The Hebrew in Genesis 16:12 that is translated as “wild ass of a man” of “wild donkey” in English is translated in Chol as “uncontrollable” (with a negative connotation).
In Chichewa (interconfessional translation) it is translated as mtima wa chilombo or “with the heart of a beast.” (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 130)
The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:
“rest the heart” (Central Mazahua) / “rest within” (Lacandon) (source: Nida 1952, p. 40 and 128ff.) / “wait well in your heart” (Yatzachi Zapotec) (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
The Greek in John 8:44 that is translated in English as “father of lies” or similar is translated as “(he is the one) who causes people to lie” in Asháninka, “chief of liars” in Shipibo-Conibo, “originator of lies” in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac, and “all liars originate from the devil” in Chol. (Source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
The Greek in John 19:23 that is translated as “seamless” in many English translation is translated in Aguaruna as “not sewn when they made it,” in Chol as “not stitched,” in Navajo (Dinė) as “woven in one piece from the top down,” and in Lalana Chinantec as “no joint in it at all.”
(Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
