The name that is transliterated as “Nahshon” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with the sign that combines “quantity,” “counting,” and “3.” (Judah is the third listed tribe and Nahshon is responsible for its census — see Numbers 1:7). (Source: Missão Kophós )
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 1 Chronicles 2:10:
Kupsabiny: “Ram produced Amminadab, Amminadab produced Nahshon who was a leader in the clan of Judah.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was a leader of the people of Judah.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Ram was the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab was the father of Nashon the leader/[lit. head] of the people of Juda.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Verses 10-12 are based on Ruth 4.19-22. Good News Translation restructures these verses in such a way as to make it clear from the outset that the list leads up to Jesse. This may prove to be a useful model for other languages as well.
Ram was the father of Amminadab: Ram was the twenty-sixth generation in the line of descent from Adam to King David.
And Amminadab was the father of Nahshon: Nahshon is mentioned several times in the book of Numbers, where he and his clan are mentioned as first in order in the encampment and marching in the wilderness (Num 1.7; 2.3; 7.12; 10.14). He was twenty-eighth in the line of descent from Adam to David.
Prince of the sons of Judah: The Hebrew word translated prince is not to be understood in the sense of the son of a king. Rather, the meaning is “leader” (New International Version, New Living Translation, New Century Version), “tribal leader” (Contemporary English Version), “chief” (New Jerusalem Bible, La Bible du Semeur), or “important person.” The sons of Judah here does not mean the first generation descendants of Judah. The correct meaning is “the tribe of Judah” (Good News Translation, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente) or “the descendants of Judah” (La Bible du Semeur).
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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