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

See also Judah.

Translation commentary on 2 Kings 9:29

In the eleventh year of Joram: This refers to the eleventh year after Joram had begun to reign over Israel and not to his age. Translators should ensure that this is understood in their own rendering. In 2 Kgs 8.25 it is stated that Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year that Joram was king of Israel.

It should also be made clear that this verse constitutes a kind of flashback since by this time both Ahaziah and Joram were dead. Some translations do this by using the past perfect tense for the verb began to reign, saying “had become king” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Nouvelle Bible Segond). Moffatt places double square brackets around this verse to indicate that it is doubtful whether these words were a part of the original writing of 2 Kings. New International Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh take this verse as a parenthetical statement.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .