hungry

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated in English as “hungry” (or: “famished”) is translated in a number of ways:

  • Noongar: “without stomach” (koborl-wirt) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Kölsch translation (publ. 2017): nix zo Käue han or “have nothing to chew on” and singe Mage hät geknottert wie ne Hungk or “his stomach growled like a dog” (source: Jost Zetzsche)
  • German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999): Hunger überfiel ihn or “Hunger overtook (lit.: “attacked”) him” (in Matthew 4:2)
  • Kupsabiny: “hunger ate him” (source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Mairasi: “feeling tuber pains” (tubers are the main staple) (source Enggavoter 2004)

Translation commentary on 2 Maccabees 10:20

But the men with Simon, who were money-hungry, were bribed by some of those who were in the towers: Some of Simon’s men made contact with the enemy in the two towers, who offer them money if they can escape. In languages that do not have the passive voice, translators may say “But some of the Idumeans in the towers bribed some of Simon’s soldiers who were money-hungry [or, greedy for money].”

And on receiving seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away: For the “drachma,” see the comments on 2Macc 4.19. Seventy thousand drachmas is equivalent to about 400 kilograms (875 pounds) of silver. Translators may say “70,000 silver coins.” Slip away means leaving without being detected by the other Jewish soldiers.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• But some of the men in the towers offered some of Simon’s men 70,000 silver coins if they would let them go free. Simon’s men wanted the money [or, were money-hungry], so they let the enemy escape [or, sneak away].

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Maccabees. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.