Judah, Judea

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)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

complete verse (Zechariah 11:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Zechariah 11:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, I broke my second staff that I had called ‘Togetherness’. In this way I showed that the togetherness/unity which the people of Judah had with those of Israel had been broken.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And I took the stick called ‘unity’ and broke it in two pieces to show that the relationship between Judah and Israel was broken.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then I broke the second staff called Unity as a symbol that the good relationship of Juda and Israel was cut-off.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then I broke my second staff, the one that I named ‘Union’. That indicated that Judah and Israel would no longer be united.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Zechariah 11:14

Then I broke my second staff Union: For broke see the notes on verse 10. It is good for the flow of thought in the section if translators can use the same verb here as was used in verse 10. For staff and Union, see the notes on verse 7. The staff should have the same name here as in verse 7. In some languages it may be helpful to expand to “… my second staff, the one called Union.”

Annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel: For annulling see the notes on verse 10. Again it is desirable to use the same verb that was used in verse 10. The Hebrew word translated brotherhood occurs only here in the Old Testament, but its meaning is not in doubt. It refers to the common origin of all the tribes as descendants of Jacob. New Revised Standard Version renders it as “family ties.” The terms Judah and Israel were commonly used before the exile for the southern and northern kingdoms respectively (see 1.19; 8.13). Since these kingdoms no longer existed after the exile the names cannot carry a literal meaning here. They are best understood together as standing symbolically for the Jewish nation as a whole. In speaking of the brotherhood being annulled, the prophet is probably speaking of divisions within the community of those who had returned to Judah, but it is fruitless to try to identify particular historical groups. This verse contrasts sharply with the action of Ezekiel in joining two sticks to symbolize the unity of the nation (Ezek 37.15-22). Contemporary English Version has a model that will be helpful to some translators: “and canceled the ties between Judah and Israel.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .