Reuben

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Reuben” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “head” or “leader” referring to the position he had among his brothers as the firstborn. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Reuben” 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 .

More information on Reuben (son of Jacob) and the Tribe of Reuben .

Gad

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Gad” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “tent,” signifying army tents that refer to Genesis 49:19. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Gad” 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 .

More information on Gad (son of Jacob) and the Tribe of Gad .

Asher

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Asher” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign for “(oak) tree” that signifies fruitfulness (referring to Genesis 49:20). (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Asher” 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 .

More information on Asher and the Tribe of Asher .

complete verse (Deuteronomy 27:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 27:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “And then these six clans are to stand at the hillside of Ebal to show the curse: clan of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “As for the people of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali, they must be standing on Mount Ebal to give the curses.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And these are the tribes who shall-stand on Mount Ebal to curse the people: the tribe of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naftali.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “And the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali must stand on Ebal Mountain and listen to the things that Yahweh will do when he curses the people.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 27:13

For the curse: this may be rendered as “to listen to the curses” or “to hear how Yahweh will punish people.” Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje rearranges the verse: “The curses will be pronounced from Mount Ebal, and there the following tribes will stand:….” For a comment on curse see 11.26. Or the full sentence may be alternatively rendered as “The tribes of … will go up and stand on Mount Ebal, where they will listen to the curses [or, hear how Yahweh will punish people].”

The six tribes on Mount Ebal, Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali, have the names of sons of Leah (Reuben and Zebulun), of Bilhah, Rachel’s slave (Dan and Naphtali), and of Zilpah, Leah’s slave (Gad and Asher); see Gen 35.22-26. All of these tribes had their territory in the north of Israel or on the east side of the Jordan.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• The tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali will go up on Mount Ebal, where they will hear how Yahweh will punish people.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .