The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
The Hebrew that is translated as “steadfast love,” “lovingkindness” (Goldingay 2018: “commitment”) or similar in English is translated in a number of ways:
Vidunda: “love of enduring” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Bura-Pabir: “love which cannot be-changed” (hyirkur na a palidzi wa)
HausaCommon Language Bible “his love without changing” (kaunarsa marar canjawa) (source for this and above: Andy Warren-Rothlin)
Elhomwe: “love that does not finish” (echikondi yoohisintheya) (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Nyamwezi: chelu, combining “love,” “faithfulness,” “loyalty,” and “kindness” (source: James Lundeen)
Newari: dayāmāyā (दयामाया), a compound word made from two Sanskrit-derived terms: dayā (दया) or “compassion, mercy, kindness” and māyā (माया) or “love, affection” (source: Newari Back Translation)
In Pijintinghevi long or “think heavy about” is used. “The Pijin expression ‘think heavy about’ is very much within the domain of committed relationships. The relationship between father and child, husband and wife, God and His people. There is a very strong element of ‘loyalty’ in this expression.” (Source: Bob Carter)
In Latvian the term žēlastība is used both for “steadfast love” and grace.
In a number of languages, the terms for for “steadfast love” and mercy are used interchangeably.
The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin terms that are typically translated as “mercy” (or “compassion” or “kindness”) in English are translated in various ways. Bratcher / Nida classify them in (1) those based on the quality of heart, or other psychological center, (2) those which introduce the concept of weeping or extreme sorrow, (3) those which involve willingness to look upon and recognize the condition of others, or (4) those which involve a variety of intense feelings.
While the Englishmercy originates from the Latinmerces, originally “price paid,” Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Corsican, Catalan, Friulian) and other Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Danish — Barmherzigkeit, barmhärtighet and barmhjertighed, respectively) tend to follow the Latin misericordia, lit. “misery-heart.”
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 16:5:
Kupsabiny: “Then, a king shall again come from the line of David. He is a gentle king and he does the truth/justice, he shall rule in a good way.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. Then he will reign in accordance with everlasting love and faithfulness. He will be quick to do safeguard justice and to do righteous work.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “And a descendant of David will-reign with faithfulness and love. By his judgment, he really wants to give justice. And he is quick to do right.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Then Yahweh will appoint someone to be king who will be a descendant of King David. As he rules , he will be merciful and truthful. He will always do what is fair/just and quickly do what is righteous.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
This verse presents the main clauses introduced by the subordinate clauses in the previous verse. It looks forward to the time when the Davidic throne will be established again.
Then a throne will be established in steadfast love: A throne is a king’s seat (see 6.1); here it is a symbol of his rule (see 9.7). Steadfast love will be the primary feature of his rule. Steadfast love renders the Hebrew word chesed, which is a very significant theological term in the Old Testament. This is the first time it occurs in the book. It can be rendered “goodness,” “graciousness,” or “kindness.” It is often linked with “faithfulness” and “love.” Both God and people can show chesed. It has a special place in the vocabulary of the Davidic kings, so it is used here (see, for example, 2 Sam 7.15; Psa 89.1-4).
And on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness: This long sentence is composed of several parts, so it is helpful to break it up to show the parts that belong together. The main verb is sit but the subject of the verb is one who … righteousness. In this complex subject there is a reference to three activities: judging, seeking justice, and doing righteousness. Yahweh himself did these things (see Psa 89.14), and he expected his earthly representative, the king, to do them also. The expected rule is described further by two adverbial phrases, in faithfulness and in the tent of David, which are discussed below.
The new king will sit on the throne. Although kings physically sit on a throne when they rule, here the verb is symbolic for the exercise of power. It may be rendered “rule.”
In faithfulness describes the truthfulness and honesty that will be part of this king’s ruling. The Hebrew term here is often rendered “truth.”
In the tent of David refers to much more than the tent, that is, the house, the king will live in. The metaphor of a tent refers to the kingdom of David, a kingdom that in David’s time actually included Moab. If translators wish to retain the vocabulary of sitting on a throne in a palace, they can do so. Tent of David could also be a symbolic reference to Jerusalem, the center of Davidic rule, but no version consulted makes this explicit. For Good News Translationtent of David is a reference to “David’s descendants.”
One who judges is the first activity of the new king. This implies he will judge fairly.
Seeks justice is the second activity of his rule. He will always uphold justice and the law. See the comments on this expression at 1.17.
Finally, he will be swift to do righteousness. He will act justly without delay. Compare 9.7, which also refers to justice and righteousness as characteristics of the new king’s rule.
For the translation of this verse we offer the following examples:
• … then in David’s realm there will be established in goodness a ruler who will rule with all honesty. He will judge fairly, pursue justice, and quickly ensure just dealings.
• … then a throne will be set up in David’s realm marked by goodness and honesty. The ruler will be one who judges fairly, who pursues justice, and swiftly acts with righteousness.
If translators find that it is necessary to combine verses 4b and 5 in order to place the first main clause ahead of the subordinate clauses, the following translation example is a possibility:
4b-5 A throne will be set up in David’s realm when the oppression has ceased, destruction is at an end, and the aggressor has gone from our land. That throne will be marked by goodness and honesty, the ruler will be one who judges fairly, who pursues justice and swiftly acts with righteousness.
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 .
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