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)

complete verse (1 Samuel 7:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 7:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “When the Philistines came to know that the Israelites had gathered in Mispa, five of their rulers/kings sent soldiers to go and fight the Israelites. When the Israelites heard that the Philistines were coming to attack them, they became so afraid.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The Philistines heard that the Israelites had been gathering at Mizpah, so their rulers and soldiers came to do battle against the Israelites. Hearing that the Philistines were advancing to fight, the Israelites were very much afraid.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When the Filistinhon heard-the-news that the Israelinhon had-assembled/gathered-together at Mizpa, the leaders/[lit. heads] of the Filistinhon prepared to-attack them. And when the Israelinhon heard-the-news of this, they were-afraid of the Filistinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When the kings of the Philistia area heard that the Israeli people had gathered at Mizpah, they led their armies there to attack the Israelis. When the Israelis found out that the Philistia army was approaching them, they became very afraid.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 7:7

In some versions (Contemporary English Version, New American Bible) a new section heading is placed before this verse. But most have only a new paragraph here.

The people of Israel, which occurs twice in this verse, is literally “the sons of Israel” as in verses 4 and 6 above.

Heard: this is not to be understood in the sense that the Philistines actually heard the Israelites gathering at Mizpah. Rather they heard a report of some unknown person or persons who were aware of the Israelites movements. The same verb occurs at the end of this verse with the same meaning. In both cases some languages may require a restructuring like the following: “Someone told the Philistines” and “someone reported to the Israelites….”

Lords of the Philistines: see the comments on 5.8.

The verb went up reflects the fact that the Philistines lived on the coast and had to go up to a higher altitude to attack the Israelites. Many translations omit this aspect of meaning and say simply that the Philistines “marched out against Israel” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “marched against them” (Revised English Bible). If the receptor language naturally uses verbs like “go up” to describe movement from one place to another of a different elevation, then they may be used in translation; otherwise such verbs should be avoided.

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 .