Simeon

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Simeon” or “Simon” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies “swords,” referring to the traditional Jewish symbol for the tribe. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Simeon” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Reuben

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Reuben” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “head” or “leader” referring to the position he had among his brothers as the firstborn. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Reuben” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

Levi

The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is transliterated as “Levi” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with a sign that signifies a menorah referring to the temple service of the tribe of the Levites. The same sign is also used for the tribe. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Levi” or “Levite” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

See also Levite.

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 Exod 1:2 - 1:4

Jacob had twelve sons, and verses 2, 3, and 4 name eleven of them according to their four mothers, with Reuben, the eldest, listed first. (See Gen 35.23-26.) The word and is introduced in the Hebrew for convenience in reading and does not always represent the four groups of brothers. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, were all sons of Jacob’s first wife Leah. Benjamin and Joseph were sons of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife, but Joseph is not listed here because “Joseph was already in Egypt” (verse 5). Dan and Naphtali were sons of Rachel’s maid, and Gad and Asher were sons of Leah’s maid.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

Translation commentary on Exod 39:10 - 39:13

These verses are nearly identical with 28.17-20. Only the verbs are changed from showing incomplete action (future tense) to showing completed action (past tense). Revised Standard Version again translates the different kinds of stones in the same way, but there is considerable uncertainty as to the meaning of the Hebrew terms. This is discussed at 28.17-20.

In verse 13 they were enclosed in settings of gold filigree is literally “encircled [in] settings of gold in their settings.” Two different words are used for “settings”: The first one is identical with 28.11 and suggests the idea of filigree. (See the comment there.) The second one is identical with 28.20 and comes from the word that means “to fill.” Good News Translation‘s “mounted in gold settings” (similarly Contemporary English Version) does not bring out the idea of filigree, but this is a matter of interpretation. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “frames of gold,” and Revised English Bible has “gold rosettes.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .