prophesy

Click here to view graphically

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.

Jerusalem

The name that is transliterated as “Jerusalem” in English is signed in French Sign Language with a sign that depicts worshiping at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:


“Jerusalem” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

While a similar sign is also used in British Sign Language, another, more neutral sign that combines the sign “J” and the signs for “place” is used as well. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Jerusalem” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Jerusalem .

complete verse (Ezekiel 4:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 4:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Observe how Jerusalem has been surrounded/besieged and then show how much strength you have and prophesy to (them/it) bad things.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Look- again -at the brick, which is Jerusalem being-besieged, and speak against Jerusalem while you are rolling-up the sleeves of your clothes.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Turn your face towardthe drawing of Jerusalem and bare your armlike a soldier does who prepares to go into a battle , and prophesy aboutwhat will happen to the city.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 4:7

And you shall set your face toward the siege of Jerusalem means that Ezekiel must look fiercely at, or become angry at, Jerusalem, which the armies are attacking. Of course, this clause does not refer to the actual city of Jerusalem but the brick and little models that Ezekiel was using to represent Jerusalem being attacked. Translators may say “Glare with hostility at this model of the siege of Jerusalem.”

With your arm bared is a picture of someone who has taken off his coat and is ready to fight. It is a threatening gesture, which Good News Translation expresses as “Shake your fist at the city.” Other alternatives are “Threaten it with your fist” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), “with bare arms, ready to fight,” “Act like you are ready to fight it,” and simply “Threaten it.”

And you shall prophesy against the city means Ezekiel must give God’s message of warning to the people of Jerusalem. This is one instance where Ezekiel spoke during the time that God had made him unable to talk and shows that Ezekiel did not totally lose the power to speak, since he could still pass on the messages of God (see the comments on 3.26).

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 .