sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation). Likewise, in Toposa all the different bodies of water are all called by one term as well: nya-name̥ (source: Schröder 2026, p. 101).

In Malagasy culture, the sea is perceived as sacred because it was a path taken by the ancestors. That is why the Malagasy word for the “sea” is ranomasina, which literally means “the sacred water.” The word masina actually has two different meanings: “salted” and “sacred/holy.” Salt is used for the conservation of some foods, such as meat or fish, that are to be set aside for later use. In this sense, the Malagasy phrase for “Holy Spirit” has the literal meaning of “Salted Spirit.” (Source: Brigitte Rabarijaona in The Bible Translator 2022, p. 103ff.)

“Sea” (or: “ocean”) is translated in Tepeuxila Cuicatec as “water land” and in Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac as “very big lake.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 13:32

And when these things come to pass and the signs occur which I showed you before: See the comments on 2 Esd 9.1-2. And when these things come to pass may be rendered “And when you see these things happen” (Contemporary English Version) or simply “When that happens” (Good News Bible). The signs refers to events signaling the end of time (see the comments on 2 Esd 4.52). For some of these signs that Uriel showed Ezra earlier, see 2 Esd 4.51 –5.13 and 6.11-34.

Then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw as a man coming up from the sea: My Son refers to the Messiah (see 2 Esd 7.28-29). God has become the speaker here. Once again the writer makes no distinction between God and the angel who delivers God’s message. Contemporary English Version says “God’s Son” to make it clear that the angel Uriel is still the speaker. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote indicates that the phrase from the sea is not in the Latin text. This addition involves a translational matter, so the footnote is not needed.

Good News Bible provides a good model for this verse, and so does Contemporary English Version, which says:

• And when you see these things happen, together with the signs I told you about earlier, then people everywhere will see God’s Son, the one you saw as a man coming up out of the sea.

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.