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 18:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 18:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul stayed with David from that day onwards that he did not allow him return to his father.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him go back to his father’s house.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From that-time Saul did- not -let- David -go-home to their house.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “From that day, Saul kept David with him, and did not let him return home.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 18:2

The verb took and would not let him return may sound like imprisonment in some languages. But the idea is rather that he took David “into his service” (Knox), or “kept David in his service” (Contemporary English Version). This should be made clear in translation, and it is not necessary to use parentheses as in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and Fox to show that these words are not written in the Hebrew: “took him (into his service) on that day.”

The antecedent of the pronoun him may be ambiguous if translated literally in the receptor language. If it is, then it will be best to use the proper noun “David,” as in Good News Translation.

The context shows that that day was the beginning of a long period of service by David in the court of Saul. So it may be appropriate to say “from that day forward” or “beginning that day.”

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 .