threshing floor

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin that is translated as “threshing floor” in English is translated in Kim with twal or “termite mound” which are used to build threshing floors. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also thresh.

complete verse (1 Chronicles 21:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 21:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Araunah saw in the distance David coming to where he was. Then, he went to welcome David bowing down until his forehead touched the ground.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Shortly thereafter, David arrived there. As soon as Araunah saw the king he left the threshing floor. And bowing [his] head, [he] bowed down before David.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Arauna saw David approaching. So he left the place-of-threshing and knelt-down before/[lit. in front of] David as respect to him.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then David approached. When Araunah saw him, he left the place where he was threshing grain and prostrated himself, with his face touching the ground.” (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 21:21

As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David: The Hebrew leaves unstated the implied information that Ornan recognized David, but this may be made explicit. Compare Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which says that he “In that moment David was arriving. Ornan saw him and recognized him.” Since Ornan bowed down before David, Good News Translation refers to David as “King David,” even though the Hebrew omits his title here. Bible en français courant says “the king,” without stating his name.

And went forth from the threshing floor; that is, Araunah went in the direction of King David. Some other possible renderings for this clause are “he went out from the threshing floor” (New Revised Standard Version), “he came off the threshing floor” (American Bible; similarly New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “he left the threshing floor” (New International Version, New Century Version).

And did obeisance to David with his face to the ground: The Hebrew verb rendered did obeisance may also be translated “prostrated himself” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), or “bowed low” (Good News Translation). With his face to the ground is a common Hebrew idiom indicating how a person shows respect and submission to another person. Face is literally “nose” (La Bible Pléiade).

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 .