Philistines

The term that is transliterated as “Philistines” in English 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)

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” 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 .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

complete verse (1 Samuel 30:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 30:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then that man took David to where those Amalekite were. David with his soldiers saw those Amalekites spreading in their camp. They were eating and drinking rejoicing over of the many things they looted from the country of the Philistines and (from) Judah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And by showing the way, he brought [them] with [him], taking David along to their place. There the Amalekites were dispersed all around, eating and drinking. And the Philistines were rejoicing in the goods piled high that had been plundered from the land of the Philistines and the Judeans.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So David swore, and then they went-with the Egyptian to the-place-where- the ones (who) raided/attacked -camped. And there they saw the Amaleknon scattered-around eating, drinking and rejoicing, because what they seized/plundered/took-by-force from the Filistinhon and from the land of Juda (was) a lot.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David agreed to do that, so the man from Egypt led David and his men to where the men from the Amalek people-group were. Those men were lying on the ground, eating and drinking and celebrating because of having captured many things from the Philistia and Judah areas.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 30:16

And when he had taken him down: New Century Version says “So the Egyptian led David to the Amalekites.”

Behold: the focusing particle here focuses on the discovery of the enemy camp. See general comments in “Translating the Books of Samuel,” page 18 and following.

They were spread … eating and drinking: the pronoun they refers to the Amalekite raiders.

The word translated dancing may be understood in the more general sense of celebration, since the basic meaning of the verb seems to be “to celebrate a festival.” A number of modern versions translate this broader meaning: “celebrating” (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version); “making merry” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); “in a festive mood” (New American Bible). In this context it may be more appropriate to translate eating and drinking as “having a banquet” (Nueva Biblia Española), since this is not simply the everyday practice of eating and drinking but rather of doing so in the context of a celebration.

Because of all the great spoil …: the writer provides the reason for the Amalekites’ celebration. The raiders were very happy because their success in battle had resulted in large amounts of plunder taken from their enemies.

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 .