idol / idols

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)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (Isaiah 31:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 31:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Days shall come when you shall throw away those idols of silver and gold, those that you formed with your sinful hands.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For on that day all of you will reject it — the silver and gold idols which your hands have made.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For a time will-come that you (plur.) will-reject your (plur.) little-gods/false-gods which are silver and gold, which you (plur.) made of your (plur.) being-sinful.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When you do that, each of you will throw away the idols that you have sinned by making, idols that are covered with silver and gold.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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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 choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

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

Translation commentary on Isaiah 31:7

When the people of Judah return to the LORD, they will reject their idols (compare 30.22).

The Hebrew particle ki rendered For is an emphatic marker here, so it is better rendered “Indeed” or “Now.” It may also be omitted (so Good News Translation).

The phrase in that day is typical of prophetic writing, referring to a general time in the future (see the comments on 2.11).

Every one shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold: Every one is literally “a man,” but it has an inclusive sense here. Good News Translation renders it “all of you.” For the Hebrew word rendered idols, see the comments on 2.8.

Which your hands have sinfully made for you: The idols were handmade. The Hebrew word rendered sinfully is omitted from many of the ancient versions. It has an unusual position in the Hebrew sentence, which makes it difficult to know where to place it in translation. Good News Translation and New American Bible link it to the word idols, saying “sinful idols,” but this is an odd phrase unless it means the idols caused the people to sin. The word for sinfully may have this sense here. Revised English Bible links it with the word hands, saying “sinful hands,” which is also possible. Bible en français courant is similar with “guilty hands.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Now at that time all of you will reject the silver and gold idols that you have made with your sinful hands.

• At that time each of you will reject his handmade idols of silver and gold that cause people to sin.

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 .