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 .

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)

Translation commentary on Judith 8:21

If we are captured all Judea will be captured: All Judea will be captured is little more than a conjectural reading; there is very little manuscript evidence to support it, but it makes excellent sense—perhaps too smooth a sense. There are a number of variant readings, some of which make little sense. Out of these variant readings there is one with respectable evidence and some scholarly support: “will lie prostrate.” It is hard to tell, but this is probably the text read by Good News Translation “the entire region of Judah will then fall” and New English Bible “the loss of all Judea.” A footnote at this point acknowledging that the Greek text is uncertain would be fair. Context practically dictates, however, a meaning such as Good News Translation, New English Bible, and Revised Standard Version have given it. In languages that do not have the passive voice, this initial sentence may be rendered “If our enemies capture our town, then in a short time all of Judah will fall” or “… they will also capture the whole of Judah.”

Our sanctuary will be plundered: Good News Translation makes explicit that our sanctuary refers to “our Temple in Jerusalem.” In some languages this sentence will need to be expressed in the active voice; for example, “they will loot [or, forcibly take everything from] our temple in Jerusalem.”

He will exact of us the penalty for its desecration: The Revised Standard Version footnote indicates that us is literally “our blood” in the Greek text. “Our blood” is an idiomatic expression that means “our lives” (Good News Translation). It should be maintained if possible, as in New Revised Standard Version: “he will make us pay for its desecration with our blood.” This whole sentence in Good News Translation “And God will make us pay with our lives for allowing the Temple to be defiled” is wordier than the Greek (literally “he will require its defilement from our blood”), but it patiently and clearly explains the meaning. However, Good News Translation‘s “defiled” will be difficult to translate in some languages, so the following are alternative models: “God will make us pay with our lives for allowing the temple to become an unacceptable place to worship him” and “… allowing the temple to become bad taboo.”

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.