anoint

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated in English as “anoint” is translated in Lakota with azilyA: “to smudge.”

Steve Berneking (in Beerle-Moor / Voinov, p. 121) tells the story of that translation:

“During one visit with the Lakota team, we were reading texts and discussing key biblical terms and how they are best rendered into Lakota. Reference was made to the ritual we label ‘anointing.’ When the Lakota word that had been glossed as ‘anoint’ was read aloud, I heard giggling among the reviewers. Knowing that this reaction called for some explanation, I asked.

“The people there told me that the Lakota verb that was used to translate ‘anoint’ was funny in that context. It is not that the verb is an uncommon one; quite the contrary. Lakota uses that verb frequently, but almost exclusively as a verb of food preparation; the verb belongs to the culinary domain. In other words, the Lakota verb used for ‘anoint’ actually referred to rubbing oil on something that was to be cooked or grilled, in this case, the apostles. The Lakota verb ipáṫaŋṫtaŋ ‘to apply oil on something’ was used quite innocently by the missionaries. The linguistic transfer was understandable: the missionaries needed a verb to translate ‘putting oil on something’; Lakota has a verb; they used that verb. The result was comical. So, during that conversation with the Lakota community, I encouraged the translators to come up with a Lakota verb that is used not simply in ‘the application of oil,’ but more pointedly in the consecration of something or somebody for a special task, or in the appointment of someone for a special purpose. Their response was almost immediate: azilyA or wazílyA ‘to smudge.’ That is how, they told me, warriors and messengers and tribal leaders have always been consecrated (or blessed) before being sent out on a special mission. Sage grass was burned, and the smoke was waved over the person or object. The trans-cultural process of using the traditional Lakota verb azilyA for the biblical notion of ‘anoint’ became, at that moment, part of the Lakota Bible.”

In Bashkir, it is translated as masekhlay (мәсехләү), when used in a ritual context. Masekhlay has the same root than masikh (мәсих), which is used both for “anointed one” in the Old Testament and in its capitalized form (Мәсих) for Μεσσίας (engl. “Messiah”) and Χριστός (engl. “Christ”) in the New Testament. For more information about this, see anointed one.

In Vidunda it is translated as “smear oil.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Click or tap here to see a short video clip showing how anointing was done in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also anoint (chrió) and anointing of David (image).

John the Baptist

The name that is transliterated as “John (the Baptist)” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language and Mexican Sign Language as “baptize” (source: John Elwode in The Bible Translator 2008, p. 78ff. ).


“John the Baptist” in Mexican Sign Language (source: BSLM )

In German Sign Language (Catholic) it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying a Catholic baptism by sprinkling on the head.


“John” in German Sign Language /catholic, source: Taub und katholisch

In American Sign Language it is translated with the sign for the letter J and the sign signifying “shout,” referring to John 1:23. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)


“John” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor

Similarly, in French Sign Language, it is “prepare the way.” (Source: Lexique – Explications en langue des signes)

In Vietnamese (Hanoi) Sign Language it is translated with the sign for leaping in the womb (see Luke 1:41) and baptism. (Source: The Vietnamese Sign Language translation team, VSLBT)


“John” in Vietnamese Sign Language, source: SooSL

A question of cultural assumptions arose in Tuvan. The instinctive way to translate this name denotatively would be “John the Dipper,” but this would carry the highly misleading connotation that he drowned people. It was therefore decided that his label should focus on the other major aspect of his work, that is, proclaiming that the Messiah would soon succeed him. (Compare his title in Russian Orthodox translation “Иоанн Предтеча” — “John the Forerunner.”) So he became “John the Announcer,” which fortunately did not seem to give rise to any confusion with radio newsreaders! (Source: David Clark in The Bible Translator 2015, p. 117ff. )

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

In Noongar it is translated as John-Kakaloorniny or “John Washing” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

A new oral translation into Yao / Ciyawo, spoken in Mozambique, uses John the one who ceremoniously washes/pours water, using a term (kusingula) that “indicates a ceremonial washing or pouring of water on a person in the Yawo’s expression of Islam which can be used for an act done in repentance of sin.” (Source: Houston 2025, p. 236)

See also John the Baptist (icon) and learn more on Bible Odyssey: John the Baptist .

John the Baptist (icon)

Following is a Syriac Orthodox icon of John the Baptist from the 18/19th century (found in the Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen, Yabrud, Syria).

 
The wings are often depicted in icons of John the Baptist because of his status as a messenger. The scroll that John the Baptist holds quotes John 1:29 and reads (translated into English): “I saw and witnessed concerning him, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.’”

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 )

See also John the Baptist.

fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Mark 6:7-13 in Mexican Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:7-13 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)

Jesús sabía que las personas no creían y se fue a otro pueblo, iba de lugar a lugar y enseñaba.

Jesús llamó todos los doce discípulos a que vinieran.

Jesús dijo: “Yo les doy la autoridad a que uds se vayan dos en dos a la gente que tiene adentro demonios, y que uds, los discípulos, expulsen los demonios.”

Jesús les advertía: “Cuando uds se vayan, no lleven ropa, chamarra ni pan en una bolsa, ni lleven dinero, nada de eso.

Uds pueden llevar un bastón para caminar y ropa y sandalias puestas.

También uds discípulos, si van a una casa quedense allá, y cuando salgan de allá para predicar regresen al mismo lugar, vayan y regresen y después cuando terminen, vayanse del pueblo.

Si los dos de uds van a un pueblo para predicar y las personas no quieren verlos, los rechazan y no los aceptan y los expulsan, entonces uds, los discípulos, digan: ‘Uds veanme y sean testigos’ y sacudan sus sandalias, quitando el polvo, y vayanse.”

Y Jesús advirtió: “Yo les digo la verdad, en el futuro en el día de juicio Sodoma y Gomorra serán castigados menos que este pueblo recien mencionado, que será castigado más fuertemente.”

Los discípulos estaban de acuerdo y se fueron dos en dos, iban a predicar que todas las personas deben arrepentirse.

Algunas personas tenían demonios adentro y los discípulos expulsaban los demonios, y ungían muchas personas enfermas con aceite, frotandolo en su cuerpo, y las personas fueron sanados.


Jesus knew that the people did not believe and he went to another village, he went from place to place teaching.

Jesus told all the twelve disciples to come to him.

Jesus said: “I give you the authority to go two by two to people who have demons inside and that you, the disciples, can throw out the demons.”

Jesus warned them: “When you go, don’t take clothes, a coat or bread in a bag, nor money in your pocket, none of that.

“You can take a walking stick with you and clothes and sandals that you have on.

“Also, you disciples, if you go to a house stay there, and when you leave there to preach, go back to the same place, go and come, and afterwards when you’re done, leave the village.

“If the two of you go to a village to preach and the people don’t want to see you, reject you and don’t accept you and throw you out, then you, the disciples, should say: ‘Watch me and be witnesses’ and shake the dirt off your sandals and go away.”

And Jesus warned: “I tell you the truth, in the future on the day of judgment, Sodom and Gomorrah will be punished less than that aforementioned village, which will be punished more strongly.”

The disciples agreed and they went two by two, they went out to preach that all the people had to repent.

Some people had demons inside and the disciples threw out the demons, and the disciples anointed many ill people with oil, rubbing the oil on their bodies, and they were healed.

Source: La Biblia en LSM / La Palabra de Dios

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Mark 6:7-13 in Russian Sign Language

Following is the translation of Mark 6:7-13 into Russian Sign Language with a back-translation underneath:


Source: Russian Bible Society / Российское Библейское Общество

Jesus called 12 disciples to Himself. He divided them into two and told them to go to different places to tell people that they needed to change their lives and be reconciled to God.

Jesus said to the disciples:

— I give you authority. If you see a person possessed by demons, you have authority to cast the demons out of that person. You can take only two things with you — sandals and a staff. You don’t need to take four things with you such as bread, a bag, money, and spare clothes. You do not need to take any of these things with you. If you see that the owners of the house call you to their house to hear the word, go in there and be there until the end: teach, fellowship with them. You don’t need to go to another place and teach them until you finish the matter, then only can you go to another place.

If you go and people in some house do not want to hear about God, they will drive you out, then calmly go away from there. Shake the dust off your sandals as a sign that God will punish those people in the future.

The twelve disciples listened and went to different places two by two.

Jesus’ disciples said to the people:

— Change your life! Make peace with God!

The other disciples cast out demons if there were people possessed by evil spirits in that place. The evil spirits obeyed and left. Some of the disciples came across people who were sick with various illnesses; they put oil on them and healed them; they became well.

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

Иисус призвал к себе 12 учеников. Разделил их по два человека и велел им идти по разным местам, чтобы рассказывать людям о том, что они должны изменить свою жизнь и примириться с Богом.

Иисус сказал ученикам:

— Я даю вам власть. Если вы увидите человека, одержимого бесами, вы имеете власть, изгнать бесов из этого человека. Вы можете взять с собой только две вещи — сандалии и посох. Не нужно брать с собой такие четыре вещи: хлеб, сумку, деньги и запасную одежду. Ничего этого брать с собой не нужно. Если вы увидите, что хозяева дома зовут вас к себе, чтобы послушать слово, заходите туда и будьте там до конца: учите, общайтесь с ними. Не нужно переходить в другое место и учите их, пока не закончите дело, тогда только можете переходить в другое место.

Если вы будете идти, а люди в каком-то доме не захотят слушать о Боге, будут вас выгонять, тогда спокойно уходите оттуда. С сандалий стряхните пыль, это будет знаком, что в будущем Бог накажет этих людей.

Двенадцать учеников послушали и разошлись по разным местам по два человека.

Ученики Иисуса говорили людям:

— Измените свою жизнь! Примиритесь с Богом!

Другие ученики изгоняли бесов, если в том месте были одержимые злыми духами. Злые духи повиновались и уходили. Некоторым ученикам попадались больные с различными болезнями; ученики таких людей мазали маслом и исцеляли; те становились здоровыми.

Back-translation by Luka Manevich

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Mark 6:14-29 in Russian Sign Language >>

complete verse (Mark 6:13)

Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 6:13:

  • Uma: “They expelled many demons. And many also were the sick people they rubbed with oil and healed.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “They cast out many demons and many sick people had oil rubbed on by them and were made-well by them.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There were many demons who were afflicting people that they drove away and there were also many sick people that they annointed with oil and they got well.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “They made-many evil-spirits -leave that had possessed people, and they applied coconut-oil to many sick (people) and they got-well.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “And they drove out many evil spirits from the people being possessed. They anointed/dabbed with oil and healed many who were sick.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)