dove, pigeon

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “dove” or “pigeon” in English is translated in Pijin with the onomatopoeia kurrukurru. (Source: Bob Carter)

complete verse (Genesis 8:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 8:12:

  • Kankanaey: “When another seven days had gone, he again released the dove, but it did not return.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Again he waited another seven days. And again [he] sent the dove flying. This time, however, the dove did not return.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Again Noe let-pass another seven days and he again released the dove, but it did- not -come-back anymore.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Noah waited seven more days. Then he sent the dove out again, but this time it did not return to him.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 8:12

Verse 12 concludes the episode of sending out the birds from the boat to test the level of the water.

Then he waited another seven days is essentially the same as in verse 10. And she did not return to him any more gave Noah evidence that the bird was again at home on dry land, and that it was now safe for him to leave the boat.

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 .