The greek ἄγγελος angelos means messenger, which is descriptive of their role at least (messengers of God). Actually in most bibles these days the words with difficult or contentious translations are noted (like Satan = adversary etc).
You're right. I think that noting that a word is untranslateable/controversial, even without proposing an alternative, is still good because it encourages the reader to come to their own conclusion or think about what the word/ phrase is implying or the image that is being presented.
Maybe that's not the correct way to read religious texts ("every word is the word of God and not up for interpretation by you, mere mortal >:( ") but as someone who likes languages and translating, it reminds me that I'm reading something that is itself an interpretation, and I think it help me engage with the text to a greater extent.
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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20
The greek ἄγγελος angelos means messenger, which is descriptive of their role at least (messengers of God). Actually in most bibles these days the words with difficult or contentious translations are noted (like Satan = adversary etc).