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
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. NRSVue 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.
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” or “beautiful to-be-listened-to instruments” (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” (NRSVue) 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 NRSVue). 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.
complete verse (Psalm 1:2)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:2:
- Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
“But his delight is in the laws of Jehovah
and in his laws he meditates day and night.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation) - Newari:
“But he rejoices in the law of the Lord.
Night and day he meditates on His law.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“Instead, he (is) happy in following the teachings that (come) from the Lord,
and he meditates on these day-(and)-night.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“But that person, he is very happy/delighted with the law of God only.
And he spends time thinking about the book of that law all night and all day.” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“But, he will rejoice in the Law of Lord,
and he thinks the Law of Lord day and night.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - West African language:
If you want to be truly happy, let your belly be sweet on God’s command words.
Let your mind eat them day and night.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. ) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Bali sheria za Bwana ndizo ambazo zinampendeza,
anaziwaza mchana na usiku.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“Those whom God is pleased with delight in doing the things that he has instructed/taught us to do.
They read and think about Yahweh’s requirements, day and night.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 1:3)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:3:
- Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
“He is like a tree planted in the banks of rivers of water,
which bears its fruits in its season
and its leaves do not wither.
Anything that he does he profits from it.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation) - Newari:
“He is like a tree planted on a river bank.
He always bears fruit at the proper times
and his leaves never dry up.
Whatever work he does gets finished.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“He is like a tree planted beside the stream
that bears-fruit in season of bearing-fruit,
and (whose) leaves do- not -wither.
A man like this will-prosper in what he does.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“That person becomes like a tree someone planted near flowing water.
At the appropriate time, it produces fruit, and its leaves never wither/dry up.” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“He is like a tree planted at the bank of river,
its bears always when its months reach.
Its leaves do not dry.
All the good matters he does, stay well.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - West African language:
“Then you will be like a river-by tree whose leaves the sun cannot kill,
whose children are always ripe at the right time.
Then everything you do will finish on a good road.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. ) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Huyo yuko kama vile mti,
ambao umepandwa kando katika chemchemi ya maji,
ambao unazaa matunda katika wakati wake,
na majani yake hayanyauki.
Yote ambayo anayafanya yanakuwa ni mema.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“They constantly produce/do things that please God
just like fruit trees that have been planted along the banks of a stream produce fruit at the right time every year.
Like trees that never wither,
they succeed in everything that they do.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 1:4)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:4:
- Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
“It is not (like) that with wicked people!
They are like chaff
that is blown away by the wind.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation) - Newari:
“The wicked are not like that.
They are like chaff.
The wind blows them away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“But not like this the wicked people.
They on-the-other-hand have-no value,
like chaff that just blows-away by the wind.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“But the wicked person doesn’t produce like that,
but that person is like chaff that the wind scatters.” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“The bad people are not like that!
They are like chaff
that are carried by the wind and just disappear.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - West African language:
“Bad people are not like the river-by tree,
they are like dry (corn) chaff
which the wind blows away, puff! puff! [=ideophone, i.e. word that expresses what is perceived by the five senses]” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. ) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Lakini waovu hawako kama hivyo.
Wao wako kama vile makapi ambayo yanapeperushwa na upepo.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“But wicked people are not like that!
Wicked people are as worthless as chaff
that is blown away by the wind.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 1:5)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:5:
- Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
“So wicked people will not be able to stand in judgment,
or sinful people in the assembly of righteous people.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation) - Newari:
“So at the time of judgment
the wicked will be punished.
And sinners will not be able to remain
in the assembly of the righteous.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“So on the day of judgment, they will-be-punished by God
and they will- not -be-joined-in with the righteous-ones.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“Arriving at the day God judges the wicked people,
on that day God will sort out those wicked people from the straight good/righteous people.” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“Therefore, God will judge the people who do bad matter,
and the sinners will not stay together in one place with good people.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - West African language:
“That is why God will hit them when he judges all people,
he will not let them share with those who are at his back.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. ) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Kwa hiyo waliopotoka hawatakuja kupona kuhukumiwa,
watenda dhambi hawatakuja kuwamo katika kundi la wanyofu. ” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“Therefore, wicked people will not be acquitted/will be condemned when God judges people,
and furthermore, sinful people will not even be present when God gathers righteous people together,” (Source: Translation for Translators)
complete verse (Psalm 1:6)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 1:6:
- Chichewa Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero translation, 2002/2016:
“For Jehovah watches over the movements of righteous people,
but the movements of wicked people will perish.” (Source: Chichewa Back Translation) - Newari:
“For the Lord cares for those who follow
the path of the righteous.
But those who follow the way
of the wicked will be destroyed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation) - Hiligaynon:
“For the Lord guides/leads the righteous-ones
but the way-of-living of the wicked brings them to destruction.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation) - Eastern Bru:
“Whatever person does not follow the teaching of the evil person,
or does not do according to what the sinner does, or does not follow/imitate those
those who customarily mock God, surely that person receives blessing.” (Source: Bru Back Translation) - Laarim:
“Because the Lord watches the way of good people,
but, the way of bad people will end in death.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation) - West African language:
“God will show his good ways to the ones at his back,
but he will let sinners follow the way to perdition.” (Source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1983, p. 420ff. ) - Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Kwa maana Bwana anazilinda njia za wanyofu,
lakini njia za waovu ziko karibu kuangamizwa.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation) - English:
“because he guides and protects righteous people,
but the path that the wicked walk on leads them to where they will be destroyed/punished by God forever.” (Source: Translation for Translators)