Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English means “(from) the land of wanderers,” “(from the) land of strangers” (same as “Palestinian”). (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

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

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” 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 .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

complete verse (1 Samuel 17:52)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:52:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then the men of Israel plus those of Juda shouted loudly towards those Philistines and pursued them to Gath and the gates of Ekron while killing them. The dead bodies were left lying/swelling up on the road right from Shaaraim then Gath to Ekron.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the men of Israel and Judah went after them crying out loudly, and they pursued them up to the main gate of Gath and Ekron. Along both sides of the road from Shaariam to Gath and Ekron only their corpses remained.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then the soldiers of Israel and Juda went-forward shouting, and they pursued the Filistinhon up-to Gat and Ekron. The dead-bodies/corpses of the Filistinhon were-scattered on the road of Shaaraim going-toward Gat and Ekron.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The Israeli men shouted and ran after them. They pursued them all the way to Gath and to the gates of Ekron city. They struck them as they went, with the result that dead/wounded Philistines were lying on the road all the way from Shaaraim to Gath and Ekron towns.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 17:52

The men of Israel and Judah: the distinction between Israel and Judah reflects the later division of the united kingdom into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah following the death of Solomon. But the text must be translated as it stands.

Shout: It is uncertain whether this was a shout of mutual encouragement or was intended to frighten the enemy soldiers. Possibly it served both purposes. But in those languages that have a special word for a battle cry, it will probably be appropriate to use it here.

Rose: see the comments on this verb in 9.3.

Gath (see the comments on verse 4) was located about fifteen kilometers (or about nine miles) southwest of Azekah (see verse 1). The footnotes in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation are not in disagreement, since the Hebrew word “Gai” means “valley.” The Septuagint reads “Gath,” and that is the basis for most modern translations (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, and New International Version). The statement at the end of the verse, that the Philistines fell … as far as Gath and Ekron, seems to support the reading of the Septuagint.

If translators choose to follow the Masoretic Text, they may render “Gai” as a place name, or follow the example of translations that say “all the way to the edge of the valley” (so La Bible du Semeur, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Nouvelle version Segond révisée, Reina-Valera revisada, and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Since there is no definite article, it seems more likely that the reference is to a place named Gai. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to the Masoretic Text and recommends that the Hebrew be translated as the name “Gai.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which so faithfully follows the Masoretic Text, translates “all the way to Gai,” but then states in a footnote that the Septuagint has “Gath” and directs the reader to the end of this verse, where the Masoretic Text has Gath.

The Hebrew says simply that the wounded Philistines fell, and it is not clear whether they “fell wounded” (Good News Translation) or whether they fell dead. New International Version reads “Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron,” and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant say “their cadavers [meaning, dead bodies].” The second meaning seems more likely in the context, but either is possible.

Ekron was a little more than ten kilometers (more than six miles) northwest of Azekah. The Septuagint has Ashkelon instead of Ekron at the first occurrence of this name in this verse, but the Masoretic Text is generally thought to be correct here. Compare 5.10 and 7.14, where Ekron is also mentioned.

Sha-araim: a city located in the lowlands of Judah, near Socoh and Azekah (verse 1 above; these three cities are mentioned together in Josh 15.35-36). The name occurs three times in the Old Testament and means “double gate.” Nueva Biblia Española translates the meaning of this name as “Dospuertas,” that is, “Two-gates,” and Fox says “Shaarayim/Double-Gate.”

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 .