Ephraim

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ephraim” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “palm tree” referring to the palm of Deborah in the land of Ephraim (see Judges 4:5. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Ephraim” 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 .

For Deborah, see here.

More information about Ephraim and the Tribe of Ephraim .

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 (Deuteronomy 34:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 34:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “all the land of Naphtali, the hills/ridges of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the hill area of Judah until the sea of Mediterranea.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “the whole land of Naphtali, Ephraim and Manasseh, and the whole land of Judah up to the Mediterranean Sea,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “the entire land of Naftali, the land of Efraim and Manase, the entire land of Juda as far as the Sea of Mediteraneo,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “all the land that the tribe of Naphtali would occupy; all the land that the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh had occupied; all the land that the tribe of Judah would occupy as far west as the Mediterranean sea;” (Source: Translation for Translators)

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 34:2

Contemporary English Version introduces the verse with the following: “He let Moses see the territories that would soon belong to….” For the location of the regions and places mentioned in verses 1-3, see the map on page xii.

Naphtali: the northern region west of the Jordan River.

Ephraim and Manasseh: south of Naphtali.

Judah: the southernmost region on the west side of the Jordan.

The Western Sea: that is, the Mediterranean (see 11.24).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .