Rehoboam

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Rehoboam” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” + “divide” + “south.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Rehoboam” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with the sign for “hard heart” and a selfish and disobedient facial expression. (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Rehoboam” in Libras (source )

More information on Rehoboam .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (1 Kings 12:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 12:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, Rehoboam went to Shechem where the people of the land of Israel of North had gathered so that they would hand over to him the kingship.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Rehoboam went to Shechem because all the people of Israel had gone there to make him king.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Rehoboam went to Shekem, where the Israelinhon had-gathered to proclaim him as king.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “All the people of northern Israel went to Shechem city in order to appoint Rehoboam to be their king. So Rehoboam also went there.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 1 Kings 12:1

Shechem was about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Jerusalem. It was located in the territory settled by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh and was the first religious center of the twelve tribes in Canaan. It became the first capital of the northern kingdom (1 Kgs 12.25), whose first king, Jeroboam, was from the tribe of Ephraim (1 Kgs 11.26).

The words all Israel occur frequently in the historical texts but refer here to the northern tribes only as distinct from the tribe of Judah. Good News Translation makes this information explicit in the text itself by translating Israel as “northern Israel.” Compare also “the northern tribes of Israel” (Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Kings 12:1

Section 12:1-24

The northern tribes of Israel rejected Rehoboam and made Jeroboam their king

12:1a Then Rehoboam went to Shechem,

Rehoboam went to ⌊the city of Shechem⌋
-or-
Rehoboam made his way to Shechem ⌊city⌋.

12:1b for all Israel had gone there to make him king.

because all the Israelites had gone there to appoint him as king.
-or-

⌊The northern tribes of⌋ Israel had gathered there in order to make/crown him king.

12:1a-b (reordered)

People from all ⌊the northern tribes of⌋ Israel traveled to Shechem ⌊city⌋ to appoint/crown Rehoboam as ⌊their⌋ king. So Rehoboam went there too.

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