complete verse (Joshua 21:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 21:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “Helkath and Rehob together with where one could graze (animals).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Helkath and Rehob: four cities along with grazing land for their cattle.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And from the land[s] of the tribe of Asher, they received these four towns/cities: Mishal, Abdon, Helkat, and Rehob, including their pasturelands.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Helkath, and Rehob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 21:27 - 21:33

Thirteen cities are assigned to the clan of Gershon.

Two cities are in East Manasseh (verse 27), one of which, Golan, was a city of refuge (see 20.8)

Four cities are in Issachar (verses 28-29).

Four cities are in Asher (verses 30-31).

Three cities are in Naphtali (verse 32), one of which, Kedesh, was a city of refuge (see 20.7).

For the translation of these verses, the same format may be followed as for verses 20-26. In particular, verses 27-32 should be patterned after verses 20-25, while verse 33 should follow the pattern of verse 26. The restructuring should be similar, and the problem with the repetition of with their pasture lands also is the same.

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 21:31

21:31

Helkath: The town of Helkath was mentioned in 19:25. Its location is uncertain.

and Rehob: The town of Rehob was mentioned in 19:28. It location is uncertain.

four cities: The total number of towns that the clan of Asher gave to the Kohath clans was four cities.

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

the town of Helkath and the grazing lands around it and the town of Rehob and the grazing lands around it. They gave four towns in all.
-or-
Helkath town and its grasslands, and Rehob town and its grasslands. The total was four towns.

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