Ephraim

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Ephraim” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “palm tree” referring to the palm of Deborah in the land of Ephraim (see Judges 4:5. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Ephraim” 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 .

For Deborah, see here.

More information about Ephraim and the Tribe of Ephraim .

complete verse (Joshua 21:21)

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

  • Kupsabiny: “Syechem (a cite one could flee to), Gezer,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They gave them Shechem (which is one of the cities to give refuge for a person who accidentally killed someone) in the hill country of Ephraim and Gezer,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Some of the descendants of Kohat from the tribe of Levi received four towns/cities from the land[s] of the tribe of Efraim. These were Shekem (in the mountains of Efraim which (is) one of the towns/cities of refuge, where the man who kills unintentionally can-flee), Gezer, Kibzaim, and Bet Horon, including their pasturelands.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Those cities were Shechem (which was one of the cities to which people could run/escape to be safe/protected), Gezer,” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 21:20 - 21:22

Four cities are in the tribe of Ephraim, one of which, Shechem, was a city of refuge (see 20.7).

Since all four of the cities mentioned in verses 20-22 are in the territory of Ephraim, it is possible to translate the verses as a unit. Moreover, since the summary in verse 26 indicates that they also received the pasture land around the cities, it may not be necessary to mention that information at this time. One may then translate:

• The rest of the clan of Levi was given four cities in the territory of Ephraim. The cities were Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer, Kibzaim, and Beth Horon. Shechem was also one of the cities of refuge.

Or, “… One of these cities was Shechem. It was located in the hill country, and it was also one of the cities of refuge. The other three cities were….”

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 .