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).

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 19:14

Revised Standard Version preserves the direct quotation as in the Hebrew text. Good News Translation restructures and puts Michal’s words in the form of an indirect quotation.

Messengers is indefinite in Hebrew, and the reference is not necessarily to the same messengers as those mentioned in verse 11. Some translations, however, use the definite article here, indicating that these are the same individuals mentioned in verse 11. As in verse 11, these men were not so much interested in communicating a message as in performing a task. Their main interest in this case was to take David. So it may be inappropriate in some languages to call them messengers. The same will be true in the verses that follow.

A direct quotation of the statement of Michal at the end of this verse is not essential. These words may be turned into indirect discourse as in Good News Translation (so also Revised English Bible and Knox).

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 .