The Hebrew, Greek, Ge’ez, 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. ) and in Cherokee “imaginary gods” (source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 16).
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 14:5:
Kupsabiny: “Those idols have lead the Israelites astray but according to what I will do, they shall return to me.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “I will-do this so-that all the Israelinhon who fled from me because of their little-gods/false-gods will-return to me.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “I will do that in order that the Israeli people, who have abandoned me in order to worship their idols, will sincerely worship me again.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
That I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel: The Hebrew connector rendered that introduces why God will answer the Israelites who consult him. He will answer them to win back their loyalty (so Good News Translation). God uses an idiom here that is similar to the one in verse 3, which says the Israelites “have taken their idols into their hearts.” In both places the figurative language refers to their commitment and loyalty, either to God or to idols.
Who are all estranged from me through their idols: The apostasy of the people was widespread. Estranged means they “left” (New Century Version), “deserted” (New International Version, Jerusalem Bible) or “turned from” (New Living Translation) God because they were worshiping idols. In Hebrew the word all may modify the people (so Revised Standard Version, New International Version) or their idols (so Good News Translation, New Century Version).
One model for this verse is:
• I will answer them so that I can win back the loyalty of the people of Israel who have turned away from me because of all their idols.”’
Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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