wine

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that are translated as “wine” in English is translated into Pass Valley Yali as “grape juice pressed long ago (= fermented)” or “strong water” (source: Daud Soesilo). In Guhu-Samane it is also translated as “strong water” (source: Ernest L. Richert in The Bible Translator 1965, p. 198ff. ), in Noongar as “liquor” (verbatim: “strong water”) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang), in Hausa as ruwan inabi or “water of grapes” (with no indication whether it’s alcoholic or not — source: Mark A. Gaddis), in sar as kasə nduú or “grape drink” (source: Andy Warren-Rothlin), or in Papantla Totonac and Coyutla Totonac as “a drink like Pulque” (for “Pulque,” see here ) (source: Jacob Loewen in The Bible Translator 1971, p. 169ff. ).

In Swahili, Bible translations try to avoid local words for alcoholic drinks, because “drinking of any alcohol at all was one of the sins most denounced by early missionaries. Hence translators are uncomfortable by the occurrences of wine in the Bible. Some of the established churches which use wine prefer to see church wine as holy, and would not refer to it by the local names used for alcoholic drinks. Instead church wine is often referred to by terms borrowed from other languages, divai (from German, der Wein) or vini/mvinyo (from ltalian/Latin vino/vinum). Several translations done by Protestants have adapted the Swahili divai for ‘wine,’ while those done by Catholics use vini or mvinyo.” (Source: Rachel Konyoro in The Bible Translator 1985, p. 221ff. )

The Swahili divai was in turn borrowed by Sabaot and was turned into tifaayiik and is used as such in the Bible. Kupsabiny, on the other hand, borrowed mvinyo from Swahili and turned it into Finyonik. (Source: Iver Larsen)

In Nyamwezi, two terms are used. Malwa ga muzabibu is a kind of alcohol that people specifically use to get drunk (such as in Genesis 9:21) and ki’neneko is used for a wine made from grapes (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

In some Hindi translations (such as the Common Language version, publ. 2015 ), one term (dākharasa दाखरस — grape juice) is used when that particular drink is in the focus (such as in John 2) and another term (madirā मदिरा — “alcohol” or “liquor”) when drunkenness is in the focus (such as in Eph. 5:18).

In Mandarin Chinese, the generic term jiǔ (酒) or “alcohol(ic drink)” is typically used. Exceptions are Leviticus 10:9, Numbers 6:3, Deuteronomy 29:6, Judges 13:4 et al., 1 Samuel 1:15, and Luke 1:15 where a differentiation between weak and strong alcohol is needed. The Mandarin Chinese Union Version (2010) translates that as qīngjiǔ lièjiǔ (清酒烈酒) and dànjiǔ lièjiǔ (淡酒烈酒), both in the form of a Chinese proverb and meaning “light alcohol and strong drink.” (Source: Zetzsche)

Click or tap here to see a short video clip about wine in biblical times (source: Bible Lands 2012)

See also proceeds from the vine / anything that comes from the grapevine, wine (Japanese honorifics), filled with new wine, and wine (Gen 27:28).

Absalom (image)

Hand colored stencil print on momigami by Sadao Watanabe (1972).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

See also Absalom.

Absalom

The Hebrew that is transliterated as “Absalom” in English is translated in Spanish Sign Language with the signs depicting “hair + caught” referring to 2 Samuel 18:9. (Source: Steve Parkhurst)


“Absalom” 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 .

See also Absalom (image).

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Absalom .

complete verse (2 Samuel 13:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 2 Samuel 13:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “Then, Absalom told his servants that, ‘Have you (plur.) seen, wait and when Amnon is drunk, I tell you to kill him. Do not fear because I am the one who told you to do that. Be courageous.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Absalom gave his men this command, "Be looking for an opportunity, and when Amnon, having drunk, staggers, I will speak, saying, ‘Kill Amnon.’ Then you kill him. There is no need to be afraid. Be strong and courageous. This is my command to you."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Absalom said to his men, ‘You (plur.) wait till Amnon gets-drunk, then (after) I give-a-sign, you (plur.) kill him. You (plur.) do- not -be-afraid; I am the -(one-who) commanded you (plur.). You (plur.) be-strong and be-brave.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So they all went. And at the celebration, Absalom commanded his servants, ‘Notice when Amnon has become a bit drunk from the wine. Then when I signal to you, kill him. Do not be afraid; you will be doing this only because I told you to do it. So be courageous and do it!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on 2 Samuel 13:28

Then: marking the next in the series of events. The transition word used here will be determined in some measure by the decision about the textual question at the end of the previous verse.

Commanded: literally “commanded saying.”

Mark: the verb used here really means “look,” “observe,” or “perceive” and is followed in Hebrew by the common particle of entreaty, which neither Revised Standard Version nor Good News Translation translate. He is asking that his servants pay special attention to the state of Amnon so that action can be taken at the proper time. Other versions translate “watch” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) or “watch your chance” (Revised English Bible). New Jerusalem Bible, on the other hand, takes this as meaning “Listen carefully!” and New International Version translates similarly. But this is not advised.

When Amnon’s heart is merry with wine: while the Hebrew uses the expression involving merriment of the heart, other languages will have very different ways of describing the effects of too much wine. Some may say more directly “when he becomes a little bit drunk,” while others may have more picturesque ways of saying the same thing: “when his head begins to turn,” “when the wine makes him sing,” or “when the wine causes him to start to doze.” Compare Ruth 3.7, where the same Hebrew idiom occurs.

When I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon’: while this includes a direct quotation of what Absalom plans to say in the future, it should probably be made indirect in many languages. Translators may say “when I command you, kill him,” or “when I instruct you to do it, take his life.”

Have I not commanded you? This question has the effect of telling the servants that they will not be held accountable for what they were about to do. They would be simply following orders from their master. But it will be unwise to retain the form of a question in many languages. Rather the meaning can be translated as “for it is I who order you to do it” (New American Bible).

Be courageous and be valiant: this is an additional way of telling the servants not to be afraid. Similar words are used to encourage people in times of political change (see the comments on the same idiom in 2 Sam 2.7).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .