The Hebrew in Genesis 3:1 that is translated as “crafty” or similar in some English is translated in Mwera as ugulumba: “mean, crafty or hypocritical.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Language-specific Insights
make love
The Hebrew in Genesis 29:21 that is translated as “make love” or similar in English is translated in Mwera as “talk with,” referring to sleeping with someone. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
summer vs. winter
The Hebrew, Ge’ez and Latin that is translated as “summer” and “winter” in English is translated in Chichewa as “dry season” and “wet season.” In Chewa culture, seasons are often defined by the availability of water, which is crucial for agriculture, livestock, and human consumption. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
In Mwera (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Elhomwe it is translated with a single word — enthawi — that relates to both seasons. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
In Newari it is translated as “hot time” (summer) and “cold time” (winter) (source: Newari Back Translation).
choice vine
The Hebrew in Genesis 49:11 that is translated as “choice vine” or similar in English is translated in Mwera as “chosen branch of best fruiting.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
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)
struck with blindness
The Hebrew in Genesis 19:11 that is translated as “struck with blindness” or similar in English is translated in Mwera with the idiom gubhaabhulegenje: “they killed their eyes.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
make a sacrifice of atonement
The Greek in Hebrews 2:17 that is translated as “make a sacrifice of atonement” or similar in English is translated in Mwera as “devote himself to be the sacrifice.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
See also propitiation / atoning sacrifice and sacrifice of atonement / expiation / propitiation.
rained on Sodom and Gomorrah
The Hebrew in Genesis 19:24 that is translated as “rained on Sodom and Gomorrah” in most English translations is translated in Mwera as “burned on Sodom and Gomorrah.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
