soldier

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “soldier” in English didn’t have a direct equivalent in Enlhet so it was translated with “those that bind us” (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1969, p. 24ff. ) and in Noongar it is mammarapa-bakadjiny or “men of fighting” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

prophet

Eugene Nida wrote the following about the translation of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek terms that are typically translated with “prophet” in English:

“The tendency in many translations is to use ‘to foretell the future’ for ‘prophesy,’ and ‘one who foretells the future’ for ‘prophet.’ This is not always a recommended usage, particularly if such expressions denote certain special native practices of spirit contact and control. It is true, of course, that prophets of the Bible did foretell the future, but this was not always their principal function. One essential significance of the Greek word prophētēs is ‘one who speaks forth,’ principally, of course, as a forth-teller of the Divine will. A translation such as ‘spokesman for God’ may often be employed profitably.” (1947, p. 234f.)

Following is a list of (back-) translations from other languages (click or tap for details):

  • San Blas Kuna: “one who speaks the voice of God”
  • Central Pame and Vai: “interpreter for God”
  • Kaqchikel, Navajo (Dinė), Yaka: “one who speaks for God”
  • Northern Grebo: “God’s town crier” (see more about this below)
  • Sapo: “God’s sent-word person”
  • Shipibo-Conibo, Ngäbere: “one who speaks God’s word”
  • Copainalá Zoque: “one who speaks-opens” (a compound meaning “one who discloses or reveals”)
  • Sierra Totonac: “one who causes them to know” (in the sense of “revealer”)
  • Batak Toba: “foreteller” (this and all the above acc. to Nida 1961, p. 7)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “one who is inspired of God” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Alekano: “the true man who descended from heaven” (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation June 1986, p. 36ff.)
  • Aguaruna: “teller of God’s word” (source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125)
  • Ekari: “person who speaks under divine impulse”
  • Mandarin Chinese: 先知 xiānzhī — “one who foreknows” (or the 1946/1970 translation by Lü Zhenzhong: 神言人 shényánrén — “divine-word-man”)
  • Uab Meto: “holy spokesman” (source for this and two above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Kouya: Lagɔɔ gbʋgbanyɔ — “the one who seeks God’s affairs” (source: Saunders, p. 269)
  • Kafa: “decide for God only” (source: Loren Bliese)
  • Martu Wangka: “sit true to God’s talk” (source: Carl Gross)
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “word passer” (source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation November 1964, p. 1-22)
  • Obolo: ebi nriran: “one with power of divine revelation” (source: Enene Enene)
  • Mairasi: nonondoai nyan: “message proclaimer” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Highland Totonac: “speaker on God’s behalf”
  • Central Tarahumara: “God’s preacher” (source for this and above: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
  • Coatlán Mixe: “God’s word-thrower”
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “one who talks as God’s representative”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “speaker for God” (source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Mezquital Otomi / Paasaal: “God’s messenger” (source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff. and Fabian N. Dapila in The Bible Translator 2024, p. 415ff.)
  • Noongar: Warda Marridjiny or “News Traveling” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Kutu: mtula ndagu or “one who gives the prediction of the past and the future” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Ebira: ọnịsẹ, a neologism that combines the prefix ọn for “a person” with ịsẹ for “prediction” (source: Scholz /Scholz 2015, p. 49)
  • French 1985 translation by Chouraqui: inspiré or “inspired one” (“someone in whom God has breathed [Latin: in + spiro]) (source: Watson 2023, p. 45)

In Ixcatlán Mazatec a term is used that specifically includes women. (Source: Robert Bascom)

About the translation into Northern Grebo:

“In some instances these spiritual terms result from adaptations reflecting the native life and culture. Among the Northern Grebo people of Liberia, a missionary wanted some adequate term for ‘prophet,’ and she was fully aware that the native word for ‘soothsayer’ or ‘diviner’ was no equivalent for the Biblical prophet who spoke forth for God. Of course, much of what the prophets said referred to the future, and though this was an essential part of much of their ministry, it was by no means all. The right word for the Gbeapo people would have to include something which would not only mean the foretelling of important events but the proclamation of truth as God’s representative among the people. At last the right word came; it was ‘God’s town-crier.’ Every morning and evening the official representative of the chief goes through the village crying out the news, delivering the orders of the chief, and announcing important coming events. ‘God’s town-crier’ would be the official representative of God, announcing to the people God’s doings, His commands, and His pronouncements for their salvation and well-being. For the Northern Grebo people the prophet is no weird person from forgotten times; he is as real as the human, moving message of the plowman Amos, who became God’s town-crier to a calloused people.” (source: Nida 1952, p. 20)

In American Sign Language it is a person who sees into the future:


“Prophet” in American Sign Language (source )

In British Sign Language it is is translated with a sign that depicts a message coming from God to a person (the upright finger) and then being passed on to others. (Source: Anna Smith)


“Prophet” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)

See also prophesy and prophesy / prophetic frenzy.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: How to Recognize a Biblical Prophet .

See also seer.

complete verse (Isaiah 3:2)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 3:2:

  • Kupsabiny: “Brave fighters will be removed,
    councilors/advisers and prophets,
    sorcerers and elders of the court,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “very strong men, soldiers,
    judges and prophets,
    diviners, elders,” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “their famous men, soldiers, judges, prophets, fortunetellers, leaders/rulers,” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 3:2

Six examples of leaders are listed in this verse; five more examples will follow in verse 3. The LORD will remove these leaders, just like the bread and water. Each noun here is singular, but they are collective nouns, representing groups of people, so translators can make them plural if required (so Good News Translation). Some of these leaders had honorable professions (soldiers, judges, prophets, community leaders, royal advisers), but God condemned others (diviners, magicians, sorcerers). Regardless of their status, the prophet lists them all to emphasize that Judah’s entire society will be turned upside down.

The mighty man and the soldier: The Hebrew word for mighty man usually refers to a warrior, a person of great physical strength. Such a person may also be a professional soldier, but not necessarily. Where such distinctions are difficult, translators may say “the chief / head / leader of war, and the man of war / soldier [as well].” Bible en français courant has “elite troops and simple soldiers.”

The judge here may well refer to people who administer justice, but it could also refer to those called “judges” in the book of Judges. These “judges” were not in the legal profession but were local leaders who won victory over those who were oppressing parts of Israel. But since the administration of legal justice is often in focus in Isaiah’s prophecies, a rendering in the sense of “judge [in a court of justice]” is legitimate.

The prophet refers to those who brought God’s message to his people. Translators should choose a term that does not focus exclusively on predicting the future. Prophets spoke to their own generation primarily, so the translation should draw attention to their role as God’s spokespersons.

The diviner refers to soothsayers or fortunetellers. They are contrasted with true prophets in Jer 14.14. Although such people and their practices were condemned in Israel (see 2.6), here they are listed as being among the leaders of Judah. This shows just how widespread this kind of illegal activity was. Since the word diviner does not necessarily have a negative meaning here, translating it as “sorcerer” or “magician” is not recommended (if these words have the negative meaning they have in English). It is better to use a neutral word describing someone who predicts the future, often by using special instruments.

The elder renders a general Hebrew word for any person who held a responsible position in the community of Israel. The emphasis is not just on age but also on having a position as a leader in society. The elders were the leaders of families and clans. In a town council they directed the affairs of the community and made sure justice was enforced.

Translators may consider the following ways of listing the leaders in this verse:

• The LORD will remove
strong men and soldiers,
judges and divine messengers,
wizards and elders.

• The LORD will take away
warriors and soldiers,
judges and divine spokespersons,
fortunetellers and [community] leaders.

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 .