happiness / joy

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is typically translated in English as “joy” or “happiness” is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible idiomatically as farin ciki or “white stomach.” In some cases, such as in Genesis 29:11, it is also added for emphatic purposes.

Other languages that use the same expression include Southern Birifor (pʋpɛl), Dera (popolok awo), Reshe (ɾipo ɾipuhã). (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

See also Seat of the Mind / Seat of Emotions, rejoiced greatly / celebrated, the Mossi translation of “righteous”, and joy.

mourn

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “mourn” or similar in English is translated in Newari as “have one’s heart broken” or “have a bursting heart” (source: Newari Back Translation).

complete verse (Ezekiel 7:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 7:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “It is a day when whether a person is buying or selling, it is in vain/does not matter because all people will be punished.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Yes, the time of punishment is very near now. The ones-who-buy will- no- longer -rejoice that they were-able-to-bargain, and the ones-who-sell will- no-longer -mourn that they had-lost-income/[lit. defeated], for my anger will-be-experienced by all.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Now is the time; that day has arrived.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 7:12

The time has come, the day draws near: These two clauses are the same as in verse 7 (see the comments there), except Ezekiel uses a different verb in the second clause here. Although Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation do not show it, the Hebrew verb rendered draws near is past tense, so New International Version says “has arrived.” However, the meaning is the same, whether present or past tense is used—God’s coming judgment on Israel is very, very close.

Let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: When the predicted disaster on Israel finally comes, even the everyday commercial activities of buying and selling will stop (so Contemporary English Version). For those languages that need to specify what is bought and sold, it was probably land, but it is better to refer to “things” if an object is needed. It is not necessary in translation to explain that those who buy something are happy because they have gained something, and those who sell something are sad because they no longer own it. This is just a picture of all the normal activities of life being disrupted. Translators may say “There is no point in buyers [or, people who buy property] rejoicing or sellers [or, people who sell property] being sad.” Good News Translation also provides a good model, saying “buying and selling will have no more meaning.”

For wrath is upon all their multitude means God will punish in his fierce anger all the people of Israel who are still living in the land. New Century Version provides a good model here, saying “because my burning anger is against the whole crowd.” Or translators may say “because the whole crowd will suffer from my anger.”

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 .