peace (inner peace)

The Hebrew and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)


“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

See also peace (absence of strife) and this devotion on YouVersion and this one on Bible Gateway .

complete verse (Judges 21:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Judges 21:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “After that, the people of Israel sent a peace delegation to go the remaining men of the clan of Benjamin at the rock of Rimmon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Then that meeting of the Israelites sent a message of peace to the Benjaminites who were in the rock of Rimmon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Afterwards, the whole community of Israelinhon sent messengers to the Benjaminhon who hid at the Rock of Rimon. They were-told by the messengers that their fellow Israelinhon are- now -ready to-make-friends with them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Then all the Israelis who had gathered sent a message to the 600 men who were at Rimmon Rock. They said that they would like to make peace with them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Judges 21:13

With the mission accomplished, the scene now shifts back to the assembly at Bethel. Most versions begin a new paragraph here (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version).

Then the whole congregation sent word to the Benjaminites …: Then renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction here. The whole congregation refers to the Israelites assembled at Bethel (see verse 21.10). Sent word to the Benjaminites is literally “they sent and they spoke to the children [or, sons] of Benjamin.” Obviously they communicated through a system of messengers who traveled back and forth carrying news. The Hebrew verb for “sent” is the keyword shalach (see verse 3.15).

The Benjaminites who were at the rock of Rimmon refers to the 600 Benjaminite soldiers who escaped alive from the war. See verse 20.47.

And proclaimed peace to them is literally “and they called to them peace.” Though the Hebrew word rendered peace (shalom) often serves as a greeting (see verse 6.23), here it seems to imply more. The Israelites had already called an end to the killing of the Benjaminites and had made some overtures of peace. So we might say “proclaimed an end to the war” or “offered them peace.” Contemporary English Version says “telling them that the Israelites were willing to make peace with them.” It seems significant that the Israelites waited until they had 400 wives for the Benjaminites before proclaiming peace.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Then the Israelites sent a message to the Benjaminite soldiers who were at Rimmon Rock and offered them a peace settlement.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .