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Appendix A2 of the English New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition), entitled “Features of This Revision”, discusses vocabulary changes that have been made in the current revision, words that have been translated differently than before. As noted in various entries in the excellent resource Referenced Theo. Expressions (RTE), Appendix A2 of the current Mandarin version of the New World Translation Bible (nwtsty) correspondingly discusses words that have been translated differently in the current revision of the Mandarin NWT Bible, compared to how they had been translated before.
Since we base what we say in Jehovah’s service on his Word the Bible, the vocabulary used in it—and the way those vocabulary words are translated—should be reflected in how we speak in our ministry, at our meetings, etc. So, it is beneficial for us Mandarin field language learners to be familiar with the latest thinking from the organization on how Bible terms should be translated into Mandarin.
The Many Meanings of “Prophecy”
When we hear the word “prophecy”, we probably generally think of foretelling of the future. Indeed, in the past, we in the Mandarin field generally used this week’s MEotW, “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · say[ing] → [prophecy | prophesy] 预言 預言)”, which literally means “in advance saying”, to translate “prophecy”. However, foretelling of the future is actually only one of several meanings that the English word “prophecy” is used to represent, as explained in the Insight book entry on “Prophecy”:
PROPHECY
An inspired message; a revelation of divine will and purpose or the proclamation thereof. Prophecy may be an inspired moral teaching, an expression of a divine command or judgment, or a declaration of something to come. Prediction, or foretelling, is not the basic thought conveyed by the root verbs in the original languages (Heb., na·vaʼʹ; Gr., pro·phe·teuʹo); yet it forms an outstanding feature of Bible prophecy.
Since there is such a mismatch between “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · say[ing] → [prophecy | prophesy] 预言 預言)” and the possible meanings of “prophecy” that do not involve the future, “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · say[ing] → [prophecy | prophesy] 预言 預言)” has often been the cause of misunderstandings. So, depending on the context, the current Mandarin version of the New World Translation Bible (nwtsty) will sometimes use other expressions where previous versions used “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · say[ing] → [prophecy | prophesy] 预言 預言)”.
Mandarin “Prophecy” Now and Then
For example, in Romans 12:6, where previously the Mandarin NWT Bible used “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · sayings → [prophecies] 预言 預言)”, the current version uses “Shàngdì (Shàng·dì Above’s · {Emperor → [God]} → [God] 上帝) de (’s 的) xìnxī (xìn·xī {letters → [messages]} · news → [messages] 信息)”:
Another example can be found at 1 Corinthians 12:10, which now uses “shòu (receiving 受) Shàngdì (Shàng·dì Above’s · {Emperor → [God]} → [God] 上帝) qǐshì (qǐ·shì {opening → [enlightening]} · showing → [revealing] 启示 啟示) fāyán (fā·yán {issuing forth} · speech → [speaking] 发言 發言)” instead of “shuō ({to speak} 说 說/説) yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · sayings → [prophecies] 预言 預言)”:
(And yes, that is indeed the “qǐshì (qǐ·shì {opening → [enlightening]} · showing → [revealing] 启示 啟示)” that’s in “Qǐshìlù (Qǐ·shì·lù {Opening → [Enlightening]} · Showing · Record → [Revelation] 启示录 啟示錄)”.)
Of course, the Bible does indeed often speak of foretelling of the future, so in scriptures like Ezekiel 38:14, the current Mandarin NWT Bible continues to use “yùyán (yù·yán {in advance} · say[ing] → [prophecy | prophesy] 预言 預言)”.
