wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

Solomon

The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is transliterated as “Solomon” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “wise” referring to 1 Kings 3:12. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Solomon” in Spanish Sign Language, source: Sociedad Bíblica de España

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about King Solomon (source: Bible Lands 2012)

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Solomon .

complete verse (1 Kings 11:41)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Kings 11:41:

  • Kupsabiny: “All other things that Solomon did and other words of wisdom were written in another book called the deeds/acts of Solomon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “All the things that happened while Solomon was king, concerning all the work that he did and his wisdom, has been written in the Book of the History of Solomon.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The other story concerning the reign of Solomon, and all he had-done, and about his wisdom, were-written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “A record of all the other things that Solomon did, and all the wise things that he said and wrote, was written in the Book Telling what Solomon Did.” (Source: Translation for Translators)