idol / idols

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)

See also worthless idols.

complete verse (Jeremiah 10:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Jeremiah 10:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “(They) are fools and confused
    those who trust in idols, things that are without value.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “They are all senseless and fools. The teachings about their wooden little-gods/false-gods have no value.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Jeremiah 10:8

They refers back to the wise men and kings of the nations of verse 7.

Are … stupid translates a verb that is used again in verses 14, 21 and in 51.17. The lexicons give the meaning more precisely as “be stupid like cattle.” The verb are … foolish is used only here in the Old Testament. The two verbs are apparently used with essentially the same meaning.

The instruction of idols is but wood is difficult and may be interpreted in at least two ways: (1) the worship of idols is not worth the effort (Good News Translation “What can they learn from wooden idols?”) or (2) what is learned from idols is worthless (Good News Translation footnote “What their idols teach is worthless”). Revised English Bible translates “learning their nonsense from a piece of wood”; New Revised Standard Version has “the instruction given by idols is no better than wood!”; Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “… there is nothing to learn from their gods; they themselves are only wood.” Either interpretation is acceptable. Idols is translated “worthlessness” by Revised Standard Version in 2.5; see also “false” in 10.3 and “worthless” in 10.15. Here, however, idols fits better in the translation than something such as “worthless things.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .