SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023 – Page 18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:24

Section 19:24-31

The clan of Asher received their land

Paragraph 19:24-31

19:24

The fifth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Asher: This verse is similar to 19:1. It is recommended that you translate it in the same way as you did that verse.

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

The fifth lot belonged to the tribe of Asher, by its clans (NET Bible)
-or-
Joshua threw the lot the fifth time. Each of family of the clan of Asher received land

© 2001, 2011, 2020, 2022, 2023 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 20:5

20:5a

Now: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now can also be translated “but” to indicate contrast. It is not a time word. Choose the word that is most natural in this context. Some English versions do not translate this word.

if: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as if can also be translated as “when.” Choose the conjunction that is most natural in your language.

the avenger of blood: The term avenger of blood was first mentioned in 20:3b. You should translate it the same way here.

pursues him: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pursues can also be translated as “chases” or “follows.”

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

But if the relative of the person who died chases after the person who killed him
-or-
But if the relative of the dead person follows after the killer

20:5b

they: The pronoun they refers to the elders of the town.

must not surrender the manslayer into his hand: The clause must not surrender the manslayer into his hand means that the elders must protect the manslayer (the person who killed someone) from the person who is trying to get revenge. They must not hand him over to that person.

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

the elders must not hand over the killer to the person trying to avenge the dead man
-or-
the town leaders must not give up the person who killed to the relative

20:5c

because that man killed his neighbor accidentally: The clause that man killed his neighbor accidentally indicates the reason why the person who killed should be protected from his pursuer.

his neighbor: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbor can also be translated “friend,” “companion” or “other one.” In this context it refers to a fellow human being.

accidentally: The word accidentally means that the killer did not plan to kill. This is the same Hebrew word as in verse 20:3.

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

⌊They must protect him⌋ because he has killed his fellow man without intending it.
-or-
They must do this because he killed the other person without planning to do it.

20:5d

without prior malice: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as without prior malice is more literally “and not hating him from yesterday three days ago.” The phrase “from yesterday three days ago” is a Hebrew idiom that means “in the past.”

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

He had not hated him in the past.
-or-
and not because he was angry with him in the past

General Comment on verse 20:5

In the Hebrew and in the Berean Standard Bible verse 5 is a long sentence. It may be more natural in some languages to divide it into more than one sentence. For example:

But if the one who is chasing him follows him to that town, the leaders of the city must not hand over the killer. It was an accident. He did not hate him beforehand or kill him on purpose. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 21:28

21:28

From the tribe of Issachar they were given Kishion: The town of Kishion was mentioned in 19:20. It was the southeast of Nazareth.

Daberath: The town of Daberath was mentioned in 19:12. It was east of Nazareth

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

From the clan of Issachar the Kohath families received the town of Kishion and the grazing lands around it and the town of Daberath with the grazing lands around it.
-or-
The clan of Issachar gave them the town of Kishion with the grasslands around it and the town of Daberath with the grasslands around it.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 22:15

Paragraph: 22:15–20

22:15a

They went to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead: Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

So they went to the land of Gilead ⌊to speak⌋ to the clans of Reuben, Gad, and half the clan of Manasseh.
-or-
When they reached the two and a half clans in the region of Gilead
-or-
When they arrived, these leaders said to the people of Gilead, (God’s Word)

22:15b

and said to them: In some languages it may be more natural to reorder parts a and b of this verse. For example:

They went to the region of Gilead and said to the clans of Reuben, Gad, and half of the clan of Manasseh,

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 23:13

23:13a

know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you: Verse 12 started with the word “if” to indicate a condition. Verse 13 shows the result that will follow if the Israelites associate with the other nations around them. The Hebrew does not use the word “then” in verse 13. In some languages it may help to say “then” to make it clear that this is a result.

know for sure: The Hebrew verb structure that the Berean Standard Bible translates as know for sure indicates emphasis. Look for a way to mark this emphasis if it is possible in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

know assuredly (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
then you can be sure

the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drive out was used in verse 23:5b and 23:9a.

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

then know for certain that Yahweh your God will stop making these nations leave ahead of you
-or-
If you do those things, then Yahweh your God will definitely no longer take away the land from these peoples as you go forward.

23:13b

Instead: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Instead indicates a contrast. In some languages it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here.

they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes: This is a series of metaphors that describe how dangerous the enemy nations will become to the Israelites.

a snare and a trap: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as snare refers to a net for catching birds. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trap may refer to a wooden trap to catch birds, or it may refer to the bait inside the net which would lure the bird in. If you do not have two different words for bird traps you could say simply “a bird trap.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a net and a trap
-or-
a bird trap
-or-
a trap

a scourge: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as scourge can also be translated “whip.”

thorns in your eyes: The phrase thorns in your eyes indicates that the enemy nations would damage the Israelites just as thorns damage the eyes.

In some languages it may be more natural to translate these metaphors as similes.

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

Rather, they will be a net or a trap for you, a whip on your side and thorns in your eyes.
-or-
Instead, they will be like traps ⌊that catch you like a bird⌋ , like a whip ⌊that stings⌋ your sides and like thorns ⌊that stick in⌋ your eyes.
-or-
they will be ⌊as dangerous for you as⌋ a trap. They ⌊will hurt you as much as⌋ a whip on your sides or thorns ⌊that stick into⌋ your eyes.

23:13c

until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you: This indicates that the enemy nations would inflict all those injuries on the Israelites until all of them had died.

perish: The English word perish is an older word that means “die.”

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

until you have all died and no longer live in the good land that Yahweh your God has given you
-or-
In the end, none of you will be left in this good land that Yahweh your God has given you.

General Comment on 23:12–13

Verses 12 and 13 are a condition and a result.

12
If the Israelites associate with the other nations around them, 13 then God will not drive those nations out.

This could also be expressed as a command with a warning.

12 Do not associate with the other nations around you, 13 otherwise God will not drive those nations out.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:29

Paragraph 24:29–33

24:29a

Some time later, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died: The phrase Some time later refers to an indefinite period of time. It does not mean that Joshua died right after the ceremony of Shechem.

servant of the LORD: The phrase servant of the LORD is the same title that Moses received. Translate this title in the same way as you did in Joshua 1:1.

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

After these events had happened, Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Yahweh, died.
-or-
Sometime after that, Joshua died. He was the son of Nun and he was Yahweh’s servant.

24:29b

at the age of 110: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:

He was one hundred and ten years old ⌊when he died⌋ .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 1:13

1:13a

Remember: The verb Remember does not imply that the Israelites had forgotten Moses’ command. Joshua reminded them of something they already knew.

Here are some ways to translate this wordː

You know
-or-
Do not forget

what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you: The term what does not refer to a single word. It refers to all that Moses said to the Reubenites, the Gadites and half of the tribe of Manasseh when they asked for land to settle on the east side of the Jordan.

Moses the servant of the LORD: See the note on 1:1a for other ways to translate a similar phrase. Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Remember the command which Moses, Yahweh’s servant, gave you
-or-
Do not forget what Moses, Yahweh’s servant, told you
-or-
Remember how the Lord ’s servant Moses told you (Good News Translation)

when he said: The phrase when he said introduces what Moses said. This is direct speech. In some languages it may be more natural to report what Moses said using indirect speech.

1:13b

The LORD your God will give you rest: The sentence The LORD your God will give you rest indicates that Yahweh will give them a permanent place to live. It will be a place where they can live safely.

and He will give you this land: The clause give you this land further explains the clause “give you rest.” The “rest” that Yahweh will give them is the land they are about to enter. It may be more natural to combine the two expressions, for example:

Yahweh your God will provide this land for you, where you may live in safety

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

Moses said, ‘Yahweh your God is giving you this land. It will be a place where you can make your homes and find rest.’
-or-
Moses said, ‘Yahweh your God will provide this land for you, a place where you may live in safety.’
-or-
Moses told you that the Lord your God would give you this land on the east side of the Jordan as your home. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 3:3

3:3a

and: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and indicates the next event in the story.

commanded the people: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:

they told the people

3:3b

When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ark refers to a “box” or a “chest.”

The ark of the covenant was a box made of acacia wood and covered with gold (see Exodus 25:10-22). Inside the box were the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. It also contained a pot of manna and Aaron’s walking stick. On top of it were two gold winged creatures called “cherubim.” The box reminded the Israelites of the covenant that Yahweh made with them. It was a sign that Yahweh promised to be with them. When you translate this term, choose a short phrase that describes the box or explains its purpose.

If you have translated the New Testament, see how you translated ark of the covenant in Hebrews 9:4 or Revelation 11:19.

Here are some ways to translate this term:

covenant box
-or-
holy chest
-or-
box of God’s covenant
-or-
golden box

the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God: Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the covenant box which shows that Yahweh your God is with you

covenant: A covenant is a formal agreement between two groups of people. God made a covenant with the people of Israel in which God and the people promised to be faithful to each other. See Genesis 17:1-21.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

agreement
-or-
promise

of the LORD your God: The phrase the LORD your God was used in Joshua 1:9c. See how you translated the phrase in that verse.

your God: Joshua was one of the Israelite people. In some languages it may be more natural to say:

Yahweh our God

being carried by the Levitical priests: Four priests worked together to carry the covenant box on poles that rested on their shoulders. If your language has several verbs for “carry” you should choose an appropriate one.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

which the Levitical priests carried ⌊on poles over their shoulders⌋

Levitical priests: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Levitical priests is literally “the priests, the Levites.” The priests were descendants of Levi and belonged to the tribe of Levi. All the priests were Levites.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

the priests, the Levites
-or-
the priests of the Levi tribe

If this implies that there are some priests who are not of the Levi tribe, it is possible to say “the priests” and put a literal translation in a footnote.

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

When you see the covenant box of Yahweh your God that the priests of the Levi tribe are carrying
-or-
You will see the Levites, the priests, carrying the golden box of Yahweh your God

priests: The priests were people who offered sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. You should translate this term in the same way as in the New Testament. See, for example, Mark 1:44.

3:3c

The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “then” indicates the next thing that the Israelites must do.

you are to set out from your positions: The clause you are to set out from your positions is a command. The officers told the people to leave the place where they were camping, and to start walking.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

leave the place where you are camped

and follow it: The pronoun it refers to the covenant box.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

and go behind the covenant box

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

Then you must start to walk from your camp and go behind it
-or-
Then you should leave your camping place and follow the covenant box

General Comment on 3:3b-c

The Hebrew sentence gives prominence to the covenant box, not to the priests. The people were told to follow the covenant box. If possible, translate this sentence in a way that gives prominence to the covenant box. For example:

When you see the covenant box and the priests who are carrying it, then you should follow the covenant box

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 20:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 21:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 22:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 23:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 1:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 3:3

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

American Bible Society