Jehoshaphat

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Jehoshaphat” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” and “mixup” referring to the fateful alliance with king Ahab of Israel in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Jehoshaphat” 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 .

More information about Jehoshaphat .

complete verse (2 Chronicles 18:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 18:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “When Jehoshaphat had gained wealth and high honor, he prepared for one of his sons to marry a daughter of Ahab the king of Israel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jehoshaphat became very rich and famous. And he made a marriage link with the family of Ahab King of Israel.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Now, Jehoshafat became more wealthy and famous, and his relation with King Ahab of Israel became good because of the marriage of the member of their family.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jehoshaphat became very wealthy and was greatly honored. But then he arranged for one of his family to marry someone from the family of King Ahab of Israel.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 18:1

Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor: See the comments on 2 Chr 17.5. Since this is the beginning of a new section, Good News Translation identifies Jehoshaphat more fully as “King Jehoshaphat of Judah,” which other languages may find helpful. Good News Translation does the same with Ahab in the next clause by saying “King Ahab of Israel.”

And he made a marriage alliance with Ahab: It is possible to understand this clause to mean that Jehoshaphat made an alliance with King Ahab by marrying a daughter or sister of Ahab. But according to 2 Chr 21.6, Jehoshaphat made the alliance by having his son Jehoram marry one of Ahab’s daughters. Such marriages between royal families were often made for financial and political reasons. In this case the reasons were clearly political. This clause may be difficult to express in some languages. Good News Translation expresses it clearly, but Contemporary English Version is even clearer by saying “He signed a treaty with King Ahab of Israel by arranging the marriage of his son and Ahab’s daughter.”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Chronicles 18:1

Section 18:1-19:3

King Jehoshaphat made an alliance with King Ahab

18:1a Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance,

Jehoshaphat became very rich and famous.
-or-
King Jehoshaphat had much wealth and people honored him greatly.

18:1b and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

He made an alliance with Ahab king of Israel through marriage.
-or-
He arranged a marriage between ⌊his son and a daughter of⌋ King Ahab, ⌊the king of Israel⌋.

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