Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 13:39

We pardon any errors and offenses committed to this day: Demetrius granted the Jews amnesty for any political or military acts against him since they first took the side of Alexander against Demetrius (see 1Macc 10.46-47). For any errors and offenses, New English Bible has “any errors of omission or commission,” that is, things the Jews neglected to do and things they did do, and this is a fair representation of the Greek. Good News Bible says “treaty violations,” but there was no treaty. For this whole clause Contemporary English Version has “I forgive everything you have done wrong in the past,” which covers errors and misdeeds of every kind.

And cancel the crown tax which you owe: For crown tax, see the comments on 1Macc 10.29 and 11.35.

And whatever other tax has been collected in Jerusalem shall be collected no longer: See 1Macc 10.29-31.

Alternative models for this verse are:

• I pardon your failure to support me and your actions against me. I cancel the special tax you still owe, and any other tax that has been collected in Jerusalem will no longer be collected.

• I forgive everything you have done wrong in the past. I cancel the special tax you owe me, and my officials will no longer collect other taxes that they have been collecting in Jerusalem.

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.