medium

The Hebrew that is translated as “medium” in English is translated in Basa as “the people of the grave” (source: Rob Koops) and in Newari as “a person who knowingly becomes possessed” (source: Newari Back-Translation).

spiritualist

The Hebrew that is translated as “spiritualist” (or: spiritist”) or similar in English is translated in Newari as “one who does the work of a Jhākri ” (source: Newari Back-Translation).

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 .

mourn

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “mourn” or similar in English is translated in Newari as “have one’s heart broken” or “have a bursting heart” (source: Newari Back Translation).

complete verse (1 Samuel 28:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 28:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “Samuel was dead when these things happened. When Samuel died, all the Israelites mourned and he was buried in the city of Ramah. Saul had chased away all the sorcerers and wizards from Israel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “By this time Samuel had already died, and all the Israelites, being in mourning for him, buried his corpse in his own city, Ramah. By this time Saul had already driven out from Israel all those who did witchcraft.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “At-that-time Samuel had- already -died. When he died all who-came-from Israel mourned for him, and they buried him in his town/city at Ramah. And Saul had-expelled/driven-out/[lit. -caused-to-leave] from Israel the spiritists who talked-together with the ghost(s)/spirit(s) of the dead.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “While Samuel was still alive, Saul did many things that pleased Yahweh. One of the good things that Saul did was to expel from Israel all the people who were fortune-tellers or who talked to the spirits of dead people. But Samuel had died, and all the Israeli people had mourned for him. Then they had buried him in Ramah, his hometown. After that, Saul did not try to please Yahweh any more.” (Source: Translation for Translators)