Language-specific Insights

he has set a tent for the sun

The Hebrew in Psalm 19:4 that is translated as “he has set a tent for the sun” or similar in English is translated in Makonde as “God has made for the sun a tent/shelter to sleep in at night there in the sky.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

caressing, fondling

The Hebrew in Genesis 26:8 that is translated as “fondling” or “caressing” or similar in English is translated in Makonde as “embracing” and in Elhomwe as “embracing in love” to avoid connotations of sexual intercourse. (Source for both: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Note that in Hebrew this word is a pun on the name of Isaac.

draw the sword and bend their bows

The Hebrew in Psalm 37:14 that is translated as “draw the sword and bend their bows” or similar in English is translated in Makonde as “draw the sword and aim their bows.” “The Makonde said it just doesn’t fit the context to say they have drawn their swords, but then they’re still stringing their bows [which is the original meaning in the Hebrew]. Everyone translates it as aim here, so maybe that is a possible meaning as well. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

God's house

The Hebrew in Genesis 28:22 that is translated as “God’s house” in English is translated in Makonde as “a place to worship you, God” because the direct translation of “God’s house” is the word used in Makonde for “temple.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

hair (body hair)

The Hebrew that is translated as “hair” in English (relating to body hair is translated in Kwere as upipi — a word indicating small hairs. In Makonde, there is also a differentiation between body and head hair with the former being the same than animal hair. (source for both: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also (human) head hair and hairy (like Esau).

children / sons

The Greek in Hebrews 2:10 that is translated as “children” or “sons” in English is translated in Mwera as “sons of God” and in Makonde as “children of God.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

God finished the work that he had done

The Hebrew in Genesis 2:2 that is translated as “God finished the work that he had done” in English is translated in Makonde as “God had finished all the work of creation” to to make it clear that God was finished creating it was not going to continue later. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)