Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

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 )

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)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 11:21

Many modern translations omit the common Hebrew conjunction rendered But at the beginning of this verse. It is probably better simply to begin a new paragraph here, as in Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Century Version, and Revised English Bible.

When Hadad heard in Egypt …: This word order may sound awkward in certain languages. Since Hadad was in Egypt, the idea of this expression is “while Hadad was in Egypt, he heard….”

Slept with his fathers is a common Hebrew euphemism meaning “died.” See the comments at 1 Kgs 2.10, where the same thing is said earlier of David.

In some languages it may be more natural to reduce the rather repetitious structure in the first half of this verse and say simply “Hadad heard that David and Joab had both died.”

Country is literally “land” (see the comments on verse 18).

In languages that prefer indirect discourse in this context, it will be possible to translate the last part of this verse as follows: “Hadad asked the king of Egypt to let him return to his home country.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .