SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023 – Page 49

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:11

24:11a

After this: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as After this introduces the next event in the storyline.

you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho: The sentence you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho indicates that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. This event is recorded in Joshua chapters 3 and 4. After they had crossed the river they arrived at the town of Jericho.

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

Then you (plur.) crossed the Jordan River and arrived at Jericho
-or-
When you crossed the Jordan River and came to the town of Jericho,

24:11b

The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates leaves untranslated but some English versions translate as “and” introduces the next event in the storyline.

The people of Jericho fought against you: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the people of Jericho is more literally “the lords/owners of Jericho.” It refers to the group of citizens of Jericho who made decisions for the town.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the citizens of Jericho (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New American Standard Bible, God’s Word)
-or-
The rulers of Jericho (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The leaders of Jericho (NET Bible, English Standard Version)

24:11c

as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites: The groups of people who are listed here were also listed in 3:10, although the order is not the same. Translate these names the same way in both places.

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

Then the Amor people, the Periz people, the Canaan people, the Heth people, the Hiv people, the Girgash people and the Yabus people also fought against you

24:11d

and I delivered them into your hand: The clause I delivered them into your hand indicates that Yahweh helped the Israelites to defeat these groups of people.

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

I helped you to defeat them.
-or-
I gave you victory over all these people.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2:9

2:9a

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

She said to them,
-or-
She told them,

2:9b

I know that the LORD has given you this land: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has given is in the perfect aspect. The perfect aspect expresses a completed action. Rahab said that the land already belonged to the Israelites, because Yahweh will give it to them. It is as if the action had already been done. Many English versions translate the Hebrew perfect aspect with a present perfect tense to show this. If this is not natural in your language, you can translate the verb using a future tense.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I know the Lord is handing this land over to you (NET Bible)
-or-
I know that Yahweh is giving you (plur.) this land
-or-
I know that Yahweh will give our land to you Israelites

you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all the Israelites.

this land: The phrase this land refers to the land of Canaan.

2:9c

and that the fear of you has fallen on us: The clause the fear of you has fallen on us is an idiom which means “we are afraid of you.”

you: The Hebrew pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you is plural. It refers to all the Israelite people, not only to the two spies.

us: The pronoun us refers to Rahab and the people of Jericho.

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

and that we (excl.) are very afraid of you (plur.)
-or-
Everyone in the country is terrified of you (Good News Translation)

2:9d

so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as melting can also be translated “shake.” This is an idiom which means that the Canaanites were afraid of the Israelites. Many languages have idioms to express the idea of fear. These may be used here and in 2:9c.

in fear of you: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in fear of you indicate that the people of the land were afraid of the Israelites.

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

Everyone who lives in this country is terrified of you
-or-
All the people of this land shake with fear because of you

General Comment on 2:9c-d

In some languages it is not natural to use two parallel expressions as the Hebrew text does. If that is true in your language, you could combine these two phrases into one phrase that expresses strong fear, as the Good News Translation does:

Everyone in the country is terrified of you. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 3:17

3:17a

The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD: In verse 3:13a the priests were called “the priests who carry the ark of the LORD.” In verse 3:14 it said “the priests carried the ark of the covenant.” In this verse the two expressions are combined. Translate this expression in a way that combines the words in those verses well.

3:17b

stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan: The priests moved from the edge of the river to the middle of the river and stood there while all the Israelites walked past them.

stood firm: The Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stood firm are more literally “stood to be firm.” This can be translated in English as “stood firmly.” This emphasizes the miracle that Yahweh did when he stopped the water. Although some English versions do not translate the word “to be firm” it is recommended that you translate it.

Here are some other ways to translate these Hebrew words:

stood firmly (English Standard Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)
-or-
stood on dry ground (Good News Translation)

3:17c

while all Israel: The phrase all Israel indicates all the Israelite people.

crossed over the dry ground: The clause crossed over the dry ground indicates that the bed of the Jordan River was dry where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.

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

All the Israelites crossed the river on dry ground

3:17d

until the entire nation: The phrase the entire nation refers to all the Israelite people.

had crossed the Jordan: The clause had crossed the Jordan can also be translated “had crossed the Jordan River.”

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

until the whole Israelite nation finished crossing the Jordan River

General Comment on 3:17

The Hebrew text places the action of the priests at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize it. Throughout this story, the focus is on the covenant box of Yahweh and the priests who carried it. This concluding statement keeps this focus. It may be possible to translate in a way that keeps this emphasis. For example:

The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side. (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 5:8

Paragraph 5:8–9

5:8a

And after all the nation had been circumcised: Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

When all the Israelite men had been circumcised
-or-
When they had finished circumcising all the men of Israel

all the nation: The phrase the nation refers to all the Israelite men. It does not refer to women.

5:8b

they stayed there in the camp: The clause they stayed there in the camp indicates that all the Israelite males stayed in the place where they had set up their camp and did not go anywhere.

5:8c

until they were healed: The clause until they were healed means until their wounds from the cutting of circumcision were healed and they were no longer sore.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 6:25

6:25a

And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her: The clause Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her is the object of the sentence. The Hebrew text puts this first for emphasis. Use the natural grammatical patterns of your language to give this emphasis.

And Joshua spared: The clause Joshua spared indicates that Joshua did not allow the soldiers to kill Rahab along with the other people of Jericho.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

Joshua saved alive (Revised Standard Version)

The two spies brought Rahab and her family to safety outside of Jericho. However, Joshua was the person who had authority and told them to do this.

her father’s household and all who belonged to her: The phrase her father’s household and all who belonged to her refers to Rahab’s extended family. This is the same group of people referred to in 6:23.

6:25b

because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho: The word men refers to the two young spies.

to spy out Jericho: The phrase to spy out Jericho indicates that Joshua sent the two men to Jericho to learn about the town and the surrounding area.

6:25c

So she has lived among the Israelites: The family of Rahab and her descendants became part of the nation of Israel. There is an interpretation issue with the Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as she has lived.

(1) It refers to Rahab. For example:

she has lived in Israel to this day (English Standard Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Living Translation (2004), King James Version)

(2) It refers to Rahab’s descendants. For example:

her descendants have lived in Israel to this day (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New American Bible, Revised Edition, New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). This agrees with the Hebrew text and is followed by many English versions and by Bible commentaries.

to this day: The phrase to this day refers to the time that the book of Joshua was written. The descendants of Rahab were still living among the Israelites at the time the author wrote the book.

General Comment on 6:25

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. The Hebrew text separates the reason clause (6:25c) from the result clause (6:25a) and these can be put together. For example:

25a But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, 25c because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—25b and she lives among the Israelites to this day. (New International Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 8:4

8:4a

The Hebrew connector that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “And” introduces the next event in the storyline.

with these orders: Before they began to walk towards Ai, Joshua explained to them what they must do when they reached the town.

8:4b

Pay attention: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Pay attention is literally “see.” It shows that what Joshua is about to say is important and that the soldiers should listen carefully. You may have a grammatical particle or another way to mark the importance of a command.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

listen carefully (New International Version)
-or-
pay attention

lie in ambush behind the city: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lie in ambush indicates that the soldiers hid in order to attack the town by surprise.

behind the city: The soldiers are to hide on the far side of the town. From 8:12 it is clear that behind the city indicates the direction to the west of the town.

8:4c

not too far from it: This indicates that the soldiers must hide themselves close to the town.

All of you must be ready: The soldiers must be ready to attack at any time.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

be ready to attack (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 9:1

Section 9:1–27 The Gibeonites deceived the Israelites

The Gibeonite people lived near Ai. When they heard that Joshua had defeated Ai, they were afraid that he would conquer and kill them too. So, they sent messengers who pretended they had come from a long distance away. They deceived the Israelites and made a treaty of friendship with them.

Later, the Israelites learned that the Gibeonites lied to them, and that they lived quite close to them. They could not kill them because of the treaty, so they made them be water carriers and woodcutters for the Israelites.

Here are some other possible section headings:

The people of Gibeon
-or-
The Gibeon people tricked the Israelites and made a treaty with them

Paragraph 9:1–2

This paragraph forms an introduction to the story of this chapter. It tells how a group of kings from the nearby towns decided to fight together against the Israelites. Their action contrasts with how the Gibeonites deceived the Israelites.

9:1a

Now when news of this reached: The words of this are not included in the Hebrew text. The Hebrew text says only, “When all the kings heard.” In some languages it may be clearer to add words about what the kings heard.

These kings heard something that made them decide to join forces and attack the Israelites. Probably they heard how Joshua and the Israelites were defeated in the first battle of Ai. Because they saw that it was possible for the Israelites to lose a battle, they decided to attack them.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

When the kings heard ⌊about the Israelites⌋ they gathered together
-or-
When the kings heard ⌊that the Israelites lost a battle against Ai⌋ , they gathered together

all the kings west of the Jordan: The phrase the kings west of the Jordan refers to the kings who ruled towns on the west side of the Jordan River. It may be clearer to add the implied information in this clause. For example:

the kings ⌊of the towns⌋ beyond the Jordan ⌊River⌋
-or-
the kings ⌊of the towns⌋ west of the Jordan ⌊River⌋

west of the Jordan: The phrase west of the Jordan refers to the region west of the Jordan River.

9:1b

those in the hill country: The term hill country refers to the central mountain range of Palestine.

the foothills: The term foothills refers to the western side of the central mountain range. It is a rocky plateau that is higher than the land near the Mediterranean Sea, but lower than the hill country.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

western foothills (New International Version)
-or-
the lowland (Revised Standard Version)

and all along the coast of the Great Sea: The phrase Great Sea refers to the Mediterranean Sea.

toward Lebanon: Lebanon was a small but powerful kingdom to the north of Palestine. The phrase toward Lebanon indicates that some of these kings were from the north, near the kingdom of Lebanon.

9:1c

the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites: These six groups of people were mentioned in 3:10. You should translate them the same way you did there. These people are inhabitants of the land of Canaan. In Deuteronomy 20:16–18 Yahweh told the Israelites to destroy these nations with his help.

General Comment on 9:1

This is a long sentence with a long and complicated subject. It may be clearer to break it into two sentences. For example:

1a There were many people who lived on the west side of the Jordan River, 1b in the hill country, and in the foothills, and along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and up north toward Lebanon. 1c The kings of the Hitti people, the Amor people, the Canaan people, the Periz people, the Hiw people, and the Yabus people 1a heard about the Israelites.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 10:6

Paragraph 10:6–11

The Israelites defended the Gibeonites against their enemies.

10:6a

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

the men of Gibeon: The phrase the men of Gibeon refers to an indefinite number of people. Probably these men were some of the Gibeonite leaders.

sent word to Joshua: The clause sent word to Joshua indicates that the Gibeonites sent messengers to Joshua to ask him for his help.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

sent this message to Joshua (NET Bible)
-or-
sent messengers to Joshua (New Living Translation (2004))

in the camp at Gilgal: The phrase the camp at Gilgal refers to the same camping place where the Israelites were staying. Gilgal was where the Gibeonites first met with the Israelites (9:6).

10:6b

In Hebrew this clause begins with the word translated literally as “saying.” It may be more natural in some languages to begin a new sentence here. In this case, the word “saying” may be translated as:

They said
-or-
They begged
-or-
They pleaded

Use words that show the urgency of their request.

Do not abandon your servants: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Do not abandon is a Hebrew idiom. It could be more literally translated “do not let your hand drop.” This idiom indicates that the Gibeonites asked Joshua to protect them from the Amorite kings and their armies. They expected the Israelites to help them because of the peace treaty that they had made with them.

your servants: The phrase your servants is used by the Gibeonites to show their respect for Joshua and the Israelites. Many languages have pronouns or nouns that are used when speaking to superiors. Use whatever is most natural in your language to express this relationship.

10:6c

Come: In Hebrew, the word Come is more literally “come up”. The town of Gibeon was higher than the Israelites’ camp at Gilgal. If your language keeps track of elevation, this would be a place to imply going up a steep hill/mountain.

quickly: The word quickly indicates the urgency of the Gibeonites’ request. They are in danger and want Joshua and the Israelite army to come at once to fight with them against the Amorite armies.

and save us! Help us: The two verbs save and Help are very similar in meaning. The Hebrew text uses two verbs with similar meanings to emphasize the urgency of the request. It may be more natural in some languages to express this meaning using one verb and some other means of showing emphasis.

10:6d

because: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason for the Gibeonites’ request.

all the kings of the Amorites from the hill country: The Gibeonites referred to the five kings that are mentioned in 10:3. There may also have been other kings of smaller towns in the hill country, as 10:28–39 suggests. In addition, the Gibeonites may have exaggerated the facts because they were afraid.

have joined forces against us: The clause joined forces against us indicates that the Amorite kings with their armies were preparing to attack the Gibeonites.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2023

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 24:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 2:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 3:17

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 5:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 6:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 8:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 9:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 10:6

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