Un amor de narices

I am doing some translating of Fray Luis de León, a 16th Spanish theologian, who often paraphrased the Bible. However, his versions are often very unique sounding in that they try to render Semitic expressions into Spanish. Previous translations had not captured this aspect which also sounds very weird in the original Spanish.

For example:

«Yo soy amoroso entrañablemente, compasivo, ancho de narices, sufrido y de mucha espera, grande en perdón, fiel y leal en la palabra, que extiendo mis bienes por mil generaciones de hombres.»


Here is my translation:

“I am endearingly loving, compassionate, wide-nosed (i.e. slow to anger), longsuffering and waiting, great in forgiveness, faithful and loyal in words. For I extend My goods for a thousand generations of men” (Ex. 34:6-7).

Compare this with the NAB, RSV, and King James:

NAB
6
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out, "The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity,
7
continuing his kindness for a thousand generations


RSV

[6] The LORD passed before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
[7] keeping steadfast love for thousands

King James
[6] And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
[7] Keeping mercy for thousands


However, we can then make the following Spanish joke:


O sea que Dios nos tiene un amor de narices. Ya caigo.