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 11:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 11:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Joshua took the south highland/ridges, Negev, the whole area of Goshen, the ridges of the West, the valley of Arabah, the ridges of Israel down to the bottom/foot” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So Joshua succeeded in conquering this land — the hill country, all the Negev in the south, the area of Goshen leading up to the hill country, the western foothills, Arabah and the mountains of Israel with their foothills — he succeeded in conquering all of this.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “So Josue subjected/brought-under-(their)-jurisdiction the entire land: the mountains, all the land of Negev, all the land of Goshen, the hills/[lit. somewhat-like-mountains] in the west, the Valley of Jordan, and the high and low mountains of Israel.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Joshua’s army defeated all the people who were living in that land. They took control over the hilly area and the area in the southern part of Canaan, all the area of Goshen, the western foothills, and the Jordan River Valley. They took control over all the mountains in Israel and all the hills near the mountains.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 11:16

Section 11:16–23 The towns that the Israelites conquered

In this section there is a summary of the towns that the Israelites conquered in the land of Canaan.

Paragraph 11:16–20

11:16a

So Joshua took this entire region: The clause Joshua took this entire region indicates that Joshua conquered all the towns in the regions listed in 11:16–17. The places mentioned in 11:16 are similar to the places listed in 10:40. These places were mostly in the southern part of Canaan.

The Berean Standard Bible translates verse 16 and part of verse 17 as one continuous sentence. In some languages it may be more natural to translate 11:16a as one sentence and to begin a new sentence with verse 11:16b. For example:

So Joshua took all that land. He took the hill country…

11:16b

the hill country: The hill country indicates the central mountain range that extended from Ai and Gibeon in the north to Hebron and Debir in the south. This is the same phrase as in 9:1 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

all the Negev: The Negev indicates the southern wilderness area of Canaan. This term was used in 10:40 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

all the land of Goshen: Goshen refers to a town in the southern hill country of Canaan and the region around it. The exact location of Goshen is unknown.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the land around the town of Goshen

the western foothills: The phrase the western foothills refers to the western foothills that were between the mountains and the coastal plain. This word was used in 9:1 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

11:16c

the Arabah: The term Arabah indicates the Jordan River Valley, which is south of the Sea of Galilee and north of the Dead Sea. This word was used in 8:14 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

and the mountains of Israel and their foothills: The phrase the mountains of Israel and their foothills is a summary of the places that were mentioned previously in this verse. Translate this phrase so that the readers will understand that it does not refer to new places. It emphasizes that Joshua captured all the mountains and foothills of Israel. For example:

He ⌊Joshua⌋ controlled the mountains of Israel and all the hills near them. (New Century Version)
-or-
And so, Joshua conquered the highlands and lowlands of Israel.

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