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.

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” 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 .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

complete verse (Joshua 7:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 7:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “In that clan the house of Zerah was pointed out, and then the home/family of Zabdi was pointed out.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He brought Judah forward clan by clan and the clan of Zerah was taken. Then he brought the clan of Zerah forward household by household and the household of Zabdi was taken.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He had- the clan/descendants of Juda -come-near, and the clan/descendants of Zera (was) the-one that was-chosen of them. He had- the clan/descendants of Zera -come-near, and the family of Zabdi (was) the-one that was-chosen of them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then the clans of Judah presented themselves, and Yahweh indicated that someone from the clan of Zerah was the guilty one. Then the families of Zerah’s clan presented themselves, and Yahweh indicated that someone from the family of Zabdi was the guilty one.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 7:16 - 7:18

The process of selection, by means of drawing lots, starts early the following morning. Early the next morning translates “So Joshua rose early in the morning” (Revised Standard Version). One may even translate “The next morning.”

All the twelve tribes of Israel are “brought near” the Covenant Box, and the tribe of Judah is indicated (verse 16). Then all the clans of Judah are brought near, and the clan of Zerah is indicated (verse 17a); next all the families of the clan of Zerah are brought near, and the family of Zabdi is indicated (verse 17b).It should be noticed that in verse 17b the Masoretic text says “he brought forward the clan of Zerah, man by man, and Zabdi was selected.” Instead of “man by man” some Hebrew manuscripts (and Syriac and Vulgate) have, as expected, “family by family,” since the text verse speaks of the family of Zabdi being brought forward. Revised Standard Version follows the Masoretic text; Good News Translation An American Translation Bible de Jérusalem Jerusalem Bible New English Bible New American Bible Traduction œcuménique de la Bible prefer the variant reading. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers the Masoretic text (a “C” decision), justifying its decision by Factor 5 (“Assimilation to parallel passages”) and Factor 4 (“Simplification of the text [easier reading]”). Zabdi’s family is brought near, man by man, and his grandson Achan is indicated. Thus by the long process of elimination Achan is exposed as the guilty man.

Brought Israel forward, tribe by tribe (verse 16) may be translated “made all the tribes of Israel come into the LORD’s presence, one tribe at a time.”

The tribe of Judah was picked out may be translated “The lot fell upon the tribe of Judah” or “The LORD picked out the tribe of Judah.” It is obvious that in such a context picked out must not imply favorable choice.

The restructuring of verses 17-18 will be similar to the pattern followed for verse 16.

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 .