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 10:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 10:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “All the soldiers gathered to where Joshua was in Makkedah. No one would again threaten the people of Israel in that country.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp of Makkedah. No one spoke even a single word against the Israelites.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Then all the soldiers returned to Josue in their camp at Makeda. From that-time, no one dared to-speak against the Israelinhon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then Joshua’s army returned to Joshua, who was still in their camp at Makkedah. No one in the land dared to criticize the Israelis.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 10:21

Safe translates the Hebrew “in peace”; see Jerusalem Bible “safe and sound.”

The section (10.16-21) ends with a graphic statement of the fear all the Canaanites felt. Not only did active opposition against the Israelites cease, but even criticism of them; “not a man moved his tongue” (Revised Standard Version). The verb translated “moved” means literally “to sharpen.”It is impossible to tell where New English Bible got its interpretation, “not a man of the Israelites suffered so much as a scratch on his tongue”—which seems an odd place to be wounded. Good News Translation, by rendering dared even to speak against, removes the metaphor of the Hebraic expression. Although it is doubtful if many languages can use the Hebrew idiom very effectively, it is quite possible that a number of languages will have their own idiomatic expressions which might be very effective. For example, “No one dared even to cast a glance toward the Israelites” or “… squint at the Israelites.”

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 .