1Macc 7:38 – TIPs

remember

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “remember” in English is translated in Mairasi as “it is (or: place it) in your liver’s crack” (source: Enggavoter 2004) and in Noongar as barrang-dwangka, literally “ear-hold” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018).

In Kalmyk, there is no equivalent to “remember,” so the translation there is “don’t forget.” (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )

blaspheme, blasphemy

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “blasphemy” or “blaspheme” is translated in various forms:

Panao Huánuco Quechua: “speak evil of God”
Southern Bobo Madaré: “break God’s name”
Loma: “spoil the name of God”
Luvale: “insult God”
Pamona and Malay: “slander God”
Javanese and German: “defame God”
Tae’: “bring curses (or “calamitous words”) against God”
Uab Meto: “talk to pieces” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “treat God with contempt”
Ojitlán Chinantec: “say bad words”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “slander God”
Tenango Otomi: “don’t respect God with what one says”
Navajo (Dinė): “say evil about God” (source for this and four above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125)
Sochiapam Chinantec: “ugly words about God” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
Q’anjob’al: “that which hurts the high” (source: Newberry and Kittie Cox in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 91ff. )
Mam: xmayin ti’j Dios or “mockery against him-God” (source: Edward Sywulka in The Bible Translator 1952, p. 54ff. )
Bacama: “spoil the name of God” (source: David Frank in this blog post )
Chichewa chipongwe Mulungu. Chipwonge is used to refer to acts or derogatory remarks that dishonor another person. (Mulungu is the Chichewa word for “God.”) (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

sword

the Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is translated with “sword” in English is translated in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “machete that is sharp on two sides,” in Lalana Chinantec as “machete” and in San Mateo del Mar Huave as “knife.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

army

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “army” in English is translated in Chichewa as “group of warriors.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Maccabees 7:38

Just a short while earlier the priests offered (so they said) a sacrifice on the behalf of the king (verse 33). Now, as a result of Nicanor’s tactless behavior, they are praying for the king’s army to fail. Nicanor had sworn that if he survived the battle, he would come back and destroy the Temple. The priests beg the Lord to let none of them survive the battle, in order to protect the Temple.

Take vengeance on this man and on his army: In many languages a polite request should be used when speaking with deity, so this line may be rendered “Please take vengeance on this man and his soldiers.”

And let them fall by the sword may be expressed as “let them die in battle” (Good News Bible) or “Let them all die when they fight Judas and his soldiers.”

Remember their blasphemies, and let them live no longer: Remember does not imply that the Lord might forget something. Rather, it urges the Lord to keep thinking about their blasphemies—their insults to the Lord and to Jewish worship. This line may be translated “Think of all the evil things [or, words] they said [about you].”

And let them live no longer may be rendered “Please don’t let any of them live any longer.”

An alternative translation for this verse is:

• Please take vengeance on this man and his soldiers. Please let them all die when they fight Judas and his soldiers. Think about all the evil things [or, words] they said about you. Please don’t let any of them live any longer.”

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.

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Verse: 1 Maccabees 7:38