The name that is transliterated as “Isaiah” in English is translated in Finnish Sign Language with the signs signifying “save + prophet” (referring to Genesis 2:21). (Source: Tarja Sandholm)
Following is a Russian Orthodox icon of Isaiah from the 18th century (found in the Transfiguration Church, Kizhi Monastery, Karelia, Russia). The text in the scrollis from Isaiah 2:2: “In the last days […] shall be established.”
Orthodox Icons are not drawings or creations of imagination. They are in fact writings of things not of this world. Icons can represent our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. They can also represent the Holy Trinity, Angels, the Heavenly hosts, and even events. Orthodox icons, unlike Western pictures, change the perspective and form of the image so that it is not naturalistic. This is done so that we can look beyond appearances of the world, and instead look to the spiritual truth of the holy person or event. (Source )
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Isaiah 38:21:
Kupsabiny: “Then Isaiah said to the servants of the king, ‘Prepare oil of fig(s) and smear it on the boil so that the king shall recover.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Isaiah had said like this, "Make an ointment of figs and apply on Hezekiah’s boil. Then he will recover from his disease."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “When Hezekia was not healed yet, Isaias told him to treat/[lit. put-on] his boil with some mashed/paste fig so-that he will-be-healed.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
English: “I had previously said to Hezekiah’s servants, ‘Prepare an ointment from mashed figs, and spread it on his boil, and then he will recover.’ So they did that, and Hezekiah recovered.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
Two types of fig trees are mentioned in the Bible, the Common Fig Ficus carica (Hebrew te’enah) and the Sycomore Fig Ficus sycomorus (Hebrew shiqmah; see “Sycomore fig”). They are closely related. The common fig tree grows not only in Israel, but throughout the world in warm climates. In the Holy Land it was a common source of food; the fruit was eaten both fresh and dried. Sometimes the dried ones were pressed together to form flat “cakes” or blocks (Hebrew develah). But, just as important, the large leaves of the fig make it an excellent shade tree. However, the first use of the fig mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 3:7) was not for food or shade but for clothing; Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves for themselves to cover their nakedness.
The fig was probably domesticated in northwestern Turkey from a wild variety that grew there around 5000 years ago. Greek, Roman, and Egyptian records indicate that the fruits were popular. Figs are now grown especially in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Portugal, as well as in the warm parts of the United States.
The fig is believed to be indigenous to western Asia and to have been distributed by humans and birds throughout the Mediterranean area. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5000 B.C.
The domesticated fig grows to about 5-8 meters (17-26 feet) and has a round crown and very deep and round roots. The trunk may grow to be more than 70 centimeters (2 feet) thick. Fig trees may grow to be several decades old, if they are well cared for. Figs are usually propagated by planting cuttings. The pollination of the flowers is an amazingly intricate process closely linked to the life cycle of a tiny wasp, and the fact that fig trees, like papayas and date palms, are male or female. (There are now some kinds of figs that produce fruit without pollination.) The fruits are about the size of a hen’s egg and can be green, yellow, purple, or brown depending on the type. They are sweet and soft and difficult to transport. For that reason most farmers dry the fruits before shipping them. The “fruit” of the fig is technically a strangely shaped flower. Noting the absence of a “real” flower, the ancient people of India called it a flowerless tree.
The common fig tree, along with the vine and the olive, is one of the three “top trees” for the Jews. The Bible refers to the fig over 270 times. The image of peace and happiness in Israel was “every man under his vine and under his fig tree” (1 Kings 4:25).
Wild figs are common throughout the tropical world; there are at least eight hundred species of Ficus, thirty-two in southern Africa alone. The banyan, peepul, and bo are all types of fig. The fruits of wild fig trees are not nearly as juicy or sweet as those of the domesticated ones. In many places people eat the fruit when they find it in the wild, but do not market it or cultivate the trees. Translators are urged to use the local word, and, if necessary, use a footnote to indicate the difference between the local one and the biblical one. Where it is not known at all, transliterations from a major language may be used in nonfigurative contexts.
Now Isaiah had said: Now renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which is literally “And,” but it may be better to omit it or to render it “Before Hezekiah was healed,” since verses 21-22 are a flashback. In Hebrew the form of the verb rendered had said usually indicates the next event in a story. However, here it introduces a flashback, so Revised Standard Version correctly translates had said (also New Revised Standard Version, New International Version; similarly Contemporary English Version). Isaiah spoke these words before the events in verses 7-8.
Let them take a cake of figs, and apply it to the boil: The pronoun them probably refers to “Hezekiah’s servants” (Contemporary English Version). Isaiah tells them to apply a dressing to the king’s boil. Good News Translation renders these instructions as though the king is to do them himself (so the Septuagint), but this is not recommended. A cake of figs refers to a paste made from crushed raw figs that can be applied to a wound to help healing. New International Version and New American Bible use the technical expression “a poultice of figs” (similarly New Jerusalem Bible), while Good News Translation says “a paste made of figs,” and Contemporary English Version has “some mashed figs.” For figs see 28.4 and 34.4.
The Hebrew word translated boil can refer to a skin infection. Many versions say “boil,” but this term has also been rendered “open sore” (Contemporary English Version), “rash” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “inflammation” (Revised English Bible), “ulcer” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “sick spot” (Bible en français courant). The use of the definite article with boil indicates that it is already known, so it probably refers back to Hezekiah’s sickness in verse 1. Usually a skin infection is not life threatening unless it becomes gangrenous.
That he may recover is literally “and he will live.” RSV/NRSV, New American Bible, and Bible en français courant render it as a purpose clause. Revised English Bible expresses it as a past event, saying “Hezekiah recovered.” It is best to translate it as a result clause; for example, New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible say “and he will recover” (similarly Good News Translation).
Our translation suggestions for this verse are:
• Isaiah had said, “Let them apply a poultice [made] of figs to the boil, and the king will live.”
• Isaiah had said, “Let them make a dressing from ground figs and put it on the boil. Then the king will live.”
• Isaiah had told them [or, Hezekiah’s servants] to take fruit of the fig tree, grind it, make a dressing of it, and apply it to the king’s skin infection, and he would live.
Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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