prophesy

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The Hebrew and the Greek that are translated in English versions as “prophesy” are translated into Anuak as “sing a song” (source: Loren Bliese), into Balanta-Kentohe as “passing on message of God” (source: Rob Koops), and into Ixcatlán Mazatec with a term that does not only refer to the future, but is “speak on behalf of God” (source: Robert Bascom).

Other translations include: “God making someone to show something in advance” (Ojitlán Chinantec), “God causing someone to think and then say it” (Aguaruna), “speaking God’s thoughts” (Shipibo-Conibo), “God made someone say something” “Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac) (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125), “proclaim God’s message” (Teutila Cuicatec), “speak for God” (Chichimeca-Jonaz), “preach the Word of God” (Lalana Chinantec), “speak God’s words” (Tepeuxila Cuicatec), “that which God’s Spirit will cause one to say one will say” (Mayo) (source for this and four above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.), “say what God wants people to hear” (tell people God wod dat e gii oona fa say) (Gullah) (source: Robert Bascom), and “bring God’s mouth” (Bariai) (source: Bariai Back Translation).

In Luang it is translated with different shades of meaning:

  • For Acts 3:18, 3:21, 3:25: nurwowohora — “mouth says words that don’t come from one’s own mind.” (“This term refers to an individual’s speaking words that are not his because either a good or bad spirit is at work through him. The speaker is not in control of himself.”)
  • For Acts 19:6, Acts 21:9: nakotnohora — “talk about.” (“The focus of this term is on telling God’s message for the present as opposed to the future.”)
  • For Acts 21:11: rora — “foretell” (“The focus of this term is giving God’s message concerning the future. The person who speaks is aware of what he is doing and he is using his own mind, yet it is with God’s power that he foretells the future.”)

Source: Kathy Taber in Notes on Translation 1/1999, p. 9-16.

See also prophet and prophesy / prophetic frenzy.

complete verse (Ezekiel 21:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 21:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Ezekiel, prophesy. Tell the people that,
    ‘God is saying:
    The sword is sharpened, oh, please
    and it is polished/washed.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Man, speak my message to the people. Tell them that I, the Lord, say: I sharpened my sword for killing you (plur.). I polished it well so-that will-flash like the lightning. So/Well will- you (plur.) still -rejoice? Will- you still -mock my disciplining of you (plur.)?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘You human, prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what Yahweh says:
    I have sharpened my sword
    and polished it.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Honorary "are" construct denoting God ("say")

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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 usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme are (され) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, iw-are-ru (言われる) or “say” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 21:9

Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, Say: A new prophecy begins here in a similar way to the previous two prophecies (see the comments on 20.46-47 and 21.2-3). The Hebrew word rendered Lord is not the name Yahweh; it is the word ʾadonai, which may be translated “Master” or “Boss.” In contrast to the previous two prophecies, God does not say who is to receive this message, but it is acceptable to make this explicit by adding “the people of Jerusalem” (Contemporary English Version) or “the people of Judah.”

A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished: The theme of a sword of judgment continues here from verse 3. Here the sword is being prepared for use. It is sharpened, that is, “made sharp” (New Century Version), so that it will cut easily. It is also polished, that is, made clean and shiny. In languages where these passive verbs are not natural, translators may say “A sword is sharp and shiny” or “I have sharpened a sword, and also polished it.”

In Hebrew verses 9b-13 are a poem or song, something very typical of the prophets. Translators should try as much as possible to use the forms of poetry of their language, although without changing the message of this poem.

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 .