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)
In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)
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:
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)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 10:11:
Kupsabiny: “I shall destroy Jerusalem and its idols that are being worshipped, like I did with Samaria and its idols.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “What! shall I not deal with Jerusalem, and the idols that are there, like I did to the idols that are there in Samaria?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “I already destroyed Samaria and its little-gods. I will- also -do-it to Jerusalem and its little-gods.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
In these two verses the Assyrian emperor continues to boast on a religious level. He is keen to stress how the idols that other kingdoms believed to be powerful were unable to stop his advance. He boasts that his conquests will soon include Samaria and Jerusalem with their even less powerful idols. Thus, unwittingly, the emperor becomes Yahweh’s spokesperson in showing deep contempt for idols. Also, Jerusalem is identified as the final destination of the Assyrian army’s present advance.
As with verses 8-9, these two verses are well structured; see the introduction to verses 5-11 above. The Revised Standard Version rendering reflects the Hebrew structure, but the result is a long sentence, covering two verses. Good News Translation has divided it into two sentences, which may be a better option for many languages.
As my hand has reached to the kingdoms of the idols: This line describes the Assyrian king’s successful victory over the six cities just listed. My hand symbolizes his military power. Has reached to is literally “had found.” For my hand has reached to, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “I was able to seize,” which makes the sense very explicit. The alien kingdoms are referred to as the kingdoms of the idols, meaning that their people and their security depended on their idols. For the word idols, see 2.8, 18. Revised English Bible has “kingdoms full of idols,” and New American Bible says “idolatrous kingdoms.” Another possibility is “kingdoms where idols are worshiped.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh conveys the mocking tone of the Hebrew word for idols (“small gods”) by saying “insignificant kingdoms.”
Whose graven images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria: Graven images translates a Hebrew term that refers to idols carved out of wood or stone. Here it is roughly synonymous with “idols” in the previous line and in the next verse. Verse 11 has a third synonym, which is rendered images. Translators may try to match the variety of the Hebrew vocabulary with appropriate terms or expressions in the receptor language. They may also combine some of the terms and use one equivalent or two, as Good News Translation does with “idols” in verses 10-11a, and “images” in verse 11b.
The Assyrian king says the idols in the Syrian cities mentioned above were greater than or more powerful than those in Jerusalem and Samaria. This might reflect a time when Jerusalem and Samaria were caught in the grip of idol worship, like the nations surrounding them. However, most scholars see this section as referring to the Assyrian campaigns in 720-701 B.C., which was the time of King Hezekiah of Judah. Since Hezekiah was faithful to Yahweh, the Assyrian king may be reflecting his own view, namely that there were idols to represent Israel’s God. The comparison greater than is simply “more than” in Hebrew. It could mean that the idols in Syria were “more than” (Good News Translation “more numerous”; similarly New American Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible) rather than “greater than” the idols in Jerusalem. “More than” is the rendering we suggest.
Shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols as I have done to Samaria and her images?: The question here is actually a strong statement. It implies that the Assyrian king expects to be able to deal with Jerusalem in the same way that he dealt with Samaria and the other idol-worshiping nations mentioned above.
Translation examples for verses 10-11are:
• 10 Just as I dealt with the idolatrous kingdoms who had more images than Jerusalem and Samaria, 11 just as I did to Samaria and her idols, so I will do to Jerusalem and her idols.
• 10 In the same way that I dealt with those kingdoms and their idols that were more numerous than in Jerusalem and Samaria, 11 I treated Samaria and its idols. Will I not treat Jerusalem and her images the same way? [or, I will treat Jerusalem and her images in the same way.]
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.