complete verse (2 Samuel 6:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 6:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then David collected men about thirty thousand those who had been chosen.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then David brought together in one place 30,000 of the strongest soldiers in all Israel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “David assembled again the best soldiers of Israel, which their number are 30,000.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then David chose 30,000 Israeli men and gathered them together.” (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 .

large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1

Again: the use of this word seems to connect this verse with the battles described in the previous chapter (verses 17-25) and may make readers think that a third battle is about to be described. But what follows is rather a peaceful mission to move the ark of the Covenant to the new capital in Jerusalem. Contemporary English Version leaves this word out completely, as does Anchor Bible, which justifies the decision on the basis of a minor modification of the Hebrew text. Some may prefer to translate “On another occasion,” “At another time,” or simply “One day.”

The chosen men of Israel: in 1 Sam 26.2 there were said to be “three thousand” of these men. But the situation had apparently changed by this time so that there were ten times as many chosen men.

Good News Translation modifies the structure here by continuing this sentence in the following verse.

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 .