Language-specific Insights

his face was like the face of an angel

The Greek in Acts 6:15 that is translated as “his face was like the face of an angel” or similar in English is translated in Matumbi as “his face changed to look like that of an angel” as in an transformation-like act. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Coatlán Mixe it is translated as “they saw that he was ‘heart-full’ like an angel” and in Lalana Chinantec as “as is the face of an angel, so is the face of Stephen, for it was very radiant.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

bring his blood on us, make us responsible for his death

The Greek in Acts 5:28 that is translated into English as “make us responsible for his death” or “bring his blood on us” is translated into Fuyug as “throw his blood on our backs” (source: David Clark), as “intend to bring this man’s blood upon us furthermore you are trying to blame us for that person’s death” in Teutila Cuicatec, as “you want to throw the guilt on us that Jesus died” in Lalana Chinantec, and as “you want to charge us for Jesus’ death” in Desano (source for this and two above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

In the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) it is translated a with und wenn es nach eurem Wunch ginge, müssten wir allesamt für Jesu angeblich unschuldig vergossenes Blut büßen or “and if it were up to you, we would all have to atone for Jesus’ supposedly innocently shed blood.”

captain of the temple

The Greek that is often translated as “captain of the temple” in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Desano: “captain of the temple chief of the persons who guard the big temple”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “boss of the big church of the Jews”
  • Chuj: “chief of the guards of God’s house”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “church building leader”
  • Lalana Chinantec: “boss of the soldiers of the church
  • Ayutla Mixtec: “he who is over the soldiers of the temple”
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “the chief of police of the big church” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

beautiful before God

The Greek in Acts 7:20 that is translated as “beautiful before God” in English is translated in the following ways:

times of refreshing

The Greek in Acts 3:20 that is translated as “times of refreshing” or similar in English is translated in the German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999) with Zeit des Aufatmens or “time to breath again freely.”

In Morelos Nahuatl it is translated as “in times of heart-joy,” in Central Pame as “a time when God alone is going to cool you, you will be strengthened,” in Lalana Chinantec as “your hearts will be refreshed as the heart of a person who does work in the hot sun is refreshed when he drinks water,” and in Highland Popoluca as “like the corn is refreshed by rain after drought, so the Lord will refresh you.” (Source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

brothers and fathers

The Greek in Acts 7:2 that is translated as “brothers and fathers” in English is translated in various ways:

  • Purari: “younger and older brothers” (source: David Clark)
  • Mairasi: “fathers, friends, in-laws & all” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • Bariai: “companions and elders” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “all of you, officials of our nation and my brothers”
  • Isthmus Mixe: “old men and brothers” (according to order of respect)
  • Lalana Chinantec “companions, men”
  • Eastern Highland Otomi: “you men, fathers”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “you who are our relatives, and you whom I made my fathers”
  • Highland Popoluca: “my older uncles”
  • Rincón Zapotec: “elders and brothers” (source for this and six above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

See also brothers and fathers.

trance

The Greek that is translated as “trance” in English is translated in Yamba and Bulu as “(my/his) heart was swinging back and forth.” (Source: W. Reyburn in The Bible Translator 1959, p. 1ff. )

In Lalana Chinantec it is translated as “about the same thing as dreaming.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

uneducated and ordinary men

The Greek in Acts 4:13 that is translated as “uneducated and ordinary men” or similar in English is translated in the following ways:

  • Lalana Chinantec: “people who were not learned, humble people
  • Morelos Nahuatl: “hadn’t studied a lot but were like anybody”
  • Chichimeca-Jonaz: “had not studied long in school, truly ordinary people, that is not officials”
  • Chuj: “they had never studied, they were plain people”
  • Teutila Cuicatec: “were not from important families and didn’t know paper (= didn’t have education)”
  • Totontepec Mixe: “they talked like people who plow” (source for this and above: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)
  • Mairasi: “bees’ wax [i.e., ignorant], unschooled men” (source: Enggavoter 2004)
  • German New Testament translation by Berger / Nord (publ. 1999): “can neither read nor write nor have they have received any official schooling”