messenger

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “messenger” in English is translated in Noongar as moort yana-waangki or “person walk-talk” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

bed

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “bed” or similar in English is translated in Noongar as maya-ngwoorndiny or “bark sleeping” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

See also mat, bed.

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 19:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 19:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “When they went to tell Saul that David was sick, Saul told those people that, ‘Go and carry him in the bed to here so that I kill him.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Saul sent to them back Again to see your own eyes. Saul command to them, "Lifting him along with his bed, bring him to me, and I will kill him."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When they told this to Saul, Saul sent- them -back/had- them -return in-order that they could-see David themselves, and he told them, ‘[You (plur.)] bring him here to me lying in his bed/[lit. thing-to-lie-on] so-that I can-kill him.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When they reported that to Saul, he told them to go back to David’s house. He said to them, ‘Bring him to me lying on his bed, in order that I can kill him!’” (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 19:15

It appears that certain events that occurred between verses 14 and 15 have been left implicit in Hebrew. Having been told that David was sick, the messengers returned to report that to Saul. Saul then orders them back to David’s house with instructions to bring David in his bed.

If readers will be confused by leaving this information implicit, it may be better to follow the model of New Century Version: “The men went and told Saul, but he sent them back to see David.” In any case, the verb sent should probably be rendered “sent back.”

Once again it will probably be more natural in some languages to make the direct quotation of this verse into indirect discourse. One possible model for the last part of this verse is to say:

• He [Saul] instructed them to bring David to him in the bed on which he lay so that he could kill him.

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 .