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)

complete verse (1 Samuel 29:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 29:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Philistine gathered their soldiers in Aphek. But the Israelites gathered their soldiers where there was a source of water (a well/spring) in Jezreel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The Philistines gathered all their soldiers for battle at Aphek, and the Israelites pitched their tents near the spring in Jezreel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now the Filistinhon have-gathered all their soldiers at Afek, and the Israelinhon on-the-other-hand have-camped by the spring of Jezreel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The Philistia army gathered at Aphek Valley, which is near Shunem. The Israelis set up their tents at Jezreel city, which was in the same valley.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 29:1

Chapter 29 continues the story that was interrupted after 28.1-2. See the comments on the section heading at 28.3.

Now translates the common Hebrew conjunction, which may be left untranslated in this context.

Aphek: many scholars think that this Aphek is the same as that mentioned in 4.1. Others, however, consider the Aphek referred to here to be a different town that was located in the Jezreel Valley. La Bible du Semeur, for example, expresses the second understanding in a footnote. For most translations this name can probably be stated without having to indicate whether it is the same town as that mentioned in 4.1.

Fountain: the English word “fountain” may refer either to (1) a spring of water coming out of the earth or (2) a structure built for shooting water into the air. The first meaning is intended here. The spring is not named, but the reference is probably to the spring of Harod (mentioned in Judges 6.33–7.1). The translators of Revised English Bible and New American Bible have accepted the proposal that the name “Harod” was accidentally omitted from the text and have inserted the name into the text. Revised English Bible says “the Israelites encamped at En-harod in Jezreel,” and New American Bible reads “the Israelites were encamped at the spring of Harod near Jezreel.”

Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text, claiming that the name of the fountain was not part of the Hebrew text. Nevertheless, for translation purposes the name may be added, since there is widespread agreement among scholars that this is the well that is intended. An alternative is to include this information in a footnote, as Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente has done: “The fountain of Jezreel is with all probability that called En Harod, at the foot of Mount Gilboa.” It is probably unwise to follow the model of Contemporary English Version, which gives the impression that the name of this spring was “Jezreel Spring.” Rather translators should probably speak of “the fountain that is in Jezreel” (New Revised Standard Version) or “the spring in Jezreel Valley” as in Good News Translation.

Jezreel (see also verse 11) is a valley located about eighty kilometers (or fifty miles) north of Jerusalem. It is also a town located at the eastern end of this valley. The footnote in Bible en français courant states that the name here refers to the town, and the Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente translation says “the city of Jezreel.” The Good News Translation rendering, however, clearly refers to the valley. Either is possible, but the use of the verb went up in verse 11 seems to imply that it is the city that is intended.

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 .