serve

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “serve,” “minister,” “walk with,” or “service” is translated in Igede as myị ẹrụ or “agree with message (of the one you’re serving).” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In Quetzaltepec Mixe, “serve” is translated as “obey.” (Source: Robert Bascom)

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

complete verse (Nehemiah 4:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 4:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “I also told all the people who lived in the area of the wall to be coming to Jerusalem so that they would be alternating/working with shifts with their workers to guard at night, or building that wall during day.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “That time, I also told the people who live outside Jerusalem that they and their servants will-go- inside the city at night-time so-that they could-guard, and in the morning they could- also -work.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “During that time, I also told the men and their helpers to stay inside the city at night so-that they would guard the city at night and work in the daytime.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “At that time, I also said to the people, ‘Tell every worker and his helper that they must stay inside Jerusalem at night. By doing that, they can guard us at night, and they can work on the wall during the daytime.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 4:22

Because of the urgency of the rebuilding and the need to protect themselves, Nehemiah gave instructions for both day and night. This order by Nehemiah to pass the night within Jerusalem would have been given before the statement in the previous verse about their working hours. Previously the workers returned to their own villages outside Jerusalem at night. Now they were to remain inside Jerusalem at night so that the city would be defended at all times and so that the work could go on during the entire daytime.

Every man and his servant here probably refers to each builder and the guard assigned to protect him (see verse 16 above). It may also be interpreted to mean that each builder had his own helper or assistant, but this is less likely. They all were to stay inside Jerusalem at night.

Nehemiah’s instructions are recorded in direct quotation. Good News Translation changes to indirect quotation. Direct quotation should be retained in translation unless there is a strong reason in the literary style of the receptor culture not to do so. In some languages it might be helpful to translate verses 21-22 together and reverse the order to follow the logical flow of events.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .