demon

The Hebrew and Greek that is typically translated/transliterated in English as “demon” is translated in Central Mazahua as “the evil spirit(s) of the devil” (source: Ellis Deibler in Notes on Translation July, 1967, p. 5ff.).

In Sissala it is translated with kaŋtɔŋ, which traditionally referred to “either a spirit of natural phenomena such as trees, rivers, stones, etc., or the spirit of a deceased person that has not been taken into the realm of the dead. Kaŋtɔŋ can be good or evil. Evil kaŋtɔŋ can bring much harm to people and are feared accordingly. A kaŋtɔŋ can also dwell in a person living on this earth. A person possessed by kaŋtɔŋ does not behave normally.” (Source: Regina Blass in Holzhausen 1991, p. 48f.)

In Umiray Dumaget Agta it is translated as hayup or “creature, animal, general term for any non-human creature, whether natural or supernatural.” Thomas Headland (in: Notes on Translation, September 1971, p. 17ff.) explains some more: “There are several types of supernatural creatures, or spirit beings which are designated by the generic term hayup. Just as we have several terms in English for various spirit beings (elves, fairies, goblins, demons, imps, pixies) so have the Dumagats. And just as you will find vast disagreement and vagueness among English informants as to the differences between pixies and imps, etc., so you will find that no two Dumagats will agree as to the form and function of their different spirit beings.” This term can also be used in a verb form: hayupen: “creatured” or “to be killed, made sick, or crazy by a spirit.

In Yala it is translated as yapri̍ija ɔdwɔ̄bi̍ or “bad Yaprija.” Yaprijas are traditional spirits that have a range presumed activities including giving or withholding gifts, giving and protecting children, causing death and disease and rewarding good behavior. (Source: Eugene Bunkowske in Notes on Translation 78/1980, p. 36ff.)

In Lamnso’ it is translated as aànyùyi jívirì: “lesser gods who disturb, bother, pester, or confuse a person.” (Source: Fanwong 2013, p. 93)

In Paasaal it is translated as gyɩŋbɔmɔ, “beings that are in the wild and can only be seen when they choose to reveal themselves to certain people. They can ‘capture’ humans and keep them in hiding while they train the person in herbalism and divination. After the training period, which can range from a week to many years, the ‘captured’ individual is released to go back into society as a healer and a diviner. The gyɩŋbɔmɔ can also be evil, striking humans with mental diseases and causing individuals to get lost in the wild. The Pasaale worldview about demons is like that of others of the language groups in the area, including the Northern Dagara [who use kɔ̃tɔmɛ with a similar meaning].” (Source: Fabian N. Dapila in The Bible Translator 2024, p. 415ff.)

See also devil and formal pronoun: demons or Satan addressing Jesus.

Translation commentary on Tobit 6:16

For the first part of the verse, compare 4.12-13. Tobias must now be wondering who his companion is, since Raphael was not present when Tobit gave Tobias advice about who to marry.

Do you not remember your father’s orders…?: This rhetorical question has the force of a strong statement; for example, it may be rendered “You have already forgotten what your father instructed you. He told you to marry a woman from your own tribe, didn’t he?” As in the example, Good News Translation divides this long question into two shorter sentences; many translators will find this restructuring helpful.

A wife from your father’s house; that is, “from your own tribe” (Good News Translation), or even “from his [the father’s] side of the family” (Contemporary English Version).

Now listen to me, brother: “Carefully” in “listen carefully” (Good News Translation) represents nothing in the Greek text, but will be a natural expression of emphasis in many languages. Other possibilities are “Pay close attention to what I am saying” or simply “Listen well!”

Say no more about this demon: The Greek expression for say no more is literally “have no word.” This is obviously idiomatic, and subject to different interpretations. New Revised Standard Version say no more, Good News Translation “Don’t worry,” and New American Bible “do not give another thought” each give Raphael’s advice a slightly different color. The expression occurs again in verse 18. Here the expression is immediately connected with the quick, urgent command Take her. The two clauses together may have the force of “Don’t let the demon stand in your way! Go on! Marry her!”

I know: This is Raphael’s assurance to Tobias that he will have a wife before the night is out. It is not that there is some doubt and Raphael is trying to convince himself.

She will be given to you in marriage: See 3.17.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Tobit. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.