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 17:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “But David with his four brothers did not join.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As for David, he was the youngest of all. These three brothers had gone following Saul.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The youngest was David. And while the three accompanied/went-together-with Saul in the battle,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David was Jesse’s youngest son. While his three oldest brothers were with Saul,” (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 17:14

David was not simply the youngest of these four brothers but of all eight brothers (see 16.11). Some may have to say that “David was the youngest of all Jesse’s sons.”

Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, as well as most other versions, continue in verse 15 the sentence begun in the middle of this verse. But it is possible, and in some cases more natural, to restructure these two verses so that the material about David comes after the statement about Jesse’s three oldest sons. This verse would then read “Jesse’s three oldest sons stayed with Saul. But David, who was the youngest son….” Contemporary English Version does something similar to this and actually begins a new paragraph in the middle of this verse, since the subject shifts to David.

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 .