complete verse (1 Samuel 30:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then David got/found everything which the Amalekites had looted/taken and he rescued both of his wives.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David rescued his two wives, all the people and all things that the Amalekites had taken.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “David recovered/claimed/took-back everything the Amaleknon had-taken including his two wives.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David rescued his two wives, and he and his men got back everything else that the men of the Amalek people-group had taken.” (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 30:18

The verbs translated recovered and rescued in this verse represent the same Hebrew verb. It will therefore be possible to translate them by a single verb in some languages.

The word all seems to include material goods as well as the women and children taken by the Amalekites. This is defined in more detail in the following verse.

Regarding David’s two wives see verse 5.

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 .