wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Kako: “heart thinking” (source: Reyburn 2002, p. 190)

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a hand gesture referring to God to indicate a human quality to communicate that wisdom does not originate from man but is linked to and connected with the fear of God (source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group):


“Wisdom” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

Translation commentary on Judith 8:28 - 8:29

Judith finishes speaking and Uzziah begins his speech; a new paragraph should begin here. Uzziah’s words can be taken as belittling Judith (see the above notes on 8.11 and the 1988 commentary of Alonso-Schökel). So the text can be understood along the following lines:

You have said all this with a good heart [you mean well] and no one would want to argue with you. We have known of your wisdom since your childhood, since your heart is always in the right place. BUT….

Yet it is truer to context to interpret his words as sincere. He recognizes in Judith a source of potential help, one who, like Elijah, could bring rain.

Spoken out of a true heart: Heart, as in Hebrew, refers to the organ of thought. A true heart is a good intellect. Uzziah is truly giving Judith credit for “good sense” (Good News Translation).

Today is not the first time your wisdom has been shown refers to wisdom being “spoken” or “put into action.” In some languages this will need to be cast in the active voice; for example, “this is certainly not the first time you have spoken so wisely” (Contemporary English Version).

But from the beginning of your life may be rendered “ever since you were a little child” (similarly Good News Translation).

Your understanding, for your heart’s disposition is right: may be translated “the soundness and maturity of your judgment” (Good News Translation) or “your decisions are wise and fair.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.