messenger

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “messenger” in English is translated in Noongar as moort yana-waangki or “person walk-talk” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

complete verse (2 Samuel 3:26)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 3:26:

  • Kupsabiny: “After Joab left there, he sent people to follow Abner so that they return him. Those people went and when they were at the water hole of Sirah, they got/met Abner. David did not know what was going on.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When Joab came from David’s presence, he then sent messengers after Abner, and they brought Abner back from [a place] near the well of Sirah. But David did not know about all this.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Joab then/immediately left from David and sent-an-order to chase Abner. They reached Abner at the well of Sira and brought him back to Hebron. But David did- not -know this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After Joab left David, he sent some messengers to get Abner. They found him at Sirah Well, and brought him back to Hebron, but David did not know that they had done that.” (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 3:26

Although it is not stated in the text, Joab probably made up some story about David wanting Abner to return to Hebron. It is unlikely that he would have gone back simply because Joab asked him to do so.

The cistern of Sirah: this is apparently the place where the messengers caught up with Abner. According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, it was located about four kilometers (or two and a half miles) north of Hebron. Others identify it with a place to the northwest but a little closer to Hebron. Cisterns of various sizes and shapes were dug out of natural rock to store water from the winter rains for the dry season (May through September). They were often lined with lime plaster to make them watertight. The word translated cistern here is not the same as the one rendered pool in 2.13.

Some scholars, however, feel that this was an oasis rather than a “cistern” or a “well.” In some languages the best translation may be “a place of water called Sirah.” It is not known for sure whether Sirah was the name of a person or of some geographic feature. This name is not found elsewhere in the Old Testament.

But David did not know about it: once again the writer seems to be emphasizing David’s innocence in the coming death of Abner.

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 .