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 22:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 22:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul told Ahimelech that, ‘Son of Ahitub, listen carefully!’ Ahimelech replied that, ‘I am listening, oh king.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Saul said, "Listen, O son of Ahitub!"
    And he responded, "Please speak, your honor!"” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When they arrived, Saul said, ‘Listen, Ahimelec!’ He replied, ‘Yes, Beloved/highly-esteemed King.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Saul said to Ahimelech, ‘You son of Ahitub, listen to me!’
    Ahimelech answered, ‘Yes, sir!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

king (Japanese honorifics)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way to do this is through the usage of appropriate suffix title referred to as keishō (敬称) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017 by using –sama. Here, ō-sama (王様) “king” is a combination of the nominal title ō “king” and the suffix title –sama.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also King.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 22:12

Hear now: the imperative verb is here followed by the particle of entreaty, which is often translated “pray.” Saul is urgently but politely requesting Ahimelech’s attention to what he is about to say.

Son of Ahitub: the reference is to Ahimelech, who was identified in verse 9 as the son of Ahitub. In some languages it will be much more appropriate at this point to use the name in translation.

Here I am: this represents the same words as found in the story of the call of Samuel (chapter 3) as well as in 12.3.

My lord: this is the same word that is used in other contexts for God. But in this case it is a term of respect used in response to the king. Some modern equivalents in English are “sir” (Good News Translation) and “master” (New Century Version).

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 .