soul

The Hebrew, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “soul” in English is translated in Chol with a term that refers to the invisible aspects of human beings (source: Robert Bascom), in Yagaria with oune or “shadow, reflection” (source: Renck, p. 81), and in Elhomwe as “heart” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

The Mandarin Chinese línghún (靈魂 / 灵魂), literally “spirit-soul,” is often used for “soul” (along with xīn [心] or “heart”). This is a term that was adopted from Buddhist sources into early Catholic writings and later also by Protestant translators. (Source: Zetzsche 1996, p. 32, see also Clara Ho-yan Chan in this article )

In Chichewa, moyo means both “soul” and “life.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also heart, soul, mind.

complete verse (Romans 2:9)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 2:9:

  • Uma: “Every person who does evil will suffer/groan and have difficulty, beginning with the Jews, down to [lit., arrive-arrive at] the people who are not Jews also.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “All who do bad are given trouble by God and they are made to suffer/be-in-tight-place. Not only the Yahudi but including the other tribes/nations also.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For everyone who does wickedly, especially Jews extending to non-Jews, hardship and trouble is what He will punish them with.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Yes, all who do evil will experience extreme pain and hardship/suffering, especially the Jews but so also the Gentiles.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Great suffering will be what comes to all who live in evil. Not only for Jews, but also those who are not Jews, overflowing will be the pain.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “Sinners of all nations, especially those of the nation of Israel, will suffer, God punishing them.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

Translation commentary on Romans 2:8 – 2:10

It may be helpful to consider these three verses together, since they have a common translational problem. The Greek text does not mention the source of wrath and anger (8), suffering and pain (9), and glory, honor, and peace (10). But Paul makes it clear that in each case God is the source, and for that reason the Good News Translation supplies God will pour (8), there will be (9), and God will give (10). In the Greek text the series of nouns appears without verbs to relate them to particular agents, but for the English reader it is necessary to supply some sort of verb. Most English translations accomplish this by providing an impersonal verb (for example “… will come” or “there will be…”), but Paul is clearly speaking of that which is brought about by God himself.

In verse 8 wrath and anger are essentially synonyms, both describing the attitude of God towards those on whom his judgment falls. In many languages it is impossible to speak of “pouring out wrath and anger.” One can, however, say “God will judge them in anger” or “God will be angry with them and judge them.” By combining both “anger” and “judging,” it is possible to reproduce something of the significance of the Greek terms translated wrath and anger. It is also possible to translate “God will punish” as an appropriate rendering of “pouring out wrath and anger.”

Similarly, it is difficult to introduce terms such as suffering and pain without indicating who is the agent. Therefore, one may transform this expression into “God will cause them to suffer and to have pain.”

For all men is literally “upon every soul of man,” a Semitic way of speaking of all mankind.

The contrast between first applied to Jews and also applied to Gentiles should not be interpreted in a chronological sense—that is, that the Jews will suffer first and the Gentiles afterwards, or that the Jews were the first to do evil and the Gentiles afterwards. The emphasis here is simply one of priority in God’s revelation of dealing with mankind, but this is difficult to indicate without distorting the actual meaning. For this reason, in some translations the contrast is made by a kind of collective expression “this includes both the Jews and the Gentiles.” The order of “Jews” and “Gentiles” is only an indication of the underlying historical sequence.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Romans 2:9

2:9a

There will be trouble and distress for: The Greek is literally “tribulation and distress on.” The Berean Standard Bible and many English versions add the words There will be to make the English natural.

The context probably implies the words “he will give” again from 2:7c. For example:

He will give trouble and suffering to (New Century Version)

trouble: The Greek word refers to oppression, suffering, or persecution. God will cause all people who do evil to suffer.

distress: This word refers to difficulties or troubles that people experience. God’s punishment will be very difficult for these evil people.

who does evil: The word does indicates doing evil often. For example:

who lives doing evil
-or-
who practices evil deeds

does evil: This phrase refers to bad behavior. It includes not only treating others in unfair ways but also living in morally bad ways. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

are wicked (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
is a wrongdoer (Revised English Bible)
-or-
do bad

2:9b

first for the Jew, then for the Greek: This indicates that God will punish both Jews and Greeks. It also indicates that the Jews are first in status or time. The Jews are God’s people (higher status) but God will still judge them for their sins. Or it could mean that on the day of judgment, God will judge the Jews first.

In some languages, a literal translation would wrongly indicate two separate judgments. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Translate the literal meaning and allow other verses to indicate the correct meaning.

• Translate the literal meaning and explain it in a footnote. Here is an example footnote:

These words indicate that either (1) The Jews have higher status as God’s people but God will still judge them for their sins; or (2) On the day of judgment, God will judge the Jews first.

• Translate the meaning of the figure of speech. For example:

especially the Jews but so also the Gentiles

Greek: Here this word refers to people who are not Jews. For example:

Gentile (New International Version)
-or-
those who are not Jews (New Century Version)

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