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| Vipera palaestina hatchling Taken In Israel, By Guy Haimovitch |
The passage follows in Ekegusii, New Testament Greek, and English with the terms in bold print:
Agachia korora abanto abange ase Abafarisai na Abasadukai bakomochiera ase ebatiso, akabatebia, "Inwe oroiboro rwe ching'iti, ning'o obakureire ng'a motame korwa ase endamwamu egochi-gocha?"The student expressed surprise when he noticed that the English used the word vipers because in his
Ἰδὼν δὲ πολλοὺς τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων ἐρχομένους ἐπὶ τὸ βάπτισμα αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς;
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
experience the word ching'iti [singular: eng'iti ] held the broader meaning of animals. He suggested that the word amang'erere [singular: ring'erere ] would be more accurate.
It is important for teachers of the Gospel to be able to identify differences of word usage in communities were we work in order to be able to teach Scripture clearly and accurately.
What I present here is an example some ways to examine issues like this when they arise.
The Use of the Term ἔχιδνα in Context in the Original Language Texts
The first thing we would desire to do is to establish the meaning of the term in the original language, which, in this case, the Koine Greek of the New Testament. The term used in this context is ἐχιδνῶν. We want to find out how this word is used in context. This word is used four other times in the New Testament: Here in Matthew 3:7 and also in Matthew 12:34; 23:33; Luke 3:7; and Acts 28:3.Matthew 12:34
Inwe oroiboro rwe ching'iti, naki moranyare gokwana amaya, onye more ababe? Naki ebichire as'enkoro, nabio omonwa ogokwana.
γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς δύνασθε ἀγαθὰ λαλεῖν πονηροὶ ὄντες; ἐκ γὰρ τοῦ περισσεύματος τῆς καρδίας τὸ στόμα λαλεῖ.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.Matthew 23:33
Inwe ching'iti, abana be rirubi, naki morakore motame ekina kie chaanam?
ὄφεις γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς γεέννης;
Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?Luke 3:7
Nabo akayetebia emeganda yachete erinde ebatiswe nere, Inwe oroiboro rwe ching'iti, ning'o obakureire gotama endamwamu egocha gocha?
Ἔλεγεν οὖν τοῖς ἐκπορευομένοις ὄχλοις βαπτισθῆναι ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ· Γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, τίς ὑπέδειξεν ὑμῖν φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς;
Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Acts 28:3
Paulo iga arenge gosangereria chinko, nakobeka igoro as'omorero, eng'iti egasoka as'engecho y'omorero oria, ekamwenarera as'okoboko kwaye.
συστρέψαντος δὲ τοῦ Παύλου φρυγάνων τι πλῆθος καὶ ἐπιθέντος ἐπὶ τὴν πυράν, ἔχιδνα ἀπὸ τῆς θέρμης ἐξελθοῦσα καθῆψε τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ.
But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
John the Baptizer's Uses of the Term
The first use of ἔχιδνα/ἐχιδνῶν is of John the Baptizer's preaching against the Pharisees and Sadducees. Luke 3:7 is a parallel record of the same or similar events recorded in Matthew 3:7. Luke records that John also preached these words also to the crowds that came to him. At issue in Matthew is the false teaching of these religious leaders and the false works they promote. In Luke the issue is false repentance and false works of the people who came to John.John's preaching is drawn from the preaching of Isaiah both in form and in content. Compare what Isaiah wrote to Matthew 3 and Luke 3:
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity. Your lips have spoken lies. Your tongue has muttered perversity.
4 No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies. They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
5 They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web. He who eats of their eggs dies. And from that which is crushed a viper breaks out. 6 Their webs will not become garments, nor will they cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood.John's preaching employs the term ἐχιδνῶν highlighting the both the source of the false teaching: the serpent in Eden [Genesis 3]; and to mark that their teaching is poisonous, deadly. One might raise the issue with the English translation of verse 5 at this point since vipers are called vipers because they give birth live [viviparous] and do not lay eggs. But that significance might be missing for many or most English speakers. The meaning is a deadly serpent.
Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity. Wasting and destruction are in their paths.
8 The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways;
They have made themselves crooked paths. Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
Jesus' Use of the Term
Matthew 12:34This chapter records Jesus discussion on keeping the Sabbath. In His discussion Jesus makes clear that He is David's heir and Lord of the Sabbath. The Pharisees attempt to keep the Sabbath without acknowledging the Holy One of Israel. This brief exchange is grounded in Isaiah 58, particularly noting verses 7-10. On the basis Scripture concerning David's actions and the Priests' actions on the Sabbath, Jesus makes the case that He is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 33
“For thus says the Lord: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18 nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.’ ” (v. 17-18)The second event is Jesus challenging the Pharisees about healing on the Sabbath. The challenge is directed to show the false teaching of the Pharisees who had promoted the idea that keeping the Sabbath excused a person from showing love toward his neighbor. Christ points out that the written Law of Moses even allows showing kindness toward animals on the Sabbath.
Jesus continued to heal. Matthew states that this is Jesus fulfilling His promise made through Isaiah 42:1-4.
A demon possessed man is brought to Jesus and the question is raised "Could this be the Son of David?" This is the initial claim of Matthew's Gospel from the opening verse and the narrative of Jesus incarnation and is the underlying thesis of Matthew's Gospel. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub. Jesus responds with His Stronger Man sermon and the Sin against the Holy Spirit drawing on Isaiah 63, particularly verses 7-10.
It is at this point that Jesus speaks about the false teaching of the Pharisees trees bearing bad fruit and as a brood of vipers ἐχιδνῶν. The reference to vipers is contextually consistent with the structure and message of Isaiah 59, particularly verses 4-5.
The point of the comparison is between the deadly nature of the serpent or viper's venom and the deadly nature of the Pharisees' teaching.
Matthew 23:33
This chapter records Jesus' Holy Week sermon against the Pharisees. In this He uses a wealth of imagery and language from Isaiah. Of particular note here is that this particular sermon of Woes parallels the Woes pronounced in Isaiah. To the point of our study the substance of Jesus sermon is the same as that of Isaiah 59. But here there are two references to snakes. The first is with ὄφεις the second with ἐχιδνῶν.
Inwe ching'iti, abana be rirubi, naki morakore motame ekina kie chaanam?
ὄφεις γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς γεέννης;
Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?His use of the term ἐχιδνῶν in verse 33 is contextually the same as the use of viper in Isaiah 59. The term is intended to show the deadly nature of the teaching and works of the the religious leaders/Pharisees.
In Acts
The final example is in the closing chapter of Acts (28:3). The term ἔχιδνα is used to refer to a venomous snake that bit Paul on the island of Malta. The residents of the island are astounded that Paul does not die.Summary of the New Testament Use of ἔχιδνα
In each of the cases where ἔχιδνα is used in the Koine Greek of the New Testament the animal in question is a serpent. The distinguishing feature of this particular serpent from others is not a specific breed, but that the serpent carries venom which can kill the person whom it bites.Ekegusii Words Available to Translate ἔχιδνα
A second direction is to look at established and documented usage of words in our native languages.In 2009 K.M. Bosire and G.K. Machogu produced the first dictionary of the Ekegusii language: The Authoritative Ekegusii Dictionary: Endabaro Endabasia Y'Ekegusii. [AED] The volume is published in Republic of Kenya and reportedly available in Mombasa and Kisii. Bosire and Machogu sought to capture living Ekegusii in print and to provide a resource for native speakers. [I wish to thank the University of Wisconsin-Madison Library System for lending the AED to me through Interlibrary Loan.]
The English to Ekegusii section of the AED list several Ekegusii glosses for snake (pages 1269-70). In the following discussion we use this list as well as the definitions of these words in the main dictionary (shown at the end of this presentation). We are looking for a word or words in Ekegusii which, if possible, are used to emphasize two significant semantic components: 1) the animal is a snake, 2) this particular snake bites with deadly venom.
The AED lists some words that are fairly specific about species of snake:
- ebaweti is the python.
- ekeuge is a small, bearded venomous snake that makes a cat-like sound.
- enchoka is a black or green mamba.
- enyaronyansi is the green mamba.
- orwerwe is a mamba style venomous snake that attacks without provocation.
- rinyamoutoki is the puff adder.
- rirubi refers to a cobra or the Indian spitting-cobra.
One entry refers to a unique feature that is irrelevant to the use of ἔχιδνα in the New Testament.
- ekeromerambebakabere refers to a two-headed snake, one head at each end.
- eng'endanse a snake, often venomous.
- eng'iti 1. any animal. 2. snake, often venomous.
- engendanse a snake, reptile without legs.
- ring'erere a snake with small head and large tail.
The AED does not describe which terms are in more common use in contrast to which are more obscure. The closest match from the definitions given in AED would be eng'endanse.
Dialect and Native Speaker Intuition
Two of the words at issue in our Seminary discussion were ching'iti, the plural of eng'iti as used in the text of Ebiblia Enchenu, and ring'erere, plural amang'erere as suggested by the Seminarians based on their own experience and intuition as native speakers.For the Seminarians the word ching'iti did not signify a snake nor did it imply notion of venomous. Their signification for eng'iti fits with the first definition given in AED but not the second.
For the Seminarians the word ring'erere signified not only a snake, but that the word refers to a snake that is typically venomous. This is a difference between the linguistic experience of the Seminarians in their region and those of the translators of Ebiblia Enchenu and the researchers of the AED.
Abagusii history describes the division of the Abagusii people into seven different clans from which one could expect a degree of dialectical variation. (see here) In more recent decades the Abagusii have grown to a population passing 2.5 million. Abagusii population also exhibits increasing distinction between urban centers and the rural areas, even though fairly localized on the eastern side of Lake Victoria. These regions also exhibit distinctions in accent and dialect.
The Translation of ἔχιδνα into Ekegusii in Ebiblia Enchenu
Third, we can become more aware of the translation habits and styles used by the translators of our native language Bibles.In each of the relevant passages Ebiblia Enchenu translates ἔχιδνα/ἐχιδνῶν with eng'iti/ching'iti except in Matthew 23:33
Inwe ching'iti, abana be rirubi, naki morakore motame ekina kie chaanam?
ὄφεις γεννήματα ἐχιδνῶν, πῶς φύγητε ἀπὸ τῆς κρίσεως τῆς γεέννης;
Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?In this passage ching'iti is used for ὄφεις serpents, and rirubi is used for ἐχιδνῶν vipers. This is interesting, because according to the AED the word rirubi refers to the Indian Spitting Cobra. And while this particular species is obviously not meant in the Greek, the characteristics of the rirubi fit the context well.
enchoka is used in Revelation 12, 13, 16:13 and 20:2 to translate δράκων. In Revelation 20:2b enchoka is also used to translate ὄφις serpent. In these contexts the terms δράκων and ὄφις refer to Satan.
Ebiblia Enchenu uses the term eng'iti/ching'iti with great flexibility. The term is used in Ebiblia Enchenu 62 times.
It appears to be the default translation for serpents. For example ching'iti is used in Romans 3:13 for ἀσπίδων asps; and in 2 Cor 11:3 eng'iti used for ὄφις Serpent where it also refers contextually for Satan.
However eng'iti/ching'iti is also used to refer to animals in general.
naki tibanyarete koremereria ring'ana riria riachigetwe, nonya eng'iti yarenge gokuna egetunwa neakwe amagena, gose yabetwa neritimo;
οὐκ ἔφερον γὰρ τὸ διαστελλόμενον· Κἂν θηρίον θίγῃ τοῦ ὄρους, λιθοβοληθήσεται·
(For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.” [Hebrews 12:20]eng'iti/ching'iti is also used to refer to the four living creatures at the throne of God in Revelation, for example:
Nkarora agwo ekero Emanwa y'Eng'ondi egachia koigora ekemo ase biria ebimanyererio, nkaigwa eyemo ase chiria ching'iti chire moyo ekobora, buna eriogi ri'okogukura, Nchuo, orore.
Καὶ εἶδον ὅτε ἤνοιξεν τὸ ἀρνίον μίαν ἐκ τῶν ἑπτὰ σφραγίδων, καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων λέγοντος ὡς φωνῇ βροντῆς· Ἔρχου καὶ ἴδε.
Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” [Revelation 6:1 and throughout]We can see the flexibility of meaning for eng'iti/ching'iti in Revelation 11:7 where the word is used with reference to the beast from the pit.
Ekero barakore oborori bwabo, eria eng'iti ekorua as'eora nekore esegi nabarabwo, nere nababue nakobaita.
Καὶ ὅταν τελέσωσιν τὴν μαρτυρίαν αὐτῶν, τὸ θηρίον τὸ ἀναβαῖνον ἐκ τῆς ἀβύσσου ποιήσει μετ’ αὐτῶν πόλεμον καὶ νικήσει αὐτοὺς καὶ ἀποκτενεῖ αὐτούς.
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.As we saw just above the word was also used to translate θηρίον in Hebrews 11:20. And this may help demonstrate that for the translators of Ebiblia Enchenu the term eng'iti/ching'iti does not carry any necessary implication that the animal signified must be a snake and must be venomous.
Given this breadth of use within Ebiblia Enchenu, a native speaker might be expected to express surprise at the realization that Matthew 3:7 referred particularly to venomous snakes.
Summary
For the Confessional Lutheran Pastors and Evangelists of the Abagusii there may not be opportunity to examine resources every time an issue like this arises. The issues of vocabulary might be minimal at times. At other times they might be very significant. It is important to have an awareness of your own language use and how it might differ from those around you. And be aware that the translators of Ebiblia Enchenu may have had experience with forms in Ekegusii that differ in some ways from the experience of other native speakers in different areas. Similarly, the authors of the Authoritative Ekegusii Dictionary did significant survey research to present a wide representation of Ekegusii usage. But they cannot have been able to get every tradition. And their volume suffers the same problems as any other dictionary: the change of the language through time and the affects of urbanization, cultural change, etc.
As to the substitution or use of the term ring'erere in place of ching'iti in Matthew 3:7, this is where native speakers can use their judgment and provide opportunity to teach their hearers more accurately using the clearest expressions they know.
Dictionary References
I have included citations from The Authoritative Ekegusii Dictionary: Endabaro Endabasia Y'Ekegusii, First Edition, K.M. Bosire and G.K. Machogu, Ekegusii Encyclopedia Project, Republic of Kenya, 2009. Abbreviated AED.
AED p. 222
ebasweti [ebasweti] n. python; huge snake that kills by crushing its prey. Pl: chibasweti. Note: considered a taboo or bad omen to come into its sight or contact; the victim will have to be cleansed through an elaborate cleansing ritual.AED p. 338
ekeromerambebakabere [ekeromerambebakabere] n. a type of snake thought to have two a heads (head for a tail): Pl: ebiromarambebakaberere.AED p. 340
ekeuge [ekeuge.] adj. a type of bearded short snake with lethal poison and which makes sound like a cat. Pl: ebiuge.AED p. 376
enchoka [e.ncho.ka] 1. n. black/green mamba; a poisonous African snake: 2. n. Satan; devil. Pl: chinchoka.AED p. 384
eng'endanse [e.ng'e.ndanse] n. snake; an animal with a long thin body and no legs, that often has a poisonous bite: Pl: ching'endanse.AED p. 385
eng'iti [eng'iti] 1. n. animal, any living creature including a person but not a plant: 2 n. snake; an animal with a long thin body and no legs, that often has a poisonous bite: serpent. Syn: engendanse. Pl: ching'itiAED p. 389
engendanse [e.nge.ndanse] n. snake; a reptile with a very long thin body and no legs. Syn: eng'iti. Pl: chingendanse.AED p. 407
enyaronyansi [enyaronyansi] n. green mamba; a posonous green African snake: Pl: chinyaronsi.AED p. 828
orwerwe [orwe.rwe.] n. snake; allied to back mamba. Note: has hightly poisonous venom and attacks its victims easilyAED p. 877
ring'erere [ring'erere] n. a type of snake with a small head and big trunk or tail: Pl: amang'erere.AED p. 880
rinyamoutoki [rinyamoutoki] n. puff adder; a type of poisonous snake, adder. Pl: amanyamoutoki. Note: produces a hissing sound as a warning (goutoka) when provokedAED p. 885
rirubi [rirubi] n. snake, spitting or Indian cobra: Pl: amarubi. Note: African or Asian snake that can spread the skin of its neck to make itself look bigger.
