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 .

complete verse (2 Chronicles 13:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 13:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “While Abijah was speaking, Jeroboam had sent some of his people to come behind the soldiers of Judah, and others, they were to fight in front.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jeroboam sent some soldiers to hide and attack [Judah] from behind. His main troop was facing [lit.: in front of] Judah and the troop that was hiding for the attack was behind them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “While Abia was speaking, Jeroboam secretly sent soldiers behind of those of/from-Juda to ambush/attack them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “While he was speaking, Jeroboam sent some of his troops around the army of Judah. So while the soldiers who were with Jeroboam were in front of the army of Judah, the other soldiers of Israel were behind the army of Judah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 13:13

This verse begins with the common Hebrew conjunction, which Revised Standard Version does not translate. If it is translated, the context supports a rendering such as “Meanwhile” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation) or “During this time” (Bible en français courant). Contemporary English Version begins with “But while Abijah was talking.”

Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come on them from behind is literally “Jeroboam sent around the ambush to go from behind them.” Sent an ambush is awkward in English since it is more natural to say “set an ambush.” The word ambush may be difficult to translate in some languages. It means to conceal soldiers in a place where they can make a surprise attack on enemy forces. The pronoun them refers to the army of Judah. It may be helpful to make this explicit in some languages. This sentence may be expressed as “Jeroboam had sent some of his soldiers to hide in a place where they could attack the army of Judah.” New Century Version translates “Jeroboam had sent some troops to sneak behind Judah’s army.” Revised English Bible uses military terminology, saying “Jeroboam sent a detachment of his troups to go round and lay an ambush in the rear.”

Thus his troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them: Thus renders the common Hebrew conjunction. Here it introduces a conclusion. His troops is literally “they,” but it is important to clarify the referent for this pronoun. New Century Version does it by saying “Jeroboam’s soldiers.” The Israelite troops that remained in front were more specifically “the main body” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “The main army” ( NET Bible). Judah in this context clearly refers to the soldiers of Judah and may be translated “the Judahite army” ( NET Bible) or “the Judean army” (Good News Translation). The pronoun them refers to the army of Judah again.

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 .