Memorable Verses
Attributes that make Luther's translation of the Bible certainly characteristic are, on the one hand, a poetic, embellishing style, and on the other hand, his connection and closeness to the German people and their language.
These passages are exemplary:
| Verse | Luther Bible | English translation (literal) | English meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:23 | " Man wird sie Männin heißen, darum daß sie vom Manne genommen ist." | "One will call her she-man, therefore that she was taken out of the man." | " She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." | Here Luther tried to preserve the resemblance of Hebrew ish (man) and ishah (woman) by adding the female German suffix -in to the masculine word Mann, because the correct word (at that time), Weib, does not resemble it. (As neither does the modern Frau.) As like as adding she- to man in English, adding -in to Mann in German is to be considered grammatically awkward. |
| Matthew 12:34 | " Wes das Herz voll ist, des geht der Mund über." | "Of what the heart is full, of that the mouth overflows." | " For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." | Luther used this as an example of how he would translate something for the people to understand it correctly. |
| John 11:35 | "Und Jesus gingen die Augen über." | "And Jesus' eyes overflowed." | "Jesus wept." | Poetic. |
| John 19:5 | " Sehet, welch ein Mensch!" | "Behold what a man (this is)!" | " Behold the man!" | Luther emphasizes Jesus' glory despite this ignoble situation, though it is to be considered an incorrect translation. See also: Ecce Homo. |
Read more about this topic: Luther Bible
Famous quotes containing the words memorable and/or verses:
“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”
—John Adams (1735–1826)
“All ye poets of the age,
All ye witlings of the stage,
Learn your jingles to reform,
Crop your numbers to conform.
Let your little verses flow
Gently, sweetly, row by row;
Let the verse the subject fit,
Little subject, little wit.
Namby-Pamby is your guide,
Albion’s joy, Hibernia’s pride.”
—Henry Carey (1693?–1743)