The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Simeon” or “Simon” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “swords,” referring to the traditional Jewish symbol for the tribe. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
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)
The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is transliterated as “Levi” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies a menorah referring to the temple service of the tribe of the Levites. The same sign is also used for the tribe. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
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)
Jacob had twelve sons, and verses 2, 3, and 4 name eleven of them according to their four mothers, with Reuben, the eldest, listed first. (See Gen 35.23-26.) The word and is introduced in the Hebrew for convenience in reading and does not always represent the four groups of brothers. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, were all sons of Jacob’s first wife Leah. Benjamin and Joseph were sons of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife, but Joseph is not listed here because “Joseph was already in Egypt” (verse 5). Dan and Naphtali were sons of Rachel’s maid, and Gad and Asher were sons of Leah’s maid.
Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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