mercy

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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:

See also steadfast love.

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)

See also mercy and pain-love.

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 9:1

Unlike much of 2 Samuel, this story has no parallel in 1 Chronicles or elsewhere. 1 Sam 20.14-17 provides the background for the events in this chapter. Good News Translation begins with “One day….” This merely reflects the common conjunction in Hebrew, but it makes the transition to the next episode smoother in English. Other languages may require a similar transition at the beginning of a new story.

Said: the original text does not say to whom he spoke. Some scholars suppose that the following quotation is more like a thought that occurred to David rather than a question directed to anyone. Contemporary English Version translates “David thought, ‘I wonder….’ ” Otherwise translators may be required by their language to provide an indirect object such as “said to someone” or, more probably, “said to himself.”

House of Saul: that is, in the family of Saul. It may be more natural to speak of “relatives of Saul” or “descendants of Saul” in this context.

Show him kindness: this same expression is rendered “showed loyalty” in 2.5. See also comments under 1 Sam 15.6 and Ruth 1.8.

For Jonathan’s sake: in some languages it is difficult to express the idea “for the sake of….” Some may prefer to say more directly “because of my esteem for Jonathan,” “in honor of Jonathan,” or, using a verbal expression, “because I loved Jonathan [so much].”

In the receptor language what David said may be divided into two parts, separating out the question (“Is there anyone left of the family of Saul?”) and the statement of his plan (“I would like to show that person kindness for the sake of Jonathan”).

It is also possible to translate the whole verse without a direct quote:

• One day David wondered whether there was anyone left of Saul’s family, and decided that if he found any relatives he would be kind to them because of his great love for Jonathan.

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 .