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 20:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 20:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Saul threw his spear towards Jonathan wanting to kill him. That is when Jonathan realized that his father really wanted to kill David.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But hearing this, Saul lifted his spear and threw it at his son. Then he realized that his father was certainly trying to kill David.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But his father threw-a-spear at him. So he knew that his father was- very -determined to-kill David.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan in order to kill him, but the spear did not hit him. So Jonathan knew that his father really wanted to kill David.” (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 20:33

Cast his spear at him: that is, “at Jonathan.” The name will have to replace the pronoun him in many cases.

Saul’s attempt to kill Jonathan with his spear recalls his earlier attempts to kill David (see 18.11 and 19.10). The Septuagint says that Saul “raised” his spear, not that he cast his spear. With a change of the vowels only in the Hebrew verb, the verb changes in meaning from cast, or “throw,” to “raise.” The Septuagint is the basis for several modern translations such as Revised English Bible (“Saul picked up his spear”) and New American Bible (“Saul brandished his spear to strike him”). This problem is not treated in Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, so the standard Hebrew text should be followed at this point.

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 .