SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:33

24:33a

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but some English versions translate as “and” introduces the next event in the storyline. Introduce the next event in a way that is natural in your language.

Eleazar son of Aaron also died: Eleazar was a priest. He was last mentioned in Joshua 21:1.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Later, Eleazar ⌊the priest⌋ the son of Aaron died.
-or-
Some time later, Eleazar died. He was a son of Aaron.

24:33b

and: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces the next event in the storyline.

they buried him at Gibeah: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gibeah is the name of a town, and is also a noun meaning “hill.” The English versions do not agree on how to translate it in this context.

(1) It is the name of a town. For example:

and they buried him at Gibeah, the town of Phinehas his son (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It is a noun that means “hill.” For example:

and they buried him on the hill of his son Phinehas (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)

It is recommended that you choose interpretation (1). This is the interpretation taken by many English versions.

The location of Gibeah is uncertain, except that it was in the hill country of Ephraim. It belonged to Phinehas.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

The Israelites buried him at Gibeah, which belonged to his son Phinehas.
-or-
The people of Israel buried Eleazar in the town of Gibeah. That town had been given to his son Phinehas.

24:33c

which had been given to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim: Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

It was in the mountain country that belonged to the clan of Ephraim.
-or-
And it was in the hilly region of the clan of Ephraim.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments