Joshua

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Joshua” is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts a trumpet of rams’ horn, referring to Joshua 6:4 and following.


“Joshua” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Joshua .

complete verse (Joshua 8:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Joshua 8:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “So, Joshua, burned the city of Ai to become a ruined hill until today.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In this way Joshua burned the city of Ai, reducing it to ashes. It has remained desolate even ’till today.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Afterwards Josue had- all-of Ai -burnt, and this was- no-longer -built again. Until now no one lives there.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Joshua and his soldiers burned Ai city and caused it to become a pile of ruins. It is still like that today.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Joshua 8:28

Joshua burned Ai may be a summary to the narrative and not an additional action on the part of Joshua (see verse 19). This may also be translated as either “Joshua caused the city of Ai to be burned” or “Joshua and his men burned the city of Ai.” The translation should not leave the impression that Joshua alone burned the city.

The city was left … in ruins, a condition which persisted to the time the account was written (today). It is important that the reader not confuse today, the time of the writing of the book, with “today,” the time of the reading of the book. To avoid this possibility of misunderstanding, one may translate “The city is still in ruins today, as I write this story to tell you about it.” If this restructuring is followed, it is obvious that the word chosen for “story” should suggest a “true story” as opposed to an invented story.

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 .