heart fail

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 17:32 that is translated as “heart fail” in many English versions is translated into Anuak as “liver be startled (or: panicked).”

See Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling.”

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 17:32)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 17:32:

  • Kupsabiny: “David told Saul that, ‘Sir, nobody should fear this Philistine. I will go alone and fight him.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “David said to Saul, there is no need to feel even a little bit afraid of this Philistines. I will go to fight with him."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When- David -arrived, he said to Saul, ‘No one should lose courage because of this Philistine. I your (sing.) servant will-fight-together with him.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David told king Saul, ‘No one should worry/become a coward because of that Philistine man. I will go and fight with him!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

David

The name that is transliterated as “David” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign signifying king and a sling (referring to 1 Samuel 17:49 and 2 Samuel 5:4). (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. )


“Elizabeth” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In German Sign Language it is only the sling. (See here ).


“David” in German Sign Language (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

The (Protestant) Mandarin Chinese transliteration of “David” is 大卫 (衛) / Dàwèi which carries an additional meaning of “Great Protector.”

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about David (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: David .

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 17:32

Let no man’s heart fail: literally “Let not the heart of anyone fall upon him.” The meaning of this idiom may have to be made clear in the receptor language. Compare New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which says “Let no man’s courage fail him.” Contemporary English Version, translating more dynamically, says “this Philistine shouldn’t turn us into cowards.”

Your servant will go: David refers to himself as Saul’s servant, utilizing the customary Hebrew indirect reference. Good News Translation says “I will go” but maintains the attitude of subordination by introducing the words “Your Majesty.” In many languages a literal translation of your servant will make readers think that someone other than David would go to fight Goliath. Since this is not the case, the pronoun “I” is much more appropriate.

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 .