sheep

“Sheep are known throughout most of the world, even though, as in Central Africa, they are a far cry from the fleecy wool-producing animals of colder climates. Where such animals are known, even by seemingly strange names, e.g. ‘cotton deer’ (Yucateco) or ‘woolly goat’ (Inupiaq), such names should be used. In some instances, one may wish to borrow a name and use a classifier, e.g. ‘an animal called sheep’. In still other instances translators have used ‘animal which produces wool’, for though people are not acquainted with the animals they are familiar with wool.” (Source: Bratcher / Nida)

In Dëne Súline, it is usually translated as “an evil little caribou.” To avoid the negative connotation, a loan word from the neighboring South Slavey was used. (Source: NCAM, p. 70)

Note that the often-alleged Inuktitut translation of “sheep” with “seal” is an urban myth (source Nida 1947, p. 136).

See also lamb.

judge between sheep and sheep

The Hebrew that is translated as “judge between sheep and sheep” in English is translated in Klao as “judge between the fat sheep and the weak sheep.” (Source: Don Slager)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 34:22

I will save my flock: God repeats the promise he made in verse 10 (see the comments there). The Hebrew word for flock is the collective term for a group of domestic animals (see Ezek 34.2), not the term for a big group of sheep as in verse 12.

God also assures his sheep that they shall no longer be a prey, as they were while the bad shepherds were still there (see Ezek 34.8).

And I will judge between sheep and sheep: See verse 17.

A model for this verse is:

• I will rescue my sheep. No longer will wild animals be able to hunt and eat them. I will judge between one animal and another.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .