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.

Jerusalem

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:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

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)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 17:13

And he had great stores in the cities of Judah: The Hebrew noun rendered stores has a wide range of meaning. In this context the noun may be understood in two rather different ways. In may refer (a) to the “work” of strong fortification or (b) to the presence of many military “supplies.” Among those translations of this clause that follow the first interpretation are “He carried out great works in the cities of Judah” (New Revised Standard Version), “There was great activity in the cities of Judah” (Nouvelle version Segond révisée), and “He had many projects in the cities of Yʾhudah” (Complete Jewish Bible). The second interpretation is adopted in the following translations: “He accumulated ample supplies in the towns of Judah” (New Jerusalem Bible) and “He stored numerous supplies in Judah’s towns” (New Living Translation). The majority of versions and commentaries (for example, Anchor Bible and Dillard) seem to favor this second interpretation. However, it is unnecessarily limiting to speak only of “supplies of food” (God’s Word) since the Hebrew noun may refer to objects or products of all types.

He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem: Soldiers and mighty men of valor refer to the same group. Good News Translation combines both expressions, saying “outstanding officers.” For mighty men of valor, see the comments on 1 Chr 12.21. This phrase may be rendered “mighty warriors” (New Revised Standard Version) or “distinguished warriors” (An American Translation).

Good News Translation begins a new paragraph in the middle of this verse, but the majority of versions make the paragraph break at the beginning of the verse.

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 .