sound of a windblown leaf

The Hebrew in Leviticus 26:36 that is translated as “sound of a windblown leaf” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “sound of a windblown reed,” because” if you hear leaves being blown that is something that people would be afraid of because the wind has to be strong in order for leaves to be heard. Also (…) the idea in the Hebrew is that it should be something that normally people would not be afraid of so they have chose grass reeds which make small sound even if the wind is gentle.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin) and in Apinayé as “person next to one” (source: Patricia Ham in Notes on Translation, August 1965, p. 2).

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

complete verse (Leviticus 26:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 26:36:

  • Kupsabiny: “But for those who will become the remainder among you, I shall send nervousness to (them) when they are in the country of their enemies. If a tree blows/moves and a branch falls they shall jerk as if they heard enemies who had come, but no one is actually chasing them.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’You who are still alive, even when you hear the sound of a falling leaf in the land of your enemies, you will run away in fear, thinking that a sword is pursuing [you], you will fall even though no one is pursuing you. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) who (are) the-(ones) left alive from war, who were-brought by your (plur.) enemies to their place, I will-cause-to-be- very -afraid. Actually, even just the rustling of leaves that are-blown by the wind you (plur.) will-flee as-if/just-like you (plur.) are-being-chased to-be- killed even (when) no one is-chasing you (plur.). And while you (plur.) are-fleeing you (plur.) will-stumble-over-each-other/knock-each-other and will-fall. So you (plur.) will- not -be-able-to-fight-against your (plur.) enemies.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘s for you people who will remain alive in the countries to which your enemies will have taken you, I will cause you to become so afraid that when you hear the sound of leaves being blown by the wind, you will run away. You will run like you are running from a man carrying a sword, and you will fall down, even though no one is pursuing you.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

formal 2nd person plural pronoun (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a formal plural suffix to the second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. In these verses, anata-gata (あなたがた) is used, combining the second person pronoun anata and the plural suffix -gata to create a formal plural pronoun (“you” [plural] in English).

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Leviticus 26:36

The Hebrew shifts from second person to third person plural in this verse, but Good News Translation maintains “you” throughout. The same should be done in the receptor-language translation in most cases. A change in pronouns would only serve to confuse the reader.

Send faintness into their hearts: the word translated faintness is rendered “slavery” in the Septuagint. But its meaning is generally recognized today as “weakness” or “timidity.” Other possible renderings may be “lack of courage” or “anxiety.”

The sound of a driven leaf: the image here is of someone who is “afraid of his own shadow,” as may be said in colloquial English. Brave men are not frightened by the sound of battle, but God will cause his people to be so fearful that a mere leaf blowing in the wind will make then run away.

This verse is in contrast with verses 7 and 8, where a handful of Israelites could cause their enemies to flee.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .