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)
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)
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 Translator1974, 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)
The Hebrew in Psalm 16:8 that is translated as “keep before me” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with the idiom patsogolo panga which means “my guide.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 41:9 that is translated as “they gathered together against me” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with bwezi la pamtima or “friend of the heart.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
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)
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)
The Greek that is translated as “woe to you” or similar in English is translated in Martu Wangka as “you sit as sorry ones” (source: Carl Gross). Toraja-Sa’dan has two expressions that can be used: upu’ allomu or “to-their-end are your days” and sumpu sumandakmu or “finished is what-is-measured-out to you.” In the case of Luke 10:13, where “woe” is doubled, both are used for stylistic, non-repetitive purposes (see Reiling / Swellengrebel).
In Matumbi it is translated as Wakibona or “You will see” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext) and in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with a phrase containing tsoka, a word to describe something bad that happens (or may happen) to a person because of doing something against established traditions in a community (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation).
In Hebrew it is translated as oy (אוֹי) and in Yiddish as oy (אוי) or vey (וֵויי). Note that oy vey in combination is also commonly used in Yiddish as an interjection of dismay and vey is derived from the GermanWehe (which in turn has the same root than the English woe). (Source: Jost Zetzsche)
