The Greek in Matthew 6:17 that is often translated as “comb your hair” in translations for languages of people with predominantly type 1 – 3 hair (straight, wavy, curly — see Hair Typing System ) if the translators are attempting to communicate the importance of looking one’s best in this verse (see complete verse (Matthew 6:17)). It is more easily translatable directly as “put oil on your head” in many languages for people in regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Melanesia, and Australia with type 4 hair (see kinky hair ) where it is more common to use oil in hair care. This is the case in Matumbi, whose speakers’ “hair becomes brittle when they wash it without oil, because their hair isn’t naturally oily.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
Language-specific Insights
Elijah with Moses
stir
refuse to come to me
But what are they among so many people?
The Greek in John 6:9 that is translated as “But what are they among so many people?” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “But this amount of food for this crowd of people, who will get to eat and who will be left out?” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
gave them ability
see the wind
The Greek in Matthew 14:30 that is translated as “see (or: notice) the wind” in English is translated in Matumbi idiomatically as “hear the wind.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
four-footed creatures and reptiles
The Greek that is translated as “four-footed creatures and reptiles” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “four-footed creatures and snakes,” since lizard-like creatures are already included in four-footed. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)
See also reptiles / creeping things.