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)

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.)

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 4:17

Likewise also the plan of the waves of the sea: This clause implies “was in vain” from the previous verse. Good News Bible makes this idea explicit by saying “And the plotting of the sea was just as useless.” Contemporary English Version is similar with “And the plan made by the sea was just as useless.”

For the sand stood firm and stopped them: Compare Jer 5.22. Good News Bible provides a useful model here, although translators may wish to make clear that the sand is the sand along the beach; for example, Contemporary English Version says “because the sand along the shore blocked its way.”

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.