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 ).

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 1:16

You have not exulted in my name at the destruction of your enemies, but to this day you still complain: When God destroyed the enemies of the Israelites, they did not praise him, but only continued to complain. The Latin verb rendered exulted means “be very happy/glad.” My name refers to God himself. Contemporary English Version renders You have not exulted in my name as “you refused to celebrate and honor me.” At the destruction of your enemies may be translated “when I destroyed your enemies.” Here is a possible model for this verse:

• When I destroyed your enemies, you didn’t seem glad that I defended you. You complained then and you are still complaining.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.