complete verse (2 Samuel 11:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 11:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Next morning, David wrote a letter and gave to Uriah to take to Joab.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The next day in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab [and] sent it, giving it into the hand of Uriah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “In-the-morning, David wrote to Joab and he sent it with Uria.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Someone reported that to David, so the next morning he wrote a letter to Joab, and gave it to Uriah to take to Joab.” (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 2 Samuel 11:14

The Hebrew text again has the transition expression sometimes rendered “And it came to pass” (King James Version) at the beginning of this verse. But the beginning of a new paragraph is considered an adequate way to represent this term in many translations. Others use a word like “then” (An American Translation).

The text gives no indication as to whether the letter that David wrote was sealed. Nor do we know whether Uriah was able to read. But in any case it is very likely that it was sealed, and almost certain that Uriah did not read the letter that ensured his death after it had been delivered to Joab. Archaeological evidence suggests that a letter written in this time period was probably written on an ostracon, that is, a fragment of pottery.

Sent it by the hand of Uriah: some other ways of saying this are “made Uriah take it to him” or “gave it to Uriah to give to Joab.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .