Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English means “(from) the land of wanderers,” “(from the) land of strangers” (same as “Palestinian”). (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that signifies the helmet the Philistine warriors wore was decorated with feather-like objects. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Philistines” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Philistines (source: Bible Lands 2012)

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 .

army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (1 Samuel 28:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 28:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Saul saw the Philistine soldiers, he was very scared until he stretched his stomach (had pain like ulcers).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then Saul, seeing the Philistine soldiers, was very much afraid.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Saul saw the soldiers of the Filistinhon, he became- very -afraid.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Saul saw the army of Philistia, he became so afraid that his heart pounded/shook.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 28:5

He was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly: these two expressions, joined by the conjunction and, do not refer to two separate facts. Rather they are different ways of talking about the same thing. So it may be advisable to find some other way to join them together. For example, one may say “he was so afraid that his heart beat wildly.” Or, as in Revised English Bible, “Saul was afraid, indeed struck to the heart by terror.” Regarding the verb trembled, see the comments on 13.7.

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 .