Language-specific Insights

an eye for an eye

The now commonly-used English idiom “eye for an eye” (meaning revenge or retribution) was first coined in 1526 in the English New Testament translation of William Tyndale. (Source: Crystal 2010, p. 285)

Likewise in Mandarin Chinese, the phrasing that was coined to translate “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” — yǐyǎn huányǎn, yǐyá huányá (以眼还眼，以牙还牙 / 以眼還眼，以牙還牙) — has also become a Chinese proverb (see here ).

Other languages that have idioms based on the Hebrew that is translated “an eye for an eye” in English include:

In Alekano it is translated as “if someone gouges out your eye, gouge out his eye,” since in that language body parts need to have an obligatory possessive designator attached. (Source: Larson 1998, p. 42)

boldness

The Greek that is typically translated as “boldness” in English is often translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with an existing Chinese proverb: tǎnrán wújù (坦然无惧) or “calm and fearless.” (Source: Zetzsche)

In Makonde it is translated as “being strong in heart.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

has seen and heard

The Greek that is translated as “has seen and heard” in English is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with a historical Chinese idiom: suǒjiàn suǒwén (所見所聞 / 所见所闻) or “what I saw and heard (lit. “all seen, all heard”).”

Note that the Protestant Union Version also uses it in John 3:32. (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

hard to bear

The Greek that is translated as “had to bear” or similar in English is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with a historical Chinese idiom: bùkān fùhè (不堪負荷 / 不堪负荷), lit. “unbearable load.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

double-minded

The Greek that is translated as “double-minded” in English is translated in Owa as “double-hearted” (doubt; first one thought, then the opposite) (source: Carl Gross) and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with zwei gegensätzliche Seelen in der Brust haben or “having two opposed souls in one’s chest” (in James 1:8).

In the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version and the Protestant Union Version it is translated with two forms of one historical Chinese idiom: sānxīn liǎngyì (三心兩意 / 三心两意) and sānxīn èryì (三心二意), both: “three hearts, two minds.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also double-minded.

lost and found again

The Greek that is translated as “was lost and found again” or similar in English is translated in these verses in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version and the Protestant Union Version with a historical Chinese idiom: shī ér fùdé (失而復得 / 失而复得) or “lost and regained again.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

whole world / under the heavens

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “under the heaven(s)” or “the whole world” in English is translated in the Protestant Mandarin Chinese Union Version with a historical Chinese idiom: pǔtiān zhīxià (普天之下) or “under heaven.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also under the heavens.

licentiousness

The Greek that is translated as “licentiousness” and “impurity” or similar in English is translated in Bariai as “following behavior like dogs.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Ephesians 4:19 this is translated in the Catholic Mandarin Chinese Sigao version with a historical Chinese idiom: zòngqíng zìyù (縱情恣慾 / 纵情恣欲) or “follow desires.” (Source: Toshikazu S. Foley in Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2011, p. 45ff.)

See also adultery.