neighbor - relative

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “neighbor” or “relative” in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) and the Buku Lopatulika translation (1922/2018) with just one word: nansi. This word can also be translated as neighbors whom you share a blood relation with because in Chewa context a community is mostly comprised of people of blood relations. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also neighbor.

complete verse (Jeremiah 12:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 12:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “Even the brothers of your own house/family
    have undermined you.
    Do not accept the words of those people at all,
    even if they praise you greatly!’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Even your (sing.) male siblings and relatives betrayed you (sing.). They complained and planned evil against you (sing.). You (sing.) do- not -trust them even if they will-say fine-thing to you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Already your brothers and other members of your own family oppose you.
    They plot against/plan to do evil things to you and they say bad things about you.
    So even if they say nice things about you,
    do not trust them!” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 12:6

In the previous verse the LORD is asking Jeremiah how well he can endure difficulties, For, he goes on, even his relatives have betrayed him. Not all languages need this transition, which is why Good News Translation drops it.

And the house of your father may be taken either as the equivalent to your brothers (Good News Translation “members of your own family”) or else with the broader meaning of “all your relatives” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), as in “even your brothers along with all your relatives.”

Dealt treacherously translates the same verb first used in 3.8 (Revised Standard Version “false”). Good News Translation here translates “have betrayed you.”

The meaning of the expression rendered they are in full cry after you is uncertain. One possibility is “they have spoken bad things about you,” which is similar in meaning to “they have raised a loud cry against you” (New International Version). The Revised Standard Version rendering gives the image of chasing, as in a hunt. This could also be expressed as “they are in full pursuit of you.” The meaning can also be “they have spoken out against you in the company of plotters,” hence Good News Translation has “they join in the attacks against you.” Any of these can be seen to fit in the context. It is important, however, to start a new sentence with believe them not, since the warning is not against believing them when they speak evil of you, but when they speak friendly words. To bring this out, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch very effectively restructures the last two clauses of the verse: “Be on your guard when they approach you in a friendly manner!”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .