complete verse (1 Samuel 17:50)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:50:

  • Kupsabiny: “So David managed/overpowered Goliath using just a sling and a stone!” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way David defeated [him] by using his sling and a stone. Even though he did not have a sword, he struck Goliath and killed him.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So David triumphed-over/beat Goliat by-means-of just a sling/something-to-hurl-or-flick and one stone. He killed Goliat even-though he had-no sword.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then David ran and stood over Goliath. He pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath and killed him with it, and then cut off his head. In that way David defeated the Philistine without having his own sword. He used only a sling and a stone!
    When the other Philistines saw that their great warrior was dead, they ran away.” (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 Samuel 17:50

So: the common Hebrew conjunction is translated by a number of modern versions as an adverb of manner, “Thus” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). That is, it was in this way (the way just described in the narrative) that David defeated Goliath.

Prevailed over: or, more literally, “was stronger than.” That is, David won the battle. Modern versions use verbs like “defeated” (Contemporary English Version), “overcame” (New American Bible), and “triumphed over” (New Jerusalem Bible).

This verse, which is a kind of summary statement, is missing in the Septuagint. Moffatt and New American Bible place the entire verse within square brackets, indicating that the translators regard the verse to be a later addition to the Hebrew text.

According to 2 Sam 21.19, Goliath was killed by Elhanan, the son of Jair. Various suggestions have been made to explain the difference, including the following: (1) “Elhanan” and “David” refer to the same person. One is a personal name and the other a title. (2) “Elhanan” is a given name and “David” is a throne name. (3) The two refer to different people, and though Elhanan killed Goliath, the tradition later attributed this conquest to David. But whatever the explanation for this problem, translators are required to translate the text as it stands.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .