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 .

complete verse (1 Samuel 16:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 16:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “David went to Saul’s house to go and work for him. Saul loved David so much until he gave him to carry the things of battle for him.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David arrived at Saul’s place and he was assigned to his work. Saul loved David very much and he became Saul’s armor bearer.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When David (was) there already with Saul, he served him. Saul liked him a lot, and Saul made him the-one-who-carries his weapons-of-war.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then David went to Saul and started to work for him. Saul liked David very much, and he became the man who carried Saul’s weapons when Saul went to fight in battles.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English means “beloved.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


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

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

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

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 16:21

Entered his service: literally “stood before him.” In this context some will prefer to translate “began to serve him” or “started working for him” (Contemporary English Version). See verse 22 and comments on verse 16 above.

Saul loved him greatly: literally “he loved him greatly.” Revised Standard Version supplies the proper noun in place of the pronoun. Since the subject of the verbs came, entered, and became is David, readers may incorrectly assume that David is also the subject of the verb loved. It will perhaps be necessary to use the name Saul (so also New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible), since the pronoun “he” may be ambiguous in many languages.

Armor-bearer: see the comments on 14.7. It should be clear to readers that it was David who became the armor bearer of Saul and not the contrary.

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 .