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 .

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 5:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 5:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “David had thirty years when he caught/took hold of the rulership. He ruled Judah for seven years and six months ruling from the town of Hebron. Then, later he ruled the whole of Israel from the town of Jerusalem reaching to thirty-three years. So, all the years that David reigned were forty.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “That means, He reigned from Hebron over Judah for seven years and six months and then he reigned from Jerusalem over both Judah and Israel for thirty-three years.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Seven years and six months his reign over Juda while he stays in Hebron, and 33 years his reign over all Israel and Juda while he stays in Jerusalem.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “In Hebron he ruled over the tribe of Judah for seven and a half years, and in Jerusalem he ruled over all the people of Judah and Israel for 33 years.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 5:5

Many languages may require the same kind of restructuring as found in Good News Translation, where the verb phrase he reigned or “he ruled” comes before the location of his capital, At Hebron and at Jerusalem.

Six months: as in 2.11 it may be better in some languages to say “half a year,” as has been done by Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, and Contemporary English Version.

And at Jerusalem …: it will be important in some languages to clarify the fact that the thirty-three years in Jerusalem were in addition to the seven and a half years in Hebron. This may mean introducing the second part of the verse with words like “after that” instead of simply saying “and.”

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 .