Pentecost

The Greek that is translated as “Pentecost” in English is translated in Huichol as “festival of the 7th week” It was rendered thus because the name of Pentecost would be equated with a sect only, and a harvest festival in late May would strain credibility. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated that with a sign that combines 5, 0, and “feast” (because it is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday). (Source: Missão Kophós )


“Pentecost” in Libras (source )

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that refers to the fire of the Holy Spirit. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Pentecost” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated as “the fiftieth day after Passover, on the Jewish Pentecost” (in Acts 2:1).

In Huichol, it is translated as “festival of the 7th week,” “because the name of ‘Pentecost’ would be equated only with [Pentecostal Christians], and a harvest festival in late May would strain credibility.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Pentecost .

Translation commentary on 2 Maccabees 12:32

After the feast called Pentecost: Good News Bible handles this phrase well, inserting the information that Pentecost is the Greek name for “Harvest Festival” (Revised Standard Version “feast of weeks”) in verse 31. Translators may use the same name in both verses. If they do this, we suggest using the name in verse 31.

They hastened against Gorgias, the governor of Idumea: For Gorgias see 2Macc 8.9 and 10.14; for Idumea see 1Macc 3.41. This clause may be translated “Judas and his soldiers quickly left Jerusalem and attacked Gorgias, the governor of Idumea.”

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.