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 4:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 4:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “All those people plotted/planned to go and attack/fight Jerusalem so that the work would stop.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They all planned to attack Jerusalem in-order to stir-up-trouble-against us (excl.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “When that was so, they all agreed-together to fight-against and throw-into-confusion Jerusalem.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “They all planned to come and fight against the people of Jerusalem and to cause trouble.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 4:8

The enemies all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it, that is, to spread disruptive and frightening propaganda that would cause confusion. “To plot” is to make an evil plan together, usually in secret.

The Hebrew word rendered confusion means “harm,” “trouble,” or “calamity.” Many versions render this word as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation have done (also New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible). For to cause confusion, Contemporary English Version says “to stir up trouble” and Nouvelle Bible Segond says “to cause damage” (also Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

In it in Hebrew is in the masculine form while Jerusalem or city would require the feminine form. Some commentators suggest that “in it” is a scribal mistake in place of “to us” or “to me,” referring to Nehemiah. New Jerusalem Bible therefore renders cause confusion in it as “upset my plans,” that is, Nehemiah’s plans. However, Revised Standard Version and many other versions understand the reference to be to the city, either as in it (also New American Standard Bible) or “against it” (New International Version), and this is supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project with a B rating. Several versions omit the reference thereby leaving it ambiguous as Good News Translation has done (also Contemporary English Version, New English Bible, New King James Version ), and this is recommended to translators.

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 .