The term that is transliterated as “Caleb” in English is translated in American Sign Language with one variation of the sign for “watch,” a reference to the fact that Caleb was one of the twelve who surveyed the Promised Land. The sign also alludes to watch dogs, a reference to Caleb’s enduring loyalty to God. (Source: RuthAnna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Caleb” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with the sign for “spy.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Joshua” is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts a trumpet of rams’ horn, referring to Joshua 6:4 and following.
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive: See verse 30. But renders well the Hebrew waw conjunction, which introduces a contrast here. Joshua and Caleb were the only spies that were not killed by the plague since they disagreed with the false report of the other spies.
Of those men who went to spy out the land: See 13.2. Good News Translation says simply “Of the twelve spies.”
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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