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)

complete verse (Genesis 26:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:14:

  • Kankanaey: “His sheep, cattle and slaves became-many, so the Filisteo became-jealous-of (him).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because he became prosperous [having] many sheep, goats and male and female servants, the Philistines became envious of him [lit.: seeing him, became envious].” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The Filistinhon were-jealous of him because his sheep, goats, cows, and servants were now many.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “He had large herds of sheep and goats and cattle, and many slaves. Because of that, the Philistine people envied him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 26:14

Verse 14 explains in detail what it means for Isaac to be described as a very rich man. The first part of the verse gives the reason why the Philistines envied Isaac. Note that Good News Translation begins with “Because….”

He had … flocks and herds is literally “He came to have possessions of flocks and cattle.” Since the Hebrew word tson, rendered flocks by Revised Standard Version, includes both sheep and goats, we may say “He had flocks of sheep and goats and herds of cattle.”

And a great household: household translates a Hebrew term, used here and in Job 1.3, referring to all Isaac’s servants, which Speiser calls “a large retinue”; Good News Translation has “many servants,” Revised English Bible “many slaves.” For discussion of “slave” see 9.25. As a general expression we may say, for example, “and all the people who served in Isaac’s camp.” One typical translation of the first part of verse 14 is “Isaac bred up very many sheep and goats and cattle, and he had a great many workers….”

So that the Philistines envied him: so that is used by Revised Standard Version to make this statement a consequence of Isaac’s wealth. Note that Good News Translation made the first part of the verse a reason clause. We may also begin this clause as a consequence by saying “and for that reason,” “because of that,” “therefore.” Envied means that the people of Gerar, here called Philistines, are unhappy about the success and wealth that Isaac has acquired. They may also be called “jealous.”

In some languages envied is expressed idiomatically; for example, “Their hearts were hot for the things that Isaac possessed.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .