The Greek, Latin and Hebrew that are translated as “(become) pregnant” in English is rendered as “got belly” (Sranan Tongo and Kituba) as “having two bodies” (Indonesian), as “be-of-womb” (Sinhala), as “heavy” (Balinese), and as “in-a-fortunate-state” (Batak Toba). (Source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
In Kafa it is translated as “having two lives” (source: Loren Bliese), in Southern Birifor as tara pʊɔ or “having stomach,” in Kamba as “be-heavy” (source for this and above: Andy Warren-Rothlin), in the Swabian 2007 translation by Rudolf Paul as kommt en andere Omständ, lit. “be in different circumstances,” and in Newari as “have in the womb” (source: Newari Back Translation).
In Mairasi it is translated as “have a soul [ghost].” (Source: Enggavoter, 2004)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 11:5:
Kupsabiny: “At last/Later, Bathsheba knew/discovered herself that she was pregnant. She sent (someone) for David to be told that she was pregnant.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Then she became pregnant [lit.: she had in the womb]. Bathsheba sent a message to David, saying, "I have become pregnant."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Some time-later she became-pregnant, and she sent a message to David that she is pregnant.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “After some time, she realized that she was pregnant. So she sent a messenger to tell David that she was pregnant.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
According to the Jewish Law, both David and Bathsheba were to be put to death, since David had had sexual relations with another man’s wife (Deut 22.22). As long as no one knew what they had done, they were safe; but now that Bathsheba is pregnant, the secret cannot be hidden.
Some kind of transition word may be needed at the beginning of this verse, although the Hebrew text has only the common conjunction. The passage of a certain amount of time is clearly implied, since Bathsheba would not have been immediately aware of her pregnancy. For this reason Good News Translation is justified in beginning the verse with the word “Afterward.” Similarly Contemporary English Version has “But later….”
And the woman conceived: while conception takes place almost immediately during sexual intercourse, it takes several weeks for this fact to become evident. This phrase therefore implies the passage of a considerable amount of time. Good News Translation fills in what is understood, namely that what is described in this verse happened “afterward,” and that Bathsheba became aware at that later date that conception had taken place. Another possible model is “Now the woman had conceived, and when she became aware of it….”
Sent and told: this is another case where the verb “send” is used without an object. What is meant is either that she “sent someone with a message” or “sent someone to tell….” Some other renderings are “sent the news” (Knox) and “sent the information” (New American Bible).
I am with child: in many languages this direct quotation will be more naturally rendered by an indirect statement. The last part of this verse may therefore read “sent someone to let David know that she was going to have a child” or “sent a messenger to inform King David that she was pregnant.”
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 .
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