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 Samuel 20:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 20:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, Abishai and Joab went with men of strength together with those guards to look for Sheba.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So Joab’s men, the Kerethites, Pelethites and the men strong to fight in battle, went following Abishai. They went from Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bichri.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Abishai left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba the child of Bicri. He brought-with-him Joab and his men, the bodyguards of David who were Keretnon and the Peletnon, and all the mighty soldiers.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Abishai and Joab and the king’s bodyguards and the other soldiers left Jerusalem, to pursue Sheba.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 20:7

There went out …: this structure, which reflects the Hebrew, may seem strange in languages where it is not natural to begin a sentence with a verb. In those cases the verb will have to be placed later in the sentence.

The rendering of Revised Standard Version is based on a correction of the Masoretic Text inspired by the Septuagint. This reading gives the impression that Joab was one person, a specifically named individual, who followed Abishai along with the other soldiers. Other versions following this understanding are Contemporary English Version, Moffatt, An American Translation, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible.

On the other hand, Good News Translation, following the Masoretic Text, includes a specific group or soldiers called “Joab’s men” along with the other two groups of soldiers who went with Abishai. Goldman, New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, New Century Version, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bible en français courant, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible all go along with this reading. Since the traditional Hebrew text has “the men of Joab” and there is no compelling reason to depart from it, this is recommended to translators in other languages. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {B} evaluation to this text.

The Cherethites and the Pelethites: see the comments at 8.18; 15.18; and 1 Sam 30.14. As indicated earlier, it is possible to translate this whole expression as “David’s bodyguard” (Contemporary English Version) or “the royal bodyguards” (Good News Translation).

Mighty men: see the comments at 10.7; 16.6; and 17.8.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .