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 .

complete verse (2 Samuel 6:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 6:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, Michal who is the daughter of Saul was barren and did not get a child up to her death.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So Saul’s daughter Michal had no children even up to the time that she died.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Mical never had any children until she died.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “As a result, Saul’s daughter Michal never gave birth to any children.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 6:23

The daughter of Saul: in some languages it may be considered unnecessary to repeat this information. But the writer seems to be emphasizing that Michal was not acting like David’s wife but like Saul’s daughter.

Had no child to the day of her death: this wording may imply to some readers that Michal did have a child on the day she died and perhaps even died in childbirth. If there is any danger of misunderstanding, it will be better to say clearly “never had any children” as in Good News Translation, or “remained always without children.” There is no indication whether this implies a curse from God or the fact that David no longer slept with her. It is entirely possible that both were implied by the writer. This verse almost certainly signifies that God had rejected the family of Saul in favor of David.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .