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, Ge’ez and Latin that is translated as “summer” and “winter” in English is translated in Chichewa as “dry season” and “wet season.” In Chewa culture, seasons are often defined by the availability of water, which is crucial for agriculture, livestock, and human consumption. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
In Mwera (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Elhomwe it is translated with a single word — enthawi — that relates to both seasons. (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
In Newari it is translated as “hot time” (summer) and “cold time” (winter) (source: Newari Back Translation).
The Hebrew that is translated as “broad place” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as (ku)malo otakasuka or “comfortable place.” This is referring to a place that has more space. The comfort is based on the wideness of space available. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew that is translated as “wash me (thoroughly)” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) with munditsuke, a word that is used in the context of cleaning dishes manually in which some force is applied to make sure the dishes are cleaned of all dirt. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Hebrew in Psalm 6:6 that is translated as “couch” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) as pogona panga, which is used to refer to a place a person sleeps on and also means “bed.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
The Greek, Ge’ez, and Hebrew that is typically translated as “holy ones” in English is translated as “angels” in Purepecha and in Chichewa as “(people with a) white heart” since “white” is the word that is used in Chichewa for the translation of “holy.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
See also holy ones (Psalm 34:9) and saint.
The Hebrew in Psalm 21:12 that is translated as “flight” or similar in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) similar to the original Hebrew with the idiom “showing one’s back.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
