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 (Jeremiah 31:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 31:24:

  • Kupsabiny: “People will live in this land of Judah and all its villages including farmers and shepherds who move around with their sheep/goats.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The people will-live in Juda and to its towns, as-well-as the farmers and the shepherds of animals.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The people of Judah who live in the towns, including the farmers and the shepherds, will all live together peacefully.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 31:24

Judah and all its cities refers to the people (Good News Translation “People will live in Judah and in all its towns”).

There is the land, not the temple.

The verse is difficult to interpret, and there are at least two possibilities: (1) the inhabitants of the towns of Judah (the farmers) and those of the open country (the nomadic shepherds) will dwell together peaceably; (2) farmers and shepherds will live together in Judah and its villages. This second interpretation is quite common, and can be expressed with sentences such as:

• In this country, both in Judah and in all its towns, people will live together, both the farmers and the herdsmen with their flocks.

• All people, farmers and shepherds with their flocks alike, will live there in Judah and its towns together.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .