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 18:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 18:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Saul saw that David was blessed in each and everything he was doing, he became so afraid.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way, seeing David’s success, Saul was very much afraid.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Saul learned that David had-been-victorious, he (was) now more afraid (of him).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Saul heard that David and his soldiers were very successful, he became more afraid of David.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 18:15

The use of the pronoun he in this verse may be confusing in some languages if the form of the Hebrew is followed. The first he refers to David, and the second he refers to Saul.

In a manner similar to the previous verse, the words had great success may be translated “won all his battles” or “triumphed in war.”

Stood in awe: the range of meanings of this verb in Hebrew includes both “fear” and awe. (A different Hebrew verb is translated “was afraid” in verse 12 above.) In this context either meaning makes good sense. Some translations choose the meaning “awe” (Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version), but most agree with the interpretation found in Good News Translation. Revised English Bible, for example, says “he was more afraid of him than ever.”

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 .