Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

Translation commentary on Joshua 20:7 - 20:8

Six cities are chosen, three on each side of the Jordan. On the west side (verse 7): Kedesh in the north, Shechem in the center, and Hebron in the south; on the east side (verse 8): Bezer in the south, Ramoth in the center, and Golan in the north. All six cities are listed as levitical cities in chapter 21.

Verses 7-8 may be translated separately or they may be translated as a unit. But whatever is done, the pronoun they in both verses needs to be specified as “the people of Israel,” since they were last referred to in verse 2. (1) If the verses are translated separately: “So the people of Israel set apart (or, chose) three cities on the west side of the Jordan River. These cities were….” (2) If placed together, verses 7-8 may be translated:

• So the people of Israel set aside (or, chose) six cities, three on the west side of the Jordan River and three on the east side. The cities west of the Jordan River were: … The cities east of the Jordan River were:….

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 .