Paragraph: 22:21–29

22:21a

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

the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh: Here is another way to translate this part of the verse:

Then the clans of Reuben, Gad, and half the clan of Manasseh

22:21b

answered the leaders of the clans of Israel: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the leaders of the clans of Israel is like the phrase in 22:14. It can also be translated “the heads of the families of Israel.”

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

answered the leaders of the families of Israel
-or-
said to the heads of the Israel clans,

© 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.

Paragraph 24:3–7

24:3a

But: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But introduces the next event in the storyline. Translate this word with a natural connector in your language.

I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates: Yahweh led Abraham away from his former country, which was on the east side of the Euphrates River. This place was mentioned in verse 2.

I: God is speaking here. The person who said I is God, not Joshua.

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

Then I brought Abraham your ancestor from the east side of the Euphrates River
-or-
But I led your ancestor Abraham away from that land

24:3b

and led him through all the land of Canaan: It may be more natural in many languages to begin a new sentence here.

and I multiplied his descendants: The clause I multiplied his descendants indicates that Yahweh enabled Abraham to have many descendants.

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

I led him through the entire land of Canaan and multiplied his descendants
-or-
I brought him into all the land of Canaan and gave him many children and grandchildren

24:3c

I gave him Isaac: The clause I gave him Isaac indicates that Yahweh was the one who enabled Abraham to become the father of Isaac.

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

I gave Abraham his son Isaac

© 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.

Section 2:1-24 Joshua sent men to explore Jericho secretly

Joshua sent two men to look at Jericho, a town in the land of Canaan. A woman of Jericho called Rahab hid the two men so that the king’s soldiers could not find them. She did this because she believed that Yahweh would help the Israelites conquer their land. The men promised Rahab that if she did not betray them, they would rescue her and her family when the Israelites conquered the town. Rahab helped the men escape from Jericho and they hid in the hills for three days. When the soldiers of Jericho stopped looking for them, they returned to Joshua.

Here are some other possible section headings:

The spies went to Jericho
-or-
The spies and Rahab
-or-
Rahab helped the spies

Paragraph: 2:1-7

Joshua sent two spies to Jericho and they entered the house of Rahab. The king of Jericho sent soldiers to arrest them, but Rahab protected the two men. She hid the spies and told the soldiers that they had already left.

2:1a

Then: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces the next event in the narrative. This is the start of a new section, and some English versions start this section with the word “then.” Translate this in a way that is natural to introduce a new section in your language.

Joshua son of Nun: You should translate this the same way you did in 1:1b.

secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying: In some languages, a literal translation would suggest that Joshua spoke to the two men after he sent them away. If this is true in your language, you need to make it clear that Joshua gave the orders to the men before they left.

Here is another way to translate this sentence:

Joshua sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies. Before he sent them, he said

secretly: The term secretly means that the two men explored the land secretly. They did not want the Canaanites to know where they came from or what they were doing.

two spies: These two men were Israelites.

spies: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as spies comes from a verb that means “go as an explorer” or “go as a spy.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

to explore ⌊secretly⌋
-or-
to learn about the land of Canaan
-or-
to see ⌊where the land is weak⌋

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

Then Joshua, the son of Nun, chose two men from the camp at Shittim to go in secret and explore the land. Before he sent them, he said,
-or-
The Israelites were staying at Shittim Campground. Joshua, the son of Nun, sent two men from there to go secretly and learn about the land. He told them,

from Shittim: Shittim was the place where the Israelites set up their tents on the east side of the Jordan River. This place is referred to in Numbers 25:1. It was northeast of the Dead Sea, opposite Jericho.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

while the Israelites were camping at Shittim

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Shittim means “acacia.” It is possible that there were several acacia trees in this area. Some English versions use the name “Acacia” instead of the name Shittim. If you are familiar with acacia trees, you may choose to use that term instead of Shittim.

Shittim was the name of this area, but it was not a town or a village. If you must identify it you could call it “Shittim campground” or “Shittim region.”

Here are some other ways to translate this Hebrew word:

Acacia Grove (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Shittim ⌊campground/region⌋
-or-
Acacia ⌊campground/region⌋

2:1b

Go, inspect the land: The clause Go, inspect the land indicates that the men must go to the land of Canaan and gather information about how to conquer it.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Go through the land and find out about it

especially Jericho: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as especially Jericho is more literally “and Jericho.” Jericho was a town in Canaan that was across the river from the Israelite camp. It was the most important town in that region. There were many towns in Canaan. Joshua told the men to find out especially about this town because they would attack it first.

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

Go through the land and find out about it, especially the town of Jericho.
-or-
Go and look around the land, particularly Jericho.

2:1c

Then: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces the next event in time.

Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

and

Translate this conjunction in a way that is natural to introduce the next event in the narrative.

they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab: Rahab’s house was in Jericho. It may be clearer to make explicit that they arrived in Jericho.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

They went ⌊to Jericho⌋ and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab

a prostitute named Rahab: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as prostitute refers to someone who has sex with other people for money.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

a prostitute. Her name was Rahab.

and stayed there: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stayed there means “to lie down (to sleep).” The men intended to spend the night there, but they had to flee, and they left during the night.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

they ⌊intended⌋ to stay there that night

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

Then the men went to the town of Jericho. They entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab. They planned to spend the night there.
-or-
So the men arrived at Jericho, and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab

© 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.

Paragraph 3:9-13

Joshua told the people about the miracle that Yahweh will do.

3:9a

So: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So indicates the next action in the story. This is the beginning of a new paragraph. Make sure your translation indicates a new paragraph in a natural way.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Then

Joshua told the Israelites: In the previous paragraph Yahweh gave Joshua instructions about how to cross the Jordan River. In this paragraph Joshua passed these instructions on to the Israelites.

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

Then Joshua said to the Israelites
-or-
Joshua told the Israelite people

3:9b

Come here: The clause Come here is a command.

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

Come (plur.) here to me
-or-
Come near me

3:9c

and listen to the words of the LORD your God: The clause listen to the words of the LORD your God is the second part of the command that Joshua gave to the Israelites.

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

and listen to what Yahweh your (plur.) God says

General Comment on 3:9a-c

In some languages it may be more natural to use an indirect quotation. For example:

Joshua told the people of Israel to come and hear the words of Yahweh their God.

© 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.

4:24a

so that all the peoples of the earth may know: There is some implied information here. Yahweh did this so that all the people will know. For example:

He has done this so that all the nations of the earth might recognize the Lord ’s power (NET Bible)

so that: The phrase so that indicates the reason why Yahweh dried up the Red Sea and the Jordan River.

all the peoples of the earth: The phrase all the peoples of the earth refers to all the nations that are in the world.

may know: The phrase may know indicates that everyone will know and understand that Yahweh is powerful.

4:24b

that: The word that introduces the content of what all the peoples of the earth should know.

the hand of the LORD is mighty: The phrase hand of the LORD is mighty is a Hebrew idiom that to refers to Yahweh’s power. Translate this idiom in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

Yahweh is powerful
-or-
Yahweh has great power

4:24c

so that you may always fear the LORD your God: There is implied information here. Yahweh did this so that you will fear him.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

⌊Yahweh did this⌋ so that you would fear him forever

so that: The phrase so that expresses purpose. It could also be translated “that” or “in order that.”

fear the LORD your God: The expression fear the LORD implies loyalty, respect, or honor of Yahweh. It means to be in awe of God’s greatness.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

honor the Lord your God (Good News Translation)
-or-
worship him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
always obey the Lord your God (NET Bible)

General Comment on 4:21–24

These verses repeat the theme that was introduced in 4:6–7|. This repetition emphasizes the importance of this commemoration event, and the great deliverance performed by God. It also emphasizes the unity of the Israelites as a nation specially chosen by God.

© 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.

6:17a

Now: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now introduces the next event in the storyline. You should use a connecting word that is natural in your language.

the city and everything in it: The phrase the city and everything in it includes living beings, both people and animals, and non-living things.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

absolutely everything in the town

6:17b

must be devoted to the LORD for destruction: The Hebrew noun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as devoted…for destruction indicates that something is given to Yahweh. It cannot be used for ordinary purposes and so it must be destroyed.

must be devoted: The Berean Standard Bible uses a passive form must be devoted to translate this verb. The passive is a way that the English language uses to emphasize the object of an action. The emphasis is on the people, animals and other things in Jericho that will be destroyed. There are two ways to translate this passive verb:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

The city and everything in it must be totally destroyed as an offering to the Lord (Good News Translation)

• Use an active verb. For example:

You must destroy the city and everything in it to show that it now belongs to the Lord (Contemporary English Version)

Use the forms that are natural in your language.

6:17c

Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live: The word Only indicates that Yahweh made only one exception to his command.

Rahab the prostitute: The word prostitute means “harlot.”

and all those with her in her house: The phrase all those with her in her house refers to Rahab’s extended family. In 2:1–21 Rahab hid the Israelite spies so that they could escape. She asked them to spare the lives of her and all her family.

6:17d

because she hid the spies we sent: Rahab was rewarded because she helped the Israelites when she hid the spies.

the spies: The term the spies refers to the Israelite spies who learned about the town of Jericho in Joshua chapter 2.

we sent: In 2:1 Joshua sent men to explore the land and the town of Jericho. By using the inclusive pronoun we Joshua includes all the Israelites in his action. He acted as their representative.

© 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.

Paragraph 7:22–26

Joshua and the Israelites stoned and burned Achan and his family.

7:22a

So: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces the result after Achan confessed his sin. It may be clearer to make the connection explicit. For example, you could say:

So, ⌊after Achan had confessed his sin,⌋ Joshua sent messengers

Joshua sent messengers: The word messengers refers to people whom Joshua told to go and search Achan’s tent.

7:22b

The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but some English versions translate as “and” indicates the next event in the storyline. Some other English versions do not translate this word. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

ran to the tent: The phrase ran to the tent indicates that it was urgent to resolve this serious problem.

7:22c

there: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as there emphasizes what happens next in the story. Some English versions do not translate this word, buy many English versions translate it as “behold.” You may have a particle or another way in your language that has the same function. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

was, hidden in his tent: The men Joshua sent found the things buried under his tent, as he said they were. The verb phrase was, hidden in his tent is passive. In some languages it may be necessary to translate with an active verb. For example, you could say:

Achan had hidden it in his tent

with the silver underneath: The silver was buried at the bottom of the hole. The robe and the bar of gold were on top of the silver.

© 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.

8:28a

So Joshua burned Ai: This indicates that Joshua gave orders to his soldiers to burn the town of Ai. He did not burn the town himself.

8:28b

and made it a permanent heap of ruins: The Israelites burned the buildings and everything in Ai so that it was a pile of rubble. The name “Ai” in Hebrew means ruins. It is recommended that you add a footnote to explain that this is a word play. For example:

FOOTNOTE: The name Ai means “ruins”

a desolation to this day: The phrase this day refers to the time that the author wrote the book of Joshua. At that time it was still a heap of ruins

General Comment on 8:28

Verse 8:28 is a summary statement about the battle of Ai. The burning of Ai is mentioned three times in this chapter. The first mention, in 8:8, is part of God’s command to Israel. The next mention, in 8:19, reports that the soldiers burned the town. The final mention in this verse is the summary of what Israel did to Ai. The Israelites burned Ai only once. Make sure that is clear in your translation.

© 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.