sanctuary

The Hebrew, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “sanctuary” in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with opatulika or “separated place.” This is understood in a religious setup as a place designated for worship. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

exuberant joy

In Gbaya, the notion of exuberant joy is emphasized in the referenced verses with the ideophone yoŋgolo.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

For Judith 16:20, see Translation commentary on Judith 16:20.

Judith

The name that is transliterated as “Judith” in English means “praised” and also “Woman of Judea” or “Jewess.” It is the feminine form of Judah.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Judith .

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 .

Translation commentary on Judith 16:20

The people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary: “Celebrate” (Good News Translation) is a better choice of words here than feasting. For sanctuary see 4.13.

Contemporary English Version moves the final clause to the front of the verse as follows:

• Judith stayed in Jerusalem for three months, while she and the people celebrated at the temple.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.