family / clan / house

The Hebrew terms that are translated as “family” or “clan” or “house” or similar in English are all translated in Kwere as ng’holo or “clan.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In the English translation by Goldingay (2018) it is translated as “kin-group.”

See also tribe.

complete verse (Joshua 21:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 21:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, all the cities that the house of Gershon got were thirteen together with where one could graze (animals).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The Gershonite clan had thirteen cities in all, along with grazing land for their cattle.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “13 cities (in)-all, including their pasturelands (is) what the descendants of Gershon received.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So altogether the Gershon clans were allotted 13 cities and the surrounding pasturelands.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 21:27 - 21:33

Thirteen cities are assigned to the clan of Gershon.

Two cities are in East Manasseh (verse 27), one of which, Golan, was a city of refuge (see 20.8)

Four cities are in Issachar (verses 28-29).

Four cities are in Asher (verses 30-31).

Three cities are in Naphtali (verse 32), one of which, Kedesh, was a city of refuge (see 20.7).

For the translation of these verses, the same format may be followed as for verses 20-26. In particular, verses 27-32 should be patterned after verses 20-25, while verse 33 should follow the pattern of verse 26. The restructuring should be similar, and the problem with the repetition of with their pasture lands also is the same.

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 .