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 Sirach 46:18

And he wiped out the leaders of the people of Tyre and all the rulers of the Philistines: The Hebrew text read by Good News Translation (also New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible) is almost certainly correct here. Tyre is not involved in the story in 1 Sam 7, and the Hebrew word for Tyre is very similar to a word for “enemy.” The Philistines were a people who occupied much of the coastal region of Palestine in the early days of Israel’s history. They appear frequently in the books of Judges, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, and 1-2 Chronicles. The two lines of this verse can be neatly combined; Good News Translation provides a model.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.