Joshua

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Joshua” is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts a trumpet of rams’ horn, referring to Joshua 6:4 and following.


“Joshua” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joshua .

complete verse (Joshua 10:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 10:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that, Joshua returned with his soldiers to where they stayed in Gilgal.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “After that all the Israelites came back to the camp at Gilgal along with Joshua.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then Josue and all the Israelinhon returned to their camp at Gilgal.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “After Joshua’s army defeated their enemies, they all returned to their camp at Gilgal.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 10:15

As commentators point out, verse 15 does not fit here. The campaign against the Amorite forces is still going on and ends only in verse 39. After the summary statement in verses 40-42, the Israelites return to camp at Gilgal (verse 43, which is identical with verse 15). Bright thinks that by mistake a copyist included the statement in verse 43 here after verse 14 because the endings of verse 14 and 42 are similar. Both verses 15 and 43 are omitted from the Septuagint.

Although this verse may not fit well here, it is obviously a part of the text and must remain. Its absence from the Septuagint represents an attempt of the Greek translators to smooth over the problem. However, if After this is translated more specifically, the problem is at least minimized: “After their victory” or “After Joshua and his men had defeated the Amorites.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .