concubine

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “concubine” in English is translated in Kutu as “slave made to be his woman” or “female slave he married” and similarly in Makonde, “a slave who is/was a wife.”

In Kwere it is translated as “small wife.” This is the term for subsequent wives when polygamy is practiced among the Kwere. While they enjoy most of the same rights and privileges as the first wife, their status is not necessarily the same. In Kalanga it is likewise translated with balongwana or “small wife.” (Source for all: project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Newari it is translated as “illegitimate wife” (source: Newari Back Translation).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Concubine .

complete verse (1 Chronicles 7:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 7:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Manasseh had two sons whom his concubine who came from the land of Aram had born to him. Those sons were Asriel and Makir who came to produce Gilead.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “These were the descendants of Manasseh. Asriel was his descendant through his concubine from Aram. They also had a son named Machir. Makir was the father of Gilead.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Manase had two children wih his Aramean wife. They were Asriel and Makir. Makir was the father of Gilead,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 7:14

Section 7:14-19 This was the family line of Manasseh

7:14a The descendants of Manasseh:

Manasseh’s son ⌊was Machir⌋
-or-
Manasseh had many descendants.

7:14b Through his Aramean concubine, Asriel,

and his great grandson was Asriel. ⌊They were⌋ descended through his Aramean concubine.
-or-

⌊One descendant was⌋ Asriel. Manasseh’s Aramean slave wife ⌊was the mother of Machir⌋ .
-or-
Through Manasseh’s wife of lower status from Aram came Asriel,

7:14c as well as Machir the father of Gilead.

Machir’s son was Gilead.
-or-
Machir was the father of Gilead. ⌊Gilead was the father of Asriel.⌋
-or-
whose father was Gilead, and whose grandfather was Machir.

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