The Hebrew that is translated in English as “Why do the wicked renounce God” or similar is translated in Halbi as “How can the wicked man despise God?” “The translators became aware that the initial question (“Why does the wicked man despise God?”) could be seen by readers as a genuine content question rather than a rhetorical question.” (Source: Tim Stirtz and Mike Cahill in Watters / de Blois 2023, p. 420)
“Renounce God” is translated in Chichewa as chipongwe Mulungu. “Chipwonge” is used to refer to acts or derogatory remarks that dishonor another person. (Mulungu is the Chichewa word for “God.”) (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also blaspheme / blasphemy.
The Hebrew in Psalm 2:12 that is translated as “kiss his feet” or similar in English is translated in Elhomwe with “bow down.” “‘To embrace’ (or ‘kiss’) when defeated would not be appropriate in Llomwe culture.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is not translated with the term for the mouth-to-mouth kiss which is done in private for people in a romantic relationship. Rather, it is kissing of either the feet or hands by someone of lower status. This kind of kiss is for expression of respect, submission, and apology. Mostly, the people whose feet or hands are kissed are those with authority such as chiefs, elders, and religious leaders. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also kissed (his feet).
The Hebrew in Psalm 84:6 that is translated as “early rain” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with “light rains.” In Malawi context, where Chichewa is mostly spoken, the light rain in reference is the type of rain that comes in the months of September or October to mark the end of the dry season. During the dry season, most bushes are set on fire. This makes the bushes to be covered with black ashes from the fire. The understanding is that the light rains cool the soil from the heat of the bush-fire and also remove the black ashes. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also rain in abundance.
The Hebrew in Psalm 23:2 that is often translated as “still waters” in English is translated as “water at the mouth of a well” in Dan since “the imagery of ‘still water’ is seen as something negative, water that is dirty since it isn’t moving.”
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated as “clean/good drinking water.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 23:4 that is translated as “rod” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with chibonga which means “club.” In Chewa culture, a “chibonga” is a stick of about 75cm long with a round head of the size of a fist of an adult on one end used for hunting animals (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 55:1 that is translated as “do not hide” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with musakufulatire or “do not show your back.” This describes an act of looking aside and bending your back against someone or something. It has a sense of abandoning or rejecting. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 104:21 that is translated as “prey” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with nyama which can be translated either as “animals” or “meat.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 55:13 that is translated as “familiar friend” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with bwenzi langa la pondaapanʼpondepo, lit. “a friend of step-here-I-also-step-there,” i.e. someone with whom one is a deep friendship with. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also close friend.
