The Greek that is translated in English as “fig tree” is translated in Lokạạ with figi, an indigenized transliteration of the English “fig.”
“The Lokạạ translators noted that they could not use the name of their local fig kẹkamati, which is very close to the fig family but only a shrub. This is because of the appearance of the Greek term for fig tree in verses such as John 1:48, where the fig tree is an enjoyable place for sitting in the shade. The Lokạạ translators decided to use an iconic translation of the English “fig”, which they indigenised as figi in Lokạạ. Since the term figi could not easily be connected to the indigenous term kẹkamati, readers would not have difficulty with passages such as John 1:48, in which people sit under the fig tree.” (Source: J.A. Naudé, C.L. Miller Naudé, J.O. Obono in Acta Theologica 43/2, 2023, p. 129ff. )
In British Sign Language it is translated with a sign that combines the signs for “tell-a-story” and “compare.” (Source: Anna Smith)
“Parable” in British Sign Language (source: Christian BSL, used with permission)
Scot McKnight (in The Second Testament, publ. 2023) translates it into English as analogy because “the Greek word has the sense of tossing down something alongside something else. Hence an analogy.”
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 24:32:
Uma: “‘Pay attention to what I teach you with the parable of the fig [ara] tree. When you see its leaves budding and it-sending-out-shoots, you know that the dry time has almost arrived.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “‘Observe the fig tree,’ said Isa. ‘When it’s leaves sprout you know that it is soon the warm season.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Consider what I will teach you by means of a parable of the fig tree. Here where we are, if its branches put out sprouts and leaves, we know that the dry season is near.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Then Jesus said, ‘Think about the fig tree so that that will be what-you learn-from. When its branches are flowing-with-sap and it leafs, you expect that the rainy-season is near-in-time.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “You must try-to-understand and study the igos tree, that when it buds and sprouts-leaves again, you know that hot season is near.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “Understand this word I make a comparison about, that it is compared with a fig tree. When the branches are starting to be greened with leaves, you know that the land is going to become warmed.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Tuvan uses a formal vs. informal 2nd person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Unlike other languages that have this feature, however, the translators of the Tuvan Bible have attempted to be very consistent in using the different forms of address in every case a 2nd person pronoun has to be used in the translation of the biblical text.
As Voinov shows in Pronominal Theology in Translating the Gospels (in: The Bible Translator2002, p. 210ff. ), the choice to use either of the pronouns many times involved theological judgment. While the formal pronoun can signal personal distance or a social/power distance between the speaker and addressee, the informal pronoun can indicate familiarity or social/power equality between speaker and addressee.
Here, Jesus is addressing his disciples, individuals and/or crowds with the formal pronoun, showing respect.
In Nepali translations, Jesus addresses his disciples and other people with the medium honorific pronoun timīlē (तिमीले) or timīlēharū (तिमीलेहरू). This disciples respond with a high honorific pronoun. (Source: Chitra Chhetri in The Bible Translator 2009, p. 73ff. )
In most Dutch translations, Jesus addresses his disciples and common people with the informal pronoun, whereas they address him with the formal form.
Two types of fig trees are mentioned in the Bible, the Common Fig Ficus carica (Hebrew te’enah) and the Sycomore Fig Ficus sycomorus (Hebrew shiqmah; see “Sycomore fig”). They are closely related. The common fig tree grows not only in Israel, but throughout the world in warm climates. In the Holy Land it was a common source of food; the fruit was eaten both fresh and dried. Sometimes the dried ones were pressed together to form flat “cakes” or blocks (Hebrew develah). But, just as important, the large leaves of the fig make it an excellent shade tree. However, the first use of the fig mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 3:7) was not for food or shade but for clothing; Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
The fig was probably domesticated in northwestern Turkey from a wild variety that grew there around 5000 years ago. Greek, Roman, and Egyptian records indicate that the fruits were popular. Figs are now grown especially in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Portugal, as well as in the warm parts of the United States.
The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia and to have been distributed by humans and birds throughout the Mediterranean area. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5000 B.C.
The domesticated fig grows to about 5-8 meters (17-26 feet) and has a round crown and very deep and round roots. The trunk may grow to be more than 70 centimeters (2 feet) thick. Fig trees may grow to be several decades old, if they are well cared for. Figs are usually propagated by planting cuttings. The pollination of the flowers is an amazingly intricate process closely linked to the life cycle of a tiny wasp, and the fact that fig trees, like papayas and date palms, are male or female. (There are now some kinds of figs that produce fruit without pollination.) The fruits are about the size of a hen’s egg and can be green, yellow, purple, or brown depending on the type. They are sweet and soft and difficult to transport. For that reason most farmers dry the fruits before shipping them. The “fruit” of the fig is technically a strangely shaped flower. Noting the absence of a “real” flower, the ancient people of India called it a flowerless tree.
The common fig tree, along with the vine and the olive, is one of the three “top trees” for the Jews. The Bible refers to the fig over 270 times. The image of peace and happiness in Israel was “every man under his vine and under his fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25).
Wild figs are common throughout the tropical world; there are at least eight hundred species of Ficus, thirty-two in southern Africa alone. The banyan, peepul, and bo are all types of fig. The fruits of wild fig trees are not nearly as juicy or sweet as those of the domesticated ones. In many places people eat the fruit when they find it in the wild, but do not market it or cultivate the trees. Translators are urged to use the local word, and, if necessary, use a footnote to indicate the difference between the local one and the biblical one. Where it is not known at all, transliterations from a major language may be used in nonfigurative contexts.
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
Lesson is literally “parable” (see 13.3) and is represented as such in New Jerusalem Bible: “Take the fig tree as a parable.” However, the meaning is extended here to mean “something to be learned” or “lesson” (New English Bible, New International Version). Both An American Translation and Good News Translation translate From the fig tree learn its lesson as “Let the fig tree teach you a lesson.” But many languages will not allow for a tree to “teach”; thus the restructuring of New English Bible will be more natural: “Learn a lesson from the fig-tree.” One may even translate “Look at the fig tree, and see what you can learn from it.”
Fig tree was discussed at 21.19. Note that here the definite article the does not mean that Jesus is referring to one specific fig tree but rather to fig trees in general. In languages where the translation is “fig trees,” plurals will be used in the rest of the verse, so that its leaves will be “their leaves,” and so forth.
Becomes tender (Good News Translation “become green and tender”) translates an adjective which is used of the young shoots that come out on the branches. Similarly, puts forth its leaves means to put out foliage. The two expressions may be translated as a single expression; for example, New English Bible translates “When the tender shoots appear.” Both Barclay and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch have “When the sap rises in its branches.” One may also translate “When the tree begins to bud.” Of course, in many languages it will be perfectly natural to render both expressions; as for example, “begin to bud and put out new leaves.”
People have different ways of referring to seasons. The English summer is near may have to be “it will soon be summer” or “the summer season will soon start.” Summer is the hot season, but the most important feature in this context is that it is the season when plants and trees renew their growth. Translators should use whatever term in their language refers to this season.
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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