The Hebrew, Greek and Latin that is translated as “idol(s)” in English is translated in Central Subanen as ledawan or “images.” (Source: Robert Brichoux in OPTAT 1988/2, p. 80ff. )
In German, typically the term Götze is used. Originally this was used as a term of endearment for Gott (“God” — see here ), later for “icon” and “image, likeness.” Luther started to use it in the 16th century in the meaning of “false god, idol.”
Other terms that are used in German include Götzenbild(er) (“image[s] of idols”) or Bildnis (“image” — Protestant) / Kultbild (“cultish image” — Catholic) (used for instance in Exodus 20:4 and Deuteronomy 5:8). The latest revision of the Catholic Einheitsübersetzung (publ. 2016) also uses the neologism Nichtse (“nothings”) in 1 Chron. 16:26 and Psalm 96:5. (Source: Zetzsche)
The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is transliterated “Levites” in English (only the Contemporary English Version translates it as “temple helpers”) is translated in Ojitlán Chinantec as “temple caretakers,” Yatzachi Zapotec as “people born in the family line of Levi, people whose responsibility it was to do the work in the important church of the Israelites,” in Alekano as “servants in the sacrifice house from Jerusalem place,” and in Tenango Otomi as “helpers of priests.” (Source: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
In American Sign Language with a sign that combines “temple” + “servant.” (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Levite” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Ezekiel 44:10:
Kupsabiny: “I will punish those Levites who wrongly joined the deeds of the people of Israel who refused me and went to worship idols.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “‘Concerning the descendants of Levi who turned-away from me and joined-with the other Israelinhon who worshipped their little-gods, they will-suffer because of their sins.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “Most of the descendants of Levi abandoned me along with most of the Israeli people, and started to worship idols. They must be punished for their sin.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.
One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a first person singular and plural pronoun (“I” and “we” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used watashi/watakushi (私) is typically used when the speaker is humble and asking for help. In these verses, where God / Jesus is referring to himself, watashi is also used but instead of the kanji writing system (私) the syllabary hiragana (わたし) is used to distinguish God from others.
But the Levites who went far from me …: Although Good News Translation includes a heading here, the conjunction But ties this verse closely with verse 9 and provides a strong contrast with that verse. Verse 10 begins a unit that describes who were qualified and allowed to enter the Temple compound and take part in the sacred activities. The Levites were descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Translators may call them “men from the tribe [or, clan] of Levi” (New Living Translation). Moses had appointed them to look after the Tabernacle while the Israelites were in the desert during the Exodus, and when the nation entered the Promised Land of Canaan under Joshua, they did not receive any land as the other tribes did. They continued to serve in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. But here God says they went far from me, that is, they did the opposite of what they were supposed to do, namely, come close to God in the Temple. The Hebrew expression here refers literally to physical separation, but also figuratively to internal and spiritual separation. New Century Version uses the nonfigurative expression “stopped obeying me,” but Revised English Bible is closer to the imagery in the text by saying “deserted me.” Either rendering is acceptable.
Going astray from me after their idols when Israel went astray: Going astray from me means to stop following God and not be faithful to him (compare Contemporary English Version “turned their backs on me” and New Living Translation “abandoned me”). The Levites abandoned God by worshiping idols, that is, the statues of false gods. For the Hebrew word rendered idols, see the comments on 6.4. The order of the phrases in Revised Standard Version is confusing because the Hebrew expression for their idols refers to the false gods of the Israelites, not of the Levites. Complete Jewish Bible reflects the meaning in Hebrew better by beginning this verse with “Rather, the L’vi’im [Levites] who went far away from me when Isra’el went astray, going astray after their idols” (compare International Children’s Bible “Some Levites stopped obeying me when Israel left me and followed their idols”). Apparently, when the Israelites stopped obeying God and turned to false gods, many Levites were involved, perhaps still acting as their spiritual leaders. Some translations understand that all the Levites abandoned God, while others say that just some of them did (so Good News Translation, International Children’s Bible). Verse 15 indicates that the latter interpretation is slightly preferable.
Because these Levites joined the people of Israel in worshiping false gods, God says they shall bear their punishment, that is, they will be punished (compare Good News Translation “I am punishing [them]”). It is not clear what this punishment will be, but verse 13 does provide some hints. At this point, however, no further information should be included.
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 .
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