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 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:
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 12:4:
Kupsabiny: “That king captured the guarded cities of Judah and then he went towards Jerusalem.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “And having defeated the walled cities of Judah [he] came to Jerusalem.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Shishak conquered the stone-walled towns of Juda and they continued to attack going to Jerusalem.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “They captured many of the cities in Judah that had walls around them, and they came as far as Jerusalem.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
And he took the fortified cities of Judah: The Hebrew verb translated took means “to catch” or “to overthrow.” In this context it may be translated “captured” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Revised English Bible, New American Bible) or “conquered” (New Living Translation, Peregrino. For the fortified cities of Judah, see 2 Chr 11.5-12.
And came as far as Jerusalem: These words indicate that the troops of Shishak were at the gates of Jerusalem, but not that they had entered it yet.
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 .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.