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)

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 (1 Samuel 14:46)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:46:

  • Kupsabiny: “At that (time), Saul went back with his people to their homeland so they stopped pursuing the Philistines.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines and the Philistines returned to their own country.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Saul stopped pursuing the Filistinhon, and they returned to their place.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Saul ordered his soldiers to stop pursuing the Philistia army, so the Philistia soldiers returned to their homes.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:46

This concluding verse is introduced by the common Hebrew conjunction, which seems to indicate the passage of a certain amount of time after the rescue of Jonathan. In any case it is probably best translated as a temporal connector. New American Bible, like Good News Translation, has “After that.”

Went up: see the comments on verse 36. Together with the words from pursuing, the meaning is that Saul “gave up pursuit” (New American Bible) or “decided not to pursue” (New Jerusalem Bible) the Philistines for the time being (see verse 52). The Philistines in turn went back home.

To their own place: that is, back to the southwest area of Palestine along the Mediterranean coast.

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 .