messenger

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “messenger” in English is translated in Noongar as moort yana-waangki or “person walk-talk” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)

idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images” (source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. ) and in Cherokee “imaginary gods” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 16).

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.” Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (1 Chronicles 10:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 10:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those Philistines stripped the body of Saul and went with his head and his things of war. Then people were sent to go and announce those news to their idols and all the Philistines.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They stripped Saul naked. They cut off his head. They also took his weapons. After that they sent messengers throughout the land to give the report to their people and their gods.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They took the weapons of Saul and cut-off his head. Then they sent messengers to the entire land of Filistinhon to tell-the-news there to their gods and to their fellowmen that Saul had died already.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “They took the clothes off Saul’s corpse and cut off his head and took it and Saul’s armor.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 10:9

And they stripped him: Good News Translation equates this action with that of stripping off Saul’s armor. But this refers to stripping off his clothes as well as his protective armor. Compare Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, which reads “Then they took off his clothes.” The text goes on to speak specifically of his armor, which would have included also taking any of his remaining weapons.

And took his head: The parallel text in 1 Sam 31.9 says that they cut off Saul’s head. That information may be made explicit here also (so Good News Translation, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Moffatt, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). The practice of cutting off the head of enemy kings was known in other ancient Near Eastern countries also.

And sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines: Sent messengers is literally “they sent.” Most translations add the direct object messengers, but it is also possible that what was sent was Saul’s head and armor. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, for example, begins this verse with “They stripped him, and carried off his head and his armor, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines…” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant). New Living Translation renders throughout the land of the Philistines as “throughout the land of Philistia.” Some languages may have an idiomatic expression for this phrase; for example, Revised English Bible says “through the length and breadth of their land.”

To carry the good news to their idols and to the people: The people clearly refers to the Philistine people. Good News Translation and several other modern versions make this clear by saying “their people.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 10:9

10:9a They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor,

They cut off Saul’s head and took it with his armor ⌊and what they liked from his body⌋ .
-or-
They took his weapons ⌊and what other things they liked ⌋ and cut off his head and took it ⌊with them⌋ .

10:9b and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines

Then they sent some men to the land of Philistia.
-or-
The Philistines gave ⌊Saul’s weapons and his head⌋ to some soldiers and sent them home.

10:9c to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people.

⌊They sent them⌋ to tell the news ⌊about their victory⌋ to their gods and their people.
-or-

⌊Their officers told them⌋ , “You must tell our gods and our people the good news. ⌊Tell them that we have won the war against the Israelites.”⌋

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