The Greek in Acts 12:18 that is translated as “no small commotion” or similar in English is translated in Teutila Cuicatec as “(the soldiers) were going crazy,” in Chichimeca-Jonaz as “talked fast about,” in Lalana Chinantec as “spoke very many words,” and in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “were well disturbed.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
Language-specific Insights
make His paths straight, make ready the way of the Lord
The Greek (originally quotes from the Hebrew in Isaiah) that is translated as “(make ready the way of the Lord,) make His paths straight” or something similar in English is translated in Sa’a as “You, tidy up well the paths that are dirty.” Carl Gross reports: “The Sa’a people have a practice which beautifully captures the idea expressed in the Isaianic quote. One line of this was rendered ‘You, tidy up well the paths that are dirty.’ This may conjure up the idea of an anti-litter campaign, but assurances were given that, before a feast when other villages would come to visit, or when an important person was about to come, the whole village would go out and tidy up the road, removing stones, branches, and other obstacles, as well as litter. It is a road maintenance exercise, as well as a way of welcoming honored visitors.” (Source: Carl Gross)
In Chol it says “Make straight the way of the Lord: Go, clean up the path of our Lord” (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125), in Teutila Cuicatec “prepare your hearts; straighten out your thoughts, so that you will be ready to receive our Lord,” in Michoacán Nahuatl “prepare your hearts for our Lord as you would prepare a road for a person you would honor” and in Highland Oaxaca Chontal “when a great man arrives you sweep the road; you make it nice. Well, our master will arrive. For this reason make your minds good” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.).
exorcist
The Greek in Acts 19:13 that is translated as “exorcist” in English is translated as “people who said that they had the power to take out the demons from the people” in San Mateo del Mar Huave, as “people who understand magic words” in Lalana Chinantec, as “witch doctors” in Isthmus Mixe, and as “men casting out evil spirits” in Teutila Cuicatec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
voice of a god
The Greek in Acts 12:22 that is translated as “voice of a god” in English is translated as “God is speaking” in Lalana Chinantec, as “that one who is addressing us is God” in Teutila Cuicatec, or as “this is the word of God” in Tepeuxila Cuicatec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
Most High
The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, Ge’ez, or Greek that is translated as “(God) the Most High” or “Most High God” in English is translated in various way:
- Eastern Highland Otomi: “he, the completely glorified God”
- San Mateo del Mar Huave: “Father God who is high in heaven”
- Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has such tremendous authority”
- Chichimeca-Jonaz: “he who is the native of the highest place”
- Palantla Chinantec: “the Big God Himself”
- Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “God who has authority over all”
- Estado de México Otomi: “most exalted God”
- Isthmus Mixe: “God who is in heaven”
- Teutila Cuicatec: “God who has a great rule” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
- Sa’a: “God, the Surpassing One” (source: Carl Gross)
- Elhomwe: Mulluku Muullupalli or “God the Great” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
- Chichewa: Wammwambamwamba: A name of God. While this word is difficult to translate into English, its sense implies that God is highly above everything in his power and greatness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
practice magic
The Greek in Acts 19:19 that is translated as “practice magic” in English is translated practiced as “know magic words” in Lalana Chinantec, “reading the paper belonging to the demons” in San Mateo del Mar Huave, and “practice witchcraft” in Teutila Cuicatec. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
witness
The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and and Greek that is translated as “witness” in English is translated in these ways:
- “truly have seen” in Highland Popoluca
- “telling the truth regarding something” in Eastern Highland Otomi
- “know something” in Lalana Chinantec
- “verily know something to be the truth” in San Mateo del Mar Huave
- “we ourselves saw this” in Desano
- “tell the truth about something” in Eastern Highland Otomi
- “know something is true because of seeing it” in Teutila Cuicatec (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
- “ones who will confirm that these-things that you have seen are true” in Kankanaey (source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- “ones who are to testify about these things, because it all happened before your eyes” in Tagbanwa (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
magician
The Greek that is translated as “magician” is translated in Teutila Cuicatec and Eastern Highland Otomi as “witch doctor” and in Lalana Chinantec as “person who grabs magic words.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
In Kalmyk the word used for magician means “deceiver, cheat, charlatan.” (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2013, p. 54ff. )
See also practice magic and complete verse (Acts 13:6).