The Greek that is translated as “barley bread” (or: “barley loaf”) in English is translated in Elhomwe as “cheap bread.” Barely bread had the reputation of being cheaper than wheat (see here) and since neither barley nor its reputation are being known in Malawi, it was decided to translated explicitly.(Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
See also barley.
The Hebrew in Genesis 28:11 that is translated as “put it under his head” or similar in English is translated in Elhomwe as ahameellihalle, something like “to pillow.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
The Greek that is translated as “tower” in English is translated in Elhomwe as enyumba yootthinddaanyerana or “house, one on top of the other.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
For other translations, see also Translation commentary on Luke 13:4.
The Greek in 1 Corinthians 2:8 that is translated as “Lord of glory” in English is translated in Elhomwe as “glorified Lord.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
The Hebrew in Exodus 26:15 that is translated as “upright frames” in English is translated in Elhomwe with the term “upright plank,” “because in Elhomwe only the whole structure of vertical and horizontal planks would be called a ‘frame.'” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
The Greek in 1 Thessalonians 3:8 that is translated as “live” or “be alive” in English is translated in Elhomwe idiomatically as “our heart is released.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
See also complete verse (1 Thessalonians 3:8) and alive to God.
The Greek that is translated as “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” or similar in English is translated in Muna as “what comes-out at the lips, it comes from the fullness/overflowing of the heart.”
René van den Berg explains: “It is very impolite in Muna to mention someone’s mouth (wobha) or tongue (lela). The words themselves are not taboo or obscene, but in combination with a possessor they are frowned upon and should be avoided. In fact, if you want to abuse someone, you should refer to his or her mouth or tongue. The implications for translation are obvious (…). [Sometimes] ‘mouth’ was replaced by ‘lips’ (wiwi), a perfectly acceptable term, even when possessed.”
In the German Luther Bible it says: Denn wes das Herz voll ist, des geht der Mund über or “what the heart is full of, with that the mouth flows over” (source: Zetzsche), in Uab Meto it says “his mouth says only what the heart is more than full of,” and in Tzeltal it is “in our hearts arise all those things which come out of our mouths” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel), and in Elhomwe it is translated literally since that exact idiom is used in that language as well (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).
In Cherokee, “abundance of the heart” is translated as “heart place” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 30).
The Greek that is translated as “put his arms around him and kissed him” or similar in English is translated in the Pfälzisch translation by Walter Sauer (publ. 2012) as is em um de Hals gfalle un hot en abgekisst or “he flung his arms around his neck and smothered him with kisses.” (Source: Zetzsche)
In Elhomwe it is translated as “greeted him by hugging.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
See also kiss.
The following is a contemporary stained glass window depicting the father hugging his son in the Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Bryanston, New Zealand:
Photo by Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Bryanston
The Window of Reconciliation: The Father ran to his son and clasped him in his arms (Luke 15:21). This window portrays the reconciliation of God and ourselves: His grace (shown as brilliant light at the centre of united figures) transforms our hearts. The reconciliation we strive for in our country and our world is also portrayed — and there is no easy road to achieving peace on earth and goodwill to all (Luke 2:14). The modern window shows reconciling figures against a desert-like background that symbolises the death and desolation that threaten us. As the great 20th century poet WH Auden wrote: ‘We must love one another or die.’ (Source: Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Bryanston )
Stained glass is not just highly decorative, it’s a medium which has been used to express important religious messages for centuries. Literacy was not widespread in the medieval and Renaissance periods and the Church used stained glass and other artworks to teach the central beliefs of Christianity. In Gothic churches, the windows were filled with extensive narrative scenes in stained glass — like huge and colorful picture storybooks — in which worshipers could ‘read’ the stories of Christ and the saints and learn what was required for their religious salvation. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum )