anointed

The Hebrew that is typically translated as “anointed (one)” in English is translated in Bashkir as masikh (мәсих), the same term that is used in the New Testament for Μεσσίας (engl. “Messiah”) and Χριστός (engl. “Christ”).

Translation team member Gulsira Gizatullina explains (in a translation from Bashkir by Teija Greed):

“When we were choosing in the team the term for ‘to anoint,’ from the very start we did not go for the simple verb ‘to rub (with) oil; to oil’ (which is used in contexts like ‘oiling one’s hair when combing it’ or ‘oiling a frying pan’), because we felt that this verb cannot fully express the true meaning [of the biblical concept]. The terms masekhlay [anoint], masekh mayy [anointing oil], Masikh [Messiah] also exist in Islam, and they are familiar terms to [Bashkir] Muslims who know religious terminology. That is why we chose masekhlay [for the concept ‘to anoint’].”

Teija Greed explains further: “The Turkic language Bashkir spoken in Russia uses the Bashkir word masikh (мәсих) for the Hebrew mashiach in Ps 2:2 [and in other places in the Old Testament], with a lower-case ‘m.’ The Bashkir team decided that this is how the Hebrew meaning ‘anointed one’ is translated everywhere. The link with the New Testament’s Masikh — capitalized -, is therefore very easy to understand. Masikh (Мәсих) is known from the Qur’an as being Jesus’ title. The idea about using masikh for the general ‘anointed one’ was first introduced by one of the translators, and I’d think the link with the original Hebrew term is not generally known. However, we in the team find this a practical way to make the Bashkir audience aware of both the meaning of the word, and the connection between the two Testaments.”

See also anoint.

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 Psalm 132:17 - 132:18

In verse 17 the figure I will make a horn to sprout means to give power to, or else, to cause a son to be born who will be powerful; and I have prepared a lamp means to give life, continuity, success (Dahood: “a natural metaphor for the preservation of the dynasty”); see 1 Kings 11.36. For horn see 18.2 (and see Ezek 29.21). The parallels David and my anointed stand for the Davidic dynasty, that is, David’s direct royal descendants: Yahweh guarantees that they will continue to be kings of the people of Israel. Bible en français courant translates “I will cause to be born in Zion a powerful king of the descendants of David. Like a lit lamp I will maintain there the king I have consecrated.” And Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “There I will bring about the rebirth of David’s power. I have prepared a lamp for the king I have chosen.” There and Good News Translation‘s “Here,” repeated in the next line, refer to Zion, the place where God rules. It may be clearer to say “In Zion….” Good News Translation‘s “preserve the rule…” may sometimes be rendered “I will make his rule to go on and on.” If the translator wishes to combine the metaphor with its meaning, one may say, for example, “like a lamp that will burn forever,” as Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch does.

The psalm closes with Yahweh’s promise to defeat (clothe with shame) the enemies of the king and to make his kingdom prosper and flourish. The word translated crown here is the same one used in 89.39 (which see). If the figure of a crown is maintained in translation, a natural way of translating will be “but the crown he wears will shine (or, sparkle) brightly.” Translators should attempt to maintain the parallelism of clothe with shame and to wear a crown. In many languages this will not be possible, particularly in languages where the crown will have to be substituted by some other symbol of authority which is not “worn” on the body.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .