Jericho

The name that is transliterated in English as “Jericho” means “city of the moon,” “a fragrant place.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that alludes to the walls of Jericho coming tumbling down (see Joshua 6:20). (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Jericho” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Jericho,” the second parts refer to “town” (source )

See also The Fall of Jericho.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jericho .

complete verse (Numbers 22:1)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Numbers 22:1:

  • Kupsabiny: “The Israelites left and went to set up their tents in the plain of Moab on the East side of Jordan, where one can see Jericho in the distance.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then the Israelites moved on and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho town.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The Israelinhon continued to journey/[lit. walk] until they reached the valleys of Moab, and they camped in the east of Jordan River, in front of Jerico.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the Israelis traveled west to the area of Moab that was in the valley of the Jordan River, across the river from Jericho city.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Jordan

The Hebrew, Greek and Ge’ez that is translated as “Jordan” means “descending (rapidly),” “flowing down.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the river bordering Jordan and Israel, along with the general sign for river. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Jordan river” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jordan River .

Translation commentary on Numbers 22:1

Then the people of Israel set out, and encamped … is a typical and characteristic starting point of a new narrative paragraph in Numbers, as mentioned in the introductory comments above. Set out renders the Hebrew verb translated “set out … on the march” in 2.9 (see the comments there). For encamped see 1.50.

In the plains of Moab: In this context the Hebrew word for plains is better translated “unforested grasslands,” “prairies,” or “steppes” (New Jewish Publication Society Version). The journey through the desert is now at an end; this verse marks the end of the “journey motif” in the book of Numbers. The rest of the book is located in the steppes of Moab.

Beyond the Jordan at Jericho: The Old Testament expression beyond the Jordan should be understood from the perspective of the land of Canaan (which was west of the Jordan River), so this phrase refers to the land “east of the Jordan” (Good News Bible), which translators should make clear. Coming directly after this phrase, at Jericho may wrongly suggest that this city was located east of the Jordan. Jericho was actually located 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) west of the Jordan. Renderings for this whole phrase that express this clearly are “across the Jordan from Jericho” (New Revised Standard Version), “east of the Jordan and opposite Jericho” (Good News Bible, Dutch Common Language Version), and “on the eastern bank of the Jordan, facing Jericho” (Bible en français courant). Jericho was the first city that the Israelites attacked in their conquest of the land of Canaan.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .