soul

The Hebrew, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “soul” in English is translated in Chol with a term that refers to the invisible aspects of human beings (source: Robert Bascom), in Yagaria with oune or “shadow, reflection” (source: Renck, p. 81), and in Elhomwe as “heart” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

The Mandarin Chinese línghún (靈魂 / 灵魂), literally “spirit-soul,” is often used for “soul” (along with xīn [心] or “heart”). This is a term that was adopted from Buddhist sources into early Catholic writings and later also by Protestant translators. (Source: Zetzsche 1996, p. 32, see also Clara Ho-yan Chan in this article )

In Chichewa, moyo means both “soul” and “life.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also heart, soul, mind.

high priest

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “high priest” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Yatzachi Zapotec: “the ruler of the priests of our nation”
  • Chol: “very great priest” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “first over the priests”
  • Desano: “chief of the priests” (source for this and one above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.).
  • Uma: “Big Priest” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “high sacrificer” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa as “Most-important Priest of God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “Big leader of offerings” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

In Khoekhoe the translation for “high priest” is only capitalized when it refers to Jesus (as is Hebrews 2:17 et al.). (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

See also priest and chief priest.

Translation commentary on 2 Maccabees 3:16

To see the appearance of the high priest was to be wounded at heart: More than anyone else, the High Priest was responsible for the deposits in the Temple, and since Onias was a devout man who took his duties seriously (verse 1), it gave him great personal pain to know what was happening and to know he could do nothing to stop it. His anguish could be seen on his face. For was to be wounded at heart, Good News Bible uses the English idiom “was heartbreaking.” Many other languages will have similar effective idioms using the “heart” or other organs such as the stomach or liver to describe how the people felt when they saw Onias’ anguish.

For his face and the change in his color disclosed the anguish of his soul means the change in color on Onias’ face showed he was very sad. Good News Bible renders his face and the change in his color as “His face turned pale.” Other languages may have a similar expression for a face that changes color due to sorrow, for example, “His face became white.” An alternative model for the last half of this verse is “His face became pale [or, white] and showed his sorrow.”

Translators may consider reordering this verse, so that it connects better with the next one. A model that does this is:

• The High Priest was in agony [of soul]. His face was pale and sorrowful, and it was heartbreaking just to look at him [or, our heart broke when we looked at him].

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.