The Hebrew that is translated into English as forms of “(to not) harden heart” is translated into other languages with their own vivid idioms; for example, Thai uses “black-hearted” (source: Bratcher / Hattoon, p. 272), Pökoot uses makany kwoghïghitu mötöwekwo: “do not let become hard your heads” (source: Gerrit van Steenbergen), Anuak has “make liver strong” (source: Loren Bliese), and The Hebrew that is translated as “divination” or similar in English is translated in Elhomwe has “dried heart” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).
In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated colloquially as wie vernagelt or “obtuse” (in Mark 6:52 and 8:17).
While Moba has a rich metaphorical library using the concept of “heart” (pal) it follows very different paradigms compared to Greek, Hebrew and English concepts. The parallel expression of “hardened heart” means “courageous” or “encouraged” (see hearts burning) so in the 2008 Moba Yendu Kadapaaonn translation various constructs are used to translate “hardness of heart,” including “not willing to change one’s mind” (in Mark 3:5) or “make temptation into the heart” (John 12:40). (Source: Bedouma Joseph Kobaike in Le Sycomore 17/1, 2024, p. 3ff. )
The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 8:32:
Kupsabiny: “Though it had happened like that, the ruler again hardened his head. So, he refused to release those people to go.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Again Pharon hardened his heart and did not let the people go.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “But the king still hardened his heart and he did- not -let- the Israelinhon -go.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Bariai: “The flies went and were finished, but the great chief of the Isip people was unwavering and refused to listen again, and so he didn’t allow the people to go.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Opo: “But king of Egypt again be hard heart, not people of Israel let go [that] they might go.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
English: “But the king was stubborn this time also, and he did not allow the Israeli people to go.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
But Pharaoh hardened his heart is literally “he caused his heart to be heavy.” It means that “the king became stubborn” (Good News Translation). This time also may be translated as “even this time” or “once again” (New English Bible). This is the eighth time in the book that the king’s stubbornness is described in terms of a hard heart, but it only the second time that he is said to have hardened his own heart. (Compare verse 15, and see the comment at 4.21.)
And did not let the people go repeats the same words used in previous references to the Pharaoh’s hard heart. His refusal to let the Israelites go away from Egypt, even for the purpose of offering sacrifices to Yahweh, is always explained as the result of his hard heart.
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 .
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