complete verse (Joshua 13:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 13:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “It also included Gilead and the area of the Geshurites and Maacathites and all of Mount Hermon, Bashan until Salekah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “It included Gilead, the territory of the people of the Geshurites and Maacathites, Mount Hermon and all of Bashan as far as Salecah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “(It) also included Gilead and the lands where the Gershurnon and the Maacatnon lived, the whole-of Mountain of Hermon, and the whole-of Bashan as-far-as Saleca.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Joshua 13:11 - 13:12

For all the geographical data in verses 11-12, and for a proposed restructuring in terms of the points on the compass, see the comments at 12.4-5.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Joshua 13:11

13:11a

also Gilead: The term Gilead indicates the mountainous region north of the Dead Sea. The Gilead Region stretched from the east side of the Jordan River to the desert.

The term Gilead occurred in 12:2 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

and the territory of the Geshurites: The term Geshurites indicates the people of the kingdom of Geshur. They were a small group who lived northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

The term Geshurites occurred in 12:5 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

and Maacathites: The term Maacathites indicates the people of Maacah. This was a small kingdom in modern Syria whose people continued to live in their land.

The term Maacathites occurred in 12:5 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

It may be more natural to begin a new sentence at the beginning of verse 11. Here is another way to translate it:

It also included Gilead Region, and the region where the Geshur people lived and the Maacath people lived

13:11b

all of Mount Hermon: The phrase all of Mount Hermon indicates Mount Hermon and its surrounding foothills. Mount Hermon was a high mountain that was the northern limit of Joshua’s conquests. It was in the northeast part of Israel. It formed the northwest limit of King Og’s kingdom.

The term Mount Hermon occurred in Joshua 11:3 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

and all Bashan: The territory of Bashan stretched south to the hills of northern Gilead, where Sihon’s territory began, and west to the Sea of Galilee. The east boundary of the Bashan territory was the desert.

The term Bashan occurred in Joshua 9:10| and you should translate it the same way in both places.

as far as Salecah: The name Salecah indicates a town on the east boundary of the territory of Bashan. Salecah was southeast of the Sea of Galilee.

The term Salecah occurred in 12:5 and you should translate it the same way in both places.

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