complete verse (Joshua 13:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 13:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “That country started at Aroer which overlooks the valley of Arnon. It includes the city which is in the middle of the valley and the raised area from Medeba to Dibon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “[It] spread out from Aroer which is above the Arnon gorge and from the village situated in the middle of the gorge. The plains of Medeba up to Dibon were also included.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Their land (starts) from Aroer beside Arnon place-where- water -flows (including now the city/town next-to/besides the place-where-water-flows) going-towards the whole valley from Medeba up-to Dibon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Joshua 13:9 - 13:10

For the geographical data in verses 9-10, see comments on 12.2. Medeba is about 12 kilometers south of Heshbon, and Dibon is approximately another 22 kilometers further south. Ammon was the land east of the territory conquered by the Israelites.

In the translation of these two verses it may be useful to include some information regarding the geographical directions. For example:

• The territory of these tribes reached as far southeast as the city of Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley. It also included the city in the middle of the Arnon Valley, as well as all of the plateau from the town of Dibon in the south up to the town of Medeba. 10 Their territory went as far east as the border of Ammon. It also included all the cities that King Sihon, the Amorite king, had ruled over from the city of Heshbon.

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 .