TRANSLATIONS OF ברית AND διαθήκη ‘COVENANT’ INTO AFRICAN LANGUAGES: A SURVEY

  • Stuart J Foster Ancient Studies Stellenbosch University

Abstract

Twentieth century translations of the biblical Hebrew term ברית , ‘covenant’, (and its New Testament Greek equivalent, διαθήκη) into thirty-five African languages with about 68 million speakers tend to be quite weak, relying heavily on neologisms and neglecting the relationships and oath commitment implied in the term’s ancient Near Eastern context. Translators and theologians in Africa should take corrective measures, such as linking oaths with kinship-type obligations
Published
2013-06-12
Section
Articles