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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (Isaiah 47:15)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 47:15:

  • Kupsabiny: “That is how it will be with those people
    whom you have trusted from childhood.
    Each one will abandon you and he will go his own way,
    and there is no one who can save you.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “They will only be able to do this much for you, those with whom you have worked,
    and who have been doing business from the time of [your] childhood.
    They have all be going down the wrong road.
    No one will be able to deliver you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Well/So what can- the people whom you (sing.) ask for counsel since you (sing.) (were) still a child -do? Each one of them has-gone-astray and they can- not -save you.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Isaiah 47:15

Such to you are those …: The comparison between the astrologers and stubble is reaffirmed here. The Hebrew word rendered Such (literally “Thus”) points to the inability of the astrologers to rescue anyone from the flames, the coming punishment. They are just like the stubble that cannot resist fire. The word “Thus” can link back to the previous verse, but also point forward to the next three descriptive clauses. For most versions it points back; for example, Good News Translation renders this clause as “That is all the good they will do you,” New International Version has “That is all they can do for you,” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “This is what they have profited you,” and Bible en français courant uses “That will be the fate of your sorcerers.” For a model that points forward see the first example below. Both approaches are valid.

The people that verse 15 speaks about are identified explicitly in Good News Translation as “astrologers,” in Revised English Bible as “magicians,” and in Bible en français courant as “sorcerers.” Such a clarification may be useful and even necessary in many languages, in place of the rather vague word those.

With whom you have labored: This clause describes further the astrologers mentioned by God in verses 12-13. The Hebrew verb rendered labored refers either to working hard or to growing weary through hard work, as in verse 12. It may be translated simply “worked.” Instead of with whom you have labored, New Jerusalem Bible translates “for whom you have worked” (similarly Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), which suggests a slightly different interpretation, that is, working for the astrologers as employees rather than with them. Both interpretations are valid.

Who have trafficked with you from your youth: This clause also describes the astrologers further. The Hebrew verb rendered trafficked means to travel, often for the purpose of trading. This verb could simply indicate that the Babylonians spent much time in the company of the astrologers. But there could also be a hint that the relations had a commercial side to them, so Contemporary English Version says “done business,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh refers to the astrologers as “traders.” Good News Translation and Bible en français courant have “consulted,” which is a good dynamic-equivalent verb to use. For from your youth, see the comments on verse 12.

Good News Translation combines those with whom you have labored and who have trafficked with you from your youth into one line, saying “those astrologers you’ve consulted all your life” (similarly Bible en français courant, but it keeps both verbs). This may be a helpful model for other languages.

They wander about each in his own direction describes the way each of the astrologers follows his own direction, doing his job independently of the others. Presumably, the result is a variety of advice (verse 13), advice that is incoherent and irreconcilable—hence useless. The Hebrew verb rendered wander suggests aimless travel; that is, travel lacking any direction and purpose. It also implies here going the wrong way, not just walking around; they are confused and disoriented. New International Version expresses this sense by rendering the line as “Each of them goes on in his error.” Another interpretation sees the astrologers as leaving the Babylonians and going off, each in his own direction; for example, Good News Translation has “They all will leave you and go their own way,” and Revised English Bible says “they have wandered off, each his own way.” Both interpretations are valid.

There is no one to save you: This line concludes that there is no one to rescue Babylonia from the disaster in view throughout the chapter. It condemns Babylonia to its fate. Its astrologers have no way to help, no way to prevent God’s punishment coming to the nation. Good News Translation says “and none will be left to save you.”

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• This is what those with whom you have worked will be like,
those whom you have consulted since your early days:
each one errs, going his own way,
not one can rescue you.”

• Those magicians/astrologers are all like that,
those you have consulted from the beginning;
each of them strays following his own way,
not one of them is able to rescue you.”

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 .