Joshua

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Joshua” is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts a trumpet of rams’ horn, referring to Joshua 6:4 and following.


“Joshua” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

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

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joshua .

complete verse (Joshua 10:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 10:36:

  • Kupsabiny: “Joshua and all the people of Israel left Eglon and moved up to Hebron to fight.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Again, Joshua with all the Israelites went from Eglon to Hebron. They attacked that city.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From Eglon, Josue and the Israelinhon went-up to Hebron and attacked it.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Joshua and his army went west from Eglon up into the hills to Hebron city. They attacked the city” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 10:36 - 10:37

Joshua and his army may be translated by the pronoun “they,” since they are fully identified in verse 34.

Went … up into the kills to Hebron translates “went up to Hebron” of the Hebrew text. The verb “went up” is the normal one used of attacking cities, since cities were generally placed on the highest geographical point possible. Here, however, Good News Translation attempts to indicate that Hebron is in the highlands; it is some 36 kilometers from Eglon.

The same language is used; there is complete slaughter and destruction, as is indicated by the use once again of the verb meaning condemned … to total destruction. The king is killed; either he is the successor of the former king executed by (Joshua verses 23-25), or (as some scholars think is likely) there is an inconsistency in the two accounts.

The size and importance of Hebron are emphasized by the mention of the nearby towns. As well as in the nearby towns may be translated as a complete statement: “They also captured the nearby towns, and killed everyone in them as well.”

Joshua condemned the city to total destruction may be too abstract for many readers. It is possible to translate “Joshua told his men, ‘Completely destroy the city, just as you completely destroyed the city of Eglon. Kill everyone in it.’ ”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .