The metaphor in Deuteronomy 29:18 that is rendered in English as “root producing poison” was replaced in Afar by an applicable idiom for corrupting people, “this disease will spread to you as well.”
Language-specific Insights
ships of Tarshish
The Hebrew in Psalm 48:7 that is translated in English as “as when an east wind shatters the ships of Tarshish” (New Revised Standard Version) or “like ships tossing in a furious storm” (Good News Translation) is translated in Afar as “As sheep scatter back and forth from a wild animal.” (No ships in this part of the Afar desert.)
See also ship.
city has been struck
The Hebrew in Ezekiel 33:21 that in English versions is rendered as “Jerusalem has been struck” is translated into Afar as Yarusalaam makko tekkeh: “The will of God has happened (on) Jerusalem.”
speaking out boldly
The phrase that is translated into English as “spoke out boldly” is translated into Afar as intî qasuk ken lih yabteeh: “spoke with them having red eyes.” (Source: Loren Bliese)
In Low German is is translated as keen Bladd vörn Mund nähmen, lit. “cover the mouth with nothing” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1933, republ. 2006).
The same Low German phrase is also used in 2 Corinthians 6:11.
shadow
The Hebrew in Ecclesiastes 6:12 that is rendered in English versions as “live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow?” is translated into Afar as Sahdayti subci suga iraaway ayro tawqe waqdi gexah bis le: “People are like a shadow present in the early morning that goes away when the sun rises.” (Clarifying the role of the sun in the changing shadow.)
See also shadow vs. spirit.