snare

The now commonly-used German expression Fallstrick for “snare,” but today only used in German in the sense to cause someone to stumble (“jemandem einen Fallstick legen”), was first coined in 1534 in the German Bible translation by Martin Luther. (Source: Günther 2017, p. 65)

For other idioms or terms in German that were coined by Bible translation, see here.

idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”

Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (Psalm 106:36)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 106:36:

  • Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
    “And they worshiped their idols,
    that became a snare to them.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Newari:
    “The people of God worshipped idols
    because of this they became corrupt.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon:
    “They worshipped their little-gods/false-gods and this brought destruction to them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Laarim:
    “They worshipped their gods,
    and these gods became a trap to them.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
  • Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
    “Wakaabudu kwa miungu,
    ukawa mtego wa kuwangamiza.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
  • English:
    “Our ancestors worshiped the idols of those people,
    which resulted in their being destroyed/ exiled/taken to another country.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Psalm 106:34 - 106:36

Verses 34-39 summarize a long history of Israel’s repeated periods of idolatry, as related in the book of Judges. Yahweh ordered his people to get rid of the Canaanites and not intermarry with them, for that would cause the Israelites to adopt their pagan ways (Exo 34.11-16; Deut 7.1-6; 20.16-18). Instead of obeying Yahweh’s order, however, they did intermarry with the Canaanites and began to practice their pagan rites (verses 34-35). The Hebrew verb translated by Good News Translation as “intermarried” means to mix, mingle; it can mean here “lived (peaceably) with them” or “had dealings with them” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible); New Jerusalem Bible and Dahood also have “intermarried.” In verse 35b learned to do as they did refers specifically to their pagan religion. Mingled with the nations or Good News Translation‘s “intermarried with them” will have to be recast in some languages to say, for example, “the men got their wives from them” or “men took wives from the pagan tribes.”

Idolatry brought about the downfall of the Israelites (verse 36b); literally, it “was a snare to them” (see 69.22). Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “this caused their ruin.” In verse 36a Good News Translation “idols” is not enough; it should be explicit that these are the idols of the Canaanites. For translation suggestions on idols, see 31.6; 96.5. In languages in which the terms for snares and traps are used metaphorically, the translator will give his translation more emotive value by using such expressions.

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 .