large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

Translation commentary on Joshua 23:9 - 23:10

In verses 9-10 Joshua reminds the Israelites of the reason why they have so easily defeated their enemies: it was because the Lord was fighting for them, so that one Israelite could defeat a thousand of the enemy (see similar language in Deut 32.30).

As you advanced of verse 9 may be placed first in the clause in order to make the sequence of events chronological: “You went against great and powerful nations, but the LORD drove them away.”

In Hebrew no one is literally “no man” (Revised Standard Version) and may be translated “not one of your enemies.” However, it may be understood collectively as “not one of these nations.”

Several translational adjustments may be necessary in verse 10. The LORD your God may need to be rendered “the LORD our God,” and the Lord’s promise may need to be placed in direct discourse near the beginning of the verse: “The LORD our God promised, ‘I will fight for you.’ That is why one of you can defeat a thousand men.”

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 23:10

23:10a

One of you can put a thousand to flight: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as One of you can put a thousand to flight is more literally “One man of you chases a thousand.” This indicates that one Israelite soldier can make a thousand enemy soldiers run away.

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

One of you ⌊is able to⌋ chase away one thousand ⌊of the enemy⌋ .
-or-
One of you will make a thousand ⌊of them⌋ run away

23:10b

because: The Hebrew conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as because can also be translated “since.” It introduces the reason why one Israelite soldier was able to make one thousand enemy soldiers run away.

the LORD your God fights for you: This clause uses the same words as verse 23:3b. The Berean Standard Bible translated the Hebrew participle “the one who fights” in the past tense in that verse (23:3) because the context referred to what had already happened. It is translated in the present tense here because it refers to the pattern of how God operates. Use the tense or aspect that is natural in your language.

just as He promised: This clause uses similar words as verse 23:5c.

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

because Yahweh your God is the one fighting on your behalf, as he told you he would do
-or-
because Yahweh your God helps you to defeat your enemies. He promised that he would do this for you

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