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 18:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 18:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “But David and another daughter of Saul who was called Michal loved each other. When Saul realized that, he was happy.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But Saul’s other daughter, Michal, fell in love with David. As soon as this report reached Saul’s ears, he was very pleased.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now one of the female children/(daughters) of Saul Mical was-in-love-with David. And when Saul was-told about/concerning this, he was-pleased/happy.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “But Saul’s other daughter, Michal, fell in love with David. When they told Saul about that, he was pleased.” (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 18:20

Now translates the common Hebrew conjunction waw. But since it seems to mark contrast, it may be better to translate it “But” (Revised English Bible), “yet” (Fox), or “however” (Good News Translation).

Michal has been briefly mentioned in 14.49, where it is said that she is Saul’s younger daughter. In some languages it will be considered more precise and clearer to say “Saul’s other daughter” (New Century Version), since up to this point the writer has focused on Merab.

Loved: the form of the verb here should probably be rendered “had fallen in love with” (so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Fox, and see the comments on verse 28 below) or “fell in love with” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible).

The antecedent of the pronoun they is not stated. Good News Translation avoids the difficulty by rewording and stating “when Saul heard this.” Others may prefer to translate using a rather vague subject, “someone told Saul.”

The thing pleased him: literally “the word [or, thing] was right [or pleasing] in his eyes.” The same expression is found in the negative in 1 Kgs 9.12. It will, however, be more natural in many cases to make Saul the subject instead of the thing: “Saul was happy about this matter.”

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 .