army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

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 .

Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pharaoh .

Chaldean

The name that is transliterated as “Chaldean” in English means “astrologer,” “wanderers.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with the sign that combines “Mesopotamia” (see here) and “spreading out,” since the Chaldeans originated in southern Mesopotamia and spread out from there. (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Chaldean” in Libras (source )

More information about Chaldea .

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Jeremiah 37:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 37:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “And again, the soldiers of Pharao had left/set out from Egypt, and when the soldiers of Babylon who had besieged the city of Jerusalem heard (it) they withdrew and went away.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “That time also those whose-from-Babilonia were attacking Jerusalem, but when they heard that the soldiers of the king of Egipto are now coming, they stopped attacking Jerusalem.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “At that time, the army of Hophra, the King of Egypt, came to the southern border of Judah. When the army of Babylonia heard about that, they stopped surrounding Jerusalem and left there to fight against the army from Egypt.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 37:5

Pharaoh is Hophra (588-569 B.C.), mentioned by name in 44.30. Pharaoh is actually a title for the ruler of Egypt, and translators can say “the Pharaoh” or “the king of Egypt.” The date he brought his army out of Egypt to attack the Babylonians was probably the spring or summer of 588 B.C. The Good News Translation phrase “crossed the Egyptian border” expresses out of Egypt clearly.

The Chaldeans are the Babylonians (see 21.4).

Besieging means to surround a city and attack it (see 32.2).

They withdrew from Jerusalem ties this event to that of verses 11-15, with verses 6-10 providing the LORD’s comment on the event.

Note that Good News Translation has restructured this verse in a way that will be more natural in English, and in many other languages as well.

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 .