Language-specific Insights

person

The Hebrew that is rendered in English versions as “I’m not the kind of person that runs and hides” or “Should a man like me run away?” was translated into Afar as Kudaah ambooqorem, yi migaq hinna.: “My name is not fleeing and hiding.” (One’s character is one’s name in Afar idiom.)

before the LORD

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “before the Lord” has been translated into Afar as “in the place where God is worshiped” to avoid the suggestion of a physical representation of God.

See also avoidance of anthropomorphisms.

root producing poison

The metaphor that is rendered in English as “root producing poison” was replaced in Afar by an applicable idiom for corrupting people, “this disease will spread to you as well.”

surround like men guarding a field

The Hebrew that is rendered in English versions as “surround like men guarding a field” does not fit in Afar as a metaphor for a siege of a city since the intent of guarding a field is protection while that of the siege is to harm. So it was translated as “Cal uma awur yasguudeenim faxan waqdi, yabbixoonuh elle maraasiyan innal, Yarusalaam marot heelon.”: “They will encircle Jerusalem as when men encircle a bad-tempered bull they want to slaughter.” (Fields are not common, so a cattle-raising comparison was used.)

bird hatching eggs that it did not lay

The Hebrew simile of (what is translated in English as) “a bird hatching eggs that it didn’t lay” is not clear in Afar so it was changed to “like a man who wants to inherit property which his parents didn’t leave to him.”

let them be overthrown before you

The Hebrew that is rendered in English as “let them be overthrown before you” is translated into Afar as “make them as a tree eaten by termites. When you are angry don’t be merciful.”

your bone and your flesh

The Hebrew that is translated in English as “I am your bone and your flesh” (or: “my bone and my flesh) is translated into Afar as anu sin qabalaay sin nabsi kinniyo: “I am your blood and body.” (Source: Loren Bliese)

It is translated likewise in Kutu and in Kwere. In Vidunda, it is translated as “family.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also become one flesh.