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 5:45

Judas took the Jews he had rescued in Gilead to safety in Judea, just as Simon did for those from Galilee (verse 23).

Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites in Gilead, the small and the great: The Israelites in Gilead are those mentioned in verses 26-27, who had been rescued by the actions in verses 28-44. The small and the great does not refer to size or to age, but to importance in the community. Goldstein translates “from the humble to the great,” although we doubt that in the Jewish communities of these Gentile cities there were any who were really “great.” Good News Bible says “all kinds of people,” which avoids the problem, and is not misleading. Contemporary English Version says “no matter how rich or poor they were,” which shifts the focus, but not too much. “From the humblest to the most respected” would be accurate, even though a bit wordy.

With their wives and children and goods: The phrase and goods may be rendered “and all that they owned” (Good News Bible) or “and all of their possessions” (Contemporary English Version).

A very large company: This phrase may be placed before the small and the great as Good News Bible does with “It was a large group of all kinds of people.”

To go to the land of Judah: Good News Bible places this clause in the first sentence, saying “Then Judas gathered together all the Jews in Gilead to take them back to Judea with him.” Many translators will find this model 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.