The Hebrew, Latin and Greek that is translated in English as “locust” is translated in Ayutla Mixtec as “insect like flying ants” because locusts are not known locally (source: Ronald D. Olson in Notes on Translation January, 1968, p. 15ff.), and in Pa’o Karen as “grashopper” (source: Gordon Luce in The Bible Translator 1950, p. 153f. ).
In connection with John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4 and Mark 1:6) in is translated in Shuar as “edible grasshoppers” (source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.), and in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) as geröstete Heuschrecken or “roasted locusts.” (Note that “Heuschrecken” literally means “the bane/horror of hay”).
The Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Latin terms that are typically translated as “mercy” (or “compassion” or “kindness”) in English are translated in various ways. Bratcher / Nida classify them in (1) those based on the quality of heart, or other psychological center, (2) those which introduce the concept of weeping or extreme sorrow, (3) those which involve willingness to look upon and recognize the condition of others, or (4) those which involve a variety of intense feelings.
While the Englishmercy originates from the Latinmerces, originally “price paid,” Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Corsican, Catalan, Friulian) and other Germanic languages (German, Swedish, Danish — Barmherzigkeit, barmhärtighet and barmhjertighed, respectively) tend to follow the Latin misericordia, lit. “misery-heart.”
And why we pass from the world like locusts: Here Ezra claims that he and his people die quickly like locusts (“grasshoppers” in Myers). The type of insect is not important here. In cultures where locusts are unknown, translators may say “winged insects” or simply “insects” (Good News Bible). Contemporary English Version renders this clause as “Why do we die as suddenly as locusts?”
And our life is like a mist: Ezra also claims they are no more substantial than mist. Mist, sometimes called “fog,” refers to clouds that come down right to the earth, usually in the early morning before the hot rays of the sun burn them away. Instead of mist, which is probably the correct reading, the Latin texts say “trembling” (Revised Standard Version footnote). The mistake could easily have been made because of the similarity in the spelling of the Latin words for mist and “trembling.”
And we are not worthy to obtain mercy: Here Ezra asks why they do not deserve to receive God’s mercy. He wonders why God does not forgive them.
An alternative model for this verse is:
• Why is it that we are here one day and gone the next, like insects [or, locusts/grasshoppers]? Why does our life amount to nothing more than mist [or, fog]? Why does God think us unworthy of his mercy [or, to receive his mercy]?
Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.