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 .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 10:48

And as for her saying to you, ‘When my son entered his wedding chamber he died’: See the comments on 2Esdras 10.1.

And that misfortune had overtaken her: The word misfortune refers to her son’s death, namely “a sad incident.” The Latin pronoun translated her is ambiguous. The pronoun “him” (Revised Standard Version footnote) is equally possible grammatically, but her is more probable in this context as a reference to the city of Jerusalem.

That was the destruction which befell Jerusalem: The death of the son represented the destruction of Jerusalem. Good News Bible says “that meant the destruction of Jerusalem.” Good News Bible‘s translation here can be misunderstood to mean that Jerusalem was destined to be destroyed because of the son’s death, so this clause is better rendered “that referred to [or, symbolized] the destruction of Jerusalem.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.