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)

Saul

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Saul” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign that depicts “sword in chest” (referring to 1 Samuel 31:4 and 1 Chronicles 10:4) and also “self-centered.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Saul” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Saul .

self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (1 Samuel 13:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 13:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “Immediately Samuel asked him that, ‘Hey, what have you done?’ Saul replied that, ‘I have truly seen that people are abandoning me and you had not come and the time you told me has elapsed. And again, when I looked at (things), the Philistines were gathering in Michmash.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Samuel said, "What is this that you have done?" Saul answered, "I saw the people running away, abandoning me and by the time that was agreed upon, you had also not come. The Philistines, however, had started to gather at Micmash.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “but Samuel asked, ‘What have- you (sing.) -done?’ Saul replied, ‘I saw that the people were-fleeing little-by-little, and you (sing.) did- not -arrive at the time you said, and the Filistinhon were- now -gathering/assembling at Micmash.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Samuel saw what Saul had done, and he said to Saul, ‘Why have you done this?’ Saul replied, ‘I saw that my men were leaving me and running away, and that you did not come here during the time that you said that you would come, and that the Philistine army was gathering together at Micmash.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 13:11

It will be more natural in some languages to say that Samuel “asked” (New American Bible) rather than to say that he said. Similarly the second occurrence of the verb said may be more naturally translated “answered” (New Century Version) or “replied” (New International Version).

The people were scattering from me: see the comments on verse 8 above.

Within the days appointed: see the comments on verse 8.

Mustered: see verse 5 above and comments on 11.8.

Michmash: see verse 2.

Revised Standard Version follows the complex Hebrew sentence structure beginning with three clauses in this verse and continuing with the rest of the sentence in verse 12. But it will be better in many languages to make one or two separate sentences of the elements in this verse. See Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .