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.

Translation commentary on Wisdom 14:8

But the idol made with hands is accursed, and so is he who made it: Accursed means “under God’s curse,” “God will curse,” or “… cause bad things to happen to” (see 3.13a). Continuing the model from verse 7, translators could say “but there is a curse on an idol that someone makes, as well as on the one who made it” or “but God will curse [or, cause bad things to happen to] an idol that someone makes and will punish the one who made it.”

Because he did the work, and the perishable thing was named a god: We prefer an interpretation of this line other than that chosen by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. The line is giving the reason why the maker of the idol is cursed, and then the reason the idol itself is cursed. One possible rendering is “This will happen to the maker because he did the work on it, and to the perishable thing he made, because he called it a god.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.