Saul

The name that is transliterated as “Saul” in English means “asked for,” “demanded,” “required.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It 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 .

coat of mail

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “coat of mail” or similar in English is translated in Newari as “iron sheet” (source: Newari Back Translation).

bronze

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated as “bronze” in English is translated in Newari as “bell-metal,” since bells are made of bronze in Nepal (source: Newari Back Translation).

See also bronze vessel.

David Kills Goliath

Artwork by Sister Marie Claire , SMMI (1937–2018) from Bengaluru, India.

For more information about images by Sister Marie Claire and ways to purchase them as lithographs, see here .

For other images of Sister Marie Claire paintings in TIPs, see here.

complete verse (1 Samuel 17:38)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:38:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Saul dressed David with his war clothing made of bronze which covers the chest and a hat made of bronze.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Saul covered David with his own shawl, clothed him with a sheet-iron upper garment, [and] put a bronze helmet on his head.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then he let-/had- David -wear his that-which-he-wears for the battle — the bronze helmet and shield/defensive-armor for the breast.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Saul gave to David his own clothes that he always wore in battles, and he gave him a bronze helmet and a coat made of metal plates.” (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 17:38

Clothed: literally “caused to put on.” It may be misleading to say “Saul dressed David” (New International Version), since he probably did not perform the action himself. Contemporary English Version says “Saul had his own military clothes … put on David.”

With his armor: that is, with Saul’s own armor. The Hebrew word rendered armor usually refers to a garment made of cloth. It may have been a tunic worn under the coat of mail. Revised English Bible and New American Bible call this “his own tunic.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “in his own garment.” The same word occurs in 18.4.

On the expression a helmet … on his head, see verse 5 above. And on the word bronze, compare verses 5 and 6.

A coat of mail: see verse 5 above.

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 .