with a loud voice

The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated as “with a loud voice” in English is translated in Low German idiomatically as luuthals or “loud-throated” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).

It is also used in Acts 19:28 for krazó (κράζω).

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 .

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

complete verse (2 Chronicles 32:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 32:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “The people of that king read aloud that letter in the Hebrew language with the people of Jerusalem who were on top of the wall hearing it. Those people of Assyria wanted to make the people of Jerusalem afraid, and then capture the city.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Those officers proclaimed this message, crying out in loud voices in the Hebrew language to terrify the men who were standing on the city wall and to discourage their hearts.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This was spoken loudly by the officials of Senakerib in Hebrew language to cause-to-become-afraid the residents of Jerusalem who were-gathered at the stone-wall. And if the people will- now -become afraid, they can easily capture the city.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then King Sennachereb’s officers shouted in the Hebrew language to the people who were on the wall, in order to cause them to be terrified, thinking that as a result the army of Assyria could capture the city without a battle.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Chronicles 32:18

And they shouted it with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem: The pronoun they refers to the messengers of King Sennacherib, which is made clear in New Century Version (“the king’s officers”) and New Living Translation (“The Assyrian officials”). Shouted … with a loud voice is a redundant expression, so Good News Translation says simply “shouted.” The language of Judah is “Hebrew” (so Good News Translation, New International Version, New Century Version, Revised English Bible, Moffatt, Bible en français courant). An American Translation says “the Jewish language.” The international language used for politics at that time was Aramaic. This verse assumes readers have knowledge of the story in 2 Kgs 18.26-28. So a footnote referring the modern reader to that passage will be essential; for example, one possibility is “Instead of speaking to them in the international language of Aramaic at that time, they spoke to them in their own ethnic language of Hebrew. See the parallel account in 2 Kgs 18.26-28.”

Who were upon the wall: The writer paints a picture of observers watching from a position on the city wall of Jerusalem as the official representatives of King Hezekiah received the message from Sennacherib’s officials. It was not uncommon for people to stand or sit on the wall around the city to witness important events taking place on the ground below (compare 2 Kgs 6.26-30). The height and thickness of city walls varied, depending on how much protection the citizens of a city thought that they needed. An early seventh-century B.C. wall in Jerusalem was 7 meters (23 feet) thick.

To frighten and terrify them: The Assyrian messengers shouted in Hebrew in order to spread fear throughout the civilian population. As is often the case when synonyms are used, the use of the two verbs frighten and terrify is intended to intensify the meaning. Some may prefer to say “spread panic.”

In order that they might take the city: The pronoun they refers to the Assyrian messengers, who were supported by their entire army.

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 .