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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

power / strength

The Hebrew that is typically translated in English as “power” or “might” or “force” is translated in the English translation by Goldingay (2018) as energy or energetic.

complete verse (Amos 2:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Amos 2:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Even those who run fast will never escape.
    Your strong warriors will become weak
    and even the brave ones will not save themselves.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The fastest runner will not escape
    and the strong person will not be able to use his strength
    and the warrior will not be able to save himself.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore even the one-who-runs fastest among you (plur.) can- not -escape, the strong-one will-become-weak, and the soldiers can- not -save/rescue themselves.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Even if you run fast,
    you will not escape;
    even if you are strong, it will be as though you are weak,
    and warriors will be unable to save themselves.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Amos 2:14

Flight (Hebrew: a refuge) shall perish from the swift/Not even fast runners will escape. In many languages some form of restructuring will be necessary, such as “swift runners will find no refuge” (The Translator’s Old Testament), or Not even fast runners will escape, “he who is quick will not escape,” etc. There has been a slight shift in the language from earlier verses. God is now talking about, not directly to, people once more, so far as the grammar is concerned: “the swift,” not “you who are swift” (see discussion under 2.6a). In English there is no problem, as these various people are examples of the you in verse 13. However, in some languages it would be better to translate “you fast runners” or “your fast runners” or “the fast runners among you.” This continues through verse 16.

The strong shall not retain (Hebrew: unfold) his strength/strong men will lose their strength. Another possibility for the Hebrew: “his strength will not strengthen the strong.” In some languages one may have to say something like: “strong (or mighty) people will not be able to use their strength” or “the strong will become weak.”

Nor shall the mighty save his life/and soldiers will not be able to save their own lives. Another possibility: “and the warriors will not be able to save (or: protect) themselves.”

Quoted with permission from de Waard, Jan & Smalley, William A. A Handbook on Amos. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1979. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Amos 2:14

2:14a Escape will fail the swift,

The fast runner will ⌊perish⌋ without escape.
-or-
Your (plur.) fast runner will not find any refuge.

2:14b the strong will not prevail by his strength,

The strong will not be able to use their power,
-or-
Your (plur.) strong people will become weak,

2:14c and the mighty will not save his life.

and the mighty one will not save his life.
-or-
and the soldiers ⌊among you (plur.) ⌋ will not be able to save their lives.

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