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)
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:
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezra 10:7:
Kupsabiny: “It was proclaimed/announced in Judah and Jerusalem that all the people who had returned from slavery should gather in Jerusalem.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “After that a message was sent all over Judah and Jerusalem for all the people who had returned from Babylon to gather in Jerusalem.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The leaders/[lit. heads] and the ones-who-rule the Israelinhon proclaimed to the entire Juda and Jerusalem that all who had-returned from captivity would-gather in Jerusalem. And anyone who would- not -go for a period/[lit. inside] of three days would-be-taken-away all of his properties from him and he would- no-longer -be-considered a part of the people who had-returned from captivity.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then we sent a message to all the people in Jerusalem and in other towns in Judah, saying that all those who had returned from Babylonia should come to Jerusalem immediately.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The length of time that passes between the events in the previous verses and this action is not indicated.
A proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles: A notice was sent for all the men who had returned from exile to come to Jerusalem. The proclamation was an oral message carried throughout Judah and Jerusalem. It was communicated throughout the city of Jerusalem and the area around Jerusalem. The ones who sent the notice were “the officials and the elders” mentioned in the next verse. For returned exiles, see Ezra 4.1.
They should assemble at Jerusalem: The notice was for the people to assemble in Jerusalem. This was for an assembly to conduct legal business. The nature of the assembly was to allow everyone to give their opinions after which the authorities would make their decisions.
Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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