bread, loaf

The Greek term that is translated in English as “bread” or “loaf” is translated in Samo, it is translated as “Sago,” which serves “like ‘bread’ for the Hebrews, as a generic for food in the Samo language. It is a near-perfect metonymy that has all the semantic elements necessary for effective communication.” (Source: Daniel Shaw in Scriptura 96/2007, p. 501ff.)

In Chol it is translated as waj, the equivalent of a tortilla. (Click or tap here to see the rest of this insight)

John Beekman (in The Bible Translator 1962, p. 180f. ) explains: “The word ‘bread’ in Scripture primarily occurs as either a specific term for bread (including the Lord’s Supper), or as a generic term for food. It is not surprising, however, the some aboriginal groups use something other than bread as the staff of life. The Chols, with their cultural focus in the cultivation of corn, use waj, a type of thin corn flake. Since a meal is not complete without this main item of food, the term has been extended to include any other foods which may be served along with waj. While bread is known to them, its use is limited to a few occasions during the year when it functions as a dessert. In translating this term in the Chol New Testament, consistent use has been made of the word waj whenever the function of bread as a basic food was in focus. John 6:35, “I am the bread of life,” was thus translated with this word. If the word for bread had been used, it was feared that the Chol would compare Christ to the desirable, but not absolutely necessary, dessert.”

Robert Bascom adds his thoughts to this in relation to other Mayan languages (in Omanson 2001, p. 260): “In many Mayan languages, ‘bread’ can be translated waj or kaxlan waj. The first term literally means anything made from corn meal, while the second term literally means ‘foreigner’s waj,’ and refers to the local wheat-based sweet breads which are so popular within the broader European-influenced culture of the region. On the one hand, waj would be a better dynamic equivalent in cases where ‘bread’ meant ‘food,’ but in cases where the focus is literal or the reference well-known, kaxlan waj would preserve a flour-based meaning (though in biblical times barley was more in use than wheat) and not insert corn into a time and place where it does not belong. On the other hand kaxlan waj is not the staff of life, but refers to a local delicacy. In cases such as these, it is even tempting to suggest borrowing pan, the Spanish word for ‘bread,’ but native speakers might respond that borrowing a foreign word is not necessary since both waj and kaxlan waj are native terms that cover the meaning (though in this case, perhaps not all that well).”

In Mairasi it is translated bread tubers. Tubers are the main food staple and are therefore synonymous with food. (Source: Enggavoter 2004). In Yagaria, Kâteand Yabem it is translated as “taro cake.” (Source: Renck, p. 101)

Translation commentary on Sirach 12:5

Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly: This line should be thought of as a second line to accompany verse 4. Notice that it is closely parallel in structure to the previous verse. Good News Translation speaks of “religious people” in verse 4 and “those who are not devout” here. The Greek words rendered by these expressions are similar, and the translator may want to reproduce this if possible. It happens to be difficult to do this in English. Good News Translation could have said “those who are not religious” in this verse, but may have felt that varying the vocabulary was more important to good style than echoing the same root. It could not use “irreligious” since this word does not mean the same thing as “those who are not religious,” and “godly” and ungodly are not common words in modern English. Ungodly means “those who do not worship [or, serve] God” (see 7.17). An alternative translation model for this line is “Do good to [or, Help] those who are humble, but do not give anything to those who do not serve God.”

Hold back his bread, and do not give it to him: In the Greek (and the Hebrew behind it) the repetition here simply fills out a line that would otherwise be too short. Good News Translation, translating this as prose, does not have this problem, so it simply combines these two clauses into one: “Don’t give them food” (Contemporary English Version “If you give food”). Bread refers to food in general. Some translators may be aware that some versions (for example, New American Bible) here read “arms” or “weapons” instead of bread. This is based on the Hebrew, and it is possibly correct, but the Hebrew here raises some complicated problems without clear and convincing solutions. Translators are urged to follow Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version in staying with the Greek.

Lest by means of it he subdue you: Revised Standard Version is closer to the meaning of the Greek here than Good News Translation “or they will use your kindness against you.” The idea is that by feeding a person who may turn out to be your enemy, you are only making him stronger. New Jerusalem Bible provides a good model: “it might make him stronger than you are.” Contemporary English Version is also good with “they will become strong and overpower you.”

For you will receive twice as much evil for all the good which you do to him: Good News Translation provides a good model for this line. Good refers to any act of kindness you might do for a sinful person. Evil refers to anything undesirable that might happen to you as a result of befriending the wrong person, anything from annoying inconveniences to serious financial or physical harm. Good News Translation renders it “trouble,” a good general term. Contemporary English Version is helpful with “Do a good deed for them, and they will reward you by wronging you twice.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.