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.

Asher

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Asher” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “(oak) tree” that signifies fruitfulness (referring to Genesis 49:20). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


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

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

More information on Asher and the Tribe of Asher .

complete verse (Joshua 21:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 21:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “The house of Gershon was given thirteen cities coming from the land of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and the half clan of Manasse in Bashan.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The descendants of Gershon received thirteen cities from the clans of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The descendants of Gershon were- given 13 towns/cities from the land[s] of the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naftali, and the half tribe of Manase in Bashan.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The people from the Gershon clans were allotted 13 cities in the areas that had been allotted to the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the part of the tribe of Manasseh that lives on the east side of the Jordan River.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 21:5 - 21:8

Verses 4-8 classify the Levites according to their clans, which descended from Levi’s three sons, Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. The clans descended from Kohath are divided into two groups (verses 4-5), one of which consists of the descendants of Aaron, grandson of Kohath (Exo 6.18-20), the other one consisting of the other descendants of Kohath. Although Gershon was the oldest son (Exo 6.16; Num 3.17), Kohath is named first because of Aaron.

The Hebrew text mentions the use of the sacred lots in this initial classification of the levitical clans (see Revised Standard Version verses 4, 5, 6; strangely enough, it is not mentioned in verse 7). Good News Translation has taken these references to be anticipatory, that is, they actually refer to the choosing of the cities as such, and so the matter is mentioned specifically in verse 8, where a summary statement is made of the assignment of the cities.

It is possible, however, either to follow the pattern of the Hebrew (see Revised Standard Version), or else to introduce an initial summary statement. If this second suggestion is followed, then verse 4 and the first part of verse 5 may be restructured as follows:

• Each clan received its cities by drawing lots. The descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Kohath received their cities first. They were given thirteen cities from the territories of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. 5 Then the rest of the clan of Kohath….

So as to arrange verse 8 in a somewhat more chronological sequence, it may be translated:

• The LORD had commanded Moses to let the tribe of Levi draw lots to see what cities they would receive. So they drew lots, and the people of Israel gave them these cities together with the pasture lands around them.

A shift may also be made to direct discourse: “The LORD had commanded Moses, ‘The tribe of Levi will draw lots, and they will receive the cities according to the lots that they draw.’ So they drew lots….”

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 21:6

21:6a

The descendants of Gershon: Gershon was one of Levi’s three sons.

received thirteen cities by lot from the tribes of Issachar: This clause is like the clause in verse 21:5a.

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

The descendants of Gershon received towns by lot from the families of the clan of Issachar,
-or-
When the lot was thrown, the people who were descended from Gershon received towns from the clan of Issachar,

21:6b

Asher, Naphtali, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan: This part of the verse is like verse 21:5b. The phrase the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan refers to the part of the Manasseh clan that lived on the east side of the Jordan River. Bashan was an area northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

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

from the clan of Asher, from the clan of Naphtali, and from the part of the clan of Manasseh who live in Bashan, ⌊east of the Jordan River⌋ . They received thirteen towns.
-or-
and from the clan of Asher, and the clan of Naphtali, and from the half of the clan of Manasseh who live in Bashan, ⌊east of the Jordan⌋ . They received thirteen towns.

General Comment on 21:6

It may be more natural in some languages to rearrange the parts of this verse. For example:

The descendants of Gershon received thirteen towns by lot. These towns came from the families of the clan of Issachar, the clan of Naphtali, and half of the clan of Manasseh.

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