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)

complete verse (1 Samuel 13:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 13:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Philistines took part of the army men to guard the road to Michmash.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “At that time one group of Philistine soldiers was sent to block the pass at Micmash.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, the Filistinhon sent soldiers to-watch-over the way/passage-way/road/path at Micmash.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Before the battle started, some Philistia men went to the pass/a narrow place between two cliffs outside Micmash to guard it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 13:23

The garrison: this represents a Hebrew word that is different from, yet related to, the word translated in this way in verses 3 and 4, and in 10.5 and 2 Sam 8.6, 14. The term used here and several times in chapter 14 is a somewhat technical one for a rather large group of soldiers more or less permanently established in a particular location. New International Version uses the rather technical English term “detachment,” while Revised English Bible speaks of “a company of troops,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “a Philistine unit.”

The pass of Michmash: on the place name Michmash see verse 2. The valley, or canyon, that separates Michmash on the north and Geba on the south side was too deep to cross. It was necessary to cross a short distance to the east at Michmash Pass, which is also called “the pass at Geba” in Isa 10.29. The Hebrew text leaves implicit the reason that the Philistine troops went to the pass of Michmash. Good News Translation makes the reason explicit: “to defend” the pass. Compare also “The Philistines had posted a company of troops to hold the pass of Michmash” (Revised English Bible) and “The pass at Micmash had meanwhile been secured by a contingent of the Philistine army” (New Living 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 .