thunder

The Greek, Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated in English as “thunder” is translated in Q’anjob’al with the existing idiom “the sun trembles.” (Source: Newberry and Kittie Cox in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 91ff. )

In Matumbi njai means “thunder” and/or “lightning.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 16:10

He will flash lightning, and who will not be afraid? He will thunder, and who will not be terrified?: These two rhetorical questions are very similar in meaning, so Contemporary English Version combines them as follows:

• and when he sends thunder and lightning, people are terrified.

Another possible model is:

• When God sends thunder and lightning, no one can keep from being afraid [or, everyone is terrified].

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.