Saul

The name that is transliterated as “Saul” in English means “asked for,” “demanded,” “required.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It 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 19:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 19:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “After Jonathan had finished talking with his father, he called David and told him what he had talked with his father Saul about. After that he took David to where Saul was. Then, David continued staying with Saul as usual.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Jonathan called David and told all of this. After that Jonathan brought David to Saul and served the king just as he had before.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Later on Jonatan called David and told (him) his/[lit. their whole] conversation with Saul. He then brought David to Saul, and David served Saul just-as before.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Afterward, Jonathan summoned David and told him what he and Saul had said. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David served Saul as he had done before.” (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 19:7

The Hebrew text does not say so directly, but certainly we are to assume that Saul is no longer present when verse 7 begins. Compare, however, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, which says “Then Jonathan ran to look for David.” Other languages may need to begin this verse with a word showing that a certain amount of time elapsed before Jonathan calls for David. For example, some may say “Later…” or at least begin a new paragraph at this point.

The verb showed is better rendered “told” or “informed” in this context. It translates the same verb as I will tell you in verse 3. So Jonathan is fulfilling his promise.

And he was … as before: this sentence begins in Hebrew with the interjection “and behold” (regarding the meaning and translation, see page 18 and following).

As before: literally “as yesterday and the day-before-yesterday” (see the comment on “before that time” in 14.21). The statement that David was in Saul’s presence as before means that he was serving Saul again in the royal court as in 16.21-23.

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 .