Anakim / giants

The Hebrew that is either transliterated as “Anakim” or translated as “giants” in English is translated in Manya as “big, amazing people.” (Source: Don Slager)

Judah, Judea

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)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

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

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

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 11:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 11:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then Joshua went ahead and destroyed other people who were called Anakites who lived in Hebron, Debir, Anab and the highlands of Judah and Israel. All those people were destroyed with their cities.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “At that time Joshua, having gone to the hill country, destroyed the Anakites who live in the hill country of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and in the whole hill country of Judah and Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them along with their cities.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Also at that time, Josue attacked the descendants of Anak who were-living in the mountains of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and in all the mountains of Juda and Israel. Josue destroyed them all as-well-as their cities/towns.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Joshua’s army also fought the Anak people-group who lived in the hills near Hebron, Debir, and Anah cities. They also fought against the people who lived in the hilly area of Judah and Israel, and they killed all of those people and destroyed their cities.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 11:21

Joshua went and destroyed may be better rendered as “Joshua also destroyed,” since in Hebrew the use of the verb went (Revised Standard Version “came”) in such a context indicates continuation of action rather than movement.

With less complication than Good News Translation, the object of destroyed may be translated, “… the race of giants called the Anakim who lived in the cities of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and in all the rest of the hill country of Judah and Israel.” Or, “… Anakim. They lived in the cities of….” Either of these proposals would avoid the complications involved with the use of a dash.

The race of giants wiped out by Joshua are called the Anakim, that is, the descendants of Anak (see Num 13.33); and for the other names used of the Canaanite giants, see Deuteronomy 2.10-11. Of the places mentioned in the highlands of the south, Hebron and Debir are already known (see 10.36-39); Anab is located about 8 kilometers southeast of Debir. Again the verb completely destroyed is used.

Judah and Israel refer to the southern and the northern parts of the country.

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 .