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 Maccabees 12:29

A paragraph break is appropriate here (so Revised Standard Version).

Setting out from there, they hastened to Scythopolis, which is seventy-five miles from Jerusalem: For the city of Scythopolis, see the comments on 1Macc 5.52, where it is called “Bethshan.” The writer of 2Maccabees uses the Greek name by which the city was known at the time of these events. The author of 1Maccabees uses the Hebrew name. Good News Bible chooses to use the Hebrew name in both books. Translators may use whichever name they like. The Greek name Scythopolis is also used in Jdt 3.10. Seventy-five miles is literally “600 stadia,” which is equivalent to 110 kilometers or 70 miles. A helpful model for this verse is:

• From Ephron, our army hurried to Scythopolis, a town about 110 kilometers [or, 70 miles] from Jerusalem.

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.