There is no word in Khanty that directly corresponds to the concept of “love.”
In one of the two Bible translation projects (see here ) for which so far (2023) Genesis, Jonah, Luke, and Acts have been translated, mosty (мосты) with the primary meaning of “to be needed” or “to be necessary” was often used when translating the Greek agapao (ἀγαπάω) and the Hebrew aheb (אָהַב) — “love” in English — and the Greek agapétos (ἀγαπητός) — “beloved” in English.
Interestingly, the same word is also used in verses like Luke 7:2 for the Greek entimos (ἔντιμος) or “value highly” or in Luke 20:17 and Acts 4:11 where the “cornerstone” is the “necessary stone.”
In the other translation project in Khanty, the gospel of Mark has been translated (see here ). Here the translators have used vŏłanga săma (вŏԓаӈа сăма), meaning “important” or “pleasant to the heart” when referring to love.
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 37:3:
Kankanaey: “As for Israel, Jose was the child he loved, because that’s who was born when he was already old. So then, there-was that which he caused-to-be-made which was a long (as a robe) and decorated garment and he gave-(it) to Jose.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Newari: “Since [Joseph] had been born after [Israel] had become an old man, Israel loved Joseph more than [he loved] his other sons. He had a beautiful, wide, embroidered upper garment made for Joseph.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “Jose (was) more beloved of Jacob than his other children, because he was already old when Jose was-born. So he had- a beautiful and long garment -sewn for Jose.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved any of his other children, because Joseph had been born when Jacob was an old man. Jacob made for Joseph a long pretty robe that had long sleeves.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
