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)

save

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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (1 Samuel 23:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 23:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “David asked God that, ‘Should I go and fight those Philistines? God replied that, ‘Go and fight them and rescue the city of Keilah.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then he took counsel from the LORD like this, "Should I go to attack those Philistines or not?" And the LORD replied, "Go and attack them, and save Keilah city."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “he asked the LORD, ‘Shall- I -attack the Filistinhon?’ The LORD answered, ‘Go-on, attack them and save Keila.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “David asked Yahweh, ‘Should my men and I go to fight against those men from the Philistia people-group?’
    Yahweh answered, ‘Yes, go. Attack them, and rescue the people of Keilah.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 23:2

Therefore: this transition word makes a logical link between the previous verse and David’s action described in this verse. It was because David had heard about the Philistine attack on Keilah that he wondered whether he should go and help the people of that town.

Inquired of the LORD: literally “asked the LORD, saying.” Regarding the probable method of asking God, see 10.22 and 14.37.

This entire verse may be translated quite naturally into some languages without the use of direct discourse:

• So David asked the LORD whether he should go and attack the Philistines. And the LORD told him that he should attack them in order to save the town of Keilah.

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 .