The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”
In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Psalm 45:12:
Chichewa Contempary Chichewa translation, 2002/2016:
“The daughter of Tire will come with a gift,
men of wealth will look for your kindness.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
Newari:
“The princes of Tyre will come bringing gifts,
Rich people will try to gain your favor.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon:
“The residents of Tyre will-bring gifts to you (sing.) so-that you (sing.) will-be good to them, including the most-wealthy of them.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Eastern Bru:
“The people who live at Tyre, surely they will bring gifts to you. And wealthy people also want you to be happy with them.” (Source: Bru Back Translation)
Laarim:
“The people of the town of Tire will bring to you a gift,
The wealthy people will ask you for your help.” (Source: Laarim Back Translation)
Nyakyusa-Ngonde (back-translation into Swahili):
“Watu wa katika Tiro watakuletea vya zawadi,
watu wenye mali nyingi watataka upendeleo kwako.” (Source: Nyakyusa Back Translation)
English:
“The people from Tyre city will bring gifts to you;
their rich people will try to persuade you to do favors for them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
In verse 12 the Hebrew phrase “the daughter of Tyre” refers to the people of that city (see comments on “the daughter of Zion” in 9.14; “daughter of Babylon” in 137.8). However, by omitting the initial “and” one can take it as a vocative and translate “Tyrian princess” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, New English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). The explicit reference to Tyre may imply that she was from there. In verse 12b will sue your favor translates “will soften (or, flatter) your face,” that is, will try to gain her favor.
Revised Standard Version connects the opening words of verse 13 with the end of verse 12 (also New Jerusalem Bible). This is possible but not necessary. The Hebrew phrase that Revised Standard Version translates all kinds of wealth may be taken to describe the bride (so Good News Translation; see next verse). But there are considerable difficulties with the Hebrew text as it now stands, and commentators and translations vary widely.
Verses 13-15 describe the bridal procession into the palace; first The princess comes in; Good News Translation “in the palace” translates the Hebrew word “within,” which Revised Standard Versionin her chamber takes to be rather the place where the princess was decked. It is better to translate “The princess enters the palace.” “How beautiful she is” translates a phrase which seems to mean “all glorious” (see Revised Standard Version footnote); but the noun is taken by Revised Standard Version to mean “valuable things” (as in Judges 18.21, “goods”). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project understands “all glorious” to mean “the whole glorious (array)” and translates “all glorious, the king’s daughter enters.” New English Bible, with a change of text, gets “In the palace honour awaits her.” The term princess, if translated literally as in Hebrew “daughter of the king,” will in most cases no longer refer to the bride. Therefore in many languages one must say “the woman the king will marry.”
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 .
The following are presentations by the Psalms: Layer by Layer project, run by Scriptura . The first is an overview and the second an introduction into the exegesis of Psalm 45.
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