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 .

complete verse (2 Kings 20:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 20:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Hezekiah replied, ‘Well, the shadow always goes forward. So, let the shadow go backwards those ten steps.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Hezekiah replied, "It is easy for the shadow to go forward ten steps. So the shadow will have to be moved back ten steps."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Hezekia replied, ‘(It is) easier for the shadow to go forward ten intervals. Just have- it -move-backward ten intervals!’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Hezekiah replied, ‘It is easy to cause the shadow to move forward, because that is what it always does. Tell him to cause it to move backward ten steps/degrees.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Japanese benefactives (yō ni shite)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, yō ni shite (ようにして) or “do so (so that) / make it like” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 20:10

It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps …: King Hezekiah’s answer shows quite clearly that the question of the previous verse had presented him with a choice. He responds, quite naturally, that there would be nothing unusual in the shadow getting longer (since that is what is observed every day). Compare New Living Translation “The shadow always moves forward.” Instead he asks, in effect, for a miracle—for the reversal of what would normally be expected to happen.

The translation of the word steps in this verse will, of course, depend on how the same term has been understood in the previous verse.

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 20:10

20:10a “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah,

Hezekiah said, “It is easy for the shadow to move/extend forward by ten steps.

-or-

Hezekiah answered, “It is not difficult for the shadow to lengthen by ten steps.

20:10b “but not for it to go back ten steps.”

So let (sing.) it move ten steps backward.”

-or-

Instead, make (sing.) it shorten/shrink by ten steps.”

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