complete verse (Joshua 13:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 13:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “but the people of Israel had not driven out the Geshurites and Maacathites. So the Geshurites and Maacathites live in the country of Israel until today.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But the Israelites did not drive out the Geshurite and Maacathite people. So they have continued to live among the Israelites even to this day.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But the Israelinhon were- not -able-to-drive-out the Geshurnon and the Maacatnon, so they are- still -living with the Israelinhon until now.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Joshua 13:13

Verse 13 points out that the people of Geshur and Maacah had not been driven out of their territories; and at the time of the writing of the account they were still living in Israel. Apparently this verse comes as an afterthought, to correct a false impression which the reader is likely to receive from verse 11. It is then possible to join the last part of verse 12 to verse 13 as follows:

• Moses and the people of Israel had defeated all these people. And they had driven all of them out of their territory. 13 except the people of Geshur and Maacah, who still live among the people of Israel today.

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 .