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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 26:4:
Kupsabiny: “He sent his spies to go and check whether Saul was really in that wilderness. When those spies returned, they told David that truly Saul was in that place.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “David sent people to spy. And indeed, he learned that Saul had actually come.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “he sent-(out) spies, and he learned that Saul had- definitely also -arrived.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “he sent some spies to find out for certain that Saul had come to Hakilah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Spies: the basic meaning of the verb from which this noun is formed is “to move about on foot.” Others have translated “scouts” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible) or “men to watch his movements” (Knox). Compare Gen 42.9 and Josh 2.1.
Of a certainty: these words come at the end of the verse in Hebrew, and their meaning is uncertain. This expression consists of a preposition and a verbal form, the root of which means “to stand firm” or “to be stable.” Most understand the force to be that of an adverb expressing certainty, as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Revised English Bible, however, reads “found out that Saul had reached such and such a place.” See 23.23, where the same expression occurs.
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 .
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