The name that is transliterated as “Abijah” or “Abijam” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that depicts the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel fighting 1 Kings 15:6 and following). The V-shaped hand also means that the heart is not upright and does the opposite (see 1 Kings 15:3). (Source: Missão Kophós )
The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 13:17:
Kupsabiny: “Abijah and his people fought against the people of Jeroboam until they defeated (them). They killed five hundred thousand (500,000) soldiers who were skilled in battle.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “In this way Abijah and his people defeated them badly. They killed 500,000 brave Israelite soldiers.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Abia and his men had-killed so many people — 500,000 good soldiers of Israelinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Abijah and his troops struck the capable soldiers of Israel and killed 500,000 of them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”
This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.
Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: The Hebrew noun for people may be rendered “army” (New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Bible en français courant) in this context (see the comments on 1 Chr 11.13). Slew them with a great slaughter is literally “struck them with a great striking.” New International Version translates “inflicted heavy losses on them.” Some languages may use a causative expression, such as “caused them to lose many soldiers” or “caused many of their army to die.”
So there fell slain of Israel five hundred thousand picked men: So is an appropriate translation of the common Hebrew conjunction because it serves here as a logical connector. For fell slain, see the comments on 1 Chr 5.22. Good News Translation renders five hundred thousand as a “half a million.” According to verse 3, the Israelite army began the battle with 800,000 soldiers. For picked men, see the comments on 2Chr 13.3.
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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