idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek 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. )

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)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (Ezekiel 23:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 23:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “That woman gave herself to all those leaders of Assyria. Her greed made here defile herself while worshipping the gods of Assyria.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Ohola had-sex with all the officials of Asiria, and she defiled herself by worshipping their little-gods.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “She acted like a prostitute toward all the important Assyrian officials, and became unacceptable to me by worshiping all the idols of the men she wanted to have sex with.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 23:7

She bestowed her harlotries upon them, the choicest men of Assyria all of them: She bestowed her harlotries upon them means Oholah gave herself as a prostitute to the Assyrian officers. The choicest men of Assyria are the “elite” (New International Version, New American Bible), the most “important” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version), the best of the Assyrians. All of them implies that she had sex with all the Assyrian officers who came to Samaria. This is an exaggeration, but it shows how wicked the woman was. This sentence may be rendered “She was a prostitute for [or, had sex with] all the most important men of Assyria.”

And she defiled herself with all the idols of every one on whom she doted: She made herself ritually unclean by worshiping all the idols of all the Assyrians she had sex with. For defiled herself, see 4.14; for on whom she doted, see Ezek 23.5; and for the Hebrew word rendered idols (“foul idols” in New Jerusalem Bible; “disgusting idols” in Contemporary English Version), see 6.4. This sentence may be translated “She made herself unfit for my presence by worshiping all the idols of every man she lusted after [or, desired to have sex with].”

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 .