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 name that is transliterated as “Uzziah” in English is translated in Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) with a sign that refers to Uzziah contracting a rare forehead disease until he died as a result of him wrongly wanting to make an offering in the temple (see 2 Chronicles 26:16, 26:19, and 26:21). (Source: Missão Kophós )
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Chronicles 26:8:
Kupsabiny: “Then the Ammonites paid taxes to him and his name became famous up to Egypt, because he prospered getting power.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Every year the Ammonites paid tax to Uzziah. He became very strong and his reputation was known even to those who lived in Egypt.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “The Ammonhon pay taxes to him, and he became famous until in Egipto, because he became more powerful.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Even the Ammon people-group paid taxes to Uzziah each year. So Uzziah became famous as far as the border of Egypt, because he had become very powerful.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah: Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation and most other versions follow the Masoretic Text in reading The Ammonites, who lived east of the Jordan River (see the comments on 1 Chr 18.11). However, some versions follow the Septuagint in reading “The Meunites” (so New Jerusalem Bible, Anchor Bible, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, La Bible Pléiade, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente, Dillard). In fact, Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament gives a {C} rating to “The Meunites.” In Hebrew the difference between the words for Ammonites and “Meunites” consists of a reversal of the first and second consonants. For tribute see the comments on 1 Chr 18.2.
And his fame spread even to the border of Egypt: His fame spread is literally “his name went/walked” (compare 1 Chr 14.17). Other possible renderings are “he became well known,” “many people heard about him,” and “his name became famous” (New Century Version). It is not clear how the phrase even to the border of Egypt is to be understood. Does it mean that people in Egypt did not hear about Uzziah, or does it mean that his fame spread even into Egypt? It probably has the latter sense. Contemporary English Version expresses this whole clause well with “and people who lived as far away as Egypt heard about him.”
For he became very strong: This clause explains why Uzziah became famous. His reputation was based on the strength of his kingdom, not on his own physical strength. Good News Translation shifts this clause before the previous one, giving the reason for his fame before stating that he became famous. Other languages may find this restructuring helpful.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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