The Hebrew that is translated in English as “Rahab” is translated in the interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) as chilombo cha m’nyanja or “beast of the sea.” (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 96)
Language-specific Insights
bonds
The Hebrew in Psalm 2:3 that is translated as “bonds” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as magoli or “yokes.” This word is used to refer to two instruments. The first one was used to tie slaves around their necks. It was a beam made out of wood, leather, and sometimes chains placed on the shoulders of the enslaved people. Once slaves were tied to it they could not run away as they were being transported from one place to another. Sometimes it is used to refer to a wooden piece that is used to join two oxen together for plowing or transporting of goods in agricultural and other contexts. When two oxen are tied to the yoke, their movement is controlled by the one who is operating the plow or oxcart. In Chichewa culture, a yoke is a symbol of subjugation, exploitation, and powerlessness. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
high(est) heaven
The Hebrew that is translated as “high(est) heaven” (or “heaven of heaven) or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with kumwambamwamba or “top of heaven.” “This is a Chichewa way of saying very far in the sky.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
you have ravished my heart
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone kwe in Song of Songs 4:9 to describe “being hooked (by love).” Kwe is generally used a sudden catch or jerk and often used for being “hooked” or startled. A possible translation into English of the Chichewa translation might “you have made my heart go snap! (i.e. you’ve captured it completely).” (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)
holy ones
The Greek, Ge’ez, and Hebrew that is typically translated as “holy ones” in English is translated as “angels” in Purepecha and in Chichewa as “(people with a) white heart” since “white” is the word that is used in Chichewa for the translation of “holy.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also holy ones (Psalm 34:9) and saint.
sour wine / vinegar
The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “sour wine” or “vinegar” is translated in the following ways:
- North Alaskan Inupiatun: “wine”
- Navajo (Dinė): “sour grape juice”
- Aguaruna: “bitter drink”
- Yatzachi Zapotec: “cheap wine” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
- Noongar: “sour / bitter water” (source: Bardip Ruth-Ang 2020)
- Chichewa “spoiled wine” (vinyo wosasa — the word “wosasa” is used to refer to any food or drink that has become bad and produces bad smell because it has either overstayed or exposed to bacteria and other infections) (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
- Bariai: “sour wine juice” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
- Cherokee: “sour” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 16)
See also proceeds from the vine / anything that comes from the grapevine and wine.
cords of Sheol
The Hebrew in Psalm 18:5 that is translated as “the cords of Sheol” in some English versions is rendered in Medumba with the existing expression “the odor of death.” (Source: Jan de Waard in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 107ff )
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated as In “the ropes from the grave.” In Chewa culture these are used to descend a coffin with a dead body into the grave. These ropes are kept at the grave or in some communities at the house of one of the people who take care of the grave. Being tied by these ropes is considered to be a big misfortune as they are associated with death. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
your lips distill nectar (your lips drip honey)
The interconfessional Chichewa translation (publ. 1999) uses the ideophone mvee in Song of Songs 4:11 to describe the thick and rich honey dripping from the lips. Mvee is generally used for dense, viscous abundance (oozing / glistening) as well as for sensory overload (sweetness / richness / seduction. (Source: Ernst Wendland)
Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)