21:24a

They will fall by the edge of the sword: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as They will fall by the edge of the sword is literally “and they will fall by the mouth of the sword.” This is a figure of speech that refers to people being killed in battle. Here it indicates that enemy soldiers would attack and kill many Jewish people. In many languages this figure of speech may not have the right meaning. If that is true in your language, some other ways to translate it are:

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. You can translate the verb as either active or passive. For example:

They will be killed by the sword (New Century Version)
-or-

⌊Soldiers⌋ will kill them

• Use a different figure of speech with the same meaning. For example:

Swords will cut them down (God’s Word)

Translate the meaning in a natural way in your language.

They: The pronoun They or “them” (Contemporary English Version) refers here to many, but not all, of the Jewish people. In some languages it is necessary to make this explicit. For example:

Some of them will be killed by swords. (Contemporary English Version)

by the edge of the sword: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by the edge of the sword is literally “by the mouth of the sword.” This phrase is a figure of speech that refers to the “sharp edge” or “point” of a sword. Enemy soldiers would fight and kill many Jews with swords and other weapons.

sword: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sword was the main weapon that soldiers used during the first century. Roman swords were large straight metal knives with two sharp edges.

21:24b

and be led captive into all the nations: This clause tells something that will happen to many other Jews, who will not be killed. In some languages it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

and ⌊many others⌋ will be taken as prisoners to many foreign countries

Since 21:24a and 21:24b are alternatives, both events could not happen to the same people. It some languages, it is more natural to use a conjunction like “or” instead of and. For example:

or will be led away captive all over the world

be led captive: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be led captive is literally “they will be led captive.” This verb is passive. It implies that many Jews will be captured and taken from their homeland to other places as prisoners.

In some languages it may be more natural to use an active verb and supply a subject. For example:

and/or ⌊the soldiers⌋ will capture them and lead them to many distant lands

all the nations: The phrase all the nations refers to many other countries. However, it does not literally refer to every country in the world. In some languages it may be helpful to translate this as:

into many different/foreign countries

21:24c

And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles: In this context the Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be trodden down refers to “walking or treading heavily with the feet.” It implies an intent to damage what is walked on. Here the phrase is used in a figurative way. It implies that the Gentiles/nations who conquer Jerusalem will walk the streets of the city, treating it and its people with contempt.

The clause Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles is passive. In many languages it may be necessary to translate it as an active clause. For example:

The Gentiles will trample Jerusalem
-or-
The Gentile nations will tread/tramp abusively through the city

Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Gentiles means “nations.” Here it obviously refers to other nations that do not include the Jewish nation (Israel). Other ways to translate it are:

Nations (God’s Word)
-or-
non-Jewish people (New Century Version)

21:24d

until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the times of the Gentiles refers to the period of time that God has allotted/given to the Gentile nations. This context probably implies that it is the period of time when God will allow them to control Jerusalem. Other ways to translate this are:

until their time is over (New Century Version)
-or-
until the times allowed for the nations ⌊to do this⌋ are over (God’s Word)
-or-
until the time that ⌊God⌋ ⌊has given/allotted⌋ to the nations is completed

are fulfilled: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are fulfilled means “have come to an end” or “have been completed.” This word implies that some purpose has been fulfilled.

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