shadow

The Hebrew in Ecclesiastes 6:12 that is rendered in English versions as “live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow?” is translated into Afar as Sahdayti subci suga iraaway ayro tawqe waqdi gexah bis le: “People are like a shadow present in the early morning that goes away when the sun rises.” (Clarifying the role of the sun in the changing shadow.)

See also shadow vs. spirit.

as numerous as the sand on the seashore

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” or “as numerous as the sand by the sea” in English is translated in Bauzi as “as many like the tree flowers of the jungle” (source: David Briley in Kroneman 2004, p. 539), in Afar it’s translated as mari mangah arrooqih gide akkuk yeneeniih: “are as numerous as gravel” or loowo sinni: “not countable” (source: Loren Bliese), in Angal Heneng as “like the hairs on a dog” (Source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1077), and in Copainalá Zoque as “their number is like ants” (source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation, March 1965, p. 2ff.).

strong man

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 14:52 that is translated as “strong (or: mighty) man” in many English versions is translated into Anuak as “liver is strong” (i.e., “fearless”).

For other translations using the term “liver” in Anuak see here and see Seat of the Mind for traditional views of “ways of knowing, thinking, and feeling.”

raisin cake

The phrase in Song of Songs 2:5 that is rendered in English versions as “(sustain me with) raisin cake” is translated into Afar as malawwacak bicsen gaqambo: “bread prepared from honey” (raisins are not known, but honey is.)

See also raisin.

rival

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 1:6 that is translated in most English versions as “rival” is translated in Anuak as “co-wife.”

by his gods

The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 17:43 that is translated as “by his gods” in many English versions is translated into Anuak as “by the names of his gods.” (Source: Loren Bliese)

chariot

The Hebrew, Latin, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated into English as “chariot” is translated into Anuak as “canoe pulled by horse.” “Canoe” is the general term for “vehicle” (source: Loren Bliese). Similarly it is translated in Lokạạ as ukwaa wạ nyanyang ntuuli or “canoe that is driven by horses.” (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )
Other translations include:

  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “cart pulled by horses” (source: Larson 1998, p. 98)
  • Chichicapan Zapotec: “ox cart” (in Acts 8) (ox carts are common vehicles for travel) (source: Loren Bliese)
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz, it is translated as “little house with two feet pulled by two horses” (source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Hausa Common Language Bible as keken-doki or “cart of donkey” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
  • Mairasi: “going-thing [vehicle]” (source: Enggavoter 2004)

It is illustrated for use in Bible translations in East Africa by Pioneer Bible Translators like this:

Image owned by PBT and Jonathan McDaniel and licensed with the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

See also cart.