complete verse (Jeremiah 48:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 48:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Also the land of the hills will be destroyed
    including Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘The towns in the valley on top of the mountain will- also -be-punished: the Holon, Jaza, Mefaat,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Yahweh will have punished the towns in Moab that are on the plateau/high level:
    Holon and Jahaz and Mephaath,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 48:21 - 48:24

Judgment has come upon the tableland: The expression Judgment has come refers to the LORD’s judgment. Bible en français courant has “the judgment of the Lord.” Translators should be sure that readers understand that this means more than being judged innocent or guilty, but refers to the punishment that he delivers. In some languages it will be best to express this as “The LORD has judged [or, punished] ….” The tableland is usually translated as “the plateau” or “the high country.” The cities that are named in these four verses are in that area; it is not known precisely where all of them were.

Since what follows the opening statement is a listing of cities in this region, Good News Translation renders “Judgment has come on the cities of the plateau: on Holon….” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch is similar:

• 21 Judgment has fallen on the highlands north of the Arnon Valley: on Holon … 24 on Kerioth and Bozrah and all the other cities of the Moabites.

As far as translation is concerned, it is unnecessary to identify further the cities that are named. Another possible model for translators is:

• 21 The LORD has judged the cities of the plateau, and has punished them. Those cities include Holon, Jahzah, Mephaath, 22 Dibon, Nebo, Bethdiblathaim, 23 Kiriathaim, Bethgamul, Bethmeon, 24 Kerioth, and Bozrah. He has punished all the cities of Moab, far and near.

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 .