complete verse (Joshua 13:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 13:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Jahaz, Kedemot, Mefaat,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 13:17 - 13:20

Heshbon (verse 17) was the capital city of King Sihon (see 12.2).

Of all the cities on the plateau (verses 17-20), the following have already appeared: Dibon (13.9) and Beth Jeshimoth (12.3), Jahaz, Kedemoth, and Mephaath (verse 18) appear also in 21.36-37; and Bethpeor (verse 20) may be the same as Peor in 22.17.

Verses 17-20 (actually 17-23) form a unit and may be handled in several ways. For example, the arrangement of Good News Translation may be followed, or it may be appropriate to print the names of the city in list form, one below the other. Or, on the basis of on the plateau (verse 17) and of the plateau (verse 21), one may translate “Their territory reached as far as the city of Heshbon. In this region lay the cities of Dibon, Bamoth Baal … 18 … 19 … 20 … 21 and the other cities of the plateau.” This restructuring would take in the text down through It included all the cities of the plateau of verse 21. Following that, a new sentence would begin, as will be indicated in the comments at verse 21.

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 13:18

13:18

Jahaz: The term Jahaz indicates a town that was part of the kingdom of Sihon. The story of how Moses defeated King Sihon at Jahaz is told in Numbers 21:23-24. The location of Jahaz is uncertain.

Kedemoth: The term Kedemoth indicates another town that was part of the kingdom of King Sihon. Its location is uncertain.

Mephaath: The term Mephaath indicates another town east of the Jordan River. It was a part of the kingdom of King Sihon. Its location is uncertain.

Here is another way to spell the name of this town:

Mepha-ath (Revised Standard Version)

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