The Hebrew in Genesis 12:14 that is translated as “the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful” or similar in English is translated in Low German as “the Egyptians made big eyes about the very pretty woman” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
Language-specific Insights
daybreak, early in the morning
The Greek and Hebrew that is translated as “early in the morning” or “daybreak” in English is translated in Low German as vür Dau un Daak or “before dew and day break” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
troubled
The Hebrew that is translated as “troubled” in English is translated in Low German as den Koop hangen laten or “hang their heads” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
See also troubled / perplexed, spirit was troubled, troubled / perplexed, and cut to the heart / hearts were troubled.
full, plenty
The Hebrew that is translated as “plenty” in English is translated in Low German with the alliteration in Hüll un Füll or “enough and to spare (i.e. abundant)” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
The same idiom is also used in Luke 6:25 for “full.”
See also in abundance.
interpreter
The Hebrew in Genesis 42:23 that is translated as “interpreter” in English is translated in Low German as “an intermediator who spoke both languages” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
my eyes are not raised too high
The Hebrew in Psalm 131:1 that is translated as “my eyes are not raised too high” or similar in English is translated in Low German with an idiom: ik bün keen ‘Kiek in de Welt’, meaning “I’m not an inexperienced person” (literally: “I’m not someone who looks into the world”) (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
See also I lift up my eyes to the hills and I turned my eyes to the mountains (image)
those who oppress the poor
The Hebrew that is translated as “those who oppress the poor” or similar in English is translated in Low German as “those who put their foot on the back of the neck of little (unimportant) people” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006).
complete verse (Sirach 21:24)
Following is a back-translation of Sirach 21:24:
- Low German: “Those who don’t know what’s right, don’t first knock, they immediately enter into the door (literally: fall into into the house with the door). But those who know what’s right, wait in front of the door as long as it takes to be asked in.” (translation by Johannes Jessen, publ. 1937, republ. 2006)