49Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua, and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger was Michal.
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:49:
Kupsabiny: “Saul had three sons and two girls. One of the boys was called Jonathan, another was Ishvi and the other was Malkishua. The elder daughter was called Merab, and the young one was Michal.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi and Maklishua. His elder daughter’s name was Merab and his younger daughter’s name was Michal.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The male children of Saul were Jonatan, Ishvi, and Malkishua. His female children/(daughters) were Merab, the older, and Mical, the younger.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Saul’s sons were Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and Malchishua. He also had two daughters, Merab and her younger sister Michal.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Contemporary English Version restructures verses 49-51 to make it sound more natural in English. The name of Saul’s wife is shifted forward from verse 50. Then, instead of speaking of the sons of Saul and his two daughters, it says that “They had three sons” and “They also had two daughters.” Naturalness in the receptor language will determine which model is followed in this matter.
The sons of Saul: this list probably names the sons in order of birth. The list of Saul’s sons who were killed with him on Mount Gilboa includes a son named “Abinadab” (31.2) but does not mention Ishvi, who is perhaps to be identified with “Ishbosheth” in 2 Sam 2.8-13; 3.8-15 and 4.5-12. This same son is also called “Eshbaal” (1 Chr 8.33; 9.39). Malchishua is mentioned again in 31.2.
The correct name of Saul’s second son is debated because of differences in the ancient manuscripts. Revised English Bible spells the name “Ishyo,” which in Hebrew means “Man of Yahweh.” Ishyo will be the theologically correct name that corresponds to “Ishbaal” (“man of Baal”), called “Ishbosheth,” (“man of shame”). Despite the problems, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} rating to the spelling found in the Masoretic Text. It will probably be wise to add a footnote to inform the readers that Ishvi is the same person as Ishbaal (or Eshbaal) and Ishbosheth.
Saul’s two daughters, Merab and Michal, are prominent in 18.17-29.
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 .
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