The English translation “the word of God came to John” of the Greek original uses the verb “come.” Javanese translates “John was-commissioned with God’s word,” Kituba as “God made-known his message to him” (Kituba) and in Nyakyusa-Ngonde the verb for “found” is used and in Tzeltal “arrived in the heart of.” (Source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
Language-specific Insights
large lyre / harp
The musical instrument that is most often translated as “harp” or “large lyre” in English is translated in the following ways:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016: “two stringed instrument” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
- Hiligaynon: “instruments which have strings to praise you,” “beautiful to-be-listened-to instruments,” or kudyapi (source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
- Newari: sarəngi (source: Newari Back Translation)
- Adilabad Gondi: karnaat (source: Adilabad Gondi Back-Translation)
- Nyakyusa-Ngonde: zeze (source: Nyakyusa-Ngonde back translation)
- Mairasi: kecapi (“like a ukulele”) (source: Enggavoter 2004)
- Natügu: “ukulele” (source: Brenda Boerger in Open Theology 2016, p. 179ff. )
In the UBS Helps for Translators‘ Human-made Things in the Bible (original title: The Works of Their Hands: Man-made Things in the Bible) it says the following:
Description: The exact identification of the nevel is very problematic. Some take it to be a kind of harp. The harp consisted of a neck projecting out of a soundbox. Strings were stretched from the extremity of the neck down its length and into the sound box. The body of the harp was made of wood and its strings of animal intestines (perhaps from sheep). The number of strings varied.
Others place the nevel in the category of lyres, where the strings are stretched over top of and parallel to the soundbox. While this is the interpretation preferred here, we will discuss the harp-type of instrument, since the identification is problematic and many translations have preferred “harp” for nevel.
Usage: The strings were plucked either with the fingers or with a thin piece of ivory or metal to give a resonating sound, probably in a lower register than that made by the kinor.
Translation: In several Psalms (33.2; 92.3; 144.9), the nevel is linked to the Hebrew word ‘asor, which could indicate it was “ten-stringed.”
Some degree of cultural adaptation must be made in the translation of these stringed instruments since cultures differ from each other in the shape, the number of strings, and the function of their instruments. Translators will have to select an equivalent instrument in the receptor language. In most passages the most accurate translation for nevel will be “guitar” or some equivalent medium-sized stringed instrument on which the strings are stretched over a sound box and are plucked.
In those passages where nevel and kinor appear together it is recommended that the translator use an instrument that can vary in size and then render the two words as “large and small X,” for example, “large and small guitars.” Alternately, it may be possible to select two stringed instruments that are similar in construction but different in size, for example, “guitar and lute.” It is also possible to say “large and small stringed instruments” or to combine the two, saying “stringed instruments.”
Psalms 33:2: “Praise the LORD with the lyre” (New Revised Standard Version, updated edition) contains two major translation problems. The first problem is that in many languages, the phrase “with the lyre” must be changed into a verb phrase or clause; for example, the whole line may be rendered “Praise the LORD by playing music on the lyre” or “Make music with the lyre, and praise the LORD.” The second problem, which applies also to the second line of this verse, is the terms to be used for the musical instruments here. In languages in which there are several stringed instruments, translators may use one of the smaller ones for kinor (“lyre”) and a larger one for nevel (“harp” in New Revised Standard Version, updated edition). In languages where there is little or no choice, they should use the known local stringed instrument for the kinor, and a more generic expression for the nevel. Where there are no known stringed instruments, it will often be necessary to say “small instruments with strings” for kinor and “large instruments with strings” for nevel.
Harp (source: Knowles, revised by Bass (c) British and Foreign Bible Society 1994)
Quoted with permission.
lyre
The musical instrument that is most often translated as “lyre” or “lute” in English is translated in the following ways:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016: pangwe (a musical instrument that is made from a hollow tube filled with pellets or small stones to create a rain-like sound) or “five stringed instrument” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “guitar” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Newari: “sitar ” (source: Newari Back Translation)
- Adilabad Gondi: chondka (source: Adilabad Gondi Back-Translation)
- Nyakyusa-Ngonde: marimba (source: Nyakyusa-Ngonde back translation)
In the UBS Helps for Translators‘ Human-made Things in the Bible (original title: The Works of Their Hands: Man-made Things in the Bible) it says the following:
Description: The lyre consisted of a sound box out of the ends or sides of which projected two arms. The arms supported a crosspiece. Strings descended from the crosspiece over the sound box. As with the nevel, the number of strings could vary. Their varying thickness and tension gave the instrument a range of notes. The lyre was normally made of wood. The strings were made of animal intestines (perhaps from sheep).
Usage: The strings were normally plucked with the fingers. The kinor in particular is frequently depicted as an instrument that accompanied singing.
Job 21:12: For the stringed instrument (kinor in Hebrew) accompanying the tambourine, French Common Language Version has “guitar” and the French La Bible de Jérusalem has “zither,” which seems to be an instrument used in 1 Samuel 10:5. The first line of this verse may also be rendered “The children sing as people play the tambourine and the lyre.” In some languages these instruments will be a local drum and a stringed instrument; the latter may be a guitar. If no instruments can be found to render any of the instruments in this verse, the translator may have to express the whole verse differently; for example, “The children dance and sing and make joyful sounds/music.”
The identity of the instrument called sabka’ in Aramaic in Daniel (Hebrew) is uncertain. New Revised Standard Version, updated edition renders it “trigon,” which is a small triangular lyre-type instrument with four strings. Probably trigon is technically correct, but it is unknown to the average English reader. Good News Translation has attempted to find a better-known equivalent with “zither,” but the zither has far too many strings (over thirty). Some translations use “lyre” for sabka’ and render the Aramaic word qathros before it as “zither”. Revised English Bible has “triangle,” but most readers will wrongly identify that as a percussion instrument. Common English Version avoids the problem by rendering only the first three instruments in the list and grouping the last three together, including sabka’ as follows: “Trumpets, flutes, harps, and all other kinds of musical instruments.”
Lyre (source: Knowles, revised by Bass (c) British and Foreign Bible Society 1994)
Quoted with permission.
complete verse (Psalm 65:3)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 65:3:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“When we ran out of wisdom with sins,
You forgave our iniquities.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“Even though we are full to the brim with sins
forgive us for all of them.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“Concerning our (excl.) sins, even these (are) many, you (sing.) still forgive.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“when bad matters defeated us,
you come and forgive our sin.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Wakati tumefunikwa na dhambi zetu,
ni wewe unatusamehe kabisa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“because of the sins that they have committed.
Our many sins are like a very heavy burden to us,
but you forgive us.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 67:2)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 67:2:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“That your paths be known on earth,
your salvation among all the races.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“May all who live on earth be able to go on Your path.
Yes, May all the nations experience the power of Your salvation.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“so-that all nations in the world will-know your (sing.) ways and salvation.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“so that your ways would be known here on earth,
and all people would learn about your salvation.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Dunia yote iijue njia yako,
makabila yote yajue nguvu ya wokovu wako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“in order that everyone in the world may know what you want them to do,
and the people of all nations may know that you have the power to save them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 68:27)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 68:27:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“There is a small tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there is a big group of children of kings of Judah,
and also there are children of kings of Zebulun and Naphtali.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“First of all the people of Benjamin, the smallest clan of all,
after that, the leaders of the clan of Judah and their group,
after that, the leaders of the clans of Zebulun and Napthali.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“Going-ahead-(of them) (is) the little/small tribe of Benjamin,
next are the leaders/[lit. heads] of Juda together with their group,
and next are the leaders/[lit. heads] of Zebulun and Naftali.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“Going ahead is Benjamin which be a small clan,
and followed by the leaders of Judah with their crowd,
then followed by the leaders of Zebulun and of Naphtali.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Kabila dogo la Benjamini ndiyo limetangulia mbele,
linafuata kundi la wakuu wa Yuda.
Nyuma wanafuata viongozi wa makabila ya Zabuloni na Naftali.
Sala kwa ushindi wa Mungu” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“First come the people of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe,
and following them come the leaders of the tribe of Judah and their group,
and following them come the leaders of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 69:24)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 69:24:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“Pour out your wrath on them;
let your anger (that is) burning fire finish (their) power.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“Pour out Your anger on them
May Your anger reduce them to ashes.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“Show your (sing.) anger to them, LORD.
Capture them in your (sing.) fury/rage.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“You pour to them your anger,
let your anger reach them.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Uwamwagie hasira zako juu yao,
kuchukia kwako kuwapate.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“Show them that you are very angry with them! Because of your great/furious anger, chase after them and catch them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 71:15)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 71:15:
- Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“My mouth will describe about your righteousness,
about your salvation all day,
though I do not know its measure.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation) - Newari:
“I will keep telling everyone
the good things You have done.
Every day I will tell of Your salvation.
Though I am not really able
to tell the work that You do.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“I will- always -tell-about your (sing.) righteous deeds/[lit. doing] which is saving your (sing.) people,
even-though I can- not -fathom this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Laarim:
“I will tell your kindness with my mouth,
I will tell your salvation all day long,
even though your salvation is bigger more the matter that I know.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Nitatangaza matendo yako ya unyofu,
nitatangaza mchana wote matendo yako ya wokovu,
ijapokuwa hayo yameipita akili yangu.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“I will tell people that you do what is right;
all day long I will tell people how you have saved me,
although what you have done is more than I can fully understand.” (Source: Translation for Translators)