green tree

The Hebrew in 2 Chronicles 28:4 that is translated as “(under) green tree” in English is translated in Kwere as “under unripe leaves,” i.e. green leaves or leaves that are “alive” (as opposed to dead and withered). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

high places

The Hebrew, Greek, and Ge’ez that is translated as “high places” in English is translated in Chitonga as malende. Ernst Wendland (1987, p. 57) explains: “The preceding expression [‘place for worship/sacrifice on top of hills’], though intelligible linguistically, sounds rather strange to the Tonga who live on the relatively flat plains of southern Zambia. There are ‘hills’ in their country, but normally no one would ever worship regularly there. For this reason the new translation will try out a cultural substitute (see below), malende, the ‘local shrine’ of Tonga traditional religion, where the ‘priest’ (clan head, who may be a chief as well) makes sacrifices to the spirits in time of corporate calamity, especially drought. This would seem to approximate quite closely the main elements of both form and function of the term ‘high places’ in the Old Testament, which were not always or even usually set upon hills, especially in the latter days of the monarchy (cp. 2 Kings 17:9, 29).”

In the Chichewa interconfessional translation (publ. 1999), it is translated as “shrines for worshiping images there.” (Source: Ernst Wendland in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 319ff. )

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 28:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 28:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Ahaz burned sacrifices and he was burning things that smell sweet there at the raised/high places on (a) hill. He also burned those things under every green tree.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In the high places on the hills and under every green tree he offered sacrifices and burned incense.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He offered offerings and burned incense at the places-of-worship at the high places, on top of the hills and under every leafy tree.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Ahaz offered sacrifices to idols at shrines on hilltops and under every big green tree.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 28:4

And he sacrificed: Bible en français courant and Parole de Vie say “He also offered animal sacrifices,” which makes the meaning clearer here.

And burned incense: See the comments on the previous verse.

On the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree: These were usual pagan places of worship for non-Israelites. God’s people were to worship him only in Jerusalem. For a discussion of the Hebrew term rendered high places, see the comments on 1 Chr 16.39 and 2 Chr 1.3. Contemporary English Version says “local shrines.” The hills and every green tree were commonly chosen for the religious rites of non-Israelites since they believed their gods were in these places (see Deut 12.2). These expressions are used several times in the books of 1-2 Kings (1 Kgs 14.23; 2 Kgs 16.4; 17.10). Every green tree may be rendered “every spreading tree” (New International Version, Revised English Bible, Moffatt) or “every shady tree” (Good News Translation). Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente takes this phrase as a reference to rather specific trees by saying “the great sacred trees.”

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 28:4

28:4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.

He made sacrifices and burned incense at the sacred places in the hills and under every large tree.
-or-
He burned animals and sweet-smelling spices at the shrines on the hilltops and in the shade of every tree.

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