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 Isaiah 37:35

The connector For renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which is literally “And.” Here it seems to introduce the reason for what the LORD promises, but most translations do not express it (so Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

I will defend this city to save it: Yahweh will protect Jerusalem so that the Assyrians will not capture it. This clause may be rendered “I will protect this city and save it.”

For my own sake means that Yahweh will save Jerusalem to protect his own reputation, while and for the sake of my servant David means he will also save it to keep his promises to David (see, for example, 2 Sam 7.8-16). Good News Translation makes these ideas very clear. My servant is a significant title in the second half of this book (see the comments on 20.3 and 22.20). Here it may be rendered “who served me faithfully.”

Some translations examples for this verse are:

• I will protect this city and save it. I will do this because of my own honor/reputation, and because of the promises I made to King David, my servant.’”

• I will protect this city to save it. This is for the sake of my honor, and because of my promises to my servant, King David.’”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .