The Greek that is translated as “reveal” or “uncover” in English is translated in Maan with the expression “take the leaf from it.” (Source: Don Slager)
Language-specific Insights
Joab the son of Zeruiah
The Hebrew that is translated as “Joab (also: Abishai) the son of Zeruiah” in English presented a problem in Maan. “In a patriarchal society like Mano, Zeruiah is assumed to be the father of Joab. Since we know that she was his mother (see 2Sam 17:25), we expressed this phrase as ‘Joab whose mother was Zeruiah.'” (Source: Don Slager)
In Batak Karo, Zeruiah also has to be identified as a woman. M.K. Sembiring (in The Bible Translator 1991, p. 217ff. ) explains: “Unlike the Hebrew language, nouns in Batak Karo have no gender. The literal translation of the biblical names therefore does not indicate whether they are female or male names. Names are generally understood as male names when they occur in expressions like ‘the son of…’ or ‘the daughter of…,’ because in the Karo culture, if ever the names of the parents are mentioned, it is usually the name of the father that is used in identifying the children. For example, 1 Sam 26:6 says, ‘Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah,’Who will go down with me into the camp to Saul?” In Hebrew, Zeruiah will be recognized as a female name because of its ending, but in Karo the name will be considered as a male name for the reason given above. It is necessary then to identify Zeruiah as a female name by saying that Zeruiah was the mother of Joab and Abishai. The translation of the first part of that verse into Batak Karo is as follows,’Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Joab’s brother Abishai (the mother of these two is Zeruiah)…'”
sympathize
The Greek in Hebrews 4:15 that is translated as “sympathize” in English is translated in Maan as “to put fire in one’s heart for someone.” (Source: Don Slager)
glory has departed from Israel
The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 4:21 that is translated in English as “the glory has departed from Israel” refers to the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines and therefore the glory of God leaving Israel. A first draft into Maan said “The light has left Israel.” Since no Maan word for ‘glory” that matches the concept in the Hebrew text well could be found, it was translated as “The glorious presence of God has left Israel.”
shave temples / cut hair short
The Hebrew that is translated as “shave their temples” or “cut their hair short” or similar in English is translated in Maan with a figurative expression: “the people who put antelope grease on their heads” (antelope grease removes hair). (Source: Don Slager)
dome
The Hebrew that is translated as “dome” or similar in English is translated in Maan as “round roof,” since there is no existing word for that concept. (Source: Don Slager)
putting the branch to their nose
The Hebrew that is translated as “putting the branch to their nose” or similar in English is translated in Maan as “insulting in the worst possible way” because a more direct translation carried imagery of slavery. (Source: Don Slager)
complete verse (Ephesians 3:15)
Following are a number of back-translations of Ephesians 3:15:
- Uma: “whom we all relate-to-as-Father, both those of us on earth, and also all the contents of heaven.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “He is the one who gives life to all families/who-are-closely-related (magtewtey-anak) in heaven and on earth.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “As for all of the believers who are still here on the earth, or whether they are there now in Heaven, He has called them His family.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “who is the source of the name or familyhood of all families on this earth and in heaven.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “he who is like-the-Father of all whom he has adopted, in heaven now and still here on the earth, who are now being-called his household.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “Concerning this Father, all those who are in heaven and all those here on earth, he is Father to all of them.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
- Maan: “Every family in heaven and on earth derives its life from God the Father.” (Source: Don Slager)