idol / idols

The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )

In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”

Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)

See also worthless idols.

king

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Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:

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  • Piro: “a great one”
  • Highland Totonac: “the big boss”
  • Huichol: “the one who commanded” (source for this and above: Bratcher / Nida)
  • Ekari: “the one who holds the country” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Una: weik sienyi: “big headman” (source: Kroneman 2004, p. 407)
  • Pass Valley Yali: “Big Man” (source: Daud Soesilo)
  • Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
  • Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))

Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo was determined:

“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”

(Source: Faye Edgerton in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 25ff. )

Translation commentary on Hosea 8:4

Revised Standard Version, following the Hebrew, begins this verse with the pronoun They, but since this is the beginning of a new paragraph or stanza, Good News Translation makes the subject specific, saying “My people.” A more specific reference can be “The Israelites.” Good News Translation also has a double quote mark at the beginning of this verse to indicate that the LORD is still speaking. Since this is the beginning of a new section, adding the quote frame “The LORD says” may be helpful.

They made kings … They set up princes refers to the process of selecting leaders and putting them in charge. Again, the Hebrew word for princes does not refer to descendants of the royal family, but to political leaders (see comments on 3.4 and 7.3). Bible en français courant uses the term “ministers.”

But not through me … but without my knowledge: 1 Sam 10.17-24 and 16.1-13, stories of the anointing of Saul and David, provide examples of how Yahweh was involved in the selection of a king. For Israel to select kings and other leaders without involving Yahweh was equivalent to idolatry, even if they consulted no other deity. Hence the accusation of idolatry in the second half of this verse. Israel’s history shows ten different dynasties, every one of which ended with the killing of the king—for reasons of political ambition, of course, not because of consulting Yahweh.

But not through me follows the Hebrew closely, and can be expressed as “but not in consultation with me.” Good News Translation‘s “but they did it on their own” expresses the idea positively but fails to express the Hebrew text’s complaint of no consultation with God. Bible en français courant is better: “but without asking my advice.” Another possible model is “without my will.”

But without my knowledge may give the wrong impression that God was ignorant of the appointment of the leaders. The Hebrew is literally “and I did not know.” Good News Translation says “but without my approval.” Bible en français courant is even better with “but without keeping me informed,” placing emphasis on Israel’s failure, not God’s ignorance.

With their silver and gold they made idols: Silver and gold were the materials used for making the idols (see 2.8). Their silver and gold is literally “their silver and their gold,” which emphasizes that the Israelites provided these materials. Contemporary English Version loses this emphasis by saying simply “you made idols of gold and silver.” Jerusalem Bible keeps it with “Out of their own silver and gold they have made idols.” For the Hebrew word rendered idols, see 4.17.

For their own destruction is literally “so that it might be cut off.” The Hebrew conjunction rendered for (“so that”) is used normally for introducing an intentional purpose on the part of the actor. In this context it introduces a negative result, which provides a touch of irony. The pronoun “it” makes the interpretation of this line difficult, but it is clear that Israel’s manufacture and worship of idols will lead to God’s judgment. This pronoun can refer to the kingdom of Israel, the idols, or the silver and gold. The translator is free to select any one of these. Since the last thing mentioned in the previous line is the idols of silver and gold, that seems more likely to be the intended thing to be destroyed. New Jerusalem Bible says “With their silver and gold, they have made themselves idols, but only to be destroyed,” which is somewhat ambiguous, reflecting the problem of the original, but can be understood to refer to the destruction of the idols rather than the people. Bible en français courant has an exclamation: “They take their money, their gold, to make idols. An excellent way to lose it [the money]!” It captures the irony well. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch makes use of an idiomatic expression: “Their silver and gold they lay upon [that is, invest in] idols—thus it [their money] is most safely lost!” This tone of irony reappears in 8.6-7.

A translation model for this verse is:

• The LORD says, “The Israelites appointed kings, but without my will;
they chose leaders, but without my consent.
They have made idols out of their silver and gold,
a sure way to have it destroyed.

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .