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 Samuel 17:38

Clothed: literally “caused to put on.” It may be misleading to say “Saul dressed David” (New International Version), since he probably did not perform the action himself. Contemporary English Version says “Saul had his own military clothes … put on David.”

With his armor: that is, with Saul’s own armor. The Hebrew word rendered armor usually refers to a garment made of cloth. It may have been a tunic worn under the coat of mail. Revised English Bible and New American Bible call this “his own tunic.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “in his own garment.” The same word occurs in 18.4.

On the expression a helmet … on his head, see verse 5 above. And on the word bronze, compare verses 5 and 6.

A coat of mail: see verse 5 above.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .