village

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “village” or “town” in English is translated in Noongar as karlamaya or “fire (used for “home“) + houses” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

In Elhomwe it is typically translated as “place.” “Here in Malawi, villages very small, so changed to ‘places,’ since not sure whether biblical reference just to small villages or also to bigger towns. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Joshua 15:54)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 15:54:

  • Kupsabiny: “Humtah, Kiriath-arba, that is Hebron, and Zior. They became nine towns together with their villages.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Humtah, Kiriath-Arba, which is called Hebron, and Zior.
    All these nine cities and their surrounding villages.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Humta, Kiriat Arba (which is Hebron), and Zior — 9 towns/cities, including the villages around them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Humtah, Kiriath-Arba (which is now named Hebron), and Zior. There were nine towns altogether with their surrounding villages.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 15:52 - 15:54

SEVENTH DISTRICT: cities also in the highlands.

The Hebrew in verse 54 gives the old name of Hebron, namely Kiriath Arba (see Revised Standard Version); in light of verse 13 this information has become redundant and so is omitted by Good News Translation.

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 .