wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Kako: “heart thinking” (source: Reyburn 2002, p. 190)

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a hand gesture referring to God to indicate a human quality to communicate that wisdom does not originate from man but is linked to and connected with the fear of God (source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group):


“Wisdom” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

complete verse (Exodus 31:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 31:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “I have filled him with wisdom, skill and power which makes him able to decorate everything like:” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and all kinds of working knowledge.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I have-empowered him with my Spirit and have-given (him) wisdom and ability for any kind of work –” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “And I put my Straight Spirit so that it remains with him and so I’ve caused him to have great knowledge and his mind knows about the doing of various kinds of work.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “I give him Spirit of God and wisdom of mind, and heart, and hand.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “I have caused him to be completely controlled/empowered by my Spirit, and I have given him special ability to make things and have enabled him to know how to do very skilled work.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 31:3

And I have filled him with the Spirit of God refers to Bezalel, whom Yahweh has filled with ruach ʾelohim. This term in Hebrew may mean Spirit of God, “divine spirit” (New Revised Standard Version), or simply “my power” (Good News Translation). The term ruach may also mean “breath” or “wind.” It is unlikely that the Holy Spirit, as understood in the New Testament, is intended here, so “spirit” in Revised Standard Version should not be capitalized. (This is the same term used in Gen 1.2.) Translators may choose between these two interpretations. If “spirit” is chosen, it should be translated “my [God’s] spirit.” Other ways of expressing I have filled him with the Spirit of God are “I have let my spirit [or, power] possess him completely” or “I have let my spirit [or, power] come into him completely.”

With ability and intelligence, with knowledge uses three terms of similar meaning to describe Bezalel’s special gifts. The word for ability is the usual word for “wisdom,” but here it refers more to his technical skill or aptitude. The word for intelligence has a similar meaning, coming from the verb meaning “to discern.” Translator’s Old Testament translates it as “ingenuity” (similarly Revised English Bible). The word for knowledge comes from the common word “to know,” often used in an intimate sense. And all craftsmanship uses a word meaning “mission” or “occupation.” In the present context Bezalel’s “mission” was to build and make things. So New Revised Standard Version has “in every kind of craft,” and Good News Translation has “for every kind of artistic work.” The sentence continues into the next verse. Many languages will have adequate synonyms for ability and intelligence, but in some languages translators will need to use one word and say something similar to Contemporary English Version: “I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman.”

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 .