SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023 – Page 48

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:14

19:14a

Then the border circled around the north side of Neah to Hannathon: This verse describes the northern boundary. The border ran to the north of the town of Hannathon. Hannathon was on the northwestern boundary of Zebulun’s land.

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

On the north the border turned toward Hannathon (Good News Translation)
-or-
The border turned north of the town of Hannathon

19:14b

and ended at the Valley of Iphtah-el: The Valley of Iphtah-el was on the western boundary of Zebulun. This boundary touched Asher’s land. This valley is also mentioned in verse 19:27.

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

Zebulun’s boundary line ended at the valley of Iphtah-el
-or-
The border ended at Iphtah-el valley on the west

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:46

19:46

Me-jarkon: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Me-jarkon can also be translated as “the waters of Yarkon.” The Yarkon River flows into the Mediterranean Sea north of Joppa town. Some scholars consider Me-jarkon to refer to the river, not to a town. However, it is recommended that you translate it as a town name as in the majority of English versions.

and Rakkon: The location of this place is uncertain.

including the territory across from Joppa: The phrase territory across from Joppa indicates that the clan of Dan received land that was near the town of Joppa as part of their tribal inheritance.

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

Me-jarkon and Rakkon, with the area facing Joppa (New International Version)
-or-
Me-jarkon and Rakkon. Their territory also included land that was near Joppa town

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 21:18

21:18

Anathoth: The town of Anathoth has not been mentioned previously. It was northeast of Jerusalem.

and Almon: The town of Almon has not been mentioned previously. It was northeast of Anathoth.

four cities: The phrase four cities indicates that there were four towns in all that were given to the descendants of Aaron from the clan of Benjamin.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse:

Anathoth and the grazing lands around it, and Almon and the grazing lands around it. These four towns were given from the clan of Benjamin.
-or-
Anathoth and its grasslands, and Almon and its grasslands. The clan of Benjamin gave four towns to the descendants of Aaron.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 22:5

22:5a

But be very careful to observe: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be very careful to observe can also be translated “be careful to do.”

the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: The phrase the commandment and the law is a reference to the commandments and teachings of the covenant that Yahweh made with the Israelites. The two nouns express one idea. For this reason, some English versions use only one noun to translate this phrase. For example:

Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you (Good News Translation)
-or-
So be very careful to do everything Moses commanded (Contemporary English Version)

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

Be careful to obey all the commands and teachings of Moses, who was Yahweh’s servant.
-or-
But be sure to follow the entire law that Moses gave you. He was Yahweh’s servant.

22:5b

to love the LORD your God: It may be more natural in some languages to begin a new sentence here. For example,

You must love Yahweh your God

to walk in all His ways: The phrase walk in all His ways is an idiom. It means that a person will obey the commands and teachings of Yahweh.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

do his will (Good News Translation)
-or-
live according to his teachings

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

You must love Yahweh your God and live according to his teachings.
-or-
Love Yahweh your God and follow everything he has told you to do.

22:5c

to keep His commandments: This clause repeats information from verse 5a. This is a way to emphasize the importance of doing everything that Yahweh commanded the Israelites. If it is too repetitive to have the word “commands” again, it may be better to choose to use the word “law” in verse 5a and to use the word “commands” in this part of the verse.

to hold fast to Him: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hold fast may also be translated “hold onto,” “cling to,” “cleave to,” or “stick to” someone. This is a Hebrew idiom that implies being loyal and faithful to somebody.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

hold onto him
-or-
stay close to him
-or-
be faithful to him
-or-
be loyal to him

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

You must keep all his commandments and hold onto him.
-or-
Obey all his commands and be faithful to him.

22:5d

and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as all your heart and with all your soul is an idiom that refers to the whole person.

Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

Serve him by everything that you think and everything that you do (Translation for Translators)
-or-
You must serve him with your whole life and being.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 23:3

23:3a

and you have seen: The people of Israel had seen with their own eyes how God had defeated their enemies. The pronoun you is emphatic in Hebrew.

everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations: This phrase indicates that Yahweh had defeated all the nations.

for your sake: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for your sake is more literally, “from in front of you.” It means that Yahweh did everything in order to help the Israelites.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

on your behalf

-or

to help you

It may be clearer to change the pronoun reference to include Joshua:

on our behalf

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

You have seen for yourselves everything that Yahweh your God has done to all these nations on your/our behalf.
-or-
You yourselves have seen how Yahweh your God has done for us. He has defeated the enemy nations.

23:3b

because it was the LORD your God who fought for you: This clause is similar to the statement in 10:14. It indicates that the Israelites were only able to defeat their enemies because of what Yahweh did for them.

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

Yahweh your God was the one fighting on your behalf
-or-
Yahweh your God enabled you to defeat your enemies

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:19

Paragraph 24: 19–20

24:19a

But: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces the next event in the storyline. Introduce the next event in a natural way in your language.

Joshua said to the people: The term the people refers to the Israelites who were listening to Joshua.

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

Then Joshua told the people
-or-
Joshua warned them

24:19b

You are not able to serve the LORD: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as You are not able to serve the LORD is more literally “you will not be able to serve Yahweh.” Joshua warned the people to think carefully about what it meant to serve Yahweh. It would not be easy to obey and worship him.

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

You (plur.) cannot serve Yahweh
-or-
It is not easy to worship and obey Yahweh

24:19c

for He is a holy God: The clause He is a holy God states the first reason why it would be difficult to serve Yahweh. He is a completely pure God who is set apart from all others. This is the first time in the book of Joshua that the term holy is used regarding God. Consider the way you translated the word holy when you said “Holy Spirit” in the New Testament.

He is a jealous God: This is the second reason why it would be difficult to serve Yahweh. The clause He is a jealous God indicates that God demands that the Israelites worship only him.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He hates his people worshiping other gods (English Easy-to-Read Version)
-or-
He will not allow you to worship other gods
-or-
He is God, and he wants you to serve him only

24:19d

He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebellion and sins both refer to breaking the commands of God. Some languages may have only one word for this. In that case it may be more natural to translate using one word only. For example:

he…will not forgive your sins (Good News Translation)

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

He will not forgive you if you rebel and sin against him.
-or-
He will not forgive you if you turn away from him and sin.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 1:3

1:3a

I have given you: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I have given you.

(1) Some English versions translate with the past tense. For example:

I have given to you (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) Some English versions translate with the future tense. For example:

I will give you (New International Version)

(New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Century Version, God’s Word, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Israelites had not yet entered Canaan, but because Yahweh promised it, it was as certain as if they were already there.

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

I have given you (plur.) everywhere that you (plur.) place your feet
-or-
Every place where you walk I have given to you

every place where the sole of your foot will tread: The phrase every place where the sole of your foot will tread indicates that Yahweh will give the Israelites every part of the land that they walk on.

your: The Hebrew pronouns in this verse are plural: “your (plur.) feet,” and “given to you (plur.).” Yahweh spoke to all the people of Israel.

1:3b

I promised to Moses: Yahweh promised Moses that he would give the land of Canaan to the Israelites in Exodus 3:8. He repeated this promise in Deuteronomy 11:24

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

just as I promised Moses
-or-
I promise you what I promised to Moses (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2:17

2:17a

The men said to her: The Hebrew has a word that the Berean Standard Bible does not translate. It indicates that this is the next event in the storyline.

2:17b

We will not be bound by this oath: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as not…bound can also be translated “free,” “innocent,” or “exempt from.” The men told Rahab the conditions on which they would keep the promise they had made. If Rahab did not follow what they said in verses 18-20, they would not have to keep their promise to protect her.

this oath: The phrase this oath refers to the promise that the two spies made in 2:14 to protect Rahab and her family.

you made us swear: The clause you made us swear refers to Rahab’s action in verse 2:12. She asked the men to promise that they would keep her family safe.

There is some implied information. The condition on which the Israelites will be released from their promise is missing.

For example:

We will be bound by the oath we have taken only if you follow these instructions (New Living Translation (2004))

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

we (excl.) will be free from keeping the promise that you asked us to give ⌊if you do not do this⌋
-or-

⌊if you do not do what we say⌋ we will be released from the oath we have taken

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 19:46

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 21:18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 22:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 23:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 1:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2:17

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