as numerous as the sand on the seashore

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “as numerous as the sand on the seashore” or “as numerous as the sand by the sea” in English is translated in Bauzi as “as many like the tree flowers of the jungle” (source: David Briley in Kroneman 2004, p. 539), in Afar it’s translated as mari mangah arrooqih gide akkuk yeneeniih: “are as numerous as gravel” or loowo sinni: “not countable” (source: Loren Bliese), in Angal Heneng as “like the hairs on a dog” (Source: Deibler / Taylor 1977, p. 1077), and in Copainalá Zoque as “their number is like ants” (source: John Beekman in Notes on Translation, March 1965, p. 2ff.).

Isaiah

The name that is transliterated as “Isaiah” in English means “salvation of the LORD,” “YHWH is helper.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

In Finnish Sign Language it is translated with the signs signifying “save + prophet” (referring to Genesis 2:21). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Isaiah” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

In Hungarian Sign Language and French Sign Language it is translated with a sign that depicts coals that touch Isaiah’s lips (referring to Isaiah 6:6 and 6:7):


“Isaiah” in French Sign Language (source: La Bible en langue des signes française )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Isaiah from the 18th century (found in the Transfiguration Church, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia). The text in the scrollis from Isaiah 2:2: “In the last days […] shall be established.”

 
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Isaiah .

save

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The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as a form of “save” in English is translated in Shipibo-Conibo with a phrase that means literally “make to live,” which combines the meaning of “to rescue” and “to deliver from danger,” but also the concept of “to heal” or “restore to health.”

Other translations include:

  • San Blas Kuna: “help the heart”
  • Laka: “take by the hand” in the meaning of “rescue” or “deliver”
  • Huautla Mazatec: “lift out on behalf of”
  • Anuak: “have life because of”
  • Central Mazahua: “be healed in the heart”
  • Baoulé: “save one’s head”
  • Guerrero Amuzgo: “come out well”
  • Northwestern Dinka: “be helped as to his breath” (or “life”) (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida),
  • Matumbi: “rescue (from danger)” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
  • Noongar: barrang-ngandabat or “hold life” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • South Bolivian Quechua: “make to escape”
  • Highland Puebla Nahuatl: “cause people to come out with the aid of the hand” (source for this and one above: Nida 1947, p. 222)
  • Bariai: “retrieve one back” (source: Bariai Back Translation)

See also salvation and save (Japanese honorifics).

complete verse (Romans 9:27)

Following are a number of back-translations of Romans 9:27:

  • Uma: “Thus are the words of God that talk about the non-Jews. But as for the Jews, there are words of the prophet Yesaya that are very plain that speak of them. They sound like this: ‘The people that are descended from Israel are very many, like the number/amount of sand on the edge of the sea. But even so, only a few will get goodness [salvation].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “And Nabi Isaya has written also about the nation Isra’il. He says, ‘Even if the nation/tribe of Isra’il are very many like the sand at the sea’s edge not able to be counted, just a few indeed will be the ones freed from God’s punishing them.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There’s also a word of Isaiah long ago about the people who are descendants of Israel where he said, ‘They are very many and they cannot be counted because they are like the sands on the shore of the sea. But in spite of that, only a few of them will be saved from the punishment of God;” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “There is also that which Isaias prophesied concerning the descendants of Israel saying, ‘Even though the number (lit. manyness) of the descendants of Israel is like the sand on the edge of the ocean, nevertheless only a few of them will be saved.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning the people who are Jews, the prophet Isaiah said: ‘Even though the Jews are very many like the sand at the ocean, yet just a few will end up being saved.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

For the Old Testament quote, see Isaiah 10:22 and Isaiah 10:23.

sea / lake

The various Greek, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin and Hebrew terms that are translated as “sea,” “ocean,” or “lake” in English are all translated in Chichewa with one term: nyanja. Malawi, where Chichewa is spoken, has a lot of lakes but does not share a border with the ocean. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Romans 9:27 – 9:28

It is best to take these two verses together, since the quotations in them come from Isaiah 10.22-23. These verses in Hebrew are very difficult, and the Septuagint, which Paul seems to be quoting rather freely, is also quite difficult. In fact, it is likely that the opening words of the quotation from Isaiah are modified on the basis of Paul’s recollection of the passage just quoted from Hosea 1.10. Fortunately, for the purpose of translating the Romans text, verse 27 is not difficult. In the second clause of the quotation in this verse, the words only a few of them (most translations “only a remnant”) are emphatic. The comparison included within a clause of condition is difficult to express succinctly in a number of languages. An equivalent may be “even if the people of Israel are very many, just like the many grains of sand by the sea.”

Verse 28 is literally “for the Lord will do his word on the earth, completing and cutting short.” This verse is difficult, but all modern translations suggest that it refers to God’s judgment rather than to his promise of salvation. In the New English Bible this quotation appears as “for the Lord’s sentence on the land will be summary and final,” and in the Jerusalem Bible as “for without hesitation or delay the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth.” An American Translation* translates as “for the Lord will execute his sentence rigorously and swiftly on the earth,” and the New American Bible has “for quickly and decisively will the Lord execute sentence upon the earth.” A satisfactory equivalent in some languages is “the Lord will soon judge firmly all the people of the world” or “the Lord will quickly, and once and for all, judge all the people on the earth.”

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 .