vision

Click here to view graphically

The Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin and Greek that is translated as “vision” in English is translated in a variety in the following languages:

  • Chol: “as if in a dream” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Obolo: ilaak ọkpọchieen̄ or “dreaming awake” (source: Enene Enene)
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “a showing like dreams”
  • Desano: “see in a dream what God will send”
  • Rincón Zapotec: “see what God shows”
  • Mayo: “see things from God as in a dream”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “dream how it is going to be”
  • Chuj: “like dreaming they see”
  • San Mateo del Mar Huave: “understand what they see as if in a dream”
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “see that which will happen” (source for this and seven above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Tagbanwa: “being caused to dream by God” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Chichewa: azidzaona zinthu m’masomphenya: “they will see things as if face-to-face” (interconfessional translation, publ. 1999) (Source: Wendland 1998, p. 69)
  • Mandarin Chinese: yì xiàng (异象 / 異象), lit. “different (or: strange) appearance.” (Source: Zetzsche)

The Greek in the books of Revelation and Acts is translated as obq-rmwible: “look-dream” in Natügu. Brenda Boerger (in Beerle-Moor / Voinov, p. 162ff.) tells the story of that translation: “In the book of Revelation, the author, John, talks about having visions. Mr. Simon [the native language translator] and I discussed what this meant and he invented the compound verb obq-rmwible ‘look-dream’ to express it. Interestingly, during village testing no one ever had to ask what this neologism meant.”

See also see a vision.

self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (Daniel 4:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Daniel 4:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “While I was sleeping, I saw a very tall tree in front of me in the middle of the world/land.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’While I was lying in bed this is the vision that I saw — there was one enormous tree in the middle of the earth. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This is my vision while I was sleeping: I saw a very[intensifier] tall tree in the middle of the earth.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “This is what I dreamed while I was lying on my bed: I saw a large tree growing in the middle of the land.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Daniel 4:10

It will be noted that certain modern versions set out verses 10 through 17 in poetic format (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible); but this is not recommended in most languages.

The visions of my head: compare verse 5 and 2.28.

As I lay in bed: a literal rendering of this expression may give the false impression that the king was actually awake. But this was clearly not the case, and the reader should understand that this was a dream. For this reason several modern versions say “While I was asleep” (Good News Translation, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

And behold: the Aramaic interjection used here (as in 2.31) is found only in the description of a vision. In addition to this occurrence it is also found in verse 13, and in 7.2, 5, 7, 8 (two times), and 13. Its Hebrew counterpart occurs in 8.3, 5, 15, 19; 9.18; 10.5, 10, 16; 11.2; 12.5. It is used to enliven the narrative and heighten the excitement of the reader. There may or may not be an equivalent in other languages. In many cases it is best to omit it altogether. Translators should be careful not to force the usage of a particle that is not really natural in the language in such a context.

A tree in the midst of the earth: the exact geographical location of the tree is unimportant. What is significant is that it is the center of attention for the whole world. The tree is a common biblical symbol for life and power. Ezekiel, for example, speaks of a tall tree being brought low and of a low tree being raised up (Ezek 17.22-24).

And its height was great: this separate sentence may easily be translated by a single adjective in many languages. But the focus seems to be more on the height of the tree than on its overall size.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .