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)

Ephraim

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ephraim” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “palm tree” referring to the palm of Deborah in the land of Ephraim (see Judges 4:5. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Ephraim” 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 .

For Deborah, see here.

More information about Ephraim and the Tribe of Ephraim .

complete verse (1 Samuel 14:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “When the Hebrews who had fled to the hill country of Ephraim saw that the Philistines were fleeing, they came back to the battle and followed/pursued those Philistines.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When all the Israelites who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim learned that the Philistines were running away, then, also having joined them, they relentlessly chased the Philistines away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the Israelinhon who were-hiding in the hills of Efraim/[Efraim] heard-the-news that the Filistinhon were- now -fleeing, they also joined-together/united in pursuing the Filistinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Some of the Israeli soldiers had previously run away and hidden in the mountains where the tribe of Ephraim lived. But when they heard that the Philistia soldiers were running away, they came down and joined the other Israeli soldiers and pursued the Philistia soldiers.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:22

The word Likewise is supplied by Revised Standard Version but does not reflect any particular Hebrew word at the beginning of this verse. It is, however, implied by the word too that occurs later in the verse.

All the men … who had hid themselves: a reference to 13.6.

The hill country of Ephraim: see the comments on 1.1.

The verb translated followed hard after is really a form of a verb meaning “to cling to” or “to keep close to.” Here it may be rendered in some languages as “were stuck to.” Or, where this is not appropriate, translators may consider “set off in close pursuit” (Revised English Bible), or perhaps simply “chased after them” (New Jerusalem Bible).

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 .