reed

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “reed” is translated in Newari as “bamboo.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

Pharaoh

The term that is used for monarchs in ancient Egypt and is transliterated as “Pharaoh” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the sign signifying the “fake metal beard (postiche)” that was word by Pharaohs during official functions. (Source: Tarja Sandholm)


“Pharaoh” in Finnish Sign Language (source )

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 Isaiah 36:6

Here the Assyrian king answers his own question at the end of the previous verse by saying Hezekiah is relying on Egypt. The keyword rely occurs twice in this verse (see Isa 36.4).

The Hebrew word rendered Behold draws attention to Hezekiah’s reliance on Egypt for help. The Assyrian king emphasizes that he knows about it. New Revised Standard Version has “See,” and New International Version uses “Look now.”

You are relying on Egypt, that broken reed of a staff is literally “you are relying on the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt.” New Jerusalem Bible reflects the original order by beginning this verse with “There you are, relying on that broken reed, Egypt.” However, translations that mention Egypt first make the connection between the broken reed here and the piercing of the hand in the next clause more obvious. For Egypt see 7.18. That broken reed of a staff is a metaphor for Egypt. The Hebrew word for staff refers to something strong to lean on, such as a walking stick, though perhaps longer. This one is described as a broken reed. Reeds are plants that grow along the edge of rivers (see the comments on 19.6). They are often associated with the Nile River of Egypt. When reeds are dry, they are brittle and can break easily. The Assyrian king speaks of Egypt as being such a broken reed. Depending on it for support is useless. Similar language concerning Egypt occurs earlier in 30.4-7 (see also Ezek 29.6-7).

Which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it: Leaning on a broken reed is not only useless; it is also painful since it will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Instead of any man, translators may say “anyone” or “any person.”

Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him: This sentence compares the Egyptian king to the unreliable broken reed. He is not able to help anyone who depends on him. In fact, he causes trouble for those who rely on him (see 30.2-3). For Pharaoh see the comments on 19.11. Since this title means “king of Egypt,” it may be combined with king of Egypt, as in Good News Translation.

Translation examples for this verse are:

• Look, you have placed your trust in Egypt! You have placed your trust in a walking stick that is a crushed reed. If a person leans on it, it will pierce/puncture/stab his hand. That is what happens to anyone who relies on Pharaoh, the Egyptian king.”

• See, you are relying on Egypt, on that walking stick that is like a broken reed. Lean on it and it will pierce your hand. That is what happens to any who rely on the king of Egypt.”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .