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: RuthAnna 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)

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 .