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)

complete verse (Luke 1:65)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 1:65:

  • Noongar: “All the people became frightened, and this news went to all the hills of the land of Judea. ” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “All their neighbors were surprised, and the news spread all through the hills of Yudea.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “All their companions from near by houses were entered by fear and these happenings became well known in all the places upland there in Yahudiya.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And all of the neighboring people when they heard this, they were very surprised. And the news of that happening immediately spread to all the hill villages there in the province of Judea.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “All their townmates were greatly amazed, and this that had happened was newsed-from-one-to-the-other in all the towns in the mountain-country in Judea.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Fear came to the crowd of their neighbors. Well, those things about Zacarias and family were now always being discussed by everyone in that hilly district of Judea.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Judah, Judea

The name that is transliterated as “Judah” or “Judea” in English (referring to the son of Jacob, the tribe, and the territory) is translated in Spanish Sign Language as “lion” (referring to Genesis 49:9 and Revelation 5:5). This sign for lion is reserved for regions and kingdoms. (Source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. and Steve Parkhurst)


“Judah” and “Judea” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

See also Judah, Judah (son of Jacob) , and Tribe of Judah .

Translation commentary on Luke 1:65

Exegesis:

kai egeneto epi pantas phobos tous perioikountas autous ‘and there came fear on all who lived in their neighbourhood’; the subject of the clause, phobos, is placed between pantas and tous which belong closely together. This word order is very awkward and without parallel in the New Testament. It is best explained as a stylistic means to emphasize pantas.

kai egeneto … phobos ‘and there came fear’; the expression is more general than epepesen phobos, ‘fear fell upon (him)’ in v. 12 (which stresses the unexpected and overwhelming character of what happened and is Hebraistic, cf. Gen. 35.5).

perioikeō with accusative ‘to live in the neighbourhood of somebody’; autous refers to Zechariah and Elizabeth.

en holē tē oreinē tēs Ioudaias ‘in all the hill country of Judea’; cf. on v. 39.

hē Ioudaia, cf. on v. 5.

dielaleito panta ta rēmata tauta ‘were all these things talked about.’

dialaleō (also 6.11) ‘to talk about,’ ‘to discuss,’ not ‘to tell.’

Translation:

Their neighbours in this context refers to a larger local group than in v. 58, and probably to one with fewer or no social ties. This may necessitate the use of different renderings, compare ‘those in the same region’ with ‘neighbours’ in v. 58, or, ‘those living nearby’ with ‘those living next door’ (Batak Toba).

All these things were talked about, or, ‘people were talking together about these things’ (Kannada), ‘these things became widely known’ (Telugu), ‘they-spread-the-news’ (Tae’); cf. also on “a report … went out” in 4.14.

Judea is used here in its proper sense (see Exegesis on v. 5) and refers to the same region as “Judah” in v. 39.

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 1:65

1:65a

All their neighbors were filled with awe: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as All their neighbors were filled with awe is literally “fear/awe came upon all the neighbors.” The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as awe expresses an emotion of amazement and fear. The people felt this way because God worked powerfully among them. Translate this by the word in your language that expresses best what people feel when a supernatural being is present or supernatural power is active.

Some other ways to translate this part of the verse are:

All their neighbors felt great awe
-or-
All the people who lived near them were amazed and fearful
-or-
All the neighbours were overcome with awe (Revised English Bible)

In some languages there may be an idiom to express this.

All their neighbors: The word neighbors here refers to people who lived near Elizabeth and Zechariah. It is the same word as in 1:58a. But in this verse, Luke referred to all of their neighbors, not only to the neighbors who were present for the circumcision.

1:65b

people throughout the hill country of Judea: The phrase the hill country of Judea refers to the hilly area of the province of Judea. This was the area where Elizabeth and Zechariah lived. See the note on 1:39b.

1:65c

these events: The phrase these events refers to the special events that God had caused to happen in relation to John’s birth. For example, God’s angel spoke to Zechariah in the temple, and he became unable to speak. Elizabeth became pregnant, although she was old and had been unable to have children. John was born, and Zechariah became able to speak again and praised God. Refer to these things in a natural way in your language.

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