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)

army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

complete verse (1 Samuel 17:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Israelite and Philistine soldiers were face to face ready to start war.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The soldiers of the Israelites and of the Philistines stood lined up in their respective positions.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And later the Israelinhon and the Filistinhon were- now -facing-each-other ready now to-fight.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The Philistine army and the Israeli army stood on the hillsides, facing each other, ready for the battle.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 17:21

Drew up for battle: see the comments at verses 2 and 8.

Army against army: literally “battleline facing battleline.” A more natural way of saying this in some languages may be “face to face” (Bible en français courant), “opposite each other” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible), or “looking at each other.”

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 .