complete verse (1 Chronicles 19:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 19:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “And when the kings that were under Hadadezer saw that the soldiers of the Arameans had been defeated, they begged to stay in peace with David and they accepted for David to rule over them. So, the Arameans were afraid to come to the aid of the Ammonites again.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The kings allied with Hadadezer realized that David had defeated them [lit.: "had defeated us"] they made peace with David and served him. After that the Arameans never again wanted to help the Ammonites.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the ones-under-the-jurisdiction of Hadadezer saw that they were-defeated already by the Israelinhon, they made-friends with David and caused-(themselves)-to-be-under- his -jurisdiction. So from that-time-on the Arameanhon would- not -help the Ammonhon anymore.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When the kings who had been ruled by Hadadezer realized that they had been defeated by the Israeli army, they made peace with David, and agreed to allow him to rule them.
    So the rulers of Syria did not want to help the rulers of the Ammon people-group any more.” (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 19:19

And when the servants of Hadadezer saw …: The servants of Hadadezer were subjects of Hadadezer, but people of such high status that they can not be referred to as “servants” in many cultures. They might be called “followers” or “supporters” of Hadadezer. International Children’s Bible says “officers.” A number of versions call them “vassals” (New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), but this translation seems to harmonize the text with the parallel in 2 Sam 10.19, which refers to “the kings who were servants of Hadadezer.” Good News Translation and Bible en français courant both say “the kings who were subject to Hadadezer.” Once again the verb saw may be better understood if translated “realized” (Good News Translation), “became aware,” “knew,” or “understood.”

That they had been defeated by Israel: This passive expression can be easily transformed into an active form, and this should probably be done in many languages. One possible model that does this is “that the Israelites had defeated them.”

They made peace with David: The immediate context shows that this event involved accepting the terms of peace dictated by David’s victorious army. In some languages the proper expression here will be “they begged for peace with David,” “they sat in peace with David,” or “they gave up fighting David.”

And became subject to him means they lived under the rule and authority of David and his kingdom.

So the Syrians were not willing to help the Ammonites any more: So translates the common Hebrew conjunction. It introduces the result of the military victory by the people of Israel. This conjunction introduces a final note in the story of the Syrians’ relationship to Israel. Because of Israel’s victory, the Syrians were not willing to help the Ammonites any more. This sentence takes the reader back to verses 6 and 7, where the Ammonites hired Syrian troops to help them fight against Israel. The Hebrew verb translated were not willing indicates a conscious decision on the part of the Syrians. Any more is literally “again” (New Century Version, Revised English Bible). An alternative model for this whole clause is “The Syrians decided that they would never again help the Ammonites.”

Some editions of Good News Translation make the final sentence of this chapter verse 20. But the Hebrew, the Septuagint and the Vulgate, as well as virtually all translations other than Good News Translation, make it a part of verse 19 and have no verse 20. The Good News Translation error should not be repeated in other languages.

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 .