complete verse (1 Kings 12:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 12:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, the people of the land of Israel of North refused the people of the house of David to rule them from that moment onwards.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “From that time until now the people of Northern Kingdom of Israel have been hostile to the family of David.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Even until now the Israelinhon have-rebelled the descendants of David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ever since that time, the people of the northern tribes of Israel have been rebelling against the descendants of King 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 Kings 12:19

So: The common Hebrew conjunction is translated by Revised Standard Version as a logical connector. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is similar with “Thus.”

Israel: See the comments on verse 1. Note that two separate kingdoms did not yet exist at the time of the events narrated in verse 1, so Good News Translation translated Israel there as “northern Israel.” But now that separate kingdoms exist, Good News Translation correctly says “the northern kingdom of Israel” here. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch and New Living Translation translate “The northern tribes of Israel,” while Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie say “the Israelite tribes of the North.” Contemporary English Version provides a different model by inserting the words “in Judah,” so the whole verse reads “Ever since that day, the people of Israel have opposed David’s family in Judah.”

Has been in rebellion translates a single verb in Hebrew. It will be better translated in some languages as “has been rebelling.” Knox translates “have refused allegiance,” while Bible en français courant says “has rejected the authority of.”

Translators are reminded that the expression the house of David here and in the following verse refers to the family of David, including his descendants (see verse 16). Compare 1 Sam 20.16. A literal translation is not recommended.

To this day: See the comments on this phrase in 1 Kgs 8.8.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .