18:19a
Then they will throw dust on their heads: This clause refers to the common way of showing grief at that time. The shipmaster, passengers, sailors, and others will mourn the loss of Babylon.
In some languages throwing dust on the head is not a sign of mourning. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
• Explain its meaning in your translation. For example:
They will ⌊show their sadness/mourning by⌋ throwing dust on their heads
• Translate the literal meaning and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Throwing dust on the head was the common way of showing grief at that time.
• Use a custom in your language that shows grief. You may then want to explain the literal words in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Literally: “They will throw dust on their heads.” At that time in that region, doing that showed grief.
• Translate the meaning of this custom. For example:
They will mourn
18:19b
as they weep: These words refer to tears in the eyes because of sadness. Here the words may also refer to the noise people make when crying. But it probably does not refer to the loud noise of wailing here.
mourn: This word refers to being very sad or grieving. The sea captains and other people will be very sad that Babylon is gone. Other ways to translate this word are:
grieve
-or-
have great sorrow
cry out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cry out refers to speaking loudly with a strong desire to be heard. See how you translated this word in 18:18.
18:19c
Woe, woe to the great city: These words were probably spoken about Babylon, rather than to her. She is addressed by “she” in 18:19d. For example:
Alas, alas, that great city (King James Version)
Woe, woe: The word Woe is repeated to emphasize its meaning. See how you translated this phrase in 18:16.
all who had ships: This phrase refers to the people who owned ocean-going ships. For example:
every owner of a sea–going ship (New Jerusalem Bible)
were enriched by her wealth: The word by indicates that the shipowners became rich because of selling things to Babylon. She bought many expensive goods. The shipowners made a lot of money from fees for bringing those goods to Babylon on their ships. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
grew rich from her prosperity (Revised English Bible)
-or-
became wealthy by trading with her, and she was so wealthy!
-or-
her wealth made owners of all the ships on the sea rich
wealth: The Greek word here refers to things that are expensive or costly. Babylon spent a lot of money on expensive goods. Other ways to translate this word are:
lavish living (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
costly/extravagant goods
18:19d
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For is often translated as “because.” This conjunction introduces the reason for the saying of “woe” in 18:19c. In some languages it is necessary or more natural not to translate the conjunction. Do this if the context implies in your language that 18:19d is the reason for the saying of woe in 18:19c.
in a single hour she has been destroyed: This is a passive clause, similar to 18:17a. The difference here is that the word she replaces “such great wealth.” Some languages must use an active or intransitive clause. For example:
In one hour ⌊they⌋ have destroyed her
-or-
in one hour she has lost everything! (Good News Translation)
-or-
in a short time all of the things in it have perished
in a single hour: This phrase implies suddenly or in a short time. Translate this phrase as you did in 18:10.
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