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 10:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 10:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “Joshua and the people of Israel continued to kill/spear those people in a big battle until they completely destroyed them even though some fled into their cities where they could not be reached.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When Joshua and the Israelites had destroyed them only a few of their men who were spared went into their cities that had walls.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Josue and the Israelinhon almost completely killed/[lit. finished killing] their enemies. But there- were -some who were-able-to-escape and were-able-to-enter to their stone-wall cities.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So Joshua’s army did what he told them to do. They killed almost all of the enemy soldiers, but a few of them were able to reach their cities and be safe inside the walls of the cities.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 10:20

Verse 20 is quite wordy (see Revised Standard Version), emphasizing the great victory won by the Israelites.

As a reading of Revised Standard Version will indicate, the structure of this verse is similar in some respects to that of verse 10, especially the Hebrew expression translated slaughtered. The reader may benefit if slaughtered them, although some is translated “slaughtered most of them, although some,” since only some of the enemy managed to reach their walled cities and escape the slaughter.

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 .