The Hebrew that is translated as “a second time” or similar in English is clarified in Kutu with the expression “who have not been circumcised,” so that there is no misunderstanding that the men who had already been circumcised were circumcised a second time. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Language-specific Insights
weakness
The Kutu translation uses the ideophone debwee to emphasize weakness. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Philip Noss (in The Bible Translator 1976, p. 100ff. ) explains the function of an ideophone: “The ideophone may be identified with onomatopoeia and other sound words frequently seen in French and English comic strips, but in [many] African languages it comprises a class of words with a very wide range of meaning and usage. They may function verbally, substantively, or in a modifying role similar to adverbs and adjectives. They describe anything that may be experienced: action, sound, color, quality, smell, or emotion. In oral literature they are used not only with great frequency but also with great creativity.”
lie down
The Hebrew that is translated as “lie down” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as kawasa or “sleep” which is used as a euphemism for sex. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
house for my name
The Hebrew that is translated as “house for my name” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “house for the sake of my name.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
let me inherit a double share of your spirit
The Hebrew that is translated as “let me inherit a double share of your spirit” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “give me a great portion of your spirit.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
touch
The Hebrew that is translated as “touch” or “strike” in English is translated in Kutu as imizeni or “sprinkle.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
the first to be a mighty one on the earth
The Hebrew that is translated as “the first to be a mighty one on the earth” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “first strong person on the earth,” implying that he was the “first person to really be famous and powerful and possibly a conqueror.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
search the heart
The Hebrew that is translated as “search the heart” or similar in English is translated in Kutu as “test the heart.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)