take root

The now commonly-used English idiom “take root” (for becoming firmly fixed or established) was first coined in 1560 in the Geneva Bible (in the spelling take roote). (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 274)

For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

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 Kings 19:30)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 19:30:

  • Kupsabiny: “Those people who have remained from the house of Judah shall increase like a tree that puts down its roots and produces fruit above.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And the surviving clans of Judah,
    taking root in the land below, will be ar fruit like a tree in the land above.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Again, the ones- (who) -remained alive in Juda will-prosper like the plant that takes-root deeply and bears-fruit.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The people in Judah who remain alive will prosper and have many children; they will be like plants whose roots go deep down into the ground and which produce much.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 19:30

The surviving remnant: The word remnant in English means “a small part that remains.” Since it already carries the notion of people who have survived, the double expression here sounds redundant. Many languages will say “the people who continue to live” or simply “the survivors.”

The house of Judah refers to the southern kingdom (see the comments on 1 Kgs 12.21). The members of that kingdom who survived the onslaught of the Assyrian army are promised that they will prosper.

Take root downward, and bear fruit upward: The image here is that of a plant that becomes stronger and healthier by sending its roots deep into the soil and consequently it also produces fruit. The implication is that the survivors of the southern kingdom would be like such a plant. The image of bearing fruit in this context seems to refer to bearing many children.

New Century Version provides a two-sentence model for this whole verse that may prove helpful to translators in other languages:

• Some of the people in the family of Judah
will escape.
Like plants that take root,
they will grow strong and have many children.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 2 Kings 19:30

19:30a And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root below

The survivors of the house of Judah will again flourish like plants that send roots into the ground.

-or-

The people in Judah who remain/survive will again establish themselves in the land.

19:30b and bear fruit above.

The English word “fruit” does not include root vegetables, that is, crops that grow underground, and so in the meaning lines the word “above” has been left implied. In some languages it may be natural to make it explicit that this fruit will be produced above the ground. The fruit is probably a metaphor for children.

They ⌊will also⌋ produce fruit.

-or-

They will produce ⌊great/much⌋ fruit/children.

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