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When the printed messages of God's prophet, Brother William Marrion Branham, began to be made available to the world in the English language, the need for these messages to be translated into other languages became apparent. Most translators and interpreters committed to the translation ministry do not have English as their first language.
Brother Branham spoke the language of the "common people". He used words and expressions typical of the area of the United States where he was born and raised. Many of these are not to be found in most dictionaries.
It is of the greatest importance that the translator carefully read the paragraphs before and after the paragraph containing the word or phrase with which he is not familiar. This must be done in order to clearly understand the context of what Brother Branham is saying.
One single word can have many meanings, yet be spelled the same. For example, the word "Board".
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1. Board: |
a flat piece of wood whose length is greater than its width. |
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2. Board: |
an organized official body: as a "Board of Directors". |
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3. Board: |
a thin slab of wood for a specific purpose, as in "chessboard". |
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4. Board: |
on or in a vessel, as in "on board" a train or bus. |
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5. Board: |
a "bulletin board" for notices and announcements. |
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6. Board: |
to furnish or take meals with or without lodging. |
As well, many phrases are not to be translated literally. For example, "ROMAN CANDLE".
This is not referring to a candle from Rome! A Roman Candle is a firework consisting of a tube filled with a composition which discharges brilliantly colored balls and sparks of fire.
Let us look at the comparison which Bro. Branham made in his Introduction to the
book, "An Exposition of the Seven Church Ages"
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Though this volume will concern itself with various major doctrines (such as the Godhead, Water Baptism, etc.) found in Revelation, chapters One through Three, its main theme is the setting forth of a detailed study of the Seven Church Ages. This is necessary in order to study and understand the rest of the Revelation, for out of the Ages come the Seals, and out of the Seals come the Trumpets, and out of the Trumpets come the Vials.
Like the first burst of a Roman candle, the Church Ages come forth with a mighty initial illumination, without which there could be no further light.
But once the brilliance of the Seven Church Ages is given by Divine revelation, light upon light follows, until the whole of the Revelation opens wide before our wondering eyes; and we, edified and purified by its Spirit, are made ready for His glorious appearing, even our Lord and Saviour, the One True God, Jesus Christ.
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The Bible was translated from the Greek to the English language. Phrases were translated into the vernacular of the day in which the translators lived. For example, in the King James version of the Bible published in the year 1611, we have the scripture in John 14:2 which reads, "In my father's house are many mansions". We refer to a quote from the message HEAR YE HIM, South Bend, Indiana.58-0209.
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"In my Father's house is many mansions." Now doesn't that sound strange? "In my Father's house…" A little house and many mansions in it sounds strange. ……But the original Greek said, "In my Father's Kingdom is many palaces." That sounds better. Why did King James translate it that way? Because he had the Bible order of the Old Testament. See, the king was the "father." And all of his domain was his subjects; that was his "house." That's the way they understood it. That's the reason English language has so many different meanings to it.
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The Translator's Guide is not a scholarly or academic endeavor. It is simply a tool to assist translators, interpreters, ministers and students of the Endtime Message. The examples we have used, quotes from the printed messages of Brother Branham, are limited. That is, another meaning may be appropriate to a quote we have not listed.
We sincerely thank each and everyone who has contributed to the compilation of The
Translator’s Guide, whether by research, proofreading, formatting or printing.
Our special thanks go to those gifted individuals who worked with the
existing material and created a very fine Website.
As you are reading or translating the messages of William Branham, you may find other puzzling phrases, expressions or words with which you are not familiar. You may send your questions to:
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Bible Believers
P.O. Box 128,
Blaine, Wa. U.S.A.
98231-0128
Fax: (604) 576-1370
E-mail: bbi@bibleway.org
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May God bless you as you serve the Lord in this very important area of ministry.
Your Brother in Christ,
BROTHER ED BYSKAL
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