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 14:51)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 14:51:

  • Kupsabiny: “Saul’s father was Kish who was a son to Abiel” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As for Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, they were [both] sons of Abiel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The father of Saul (was) Kish and the father of Abner (was) Ner (who were) children/(sons) of Abiel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were both sons of Abiel.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 14:51

According to 9.1 Kish was the son of Abiel. Kish and Ner were therefore brothers whose father was Abiel (though see the comments on 10.14). For this reason Good News Translation indicates that both of these men “were sons of Abiel.” The text does not indicate which was the older of the two.

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 .