The Hebrew and the Greek that are translated in English versions as “prophesy” are translated into Anuak as “sing a song” (source: Loren Bliese), into Balanta-Kentohe as “passing on message of God” (source: Rob Koops), and into Ixcatlán Mazatec with a term that does not only refer to the future, but is “speak on behalf of God” (source: Robert Bascom).
Other translations include: “God making someone to show something in advance” (Ojitlán Chinantec), “God causing someone to think and then say it” (Aguaruna), “speaking God’s thoughts” (Shipibo-Conibo), “God made someone say something” “Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac) (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125), “proclaim God’s message” (Teutila Cuicatec), “speak for God” (Chichimeca-Jonaz), “preach the Word of God” (Lalana Chinantec), “speak God’s words” (Tepeuxila Cuicatec), “that which God’s Spirit will cause one to say one will say” (Mayo) (source for this and four above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.), and “say what God wants people to hear” (tell people God wod dat e gii oona fa say) (Gullah) (source: Robert Bascom).
In Luang it is translated with different shades of meaning:
- For Acts 3:18, 3:21, 3:25: nurwowohora — “mouth says words that don’t come from one’s own mind.” (“This term refers to an individual’s speaking words that are not his because either a good or bad spirit is at work through him. The speaker is not in control of himself.”)
- For Acts 19:6, Acts 21:9: nakotnohora — “talk about.” (“The focus of this term is on telling God’s message for the present as opposed to the future.”)
- For Acts 21:11: rora — “foretell” (“The focus of this term is giving God’s message concerning the future. The person who speaks is aware of what he is doing and he is using his own mind, yet it is with God’s power that he foretells the future.”)
Source: Kathy Taber in Notes on Translation 1/1999, p. 9-16.
See also prophet and prophesy / prophetic frenzy.
The Greek that is translated in English as “brother” (in the sense of a fellow believer), is translated with a specifically coined word in Kachin: “There are two terms for brother in Kachin. One is used to refer to a Christian brother. This term combines ‘older and younger brother.’ The other term is used specifically for addressing siblings. When one uses this term, one must specify if the older or younger person is involved. A parallel system exists for ‘sister’ as well. In [these verses], the term for ‘a Christian brother’ is used.” (Source: Gam Seng Shae)
In Martu Wangka it is translated as “relative” (this is also the term that is used for “follower.”) (Source: Carl Gross)
See also brothers.
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 14:39:
- Uma: “So then, relatives, strive to get the ability to speak God’s words, but also don’t forbid those who speak with languages from the Holy Spirit.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
- Yakan: “So then my brothers, you should really aspire to speak the word of God. But don’t also forbid those that speak in different languages.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
- Western Bukidnon Manobo: “So, brothers, you place first in your breath the explaining of what God has caused you to understand. Don’t you tell a person who speaks in a tongue that he doesn’t understand, that he shouldn’t do it. However,” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
- Kankanaey: “Therefore brothers, the summary (lit. gathering-together) of what I have been saying is that you should be eager to be given the ability of God’s spokesman, but don’t forbid the one who speaks in various languages.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
- Tagbanwa: “Therefore, my siblings in believing, strive-hard-after having-put-into-your-mind what God is making known to everyone. But don’t forbid the speaking in different languages that haven’t been studied.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
- Tenango Otomi: “Now my brothers, want that God himself put into your minds the word you tell the people. Concerning the person who speaks the different word, give him permission to speak. But concerning all the words you speak, let it be done orderly and beautifully.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
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