complete verse (Joshua 15:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 15:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “And the cities that were in the slopes are these: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “These were the cities in the western foothills:
    Eshtaol, Zorah, Asnah,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The towns/cities in the hills to the west: Eshtaol, Zora, Ashna,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The tribe of Judah was allotted these towns in the northern part of the western foothills: Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 15:33 - 15:36

THE SECOND DISTRICT: cities in the foothills.

Here fifteen cities are named; the total (verse 36b) is given as fourteen cities.The Septuagint, instead of and Gederothaim in verse 36, has “and its sheepfolds,” thus making the total fourteen cities; but no current translation has this, and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project does not favor it.

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 .