myrrh

The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “myrrh” in English is translated as “bitter medicine” in Michoacán Nahuatl and as “myrrh perfume” in Tzotzil (source: Ronald D. Olson in Notes on Translation January, 1968, p. 15ff.).

In Mark 15:23, Usila Chinantec translates it as “the herb myrrh which is useful so that one not feel pain in his body. (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)

See also mixture of myrrh with aloes.

fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 7:17

“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh”: “Perfumed” is literally “sprinkled.” “Myrrh” is a gum that comes from a bush or shrub in Arabia and India and has a pleasant, scented odor.

“Aloes and cinnamon”: The term “aloes” refers to a fragrant wood used also as a perfume. “Cinnamon” is taken from the inner bark of an evergreen tree. It was used both as a spice and as a perfume. In translation we may say, for example, “I have put perfume made from myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon on my bed.” In languages in which these articles are unknown, it may be possible to substitute local materials. If this is not suitable, we may say, for example, “I have perfumed my bed with fragrant odors from the east” or “. . . with sweet odors that are made far away.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .