Hezekiah

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is transliterated as “Hezekiah” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” and “facing the wall” referring to Isaiah 38:2. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Hezekiah” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that signifies a model, a parameter for his life, referring to “he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done” of 2 Kings 18:3. (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Hezekiah” in Libras (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Hezekiah (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Hezekiah .

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)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

complete verse (2 Chronicles 32:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 32:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “And when Hezekiah learned that Sennacherib had come wanting to fight against Jerusalem,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As soon as Hezekiah realized that Sennacherib intended to attack Jerusalem,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “When Hezekia saw that Senakerib will-attack even Jerusalem,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come with his army and that they intended to attack Jerusalem,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 32:2

And when Hezekiah saw …: Instead of Hezekiah, the Masoretic Text reads “Jehizkiyahu,” but the context shows that Hezekiah is the intended name (see the comments on 2 Chr 28.27). Instead of the verb saw, it will be more natural in some languages to say “learned,” “knew” (New Century Version), or “realized” (New Living Translation).

That Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem: Intended to fight is literally “his face [was] for war,” which means he planned to attack. As in the previous verse, the verb had come may be left implied (so Good News Translation). It is also possible to keep it by rendering this last half of the verse as “that Sennacherib had come into Judah and intended to attack Jerusalem.” La Bible du Semeur is similar with “that Sennacherib had come with the intention of attacking Jerusalem.” Since Sennacherib had already attacked other cities in Judah, Good News Translation adds the word “also” after Jerusalem.

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 .