Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)
The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).
For this verse, the Jarai and the Adamawa Fulfulde translation both use the exclusive pronoun, excluding Jephthah. The Adamawa Fulfulde translation also uses the inclusive pronoun, including everyone.
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 1:18:
Kupsabiny: “That clan of Judah also took the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron together with the villages which were near.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “The men of Judah took the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron, along with their surrounding areas.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “They also subjected/brought-under-(their)-jurisdiction of Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron, as-well-as their surrounding territories.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “The men of Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron cities and all the land that is near those cities.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017.
Here, natte (なって) or “become” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).” (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )
Judah also took: Following the victory at Hormah, there is another military advance, this time toward the coastal region where the Philistines lived. In Hebrew the verse begins with the waw conjunction, which Revised Standard Version renders as also. “Then” would be a good transition word to express this sequence of events. For Judah see verse 1.2. For the Hebrew verb rendered took, see verse 1.8. Good News Translation combines 1.18-19, and following the Septuagint, adds the negative particle “not” to the verb, translating “Judah … did not capture,” but most versions follow the standard text here, which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a {B} rating. New International Version marks the ver Septuagintver* reading in a footnote.
Gaza with its territory, and Ashkelon with its territory, and Ekron with its territory: Three towns and their surrounding areas are conquered. Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron were all towns on the coastal plain belonging to the Philistines. Gaza with its territory refers to the surrounding countryside that was under the control of the leaders of Gaza and/or the farming area around this town. Its territory can be expressed as “the land/area/region around it.” The repetition of the expression with its territory emphasizes the extensive victory of the Israelites. Translators can keep the repetition if it is acceptable in their language, or use a less repetitive style. For example, New International Version says “The men of Judah also took Gaza, Ashkelon and Ekron—each city with its territory.”
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
1:18 And Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron—each with its territory.
The men of Judah also captured Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron, and the land around them.
-or-
The men of Judah also fought and defeated the towns of Gaza, and Ashkelon, and Ekron. They took these towns and the territory surrounding them.
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