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)
The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ahab” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs for “king” + “jealous” referring to the story in 1 Kings 21. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Kings 3:1:
Kupsabiny: “Joram son of Ahab became ruler of Israel in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat ruling the country of Judah. He ruled for twelve years and ruled from the city of Samaria.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, Joram, son of Ahab became king of Israel in Samaria. He reigned twelve years.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Joram the child of Ahab became king of Israel in the 18th year of the reign of Jehoshafat in Juda. Joram lived/settled in Samaria, and he reigned for a period/[lit. inside] of twelve years.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “After Jehoshaphat had been ruling Judah for almost 18 years, Ahab’s son Joram became the king of Israel. He ruled in Samaria city for twelve years.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
See the comments on the standard formula introducing the kings of Israel and Judah at 1 Kgs 15.1-2, 9-10.
In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat …: For the dating of the beginning of Joram’s reign, see the comments on 2 Kgs 1.17. The frame of reference for the beginning of Joram’s reign in Israel is fixed in terms of the leadership of the kingdom of Judah. This is a common device used throughout the books of 1–2 Kings. Translators should ensure that it is understood that this refers to the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign and not to his age.
Jehoram is rendered as “Joram” in Good News Translation. See the comments at 2 Kgs 1.17.
Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. See the introductory comments on 1 Kgs 16.21-28.
Reigned: Some may prefer to translate this verb as “was king” or “continued as king.”
The wording of this verse may be reordered in such a way as to shift forward the main clause. The verse would then begin, as in New American Bible, “Joram, son of Ahab, became king of Israel in Samaria….” This is then followed by the time reference and statement about the length of his reign. The same kind of restructuring is done in New International Version and New Century Version.
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 .
The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom invaded the land of Moab
3:1a In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah,
At the time King Jehoshaphat had been ruling Judah for about eighteen years
-or-
During the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s rule/reign over ⌊the land/people of⌋ Judah
3:1b Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel
The Hebrew text has “Jehoram,” an alternative spelling of “Joram.” See the note on 1:17d.
Joram the son of Ahab became king of Israel in ⌊the city of⌋ Samaria.
-or-
Ahab’s son Joram began to rule in Samaria ⌊city⌋ over ⌊the land/people of⌋ Israel.
3:1c and he reigned in Samaria twelve years.
And Joram ruled ⌊Israel⌋ for twelve years.
-or-
For twelve years Joram was king ⌊of Israel⌋ .
3:1a-c (reordered)
⌊King⌋ Jehoshaphat ruled Judah for about eighteen years. Then Ahab’s son Joram became king of Israel in Samaria city and ruled there for twelve years.
-or-
When Jehoshophat had reigned over Judah for about eighteen years, Joram the son of Ahab became king in the city of Samaria. He ruled Israel for twelve years.
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