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OET (OET-LV) Behold, also the ships, so_great being, and by winds hard being_driven, is_being_directed by the_least rudder, wherever the impulse of_the one straightening is_wishing.
OET (OET-RV) Similarly, even huge ships that are being driven on by strong winds are controlled by a small rudder and can be steered wherever the captain desires.
In this section, James warned believers to be careful with their speech. When believers do not control what they say, it can have a devastating, evil impact. This was an especially serious danger for those who taught others in the church. James reinforced his warning with a series of comparisons or illustrations to show how important it is that Christians control their speech.
Introduction
3:1–2a: Becoming a teacher in the church is a serious thing to do
The tongue is compared to small things which have large effects
3:2b–3 | A small bit can turn a horse |
3:4–5c | A small rudder can turn a sailing ship |
3:5d–6 | A small fire can destroy much |
3:7–8 | Animals can be tamed but not our tongues |
Each of us should be consistent in using our tongue for good
3:9–10 | The tongue should not be used for both blessing and cursing |
3:11 | Springs produce one kind of water |
3:12 | Trees produce one kind of fruit |
Some other possible headings for this section are:
We must control our speechTranslator’s Handbook on James, page 100.
Controlling the things we say (NCV)
In this paragraph, James used the illustration of how a small rudder can turn a large ship. In a similar way, the tongue, even though it is a small part of the body, can have enormous effects.
Consider ships as well.
¶ For another example, think(plur) about sailing ships.
¶ Think(plur) also about big boats.
¶ Another example is a large canoe.
Consider ships as well: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as Consider ships as well is literally “Look, the ships also.” These words introduce James’ second comparison and call attention to that example. Use a natural expression for introducing an illustration in a way that gets the attention of the readers/hearers. For example:
Also, listen to this example of ships
Or think of a ship (GNT)
ships: The Greek word that the BSB translates as ships may refer to any kind of ship or boat. In this verse, James mentions the wind (3:4c). So it is clear that here he was thinking of sailing ships.
A sailing ship is a large boat that uses the power of the wind to move it across the water. One or more sails (very large pieces of strong cloth) are attached to tall posts on the ship. The wind blows against the cloth which in turn pushes the whole boat.
Some ways to translate this word are:
big sailing ships
huge canoes with sails
very large boats
In some languages, it is more natural to use a singular word “ship” here.
If the idea of a large boat with sails is not known by the people of your region, you may want to include an illustration at this place in your translation.
Although they are so large
Even though they are very big,
Even if a boat is very big
A man can control a large canoe
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds: In this clause, James listed two things that make it hard to control a ship: its size and the powerful winds that blow on it.
and are driven by strong winds,
and strong winds drive/force them to move along,
and it is moved only by strong winds,
that a powerful wind pushes.
are driven by strong winds: The clause are driven by strong winds indicates that it takes strong winds to cause these ships to move. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
are pushed by strong winds
are carried by strong winds
are blown by strong winds
The verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
Use a passive verb. For example:
it is pushed by strong winds (NCV)
Use an active verb. For example:
strong winds…move a large sailing ship (CEV)
and seamen use strong winds to move their large sailing ships
they are steered by a very small rudder
only a very small rudder steers/guides them.
it can be turned by a tiny oar
He can control it with/using just a small paddle
they are steered by a very small rudder: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as steered is from the same verb as the word translated “guide” in 3:3c. It refers to turning or changing the direction of something that is moving.
Some other ways to translate this verb are:
they are guided by a very small rudder (RSV)
are controlled by a very small rudder (JBP)
This verb is passive. There are at least two ways to translate it:
Use a passive verb. For example:
it can be steered by a very small rudder (GNT)
using an active verb. For example:
a very small rudder controls that big ship (NCV)
the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction (CEV)
rudder: A rudder is a device that sailors use to steer a boat. It is attached to the back or the side of the boat. In ancient boats, it consisted of a wide, flat piece of wood attached to the end of a long pole. The man who steered the boat held one end of the pole and the other end with the flat piece of wood went down into the water. By pushing or pulling the pole, he was able to change the direction that the boat was going.
Some ways to translate rudder are:
Use a specific word. For example:
rudder
Use a word for the piece of wood that moves and turns canoes. For example:
paddle/oar
Use a descriptive phrase. For example:
a small steering paddle/thing
Each ship had one rudder. If you have spoken of “ships” in the plural in 3:4a–b, you may need to speak of rudders in the plural.
wherever the pilot is inclined.
The pilot uses it to turn the ship in the direction he wishes to go.
to go wherever the boatman decides.
to make it go wherever he wants.
pilot: The Greek word that the BSB translates as pilot refers to the man who steers a boat using a rudder. Some other ways to translate this word are:
boatman
oarsman
the sailor/man who steers
Each ship had one pilot. If you have been talking about “ships,” consider whether you will need to say “pilot” or “pilots” here.
is inclined: James emphasizes that it is the man who steers the boat who determines its direction. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
in the direction the pilot wants to cause it to go
wherever the pilot chooses to go (NLT)
In some languages, it may be helpful to reorder this verse so that 3:4b–c comes after 3:4d–e. For example:
4aFor another example, think about a sailing ship. 4eThe pilot directs it wherever he wishes 4dby means of a tiny rudder, 4beven though the ship may be very large 4cand only strong winds can move it.
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἰδοὺ, καὶ τὰ πλοῖα
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
The term Behold focuses the attention of a listener or reader on what a speaker or writer is about to say. Though it literally means “look” or “see,” the term can be used to suggest giving notice and attention, and that is how James is using it here. Alternate translation: [Also consider the case of ships]
Note 2 topic: translate-unknown
πλοῖα & πηδαλίου
ships & rudder
These ships are large vessels that are used to transport people or goods by water. A rudder is a flat device attached to the back of a ship under water that is used to steer it. If your readers would not be familiar with what ships are and what a rudder is, in your translation you could use the name of another transportation vehicle and a different device, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: [trucks … steering wheel] or [large vehicles … steering device]
τηλικαῦτα ὄντα, καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα
so_great being (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: [Even though they are so large and driven by strong winds]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
τηλικαῦτα ὄντα, καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα
so_great being (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
If your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [Even though they are so large, and strong winds drive them]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου
˓is_being˒_directed (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
James is using the action of turning a ship to mean guiding or controlling the ship in general. (For example, a person might turn a ship in order to keep it upright, not just to direct it to a certain place.) Alternate translation: [it is controlled by the smallest rudder] or [it is guided by the smallest rudder]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου
˓is_being˒_directed (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
If your language does not use this passive form, you can express this with an active form. Alternate translation: [the smallest rudder turns it]
μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου
˓is_being˒_directed (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
Since James speaks of ships in the plural, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural in this clause as well. Alternate translation: [they are turned by the smallest rudders] or [the smallest rudders turn them]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole
ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου
˓the˒_least rudder
James says smallest, using the superlative form of the adjective “small,” to express a meaning of the adjective in its positive form. Your language may use superlative forms in the same way. If not, you could translate this using the positive form. Alternate translation: [a very small rudder]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / personification
ὅπου ἡ ὁρμὴ τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται
wherever the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού καί τά πλοῖα τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καί ὑπό ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα μετάγεται ὑπό ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμή τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται)
James speaks of the inclination of the person steering a boat as if it were a living thing that desired to go in one direction or another. Alternate translation: [in whatever direction the one steering the boat wants it to go]
OET (OET-LV) Behold, also the ships, so_great being, and by winds hard being_driven, is_being_directed by the_least rudder, wherever the impulse of_the one straightening is_wishing.
OET (OET-RV) Similarly, even huge ships that are being driven on by strong winds are controlled by a small rudder and can be steered wherever the captain desires.
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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