desert, wilderness

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The Greek that is translated as “desert” or “wilderness” in English is translated in a number of ways:

Note that in Luke 15:4, usually a term is used that denotes pastoral land, such as “eating/grazing-place” in Tagbanwa (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation).

See also wilderness and desolate wilderness.

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 23:25

And Saul and his men went to seek him: literally “And Saul went, and his men, to seek.” The Hebrew verb form places the focus more squarely on Saul, since the story is essentially one of confrontation between Saul and David.

David was told: literally “they told David.” The subject is not stated, and in some languages it will be necessary to follow the form of the Hebrew rather than that of Revised Standard Version. Others that wish to avoid the passive may say “someone told David.”

The rock: the Hebrew noun is the usual word for “rock” preceded by the definite article (so Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and New International Version). The exact meaning in this context, however, is not clear. Other translations include “a rocky hill” (Good News Translation), “the rocky region” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), and “a refuge in the rocks” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible and New American Bible call this a “gorge,” referring to the valley that runs through the desert of Maon. Most likely the definite article is used with the noun “rock” in anticipation of verse 28, where this same rock is called “the Rock of Escape.” In this case the reference is not to a large boulder but rather to a steep, rocky cliff.

Which is: this rendering is based on a suggested correction of the Hebrew text, with support from the Septuagint. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, however, gives a {B} rating to the Masoretic Text. New Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew, saying “he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon.” Good News Translation also follows the traditional Hebrew text at this point.

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 .