concubine

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “concubine” in English is translated in Kutu as “slave made to be his woman” or “female slave he married.”

Similarly, in Kwere it is translated as “slaves who were like wives.” The translation team explained: “We discussed how concubines are different from prostitutes (there is a word for that) in that they have a similar status to wives (they live with the man often and are provided for physically) and so we decided not to use the word for prostitute which is a loose woman or someone engaging in sexual immorality. But since concubines were an accepted part of the society and culture, this would give wrong meaning.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

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 2 Samuel 21:11

Was told: this passive verb may be easily translated “heard” as in Good News Translation, or, changing the structure of the sentence, it may be better to say “When someone told David….”

The form of the Hebrew verb translated had done implies that the events described in this verse took place after Rizpah had completed her time of mourning. This should be made clear in translation.

The repetition of the detail explaining that Rizpah was the daughter of Aiah (see verses 8 and 10) may not need to be stated again in many languages, because to do so may sound unnatural.

The concubine of Saul: if this information is shifted to verse 10 above as suggested, it will probably be unnecessary to repeat it here. Without careful attention to the preceding verses, someone who reads this verse in Revised Standard Version may mistakenly think that Aiah was the concubine of Saul. But as 3.7 clearly states, Rizpah is the concubine.

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 .