Due to its length and complexity, I divided Numbers 21:5 into three parts.
For the sake of your fragile sanity, I will publish each part separately, whilst keeping the entire passage at the end of each post.
Herein we discuss the first part:
Numbers 21:5
Part 1:
KJV: And he people spake against God and against Moses
NJB: They spoke against God and against Moses.
Yidiñ: Bulmbaa Bimbii ñaŋgaadyiñu bamaa Maybaa.
against God = Bulmbaa Bimbii
This is the Locative Case Declension of Bulmba Bimbi.
In the original Hebrew, there is no direct equivalent to the word against. Instead, both God and Moses are simply placed into the Hebrew Locative (equivalent). This I have reproduced here.
Typically, the Noun bulmba means shelter, and it is used as a Classifier.
In addition, it can also mean world more generally. I have used it instead of the Classifier bama in order to emphasise how the Israelites are lamenting both Creation and the Creator indiscriminately.
bimbi is a Noun which means father (or father’s brother).
Spoke = ñaŋgaadyiñu
This is the Past Tense Conjugation of the Verb ñaŋgaadyin, which means speak.
It contains the Suffix -:dyin, which has many functions, though if I had to invoke but one, I would choose that of indicating Continuous Action.
As we progress with our translation of Numbers, we will no doubt see this troublesome individual again.
and against Moses = bamaa Maybaa
This is the Locative Case Declension of bama Mayba.
As alluded earlier, bama is a Noun which means human, and functions as a Classifier in appropriate situations.
For Moses, however, I have taken inspiration from the original Hebrew.
Moses is our pronunciation and spelling of the Proper Noun mosheh.
This is derived from the ancient Hebrew root mashah, which means to draw, as in draw out water.
This brings us back to the episode where he strikes the rock with his staff, and water flows out.
Thus, I have taken the combined two Yidiñ words, these being bayba (spring) and murba (under water).
The first, because it ties directly to the story, and the second because it references the waters above the firmament.
At this point, the combination is also quite ironical.
Currently wandering through the Sinai desert, the idea of being below any water is difficult to believe.
Secondly, once they begin to idol-worship the Bronze Serpent, they will, in one sense, cease to occupy the firmament under the waters.
In addition, I could not bring myself to render Moses through a word not starting with /m/.
To end, here is the whole verse.
Numbers 21:5
KJV: And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
NJB: They spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the desert? For there is neither food nor water here; we are sick of this eager diet.’
Yidiñ: Bulmbaa bimbii ñaŋgaadyiñu bamaa Maybaa. “Wañdyaagu ñunduuba ŋanñdyiiñ bulmbam Mijrayiimu gilgii warriilda daybiil? Wunaaŋ ŋudyu mayi ŋudyu gumarri; mayiiŋ gidiildu ŋañdyiimba munduuba daliyi wigiil.”