Paragraph 2:12
2:12a
And: In some languages, it may be natural to begin 2:12 with a word or phrase that shows that the wise men’s dream occurred some time after they gave gifts. For example:
Later (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Then (Good News Translation)
having been warned in a dream: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as having been warned is passive.
Here are some ways to translate this verb:
• Use a passive verb. For example:
Later they were warned in a dream (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
And having been warned by God in a dream (New American Standard Bible)
• Use an active verb. For example:
God had warned them in a dream (Good News Translation)
-or-
God instructed/told them in a dream
warned: Here are some other ways to translate this word:
advised
-or-
told/instructed
-or-
informed
not to return to Herod: The phrase not to return to Herod was God’s warning in the dream. It is implied that they should not return to Herod and tell him where Jesus was.
Also, it may be more natural in some languages to make this direct speech. For example:
“Do not go back to Herod.”
-or-
“You (plur.) must not return to Herod.”
2:12b
they withdrew to their country: The wise men went back to their own country where they lived. They returned to their homeland. For example:
they went back home (Contemporary English Version)
by another route: They returned a different way. They did not go back the same way they had come. They did this to avoid seeing Herod again.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
by another road (Good News Translation)
-or-
a different way
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