sheep

“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep.’ In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCEM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb and sheep / lamb.

idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”

Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

every day

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “every day” in English is translated in Chichewa as “day and day.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Bel and the Dragon 1:3

If integrated into the book of Daniel: 14.3.

Now is literally “And.” Good News Translation does not translate this word, but it would be helpful to have some word or device here to signal that the introduction is over and the story is about to begin. This is what Revised Standard Version does with Now; it does not mean “At this time.” Good News Translation chooses to see verses 1-4 as the introduction, and starts the narrative at verse 5 (similarly Contemporary English Version). This is a real option; see the comments on verse 5.

An idol called Bel: The only description of this idol is given in verse 7. Presumably it was a freestanding sculpture at least the size of a man but maybe larger. It may be irrelevant, but Herodotus (k Persian Warsk* 1.183) speaks of an idol in a Babylonian temple that was of solid gold and about six meters (20 feet) tall. Idol may also be expressed as “image representing the god.” For the name Bel, see the introductory comments on verses 1-22 and those on LetJer 41.

They spent on it; that is, they provided for it, expended on it. The Greek does not say that they “had to provide” (Good News Translation), were forced to provide, but simply that they did. Presumably the offerings mentioned here were placed in Bel’s temple; see verse 11. Contemporary English Version restructures this verse slightly, moving they spent on it to the beginning, saying “Every day, the Babylonians took food to the idol of their god Bel. They brought….” This is a possible model.

Twelve bushels (almost 423 liters) is literally “twelve artabes”; an artabe is a Persian measure. Fifty gallons (almost 190 liters) is literally “six measures”; the same Greek word for “measure” is used at John 2.6. These are measures of dry volume and liquid volume, but how much they refer to is uncertain. The value of the actual ancient measures varies widely according to different studies. It is easy to get hopelessly—and fruitlessly—bogged down in this. The point is that a great deal of flour and wine was offered to Bel each day. The translator has two reasonable options:

1. Using the metric system, translate “12 artabes” as 400 liters and “6 measures” as 200 liters; these are round numbers reasonably equivalent to scholarly conjectures in studies of ancient weights and measures. The numbers 12 and 6 appear to have no symbolic value.
2. Translate “12 artabes” and “6 measures” by whatever measures for flour and liquids are used locally, in amounts roughly equivalent to 400 and 200 liters.

Fine flour refers to wheat flour of the best quality (New Revised Standard Version “choice flour”). It is not necessarily finely milled, though the two may go together.

The text does not say that the forty sheep were slaughtered and butchered, but that is surely intended. Otherwise a very strange picture will be found later, when the king has to put the sheep in the sanctuary. Also, if the sheep were living, there would be a comical problem with the priests getting the bleating animals into the basement for slaughter (see verse 13). Translators may find it helpful to say “meat from forty sheep.”

Wine is an alcoholic drink made from grapes. In cultures where wine is unknown, translators may use a local fermented drink such as “beer.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Shorter Books of the Deuterocanon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2006. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.