sorceress, witch

The translation of the Hebrew in Exodus 22:18 that is translated as “witch,” “sorceress” or alike in English is discussed in the attached paper by Robert Priest. He stipulates that in many languages, particularly in the African context, there are two categories of people that could be described with that term.

The first category would include people who offer “magico-religious” services to clients with a variety of goals, including healing, success, protection and others. Often-used anthropological English terms for these individuals include “shaman,” “diviner,” or “traditional healer.”

The other group includes people who are “thought to be the evil reasons for misfortune in the lives of others.”

He cites Hausa*, Lingala*, Mongo (Lomongo), Sango, Luba-Lulua (Tschiluba) as languages that use a term from the first category and the following languages with terms from the second category: Bambara, Southern Bobo Madaré (Bobo Madare), Chichewa (Chewa), Kanyok (Kanioka), Kikamba, Kongo, Kikuyu, Gusii (Kisii), Kisonge, Kituba, Ngbaka, Merina Malagasy, Swahili, Tetela, Tumbuka, Yoruba.

* In these languages, different versions use terms from either category.

See Bible Translation, Theology, and Witches by Robert J. Priest

complete verse (Exodus 22:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 22:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “A woman who is a sorcerer should be killed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’Do not allow a sorceress to live.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘[You (plur.)] kill/put-to-death the sorceresses.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “‘If any woman practices magic, you (pl.) must strike her dead.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “tassel-hitter (fem.), let her not (imp.) live.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “You must execute any woman who practices sorcery/is a shaman.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 22:18

This law is categorical (apodictic) and uses the participial form. Literally the text says “A [female] practicer of sorcery you [singular] shall not keep alive.” Revised English Bible calls her “a witch,” but Good News Translation has “any woman who practices magic.” The word refers to one who performs supernatural deeds or discovers hidden knowledge by calling on the power of evil spirits. The implication is that, once a woman is discovered to have this ability, she is to be killed. Other ways to say this are “a woman who practices black magic against others” or “a woman who causes [or, calls down] curses to come upon people.” Some receptor languages will have very specific terms for such women; for example, “women who mutter curses,” and so on.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .