(Women and Words) Bible Translation as Communication with Dr. Diphus Chemorion

Host Dr. Mimi Haddad meets with Dr. Diphus Chemorion, a member of CBE’s Bible translation Old Testament team. Dr. Diphus Chemorion clearly and methodically describes the process of Bible translation primarily as communication versus theological exposition. The task of translation teams is to aim at biblical clarity in addressing their specific and intended audience. Bible readers can learn more about the translation priorities of each translation team by carefully reading and attending to the preface and footnotes in all Bibles where translation teams disclose their objectives, goals, and intended audience. 

 
Dr. Chemorion states that the goal of CBE’s Gender Accurate Bible translation (GAB) is accuracy related to the dignity and agency of women and men. The team has worked to elevate what has been downplayed through a clear process of deliberation, reading of needed source material, and prayer. When the team disagrees, even in heated conversations, they agree to and practice a discipline of prayer and sleep after a disagreement, and come together to land on a good decision, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead them. And, the Spirit has done just that. Dr. Chemorion says working with the GAB team is his favorite translation team he has yet to experience. 

 

An expert in Old Testament, Dr. Chemorion explored the translation process and decisions made in texts from Genesis 1–3, Job 2:9, Numbers 7:4, and more. 

 

Resources by Dr. Diphus Chemorion: 

• Dr. Diphus Chemorion is author of Community Participation in Scripture Version Design: An Experiment in Translating Jonah into Sabaot and Introduction to Christian Worldview: Meaning, Origins and Perspectives. 
• Dr. Diphus Chemorion is co-editor of Contested Space: Ethnicity and Religion in Kenya 
• Dr. Diphus Chemorion is co-author of The Quest for Gender Equity in Leadership, Published by House of Prisca and Aquila 
• Human Dignity: Interrogating Biblical and Cultural Perspectives on the Creation Mandate in Genesis 1–3 
   

Works cited: 

• God’s Word to Women, by Katharine Bushnell, MD. 

• Other resources on or by Katharine Bushnell, MD can be found at godswordtowomen.org.  
• More information on Katharine Bushnell  

• Dr. Christiane Nord 

• Books by Dr. Christiane Nord 

 

Guest: Dr. Diphus Chosefu Chemorion is an ordained Minister of the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA). He earned his BA in Social Work from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Divinity from St Paul’s University. He also holds a Master of Theology from Emory University (Candler School of Theology) and a Doctor of Theology from Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Rev. Prof. Chemorion has served as an associate professor of Old Testament and dean of faculty of theology at St Paul’s University, Limuru- Kenya. He is also the RCEA Synod professor of theology. Dr. Chemorion has been active in CBE as a speaker and Bible translator.