family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

Caleb

The term that is transliterated as “Caleb” in English is translated in American Sign Language with one variation of the sign for “watch,” a reference to the fact that Caleb was one of the twelve who surveyed the Promised Land. The sign also alludes to watchdogs, a reference to Caleb’s enduring loyalty to God. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“Caleb” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “spy.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Caleb” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

More information on Caleb .

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

complete verse (Joshua 15:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 15:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, Caleb drove out from there three descendants of Anak: Sheshai Ahiman and Talmai.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Caleb drove three of the descendants of Anak out of the city. Their names were Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Caleb drove-out from the land the three descendants of Anak who were the families of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Caleb forced the three clans of the Anak people-group to leave Hebron. Those were the Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai clans.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 15:14

Caleb drove … out of Hebron Anak’s descendants, that is, the clans of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. It is clear that these three proper names do not refer to individuals, as Revised Standard Version makes it appear, but to clans who are named after their ancestors (see Num 13.22; Judges 1.10, 20).

Although Good News Translation avoided the use of the word clan at 15.1, it is now used as a translation of the Hebrew word “son,” which here has the extended meaning of clan. Translators are not always consistent! The verse may be restructured, “The clans of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai lived in the city of Hebron. They were descendants of Anak, and Caleb drove them all out of the city.” It may be important to indicate not only that he drove them out of the city, but also that he took it over for himself: “The clans of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived in the city of Hebron at that time. Caleb drove them all out of the city, and took it over for himself.”

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 15:14

15:14a

And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: The clause Caleb drove out from there indicates that Caleb attacked the three sons of Anak and made them leave Hebron.

the three sons of Anak: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sons can refer to a group of descendants. In this verse it is likely that the three sons of Anak refers to three tribes of the descendants of Anak.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Caleb forced three tribes of Anak people to leave there
-or-
Caleb attacked the three tribes of Anak people who lived in Hebron and made them leave

15:14b

the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak: The names Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai refer to three tribes. Anak was their forefather. These tribes are also mentioned in Numbers 13:22 and Judges 1:10.

Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

Those were the tribes of Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, all descended from Anak
-or-
These were the descendants of Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, who were descended from Anak

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