Zion” do not appear. It was called is literally “they called it.” The plural is indefinite, meaning “people called it.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “it was renamed,” suggesting that it had previously had a different name. In languages where passive verbs are rare or unnatural in such a context, a more literal rendering using the indefinite third person plural active verb may be preferred.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .