The Greek that is translated as “those who sat in the region and shadow of death” is translated in Mairasi as “those who live in the malevolent spirit’s (=demon’s) own village”. (Source: Lloyd Peckham in Kroneman 2004, p. 538)
light dawning
The now commonly-used German idiom ein Licht aufgehen, which means that someone has suddenly understood something (literally “a light is dawning”), was made popular in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 83)
For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
complete verse (Matthew 4:16)
Following are a number of back-translations of Matthew 4:16:
- Uma: “Before, those people were in darkness, and they were afraid of death. But now, they have seen a big light, because the sun has appeared that shines on them.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “The people who live in darkness can see a very bright light. The light has now arrived at the people who were in darkness, the ones who were afraid to die.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “All these people who live in darkness, they will see him who is titled the light. Those who are afraid of death who live in darkness, they have been shined on because the Lord has come to be with them.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “The people there, it’s as if they are staying in darkness, because their country is as if clouded-over by death. But in the future they will see a dazzling light, because the one-who-illuminates their minds will appear where they are.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “for a long time now these taga Galilea have been living in darkness but they have now been enlightened by a far-from-ordinary light. It’s like they were subjects of death for they had no hope, but now, they have now been enlightened.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “These people live in darkness, but now they have seen the light. These are people said to have died, but now the light has shined on them.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)