swallowed up

In Gbaya, the notion of “swallowed up” in Psalm 106:17 is emphasized with mɛrɛm, an ideophone used to describe the action of swallowing without chewing, with pleasure or greedily.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

complete verse (Psalm 106:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 106:17:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “The soil got opened and swallowed Datan;
    it covered the group of Abiram.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan,
    It buried Abiram’s group.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “So the ground cracked-open and Datan and Abiram and their families fell-(in).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “The land was opened, and swallowed Dashan,
    and it covered Abiram and all of his home.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Ikapasuka nchi, ikammeza Dathani,
    na kumzika Abiramu na kundi lake lote.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “the ground opened up and swallowed Dathan and also buried Abiram and his family.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 106:16 - 106:18

These verses allude to a revolt that broke out in the wilderness, narrated in Numbers 16.1-35. It appears that the narrative there combines two separate incidents: the revolt led by Dathan and Abiram (and On), of the tribe of Reuben, and the revolt led by Korah, a Levite. The first group was swallowed up by the earth (Num 16.25-34), while the 250 followers of Korah were burned to death by fire from heaven (Num 16.35).

The Hebrew in the camp in verse 16a can be translated “when they were camped in the desert” or “in their camp in the wilderness.” Either one of these is better than Good News Translation “in the desert.”

Moses’ brother Aaron is called the holy one of the LORD because he was a priest; see New English Bible “who was consecrated to the LORD.” Holy one of the LORD or Good News Translation‘s “holy servant” must often be adjusted in translation, due to the use of “holy” in relation to a person. Accordingly it is sometimes possible to say, for example, “Aaron who belonged to God and served him” or “… was dedicated to serving God.”

In verses 17b and 18a Good News Translation “family” and “followers” translate the same Hebrew word, company (Revised Standard Version), or else “party” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “adherents, followers.” The fire that broke out (verse 18a) came down from heaven (Num 16.35), that is, it was sent by God. In many languages it is necessary to specify who caused the fire to break out. In this case one may say “God sent fire down on….”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .