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.)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

complete verse (1 Samuel 14:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “On that day, the Israelites were under pressure because Saul had made them eat (say) an oath that, ‘Each one who eats today before the sun has set until I revenge my enemies is under curse.’ That day people stayed without eating anything.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “It became very difficult for the Israelites that day, for Saul had caused the people to swear an oath like this, "Until I have avenged my enemies, the man who eats any food before evening time, will have to bear a curse." So no one even tasted food until evening.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “On that day, the Israelinhon became-weaked by hunger because Saul had-sworn saying, ‘Cursed (be) any one who eats before evening-comes, before I can-take- revenge-on/can-repay my enemies.’ So none of them ate.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Before Saul’s soldiers went to the battle, Saul declared to them solemnly, ‘I do not want any of you to eat any food before this evening, before we have defeated all our enemies. If anyone eats anything, Yahweh will curse/punish him.’ So none of the Israeli soldiers ate any food, and they became faint/weak because they were very hungry.” (Source: Translation for Translators)