angry

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “(was or became) angry” in English is translated in Kwere as “saw anger.” In Kwere, emotions are always paired with sensory verbs (seeing or smelling or hearing). (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

In Bariai it is “to have grumbling interiors” (source: Bariai Back Translation).

See also anger and feel (terror, pain, suffering, anxiety).

offering

The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”

In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)

See also offering (qorban).

Cain

The Hebrew and Greek that is transliterated as “Cain” in English is transliterated as Kaḭ in Ngambay. In a translatory coincidence Kaḭ is very similar to the Ngambay word kain or “to flee” which is what Cain does according to Genesis 4:14. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In the Protestant tradition of Mandarin Chinese it is transliterated as Gāiyǐn (该隐) which can be understood as “should hide” or “should be hidden.” (Source: Zetzsche)

In Spanish Sign Language it is translated with a sign that signifies “bad.” (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Cain” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Abel and Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Cain .

complete verse (Genesis 4:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 4:5:

  • Kankanaey: “but he was not satisfied with Abel and what he offered. So Cain’s anger was extreme and he looked-sullen.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Cain and his offering, however, He did not like. So Cain became very angry. His face became dark.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “but he was- not -pleased with Cain and his offering. And because of this, Cain frowned/sulked and his anger was very intense.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “but he was not pleased with Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his face looked dejected.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("keep")

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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 rare (られ) 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, todome-rare-ru (留められる) or “keep” is used.

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

Translation commentary on Genesis 4:5

But for Cain and his offering he had no regard: but marks a strong contrast between God’s acceptance of Abel and his rejection of Cain. Good News Translation makes the contrast effective with “but he rejected Cain.” He [the LORD] had no regard is the same verb as used in Gen 4.4. Interpreters offer many reasons why God may have rejected Cain’s offering; however, the narrator is silent on this matter.

So Cain was very angry: So translates the usual Hebrew connective, which here marks a consequence. Angry translates a word whose verb form means to burn. In English it is similar to saying “he became inflamed with anger.” The reason for Cain’s heated reaction was that God rejected him and his offering. Cain is apparently envious of his brother’s acceptance, but the story does not reveal how Cain knew about that. Many languages have figurative expressions for being angry. For example, “So Cain’s insides burned,” “So Cain became hot,” or “Therefore Cain’s innermost boiled up.”

And his countenance fell: countenance means “face.” The whole expression is an idiom meaning “he put on a sad face” or “he took on an ugly look.” Good News Translation has “he scowled in anger.” Idioms similar to the Hebrew are quite common in other languages; examples of their use here are “his face changed [its appearance]” or “his face became bad.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .