complete verse (2 Samuel 16:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 16:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “When/As David was moving ahead with the journey, Shimei was moving across/along the hill while looking at the path from a distance and throwing stones at David, throwing soil and abusing him all that time.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So David and his men went on down the road, and Shimei went alone on the mountain next to David’s road, throwing stones and dust, and pronouncing curses.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So David and his men continued to travel. Shimei also continued to follow them, but he is just walking-along the side of the mountain. While he was-walking he was-cursing David and throwing stones and dirt/soil.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then David and those who were with him walked along the road, and Shimei continued walking along the hillside near him. While he walked along, he cursed David and threw stones and dirt at him.” (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 16:13

So: indicating the continuation of the story and introducing the next in the series of events.

The scene is made more vivid at this point by situating the participants more precisely. Shimei is said to be on the hillside opposite him, that is, across from David. He moves along parallel to the road and continues to curse David and to throw stones and dirt at the group on the road. It is also possible to understand the Hebrew to mean that both David and Shimei were standing on opposing hillsides, with a small valley separating them. This interpretation is reflected in Revised English Bible (“… and hurling stones across the valley at him…”) and New Jerusalem Bible (“kept pace with him along the opposite mountainside…”). Either understanding may be followed by translators.

David and his men went is literally “David went and his men.” The verb, in the third person singular, keeps the focus on David. Similarly the Hebrew text says that Shimei threw stones and dust at him, which again keeps the focus on David. Though some translations say that Shimei threw “at them” (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Bible en français courant), the Hebrew seems to indicate that the curses, stones, and dirt were all directed toward David.

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 .