The Greek in Matthew 5:33 that is translated in English as something like “do not swear falsely” is translated in Balanta-Kentohe as “do not make oaths like an empty groundnut shell” (i.e., with no intention of fulfilling them).
In Cherokee it is translated with the traditional Cherokee formula: “don’t raise your hand about anything.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)
See also swear / vow.
The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 14:27 that is translated as “eyes brightened” or “strength returned” in English is translated in Mandinka as “his eyes were opened.” “This turns out to be a remarkable coincidence of idiom between Hebrew and Mandinka, both implying ‘strength returns.'” (Source: Rob Koops)
Likewise, in Chichewa (interconfessional translation) it is translated with a proverb that says “his eyes were brightened” and (also) refers to hunger being satisfied. (Source: Wendland 1987, p. 104)
The Hebrew in 1 Samuel 16:12 that is translated with “ruddy” in English is translated in Mandinka as “light-skinned.” “‘Light-skinned’ could be considered a cultural equivalent. Although there are a few people with reddish skin in Mandinka, this is not an attractive trait. The UBS Handbook (A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel by R.L. Omanson and J. Ellington) suggests that ‘ruddy’ may have referred to the hair, but medical people know that reddish hair is a sign of malnutrition.” (Source: Rob Koops)
In Vidunda it is translated as “healthy/strong” and in Kwere as “powerful” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext).
See also ruddy (Song of Songs 5:10).
The Greek in 1 Peter 3:2 that is translated in English as “pure conduct” (or “chaste behavior”) is translated in Balanta-Kentohe as “good walk.” (Source: Rob Koops)
The standalone term that is translated as “pure” is translated in Mezquital Otomi as “that which cleanses one’s thoughts,” and in Alekano as “making our insides white.” (Source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).
See also snow (color).
The Hebrew in 2 Samuel 1:12 that is translated as “they had fallen by the sword” in English is translated into Igede with the existing idiom “the war had eaten them.”
The Hebrew of the middle part of Song of Songs 5:1 is translated in many English translations (Authorized Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Christian Standard Bible, Common English Bible, New Living Translation and the New American Bible among others) as “I ate my honeycomb with my honey.”
Rob Koops remarks on this: “One wonders if they missed the double meaning of ‘my honey,’ (=my loved one) or saw it, chuckled, and left it in the text. I’m not sure how widely ‘honey’ or ‘my honey’ is used in English for a loved one, but for some of us this is quite common.”