Azotus

The name that is transliterated as “Azotus” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that depicts “protection” (a possible meaning of the name and the fact that as a port city it gave protection to many sailors). With the right hand the geographical shape of the coast is shown. (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Azotus” in Libras (source )

Joppa

The name that is transliterated as “Joppa” (or: “Jaffa”) in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with the sign for “whale,” referring to Joppa that is mentioned as the starting point of the sea voyage of Jonah that ends up in the belly of a large fish (see Jonah 1:3). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Joppa” in Libras (source )

More information on Jaffa

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 14:34

He also fortified Joppa, which is by the sea: See 1Macc 12.33-34; 14.5. Joppa, which is by the sea may be rendered “the seaport of Joppa” (Good News Bible) or “the coastal town of Joppa” (Contemporary English Version).

And Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus: See 1Macc 13.43-48. The city of Gezer was on the southwestern border of Judea, near the city of Azotus. Good News Bible says “and the city of Gezer on the border of Azotus.” A clearer model is “and the city of Gezer on the southwestern border, which was toward [or, near] Azotus.”

Where the enemy formerly dwelt refers to military occupation. Good News Bible‘s model is adequate here, but translators may avoid its passive voice by saying “both of which the enemy had formerly controlled.”

He settled Jews there, and provided in those cities whatever was necessary for their restoration: There refers to Gezer, not Joppa. It was at Gezer that Simon started a Jewish colony. As the Good News Bible footnote indicates, the phrase rendered for their restoration can be understood to refer to rebuilding the war-torn cities or to supplying the needs of the people in these cities. Good News Bible places the latter sense in the text, which we recommend. Goldstein believes that the rare Greek word rendered restoration refers to making life ritually proper, so he translates and provided in those cities whatever was necessary for their restoration as “whatever was needed for removing impediments to pious Jewish life in those towns, he provided.” This idea is helpful, but the model is difficult to translate. We like New Jerusalem Bible‘s translation, which reads “and providing the settlers with everything they needed to set them on their feet.”

We suggest the following model for this verse:

• He also fortified the seaport city of Joppa and the city of Gezer on the border near Azotus, both of which the enemy has formerly controlled. He settled Gezer with Jews, and provided both cities with everything the people needed to make them cities fit for Jews to live in.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.