complete verse (Ezekiel 16:44)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 16:44:

  • Kupsabiny: “People use this proverb about you Jerusalem: ‘Daughter is like mother.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘ ‘There are people who say this proverb to you: ‘If what is the mother is also the child.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “People who like to quote proverbs will quote this proverb about you: ‘Daughtersbehave like their mothers behave.’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Ezekiel 16:44

Good News Translation begins this verse with the quote frame “The LORD said” to indicate that God is still speaking at the beginning of this new subsection. It also adds “Jerusalem” as the addressee. Other languages may find these additions helpful.

The Hebrew particle hinneh rendered Behold draws attention to God’s words that follow (see Ezek 16.8).

Every one who uses proverbs will use this proverb about you: Good News Translation says “People will use this proverb about you.” A proverb is a popular saying that is short and easy to remember (see 12.22). It contains some bit of wisdom or advice. If there is no exact equivalent for proverbs in a language, translators may say “wise sayings” (New Century Version). Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch provides a helpful model for this sentence, saying “Jerusalem, people will ridicule you with the saying.”

Like mother, like daughter: The meaning of this proverb is that a mother passes on her nature and characteristics (whether good or bad) to her children. Thus, if the people of Jerusalem want to know whether they are good or bad, they should look at their family members. Most cultures will have their own way of expressing this proverb (compare the German proverb, “An apple does not fall far from the trunk of the tree”), but it will only be possible to use an indigenous proverb if it fits with the mother-daughter-sister application that follows. In some languages the most natural way to render it is “As the mother is, so is the daughter.”

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .