not the daughter of my mother

The Hebrew in Genesis 20:12 that is translated as “the daughter of my mother” in English is translated in Nyamwezi as “not of one stomach,” i.e. not sharing the same mother. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

silver

The Hebrew that is translated as “silver” in English is translated in Klao as “metal.” (Source: Don Slager)

In Kwere there also was no word for “silver.” Instead a Swahili loan word hela (“coin”) was adopted, which in extension has come to mean “silver” since many coins look like silver. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Introduction to Leviticus (Pioneer Bible Translators)

(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)

The book of Leviticus is made up of laws which God gave the Israelites through Moses. These laws concern the offering of sacrifices and regulating worship in the tabernacle. The word Leviticus means “regarding the Levites” who were the tribe in Israel chosen by God to be priests and to look after the temple. Traditionally, scholars believe that the book of Leviticus, as well as the other books in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), was written by the prophet Moses. This seems to be suggested by the text itself, because Leviticus starts by saying that God spoke these words to Moses (Leviticus 1:1). Others believe that this book may have been compiled from ancient documents in the 5-6th century B.C. in Babylon.

In the beginning of the book of Leviticus, we read about several kinds of sacrifices which God commanded that the priests should offer. Some of these sacrifices were made for people’s sins. Other sacrifices could be given voluntarily because of a person’s love for God. In every case, it was important for the sacrifice to be the best that a person could give, without any imperfection. This clearly showed God’s holiness. The last part of the book explains how Israelites and the priests could remain ritually pure or become ritually pure. The main theme of the book is that God is holy and that by following the laws in this book, the Israelites could live in God’s presence.

Outline:

1. Chapters 1 through 7 give commands on how to perform the various sacrifices.
2. Chapters 8 through 10 tell how Aaron and his sons were appointed as priests.
3. Chapters 11 through 16 give laws about pure and impure foods as well as diseases.
4. Chapters 17 through 27 describe many other commands concerning matters like eating, celebrations, moral behavior, and Sabbath years.

This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .

Translation: French

Introduction au Lévitique

Le livre du Lévitique est composé de lois que Dieu avait données aux Israélites par Moïse. Ces lois concernent la façon d’offrir les sacrifices et les règles du culte dans le tabernacle. Le mot Lévitique signifie « concernant les Lévites » qui étaient la tribu d’Israël choisie par Dieu pour être prêtres et pour s’occuper du temple. Traditionnellement les experts croient que le livre du Lévitique de même que les autres livres du Pentateuque (Genèse, Exode, Nombres et Deutéronome) a été écrit par le prophète Moïse. Ceci semble être suggéré par le texte lui-même puisque le Lévitique commence en disant que Dieu a dit ces paroles à Moïse (Lévitique 1 :1). D’autres croient que ce livre a été compilé à partir d’anciens documents du cinquième ou sixième siècle avant Jésus-Christ à Babylone.

Au début du Lévitique il est parlé de plusieurs sortes de sacrifices que Dieu avait ordonnés aux prêtres d’offrir. Certains de ces sacrifices étaient faits pour les péchés des gens. D’autres sacrifices pouvaient être offerts volontairement par amour d’une personne pour Dieu. Dans tous les cas il était important que le sacrifice soit ce qu’il y a de meilleur qu’une personne puisse donner, sans aucune imperfection. Ceci montrait clairement la sainteté de Dieu. La fin du livre explique comment les Israélites et les prêtres pouvaient rester rituellement purs ou devenir rituellement purs. Le thème principal du livre est que Dieu est saint et qu’en suivant les lois de ce livre, les Israélites pouvaient vivre dans la présence de Dieu.

Résumé

1. Les chapitres 1 à 7 donnent des instructions sur la façon d’exécuter les divers sacrifices.
2. Les chapitres 8 à 10 disent comment Aaron et ses fils avaient été désignés comme prêtres.
3. Les chapitres 11 à 16 donnent des règles sur les nourritures pures et impures ainsi que sur les maladies.
4. Les chapitres 17 à 27 décrivent de nombreuses autres instructions sur des questions comme l’alimentation, les fêtes, le comportement moral et les années sabbatiques.

Translation: Swahili

Utangulizi wa Kitabu cha Walawi

Kitabu cha Walawi ni mkusanyiko wa sheria walizopewa watu wa Israeli na Mungu kupitia Musa. Sheria hizi zinahusu mfumo wa utoaji wa dhabihu na sadaka. Pia sheria hizi zinatoa mfumo, kanuni, na taratibu za ibada ndani ya hema ya kukutania. Neno Walawi kama lilivyoandikwa katika lugha ya asili limebeba maana ya “yahusuyo Walawi”. Watu waliokuwa ndio kabila teule la Mungu lenye jukumu la kuendesha shughuli za kikuhani na kazi ya utunzaji wa hekalu. Kulingana na mapokeo, wanazuoni wa mambo yahusuyo Biblia huamini kwamba kitabu cha Walawi, pamoja na vitabu vingine vya Torati (Mwanzo, Kutoka, Hesabu, Kumbukumbu la Torati), viliandikwa na nabii Musa. Ukweli huu unadokezwa pia na maandiko ya kitabu chenyewe, kwa sababu kitabu cha Walawi kinaanza kwa kusema kwamba “Mwenyezi Mungu alimwita Musa na kuongea naye katika hema la mkutano..”(Walawi 1:1). Wengine huamini kwamba yamkini kitabu hiki kiliandikwa kama mkusanyo wa nyaraka kadhaa za kale katika karne ya 5-6 K.K. (Kabla ya Kuzaliwa kwa Kristo), wakati wana wa Israeli walipokuwa uhamishoni (utumwani) Babeli.

Mwanzoni mwa kitabu cha Walawi, tunasoma kuhusiana na aina kadhaa za sadaka na dhabihu Mungu alizoamuru zitolewe na makuhani. Baadhi ya dhabihu hizi zilitolewa kama kafara kwa ajili ya malipizi ya dhambi za watu. Dhabihu zingine ziliweza kutolewa kutokana tu na upendo wa waliozitoa kwa Mungu wao. Katika hali zote hizo, lilikuwa jambo la muhimu sana kwa sadaka anayoitoa mtu iwe katika kiwango cha hali ya juu sana ya ubora, isiyo na kasoro yoyote au kilema. Ni ukweli ulio dhahiri kwamba kanuni hii ilidhihirisha utakatifu na ukamilifu wa Mungu. Katika sehemu ya mwisho ya kitabu hiki, inaelezwa jinsi watu wa Israeli pamoja na makuhani walivyoweza kusalia katika hali ya utakatifu au kujitakasa pale ambapo tatizo lilikuwa limetokea. Mada kuu ya kitabu hiki ni kwamba Mungu ni mtakatifu na kwa kuzifuata sheria zilizo ndani ya kitabu hiki, watu wa Israeli wangeweza kuishi ndani ya uwepo wa Mungu.

Muhtasari wa Yaliyomo:

1. Sura 1 hadi 7 inatoa maamrisho na namna ya kutoa dhabihu na sadaka mbalimbali.
2. Sura 8 hadi 10 inaelezea jinsi Haruni na wanawe walivyoteuliwa na kufanywa makuhani.
3. Sura 11 hadi 16 inaelezea sheria zihusuzo vyakula vilivyo safi na vilivyo najisi, pia magonjwa.
4. Sura 17 hadi 27 inafafanua maamrisho mengine yanayohusu sheria nyingine nyingi zihusuzo mambo kama ulaji, sherehe, mwenendo wa kimaadili, na miaka ya Sabato.

Introduction to Zechariah (Pioneer Bible Translators)

(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)

This book contains the prophecies of Zechariah. Zechariah lived and prophesied at the same time as Haggai. This was when the Israelites had returned from captivity in Babylon. Like Haggai, he also encouraged the Israelites to finish rebuilding the temple (8:9). Zechariah came from a priestly family, and so his grandfather Iddo was listed among the priests returning from Babylon (Neh. 12:4). Zechariah’s prophesies were given between 520-480 B.C.

Zechariah urged the Israelites to return to God so that God would return to them also (1:3). The prophecies of Zechariah include eight visions which all occurred in the same night. They are primarily about events which had already taken place. Then Zechariah gave two prophecies about the successful future of Israel. These included details about the coming Messiah (9:9).

Outline:

1. Chapter 1:1-1:6 introduces Zechariah and his messages.
2. Chapters 1:7-6:8 contain the eight visions Zechariah saw during one night.
3. Chapters 6:9-8:23 talk about Joshua’s role as high priest as well as fasting in Israel.
4. Chapters 9-14 contain two prophecies about the Messiah and God’s kingdom.

This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .

Translation: French

Introduction à Zacharie

Ce livre contient les prophéties de Zacharie. Zacharie vivait et prophétisait à la même époque qu’Aggée. C’était l’époque où les Israelites étaient de retour après la captivité à Babylone. Ainsi qu’Aggée, il a encouragé les Israelites à finir la reconstruction du temple (8.9). Zacharie était venu d’une famille de prêtres et le nom de son grand-père Iddo figure sur la liste des prêtres qui étaient retournés de Babylone (Néhémie 12.4). Les prophéties de Zacharie ont été données entre 520 – 480 av J-C.

Zacharie a encouragé les Israelites à retourner à Dieu pour que Dieu retourne aussi à eux (1.3). Les prophéties de Zacharie incluent huit visions qui ont été reçues toutes la même nuit. Elles concernent primairement des évènements qui avaient déjà eu lieu. Puis Zacharie a donné deux prophéties qui concernent l’avenir prospère d’Israël. Ces prophéties incluent des détails du Messie qui allait venir (9:9).

Résumé de Zacharie

1. Chapitre 1.1 – 1.6 introduit Zacharie et ses messages.
2. Chapitres 1.7 – 6.8 contiennent les huit visions que Zacharie a reçues une seule nuit.
3. Chapitres 6.9 – 8.23 parlent du rôle de Josué comme Grand Prêtre, et aussi du jeûne en Israël.
4. Chapitres 9 – 14 contiennent deux prophéties du Messie et du royaume de Dieu.

Translation: Swahili

Utangulizi wa Zakaria

Kitabu hiki kina unabii wa Zakaria. Zakaria aliishi na kutabiri katika wakati ulio sawa kama Hagai. Hii ilikuwa wakati Waisraeli waliporudi kutoka utumwani Babeli. Kama Hagai, aliwatia moyo pia Waisraeli kumaliza kulijenga upya hekalu (8: 9). Zakaria alitoka katika familia ya kikuhani, na kwa hivyo babu yake Iddo aliorodheshwa kati ya makuhani waliorudi kutoka Babeli (Neh. 12:4). Unabii wa Zakaria ulitolewa kati ya mwaka 520-480 K.K.(kabla ya Kristo).

Zakaria aliwahimiza Waisraeli warudi kwa Mungu ili Mungu arudi kwao pia (1:3). Unabii wa Zakaria unajumuisha maono nane ambayo yote yalitokea katika usiku huo huo. Yanahusu hasa matukio ambayo yalikuwa yamekwisha fanyika. Halafu Zakaria alitoa unabii mara mbili juu ya mafanikio ya baadaye ya Israeli. Unabii huu ulijumuisha maelezo juu ya Masihi anayekuja (9:9).

Muhtasari:

1. Sura ya 1: 1-1: 6 inamtambulisha Zakaria na ujumbe wake.
2. Sura ya 1: 7-6: 8 ina maono nane ambayo Zakaria aliona wakati wa usiku mmoja.
3. Sura ya 6: 9-8: 23 inazungumza juu ya jukumu la Yoshua kama kuhani mkuu na vile vile kufunga katika Israeli.
4. Sura ya 9-14 zina unabii mbili juu ya Masihi na ya Mungu.

weakness

The Kutu translation uses the ideophone debwee to emphasize weakness. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

this is the kindness you must do me

The Hebrew in Genesis 20:13 that is translated as “this is the kindness you must do me” or similar in English is translated in Kwere as “if you love me.” (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Introduction to Esther (Pioneer Bible Translators)

(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)

The book of Esther tells how the Israelites who were captives in Persia were saved from an enemy who was planning to destroy them. Although the name of God isn’t mentioned in Esther, it’s clear that God delivered them from this attempt to kill all of them. No one knows who wrote the book of Esther. Based on the type of Hebrew language used, many scholars suggest the book of Esther was written around 400 B.C.

The events described in the book of Esther show how the Jewish celebration of the feast of Purim began. An Amalekite named Haman made a plan to destroy the Jewish people. The Israelites and Amalekites had been enemies since the Israelites traveled through the desert to reach the land that God had promised them (Exodus 17:8–16). Near the same time that Haman was planning to destroy the Jews, Esther, who was a Jew, became the queen of Persia. With the advice of her relative Mordecai, Esther was able to stop Haman’s plan. After the Jews overcame their enemies (Esther 9:20–22), Mordecai told them to celebrate this victory. This was how the Jews began to celebrate the feast of Purim.

Outline of Esther:

1. Chapters 1 and 2 show how Esther became the queen of Persia.
2. Chapters 3 through 7 tell how Haman planned to destroy the Jews and was killed for doing this.
3. Chapters 8 through 10 explain how the Jews defeated their enemies and began the celebration of Purim.

This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .

Translation: French

Introduction à Esther

Le livre d’Esther raconte comment les Israélites, qui étaient captifs en Perse, ont été sauvés d’un ennemi qui avait eu l’intention de les exterminer. Bien que le nom de Dieu ne se mentionne pas dans le livre d’Esther, il est évident que c’est Dieu qui les a délivrés de cet essai de les tuer tous. Personne ne sait qui a écrit le livre d’Esther. En raison du genre de l’hébreu utilisé, de nombreux experts suggèrent qu’on ait écrit le livre d’Esther environ 400 av. J-C.

Les événements décrits dans le livre d’Esther démontrent le commencement de la fête juive de Pourim. Un Amalécite nommé Haman a planifié la destruction du peuple juif. Les Israélites et les Amalécites étaient ennemis depuis que les Israélites ont voyagé à travers le désert afin d’atteindre la terre que Dieu leur avait promise (Exode 17.8-16). À peu près en même temps qu’Haman planifiait la destruction des Juifs, Esther (une Juive) est devenue reine de Perse. En suivant les conseils de son cousin Mardochée, Esther a pu empêcher l’essai d’Haman. Après avoir vaincu leurs ennemis (Esther 9.20-22), Mardochée leur a dit de célébrer cette victoire. Voici le commencement du Pourim.

Résumé d’Esther

1. Les chapitres 1 et 2 démontrent comment Esther est devenue reine de Perse.
2. Les chapitres 3 – 7 racontent comment Haman planifiait la destruction des Juifs et sa mort qui en a résulté.
3. Les chapitres 8 -10 expliquent comment les Juifs ont vaincu leurs ennemis et ont commencé la fête de Pourim.

Translation: Swahili

Utangulizi wa Esta

Kitabu cha Ezra kinasimulia jinsi Waisraeli waliokuwa mateka katika taifa la Waajemi waliokolewa kutoka katika mikono ya adui aliyekuwa anaandaa njama kubwa ya kuwaangamiza. Japokuwa jina la Mungu halitajwi ndani ya kitabu cha Esta, ni wazi kwamba Mungu mwenyewe aliwaokoa kutoka katika kitisho kilicholenga kuwateketeza Waisraeli wote. Hakuna mtu yeyote aliyewahi kumjua yule aliyekiandika kitabu hiki. Kwa kuulinganisha mtindo wa lugha ya Kiebrania uliotumika kukiandika, inadhaniwa kwamba kitabu hiki kiliandikwa katika kipindi cha miaka ya 400 K.K.

Matukio yanayosimuliwa ndani ya kitabu cha Esta yanaonyesha jinsi sherehe za Kiyahudi za sikukuu ya Purimu zilivyoanza. Muamaleki aliyeitwa Hamani aliandaa njama ya kuwaua Wayahudi wote walioishi katika taifa la Waajemi. Waisraeli na Waamaleki wamekuwa ni maadui tangu Waisraeli waliposafiri wakivuka jangwa ili kuifikia nchi ambayo Mungu alikuwa ameahidi angewapa iwe yao (Kutoka 17:8-16). Katika kipindi hicho hicho Hamani alipokuwa anaandaa njama yake ya kuwaangamiza Wayajudi, Esta aliyekuwa binti wa Kiyahudi aliteuliwa kuwa malkia wa taifa la Uajemi. Kwa kufuata ushauri wa Mordekai aliyekuwa ndugu wa karibu, Esta alifanikiwa kuisimamisha na kuishinda ile njama ya Hamani. Baada ya Wayahudi kuishinda ile njama ya adui zao (Esta 9:20-22), Mordekai aliwaambia Waisraeli kuusherehekea ushindi huo. Hivi ndivyo Wayahudi walivyoanza kusherehekea sikukuu ya Purimu.

Muhtasari wa Yaliyomo:

1. Sura ya 1 na ya 2 zinaonyesha jinsi Esta alivyochaguliwa kuwa malkia wa Uajemi.
2. Sura 3 hadi 7 zinaeleza jinsi Hamani alivyopanga kuwaangamiza Wayahudi, na jinsi alivyouawa wa kosa lake la uhaini.
3. Sura 8 hadi 10 inaweka wazi jinsi Wayahudi walivyowashinda adui zao, pia zaonyesha jinsi sherehe za Purimu zilivyoasisiwa.