covenant

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that are translated as “covenant” in English are translated in a variety of ways. Here are some (back-) translations:

  • Mossi: “helping promise”
  • Vai: “a thing-time-bind” (i.e. “an arrangement agreed upon for a period of time”)
  • Loma (Liberia): “agreement”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “agreement which is tied up” (i.e. “secure and binding”)
  • Chol: “a word which is left”
  • Huastec: “a broken-off word” (“based on the concept of ‘breaking off a word’ and leaving it with the person with whom an agreement has been reached”)
  • Tetelcingo Nahuatl: “a death command” (i.e. “a special term for testament”)
  • Piro: “a promised word”
  • Eastern Krahn: “a word between”
  • Yaka: “promise that brings together” (source for this and all above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Nabak: alakŋaŋ or “tying the knot” (source: Fabian 2013, p. 156)
  • Nyamwezi: ilagano: “agreement, contract, covenant, promise” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Q’anjob’al: “put mouths equal” (representing agreement) (source: Newberry and Kittie Cox in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 91ff. )
  • Manikion, Indonesian: “God’s promise” (source: Daud Soesilo)
  • Natügu: nzesz’tikr drtwr: “oneness of mind” (source: Brenda Boerger in Beerle-Moor / Voinov, p. 164)
  • Tagalog: tipan: mutual promising on the part of two persons agreeing to do something (also has a romantic touch and denotes something secretive) (source: G. Henry Waterman in The Bible Translator 1960, p. 24ff. )
  • Tagbanwa: “initiated-agreement” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Guhu-Samane: “The concept [in Mark 14:24 and Matthew 16:28] is not easy, but the ritual freeing of a fruit and nut preserve does afford some reference. Thus, ‘As they were drinking he said to them, ‘On behalf of many this poro provision [poro is the traditional religion] of my blood is released.’ (…) God is here seen as the great benefactor and man the grateful recipient.” (Source: Ernest Richert in The Bible Translator, 1965, p. 81ff. )
  • Chichewa: pangano. This word can also be translated as a contract, agreement, or a treaty between two parties. In Chewa culture, two people or groups enter into an agreement to help each other in times of need. When entering into an agreement, parties look at the mutual benefits which will be gained. The agreement terms are mostly kept as a secret between the parties and the witnesses involved. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Law (2013, p. 95) writes about how the Ancient Greek Septuagint‘s translation of the Hebrew berith was used by the New Testament writers as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments (click or tap here to read more):

“Right from the start we witness the influence of the Septuagint on the earliest expressions of the Christian faith. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of his blood being a kaine diatheke, a ‘new covenant.’ The covenant is elucidated in Hebrews 8:8-12 and other texts, but it was preserved in the words of Jesus with this language in Luke 22:20 when at the Last Supper Jesus said, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Jesus’s blood was to provide the grounds for the ‘new covenant,’ in contrast to the old one his disciples knew from the Jewish scriptures (e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34). Thus, the earliest Christians accepted the Jewish Scriptures as prophecies about Jesus and in time began to call the collection the ‘Old Testament’ and the writings about Jesus and early Christianity the ‘New Testament,’ since ‘testament’ was another word for ‘covenant.’ The covenant promises of God (berith in Hebrew) were translated in the Septuagint with the word diatheke. In classical Greek diatheke had meant ‘last will, testament,’ but in the Septuagint it is the chosen equivalent for God’s covenant with his people. The author of Hebrews plays on the double meaning, and when Luke records Jesus’ announcement at the Last Supper that his blood was instituting a ‘new covenant,’ or a ‘new testament,’ he is using the language in an explicit contrast with the old covenant, found in the Jewish scriptures. Soon, the writings that would eventually be chosen to make up the texts about the life and teachings of Jesus and the earliest expression of the Christian faith would be called the New Testament. This very distinction between the Old and New Testaments is based on the Septuagint’s language.”

See also establish (covenant) and covenant (book).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Covenant in the Hebrew Bible .

my blood of the covenant

The Greek that is translated as “this is my blood of the covenant” is translated into Tase Naga as “this is my blood that caused the covenant to come into being.”

Mark 14:22 - 26 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 14:22-26 into Mexican Sign Language with back-translations into Spanish and English underneath:


© La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

Retrotraducciones en español (haga clic o pulse aquí)

Los discípulos estaban comiendo alrededor de la mesa y Jesús tomó pan y lo bendijo y lo rompió y distribuyó (diciendo): “Este es mi cuerpo, uds comanlo.”

Jesús tomó la copa del vino de uva y dio gracias a Dios y se la dio (diciendo): “Uds, discípulos, bebanla.” Y los discípulos bibieron de la copa y la pasaron uno al otro.”

Jesús (dijo): “Este es mi sangre que fluye para que Dios tenga un nuevo pacto con uds y muchas personas, les advierto, ahora no bebo vino, después en el futuro cuando uds se junten al reino de Dios, beberé nuevo vino de uva.”

Después cantaron hymnos y salmos y cuando acabaron de cantar Jesús y los discípulos salieron y fueron al Monte de los Olivos.


The disciples were eating around the table and Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and handed it out (saying): “This is my body, eat it.”

Jesus took the cup of grape wine and gave thanks to God and gave it (saying): “You, disciples, drink it.” And the disciples drank from the cup and passed it around.”

Jesus (said): “This is my blood that flows for God to make a new covenant with you and many people, I tell you, that I do not drink wine now, but afterwards in the future, when you will join me in the kingdom of God I will drink new grape wine.”

Then they sang hymns and psalms and when they finished singing Jesus and the disciples left and went to the Mount of Olives.

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

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Mark 14:32-42 in Mexican Sign Language >>

Mark 14:12-26 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 14:12-26 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread had begun. This feast lasts only seven days. This feast has been around for a long time. Here is the country of Egypt. The Jews were slaves there. Slavery lasted for many years. A man named Moses freed the Jews from slavery, broke their chains. This is the story of the feast that the Jews still celebrate. On the first day of the feast, the Jews sacrifice a lamb, cook it and eat it in memory of these events.

The disciples asked Jesus:

— Today is the first day of the holiday. Where shall we gather to have a festive meal?

Jesus chose two disciples and said to them:

— Go to the city. There you will see a man with a jug of water. Follow him. He will enter a house. You will tell the owner of the house: “Our teacher asks to give us a room for a festive meal.” The owner of the house will agree and take you to the second floor. There will be a room, large, clean, with dishes and utensils. There you will be able to prepare food for us.

The two disciples went into the city. There they really met a man with a pitcher of water, the owner of the house gave them a room on the second floor; everything happened exactly as Jesus said. The two disciples made all the preparations. Evening came. Jesus and the disciples entered the house, went up to the second floor, sat around the table and began to feast.

Jesus said to his disciples:

— I tell you for sure: one of my disciples will betray me! This man is among us, he eats with us.

The disciples began to look at each other anxiously and ask: “Jesus, am I the one who will betray you?”

Jesus said:

— The man who dips bread into this dish with me, he will betray me.

The disciples were alarmed. Jesus said:

— It is written in the scriptures that the Son of God, who became man, that is, me, must die. But the man who betrays me — woe to him! It would have been better for him not to have been born into this world.

Jesus took the bread, said a prayer of thanksgiving, broke the bread into pieces and began to distribute it to the disciples. The disciples ate the bread.

Jesus said to his disciples:

— This bread is my body!

Jesus took the cup of wine, thanked God and said to the disciples, “Drink this wine.” And the disciples drank wine from the cup.

Jesus said:

— This wine in this cup is my blood.

God makes a new covenant with people. My blood is shed to save many people. I tell you for sure: I will not drink this wine on earth anymore. Then, when the day of the Kingdom of God comes, then I will drink new wine there.

The disciples sang a psalm, went out and climbed the Mount of Olives.

Original Russian back-translation (click or tap here):

Начался первый день праздника Пресных хлебов. Этот праздник длится всего семь дней. Этот праздник возник давно. Вот страна Египет. Евреи там были рабами. Много лет продолжалось рабство. Человек по имени Моисей освободил евреев из рабства, порвал их цепи. Это история праздника, который евреи отмечают до сих пор. В первый день праздника, евреи приносят в жертву ягненка, готовят его и едят в память об этих событиях.

Ученики спросили Иисуса:

— Сегодня первый день праздника. Где мы соберемся, чтобы совершить праздничную трапезу?

Иисус выбрал двух учеников и сказал им:

— Идите в город. Там вы увидите человека с кувшином воды. Идите за ним. Он войдет в один дом. Вы скажете хозяину дома: «Наш учитель просит дать нам комнату для праздничной трапезы». Хозяин дома согласится и поведет вас на второй этаж. Там будет комната, большая, чистая, посуда с утварью. Там вы сможете приготовить для нас еду.

Два ученика пошли в город. Там они действительно встретили человека с кувшином воды, хозяин дома дал им комнату на втором этаже; все исполнилось в точности, как говорил Иисус. Два ученика сделали все приготовления. Наступил вечер. Иисус с учениками вошли в дом, поднялись на второй этаж, сели вокруг стала и стали пировать.

Иисус сказал ученикам:

— Говорю вам точно: один из учеников предаст меня! Этот человек среди нас, ест вместе с нами.

Ученики стали тревожно переглядываться и спрашивать: «Иисус, не я ли предам тебя?»

Иисус сказал:

— Человек, который макает хлеб вот в это блюдо вместе со мной, он предаст меня.

Ученики были встревожены. Иисус сказал:

— В писании написано, что Сын Бога, ставший человеком, то есть я, должен умереть. Но тому человеку, который предаст меня, — горе ему! Лучше бы ему было не рождаться на этом свете.

Иисус взял хлеб, прочитал молитву благодарения, разломал хлеб на части и стал раздавать ученикам. Ученики ели хлеб.

Иисус сказал ученикам:

— Этот хлеб — это тело мое!

Иисус взял чашу с вином, поблагодарил Бога и сказал ученикам: «Пейте это вино». И ученики отпивали из чаши вино.

Иисус сказал:

— Это вино в этой чаше — это кровь моя.

Бог с людьми заключает новый договор. Моя кровь проливается ради многих людей, чтобы спасти их. Говорю вам точно: это вино на земле я больше пить не буду. Потом, когда наступит день Царствия Божьего, тогда там я буду пить новое вино.

Ученики пропели псалом, вышли и поднялись на Масличную гору.

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

<< Mark 14:1-11 in Russian Sign Language
Mark 14:27-31 in Russian Sign Language >>

complete verse (Mark 14:24)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 14:24:

  • Uma: “He said to them: ‘This is my blood that will be spilled when I die to redeem / take-the-place-of many people. This blood of mine strengthens the promise that connects God with mankind.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “Isa said to them, ‘This is my blood which will soon be poured out because of/on behalf of many people. This is a sign that God is fulfilling/will fulfill his covenant.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And Jesus said, ‘This is my blood which will be shed when I am killed in order to annoint many people. This is the sign of the way of setting free which God has established.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Jesus said, ‘This is my blood that ratifies (lit. ties-in-a-knot) God’s new agreement. It will flow-out when I die for the many people.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “‘That,’ said Jesus, ‘that is my blood which is the strength/pledge of the initiated-agreement of God with people. For I will shed (lit. cause to drip) my blood so that many can be forgiven.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Choapan Zapotec: “… This is my blood which I will shed in order that you will know God has entered into an agreement with mankind. Also in order that he might forgive the sins of mankind.”
  • Southern Puebla Mixtec: “… This is my blood. It is going to run out for many people. By my blood God makes a new agreement with people.”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “… his is my blood which will run out in behalf of many people, this is a sign that God has made a new agreement with you.”
  • Peñoles Mixtec: “… This is my blood which is for a contract God spoke for all people. My blood will be spilled and for this reason people will find salvation.”
  • Tewa: “… This is my blood. I will spill my blood for many people, and because I do this, what God has promised will come to pass.” (Source for this and four above: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

the last supper (image)

Click here to see the image in higher resolution.

Willy Wiedmann, the artist, commented on this picture: “In spite of some difficulty, and unlike Leonardo da Vinci [see here ] I did not set my last supper in a theatrical scene with Jesus in the center behind an elongated table with all the disciples, with two at each end so that that there are 11 seated behind the table. And not like the panel by Juan de Juanes (1623-79) [see here ] in which the six disciples left and right are very dynamic figures. And also not like Martin Schongauer’s Last Supper [see here ] with a slightly shorter table (also incidentally very similar to Juanes in the attitudes of the figures) and two figures seen from the back in the foreground of the panel. Instead I have given the Master the middle place to the foreground, with his back to us to finally leave the controversial Jesus-existential questions unanswered. Slightly symbolically it means that he is leaving his world. The iris color is meant to transfer the rainbow to Jesus, that God once linked to Noah (my kingdom is not of this world). I attempted to present answers that correspond to the characters of each individual.”

Image and text taken from the Wiedmann Bible. For more information about the images and ways to adopt them, see here .

For other images of Willy Wiedmann paintings in TIPs, see here.

 

Painting by Wang Suda 王肅達 (1910-1963),
Copyright by the Catholic University Peking, China.

Text under painting translated from Literary Chinese into English:

Beginning of the Holy Communion
You have this as food and this is my body.

Image taken from Chinese Christian Posters . For more information on the “Ars Sacra Pekinensis” school of art, see this article , for other artworks of that school in TIPs, see here.

the last supper (icon)

Following is a contemporary Ukrainian Orthodox icon of the last supper by Ulyana Tomkevych.

 

Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )