enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 14:26

For he and his brothers and the house of his father have stood firm: The house of his father refers to the whole family of Mattathias, the Maccabees, who began the rebellion against the Syrians in 1Macc 2.24-25. The meaning of have stood firm is explained in the last half of the verse. Good News Bible says “have been towers of strength,” which is a quotation from Shakespeare that has become an English idiom; but will be too difficult to translate in many languages. Perhaps we may say “have always remained strong.”

They have fought and repulsed Israel’s enemies and established its freedom: Good News Bible combines the verbs fought and repulsed, saying “fought off.” Contemporary English Version provides a simpler model for the last half of this verse with “they have defeated our enemies and set us free.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.