The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )
In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”
Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 15:12:
Kupsabiny: “He sent away those men who made themselves like women who was done immorality with to get out from that land and then threw away all the things their grandfathers had molded.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “He drove out the male prostitutes who lived in the places where puja was being done to idols. Then he removed all the idols his ancestors had made.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “He drove-out from Juda the male and female who sell their bodies in the places where they worship, and he had-removed all the little-gods/false-gods which his ancestors had-made.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “He got rid of the male prostitutes that were at the places where the people worshiped idols, and he also got rid of all the idols that his ancestors had made.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
For more on King Asa’s reforms here in verses 12-15, see 2 Chr 15.8-18.
He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land: The translation put away … out (also New Revised Standard Version) is not really contemporary English. The Hebrew verb here means “to get rid of,” “to do away with.” More idiomatic English translations include “expelled” (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible), “banished” (New Living Translation), and “drove … out” (New Jerusalem Bible).
For male cult prostitutes, see the comments on 1 Kgs 14.24.
Removed all the idols: There are several different Hebrew words in the Old Testament which are translated “idol” in English. The term used here is gillulim. The exact sense of this noun is uncertain. Some scholars think it comes from a root word meaning “to roll,” and the thought is that these idols have no life of their own but have to be rolled about from place to place. Others suggest that it comes from a word meaning “dung” (see the comments on 1 Kgs 14.16). In any case, this Hebrew word has a strong negative aspect that is not adequately expressed by the English word idols. Compare “filthy idols” (La Bible Pléiade), “fetishes” (Moffatt), and “Filthiness” (Osty-Trinquet).
As is often the case, in this context the word fathers is to be understood and translated in the sense of “ancestors” or at least as “predecessors” (Good News Translation) in the ruling line.
In some languages the information in this verse may need to be restructured in such a way as to give the information about the temple prostitutes in a separate sentence before describing how Asa expelled them. A good model for this approach is found in International Children’s Bible:
• There were male prostitutes at the places where false gods were worshiped. Asa forced them to leave the country. He also took away the idols that his ancestors had made.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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