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)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Benjamin” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wolf,” referring to Genesis 49:27. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 11:12:
Kupsabiny: “In all those cities shields and spears were stored. Then, the cities were well guarded/protected. So, Rehoboam ruled the province of Judah and that of Benjamin.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “He also brought together shields and spears in all the cities. In this way he kept Judah and Benjamin under his authority.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He had-put shields and spears in these towns as addition for defense. So Juda and Benjamin continued-to-be his subject.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He put shields and spears in all the cities and made them well-protected. So he continued to rule the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And he put shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong: Revised Standard Version inserts the words he put as the context requires. But it will also be possible in some languages to structure the previous verse in such a way as to avoid the need to add a verb here (so Good News Translation). Rehoboam supplied the fortified cities with shields and spears to be used by the people to defend the cities. The Hebrew noun for shields refers to “large shields” (New Revised Standard Version, Anchor Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond). See the comments on 2 Chr 9.15. For spears see 1 Chr 11.11.
So he held Judah and Benjamin is literally “and was to him Judah and Benjamin.” Rehoboam was able to keep control of Judah and Benjamin because of the fortified cities. The common Hebrew conjunction here may be translated So, “Thus” (Revised English Bible, New American Bible), or “In this way” (Good News Translation) to introduce this clause as a result. For the whole clause Revised English Bible has “Thus he retained possession of Judah and Benjamin,” and New American Bible says simply “Thus Judah and Benjamin remained his.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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