In Bauzi “swear” can be translated in various ways. In Hebrews 6:13, for instance, it is translated with “bones break apart and decisively speak.” (“No bones are literally broken but by saying ‘break bones’ it is like people swear by someone else in this case it is in relation to a rotting corpse’ bones falling apart. If you ‘break bones’ so to speak when you make an utterance, it is a true utterance.”) In other passages, such as in Matthew 26:72, it’s translated with an expression that implies taking ashes (“if a person wants everyone to know that he is telling the truth about a matter, he reaches down into the fireplace, scoops up some ashes and throws them while saying ‘I was not the one who did that.'”). So in Matthew 26:72 the Bauzi text is: “. . . Peter took ashes and defended himself saying, ‘I don’t know that Nazareth person.'” (Source: David Briley)
The Hebrew that is translated as “offering” in English is translated in Venda as nduvho. J. A. van Rooy (in The Bible Translator 1974, p. 439ff. ) explains: “It is derived from the verb u luvha (‘to pay homage to; to acknowledge the superiority of; at the same time usually asking for a favour’). It is sometimes used as a synonym for ‘asking something from a chief. The noun nduvho means ‘a gift of allegiance,’ which corresponds closely with minchah (מִנְחָה) as ‘offering of allegiance.’ This term nduvho has in it the elements of subjugation, of reciprocity (asking for a favor), of being taken up into the same community as the chief in allegiance to him. Only the element of expiation is missing.”
In Northern Emberá, it is translated as “given to God freely.” (Source: Loewen 1980, p. 108)
The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Eli” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the sign for “falling back” referring to 1 Samuel 4:18. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Samuel 3:14:
Kupsabiny: “So, I swear that the evil/sin of Eli’s family will never be washed away, even if someone burns for me whatever kind of sacrifice or offers a gift in any way.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Since it is like that, I swear an oath about Eli’s family, [that] the sins committed by Eli’s family will never be forgiven, either by any sacrifice or any grain offering."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “So I have-sworn that the sin of the family of Eli can- not -forgiven forever/[lit. until whenever] whatever sacrifice/offering (be-made).’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “I solemnly promised to Eli’s family, ‘You will never be able to avoid the consequences for your sin, even if you give me sacrifices or offerings.’ ’” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
Therefore: as in 2.30 this transition word shows a relationship between what has been said previously and what follows. Here the solemn declaration of Yahweh is a direct result of the inappropriate behavior of the family of Eli. Bible en français courant translates “This is why,” while most English versions have “Therefore.”
The verb swear occurs frequently in the Old Testament. Often it has negative connotations if the information sworn to is false. But in its positive sense it is a way of certifying under oath that something will happen. A person is bound by the oath taken that the promised event will indeed take place. The verbal root is thought to come from the numeral “seven” and refers perhaps to a sevenfold binding. In this context God gives his sacred and unbreakable word that he will indeed punish the family of Eli for their misdeeds.
Eli’s house again refers to his family (see verses 12 and 13).
Expiated: the root meaning of the Hebrew verb is debated. It means either “to cover” or “to wipe away.” In Old Testament thought God “covers” or “wipes away [or, erases]” human sins or offenses against God. Expiated (Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, Revised English Bible) is technical religious language and has little meaning for many contemporary speakers of English. Hence Good News Translation uses a phrase to express the sense: “to remove the consequences of this terrible sin.” Bible en français courant says “to make forget his sin.”
Sacrifice or offering: see the comments on 2.29.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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