The Invasion of Locusts
NJV. They look like horses, like chargers they gallop on,
Ik. Toputetati lomenio, ŋatiyati ɗita obija -
they gallop like swift steeds = ŋatiyati ɗita obija
ŋatiyati = they run
ɗita = like
obija = rhinos
The Hebrew uses pawrawsh’ (פרש), which can refer to both the horse and driver of a chariot.
However, I chose to use obija rhinos instead of ɲaŋolee horses. Why?
A rhino at full pelt is more unstoppable and thicker-skinned than a horse.
Also, the contrast between a rhino and a swift is greater than that between a horse and a swift.
Matthew 10:5 & 16 (BSB)
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions…
”Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
they look like horses = Toputetati lomenio
lomenio = swallows
toputetati = they look like
What is happening here?
The Bibilical Hebrew is soos (סוס), and the same builds the Modern Hebrew word for horse.
It comes from an unused root, whose original meaning includes
1. the leaping of a horse
2. the rapid flight of a swallow
3. to skip for joy
Thus, soos (סוס) can mean swift or swallow as well as horse.
But this verse is about an incoming plague of locusts – how does skipping for joy come into this?
Matthew 24:3-8 (BSB)
While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered, “See to it that no-one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of rumours and of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
KJV. Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.
Ik. Toputetati lomenio, ŋatiyati ɗita obija -