2Sam 16:17

mercy

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin terms that are typically translated as “mercy” (or “compassion” or “kindness”) in English are translated in various ways. Bratcher / Nida classify them in (1) those based on the quality of heart, or other psychological center, (2) those which introduce the concept of weeping or extreme sorrow, (3) those which involve willingness to look upon and recognize the condition of others, or (4) those which involve a variety of intense feelings.

While the English mercy originates from the Latin merces, originally “price paid,” Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Corsican, Catalan) and other Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Danish — Barmherzigkeit, barmhärtighet and barmhjertighed, respectively) tend to follow the Latin misericordia, lit. “misery-heart.”

Here are some other (back-) translations:

Ngäbere: “tender heart”
Mískito: “white heart”
Amganad Ifugao: “what arises from a kind heart”
Vai: “purity of heart”
Western Kanjobal: “his abdomen weeps”
Kipsigis: “cry inside”
Shilluk: “cry continually within”
Navajo: “feel great sorrow” (“with the connotation of being about to cry”)
Kpelle: “see misery”
Toro So Dogon: “know misery”
Western Highland Purepecha: “be in pain for”
San Miguel El Grande Mixtec: “be very sorry for”
Mezquital Otomi: “have increasing love for”
Tepeuxila Cuicatec: “showing undeserved goodness” (“closely identified with grace”) (source for this and all above: Bratcher / Nida)
Yatzachi Zapotec: “pity-love”
Central Mazahua: “very much pity people”
Alekano: “help people who are suffering”
Guhu-Samane: “feeling sorry for men” (source for this and three above: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.)
Warao: “kobe (= the abdominal region, including the heart) hurts” (source: Henry Osborn in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 74ff. )
Latvian: žēlastība, the same term that is also used for grace (source: Katie Roth)
Iloko: asi — also means “pity” and is used for a love of the poor and helpless (source: G. Henry Waterman in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 24ff. )
Bilua: “forgiving love” (source: Carl Gross)
Luang: “inside goodness” (source: Kathy and Mark Taber in Kroneman [2004], p. 533)
Mairasi: “have good intestines” (see Seat of the Mind) (source: Lloyd Peckham)

steadfast love

The Hebrew that is translated as “steadfast love,” “lovingkindness” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “love of enduring.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bura-Pabir it is translated as hyirkur na a palidzi wa or “love which cannot be-changed” and in the Hausa Common Language Ajami Bible as kaunarsa marar canjawa or “his love without changing.” (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In Pijin tinghevi long or “think heavy about” is used. “The Pijin expression ‘think heavy about’ is very much within the domain of committed relationships. The relationship between father and child, husband and wife, God and His people. There is a very strong element of ‘loyalty’ in this expression.” (Source: Bob Carter)

Absalom

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Absalom” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs depicting “hair + caught” referring to 2 Samuel 18:9. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)

“Absalom” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Absalom (image)

Hand colored stencil print on momigami by Sadao Watanabe (1972).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 16:17

And: the beginning of a new paragraph may be adequate translation of the common transition word in this case.

The question Is this your loyalty…? is really a way of expressing surprise that Hushai, who was known for his closeness to David, had apparently abandoned his old friend. He does not really expect an answer to this question. It may conceivably be translated “You have been so loyal to your friend David. I am surprised that you are doing this!” The word translated loyalty is the same as discussed under 2.5 and 3.8.

Apparently Hushai’s friendship with David was well known even before these events took place. Absalom refers to David twice as your friend. But it will be helpful to ensure that readers in other languages know without any doubt that David is intended. It is for this reason that Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch say “your friend David,” although the second occurrence of the expression is replaced by a pronoun. Compare also Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, “… your friend? Why haven’t you followed David?”

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 .

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Verse: 2 Samuel 16:17