complete verse (Jeremiah 46:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 46:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “Who is the one like the river Nile when it overflows/floods,
    like rivers that overflow to flood the land?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘What nation is that (that) becomes-powerful, like a River of Nile that the water rises-up till the bank?” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “What group is this that will be covering the land
    like the water of the Nile River covers the land when it floods?” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 46:7

Who is this, rising like the Nile…?: Egypt (see verse 8) is compared to the Nile River, which annually floods its banks. For those not familiar with the Nile, “Nile River” may be necessary.

Like rivers whose waters surge is better rendered “like rivers in flood.” Although the plural (rivers) is used, the reference is to the Nile. The plural is simply used to emphasize the picture.

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 .