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)

complete verse (1 Samuel 6:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 6:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those five Philistine kings witnessed these things, after that, they went back to Ekron.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The Philistine rulers, however, were watching it all and they returned to Ekon that very same day.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The five leaders/[lit. heads] of the Filistinhon saw this all, and then they went-home to Ekron that same day.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The five kings from the Philistia area watched all this, and then they returned to Ekron, that same day.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 6:16

The five lords of the Philistines: see verse 12 and also the comments on 5.8. Apparently the Philistine chieftains followed the wagon carrying the Covenant Box.

Ekron: see 5.10.

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 .