desert, wilderness

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The Greek that is translated as “desert” or “wilderness” in English is translated in a number of ways:

Note that in Luke 15:4, usually a term is used that denotes pastoral land, such as “eating/grazing-place” in Tagbanwa (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation).

See also wilderness and desolate wilderness.

complete verse (Genesis 36:24)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:24:

  • Newari: “The sons of Zibeon — Aiah and Anah. This Anah was the one who found the hot springs in the wilderness while tending the donkeys of his father, Zibeon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The children of Zibeon were Aya and Ana. Ana was-the-one-who discovered a spring there in the/a desolate-place when he was-watching the donkeys of his father.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. This Anah was the one who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was taking care of his father Zibeon’s donkeys.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:24

Sons of Zibeon: Anah is first mentioned in verse 2 as the son of Zibeon and father of Oholibamah.

He is the Anah: that is, “Anah is the name of the man who….”

Hot springs: the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain, as it occurs only here in the Old Testament. Translations very greatly in the way they render this word. Most, however, refer to “water,” “spring,” or “hot springs.” New English Bible, which has “mules,” has been revised by Revised English Bible to “hot springs,” and both of these versions admit in their footnotes that the Hebrew is uncertain. If hot springs are unknown, translators may follow the ancient src Syriacsrc*, as do Bible en français courant, Speiser, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and New American Bible, to say “water.”

For wilderness see 14.6. The discovery of water in the desert can easily become a legend.

For pastured see 29.7; for asses see 22.3.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .