complete verse (Joshua 15:15)

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

  • Kupsabiny: “After that, he fought the city of Debir (it was called Kiriath-sepher long ago).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then he attacked the people of Debir. Formerly the name of Debir was Kiriath-sepher.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From there he attacked Debir (which (was) formerly called Kiriat Sefer.)” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Caleb left there and went to fight against the people living in Debir city, which was previously named Kiriath-Sepher.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 15:15

For Debir see 10.38-39.

The people living in Debir is almost a word-for-word repetition of the Hebrew text; see Revised Standard Version “the inhabitants of Debir.” The sentence may be formulated to say “From there he went to attack the city of Debir, which used to be called Kiriath Sepher.”

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 15:15

15:15a

From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir: The town called Debir in this verse is not the same as the place mentioned in 15:7. The location of this town is not clear.

he marched: Caleb marched uphill to fight against the people of Debir. Hebrew verbs keep track of elevation, and thus it says “went up.” If your language does not keep track of elevation, it may be more natural to say “went.”

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

Then he went from Hebron to fight the people of Debir
-or-
Caleb next went to attack the town of Debir

15:15b

Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher): Here are some other ways to translate this part of the verse:

in past times the name of Debir was Kiriath-sepher
-or-
the town of Debir used to be called Kiriath-sepher

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