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 (Acts 12:19)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 12:19:

  • Uma: “Herodes ordered people to look for Petrus, but they did not find him. That is why Herodes ordered that the soldiers who had been guarding Petrus be examined and killed. After that, Herodes left the land of Yudea going to dwell in the town of Kaisarea.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “King Herod ordered the guards to look for Petros diligently. But they did not find him. Then Herod investigated them and afterwards commanded them to be killed. After that King Herod went down from Yahudiya to Kesarea and he stayed there temporarily (dahu’).” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Herod had him looked for, but they couldn’t find him, and he had those guards investigated, and he had them killed. And then Herod left the province of Judea and he went down to Caesarea and he lived there.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Herod commanded them to go search for him but they were not able-to-find him. Therefore, he interrogated them and then had-them-killed. After that Herod left Judea and went to stay in Cesarea.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Without anything further, Herodes caused him to be searched for. When they couldn’t find him, he interrogated those soldiers well. But since they had nothing they could tell, Herodes said that their punishment was to be killed. Before long, Herodes left Judea for he had a purpose in going to Cesarea. He was there quite a while.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Acts 12:19

To be put death is literally “to be led off.” Although the expression could mean “to be led off to prison,” most translators and commentators understand it in the more specific sense of to be put to death, since it was customary for Roman soldiers to receive the punishment designated for the prisoners whom they allowed to escape. It is interesting that Caesarea is distinguished from Judea, although it was the Roman capital of the province. This was because Caesarea was a Gentile city, and was not considered by the Jews as actually part of their territory.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .