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

See also Judah.

Translation commentary on 1 Samuel 23:23

See therefore, and take note: literally “and see and know.” But the two imperatives constitute a strong urging by Saul for the people of Ziph to “look around and learn” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Revised Standard Version) or to “take careful note” (New Jerusalem Bible) of the different places where David was likely to hide.

Lurking places where he hides: although the Revised Standard Version rendering fails to show it, both the noun (literally “hiding places”) and the verb in this expression have the same root in Hebrew. Since it may be unnatural to be so repetitious in some languages, translators may prefer to say simply “the various places where he usually hides.”

With sure information: both here and in 26.4, where the same expression occurs, Revised English Bible says “at such and such a place,” but most understand this as a statement of certainty. New Jerusalem Bible translates “and come back to me when you are certain.” This expression consists of a preposition and a verbal form, the root of which means “to stand firm” or “to be stable.” Most understand the force to be that of an adverb expressing certainty.

According to verse 14 David was hiding in the Wilderness of Ziph in southern Judah. The Hebrew noun translated land sometimes refers to the whole earth, but in this context it refers to the “region” (Good News Translation, New American Bible) or the “country” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant) of Judah.

All the thousands of Judah: here as in 10.19 thousands probably refers to “clans.” Good News Translation turns the focus away from searching groups of people to searching the land itself. La Bible Pléiade says “among all the clans of Judah.” Another helpful model is Revised English Bible, “I shall hunt him down, if I have to go through all the clans of Judah one by one” (New International Version, Contemporary English Version, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible are similar). This understanding of the text seems preferable to that of Good News Translation.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .