army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 13:12

Then Trypho departed from Ptolemais with a large army to invade the land of Judah: The connector Then is not necessary. Good News Bible provides a helpful model for this clause, saying “Trypho left Ptolemais with a large army to invade Judea.”

And Jonathan was with him under guard: Good News Bible does well to identify Jonathan here as “Simon’s brother,” since another Jonathan was mentioned in the previous verse. We urge translators to follow Good News Bible with this addition. The phrase under guard may be rendered “as a prisoner” or “as a hostage.” Contemporary English Version places this clause at the beginning of the verse, saying “Trypho was still holding Simon’s brother Jonathan as a hostage, and he brought Jonathan along when he led his large army out of Ptolemais to invade Judea.” Translators may consider this restructuring helpful.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.