18For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
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 Nehemiah 6:18:
Kupsabiny: “He was in good terms with many people of Judah, because he had married the daughter of Shekaniah the son of Arah who was a Jew. But/And again, his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam Son of Berekiah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Many of those from-Juda have-promised to be loyal to Tobia because he was the son-in-law of Shecania the child of Ara. And one more thing, Jehohanan his child married the child of Meshulam the child of Berekia.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Many people in Judea were closely associated with Tobiah, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah. Furthermore, Tobiah’s son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berekiah.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The reason for so much correspondence between Tobiah and the leaders is explained by the fact that many in Judah were bound by oath to him. This bond is the result of two marriage relationships. Both Tobiah, a Gentile, and his son were married to Jewish women. His wife was from the Levite family of Shecaniah (see 2 Chr 31.15; Neh 3.29; 12.3). His son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of an important official, Meshullam, the leader of one of the groups that repaired the wall (see Neh 3.4, 30). These are two examples of close relationships, but there may have been other people who were related to Tobiah also. For example, he was also related to the priest Eliashib (Neh 13.4). These relationships with many in Judah put him into close contact with the prominent families of Judah. In addition, the phrase bound by oath may refer to a party or association supporting Tobiah that had its own covenant or compact indicating the purpose that bound them together and the consequences of breaking the agreement.
Bound by oath is literally “lords of oath,” and occurs only here in the Old Testament. For the whole clause New International Version translates “many in Judah were under oath to him,” while New Jerusalem Bible renders it “he had many sworn to his interest in Judah.” Other versions express it more generally as Good News Translation has done, allowing the information about marriage relationships to clarify the nature of the bond. This could also be rendered “many people in Judah were very closely attached to him.”
The Hebrew identifies Tobiah as the son-in-law of Shecaniah and this is followed by most translations. However, Good News Translation reverses the perspective and identifies Shecaniah as his “father-in-law” (also Contemporary English Version). The translator will need to make the appropriate identification according to the structure of the logic in the verse and the practice in the receptor culture.
Had taken … as his wife: This is a literal translation of the Hebrew and it simply means to marry someone (so Good News Translation). The English pluperfect verb tense reflects the fact that the marriage occurred first in time, and it was the marriage that established the in-law relationship. This is an obvious fact, but the translator needs to take into account the chronological sequence of events that are being referred to.
Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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