Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 2:19:
Uma: “Yesus answered them with this parable [lit., example words], he said to them: ‘As for people at a wedding feast, do they fast while accompanying the bridegroom? Of course not. While the bridegroom is still with them they do not fast.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Isa answered them in a parable. He compared his disciples to people at a wedding. He said, ‘Can the people at a wedding fast as long as the bridegroom is still there with them? No. As long as the bridegroom is still there with them they cannot fast.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Jesus answered parabling, ‘If someone has-a-wedding-ceremony, do you think do-you-suppose (rhet. question) that the friends of the man-getting-married will not join-in-eating, whom he invited? They will certainly eat, because it is unseemly if they fast and the man-getting-married is still with them.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Jesus replied, saying, ‘Can the people fast who have been invited to a marriage-feast as long as that man whose marriage is being celebrated is still with them? Of course not.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Ebira: “Jesus said to them: ‘Can the people (the relatives and friends of) a man, who is in the process of getting a wife, fast while the husband is with them? They cannot fast when the husband of the girl is with them.'” (Ebira does not have formal terms for “wedding,” “groom,” and “bride”) (Source: Hans-Jürgen Scholz in Holzhausen 1991, p. 34)
Peñoles Mixtec: “Is it fitting that people who are at a wedding feast, that they won’t eat anything? No! They will eat a lot, because they are rejoicing with their friend who is going to marry his wife.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
English translation by Michael Pakaluk (2019): “Jesus said to them, ‘Can the friends of the bridegroom fast, when the bridegroom is with them? No. So long as the bridegroom is with them, they cannot fast.”
Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 12:39:
Uma: “They are happy to be seated in the honorable seats in the prayer houses. They are happy if they are seated in the good seats in the feasts.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “If in the prayer-house, they want to sit in the seat for the respected people. Likewise if they are at a feast, their wish is to sit in the most prominent seat.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “And when they are in the church, they want that they are the oens to be seated in the seats of high people. And they also want that they are greatly respected when they attend feasts.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “They also choose the best seats in the sinagoga (synagogue), and when they go to join-in-eating, it has to be the important people that they go and sit-with.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “And their favorite seats in the worship-place are the seats where important people are seated. It’s like that too at feasts.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Choapan Zapotec: “Also they want to sit where the respected people sit in the synagogue. Also when there is a fiesta, they want to eat first.” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 3:30:
Huehuetla Tepehua: “It is necessary that it be known that he is the great one. But it is necessary that I be thought nothing of.”
Aguaruna: “He will be more surpassing. I will not be great, I will be small.”
Isthmus Mixe: “He must be honored by many people, but I will no longer be honored.”
Chol: “Christ must be the more important one. I must be made less important.”
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “It is necessary that they follow Jesus more and more and that they follow me less and less.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “He is the one whose life must be made high, and my life must be made low.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “He has to become greater/more honored but I have to become lower/less,’ said Yahiya.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For example, if there is a man being married, the bride belongs to him. As for the wedding arranger, his breath is very good when he hears that bridegroom talking with the one he has married. It’s like that also because it pleases me very much if many follow Jesus,’ said John. ‘It is necessary that mine should be removed.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “It is necessary that he be-made-greater (lit. high) while-simultaneously I become-lower.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “It’s necessary that he becomes praiseworthy/highly-praised, but as for me, I just become insignificant.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “That one, the people must know better that he surpasses, and I must be second more.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of 1 John 4:2:
Uma: “This is a sign so that we know who is controlled by the Spirit which is from God: all people who admit-confess that Yesus is the Redeemer King who became a man/human, those people are-children of God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “Like this you can recognize the people that have God’s Spirit: whoever says that Isa Almasi came to the world in the body of a human/mankind, that person has God’s Spirit.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “Any spirit which says that Jesus, the one God chose to rule, has become human, that spirit comes from God. By means of this, you can perceive the spirit which comes from God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “The way-that-you -can-distinguish whether the Holy Spirit is the source of what they are saying is this: if they acknowledge that Jesus is the Cristo who became a person, the Spirit of God is where it is from.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Like this is how you can know if it is the Espiritu Santo who was caused to indwell (us) by God who really is the one inspiring (lit.putting it in the mind of) a person. The one who testifies that as for Jesu-Cristo, he really became a real human and came down here to the world, it’s certain that the Espiritu Santo of God is inspiring him.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “I will tell you how you can know whether it is true that the Holy Spirit put into the person’s mind the words he speaks or not. Everyone who says that Jesus Christ truly became human, that is one who truly speaks God’s word.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Yatzachi Zapotec: “This is how we may know if the Spirit of God is in the head-heart of a person: Everyone who says that Jesus Christ is God and he was born a man on this earth, we know that the Spirit of God is in his head-heart.”
Eastern Highland Otomi: “We must know which word is really God’s Word. If it says that God’s chosen-One became a person and he is Jesus Christ, that is really the Word of God.”
Tzotzil: “I will tell you how it is if we have received the Spirit of God. If plainly we say ‘Jesus Christ has come and took his body here in the world (became a person),’ we have received the Spirit of God for sure.” (Source for this and two above: John Beekman in Notes on Translation 12, November 1964, p. 1ff.)
Candoshi-Shapra: “The one who says, ‘Jesus Christ arrived with-his-very-body,’ says it by God’s Spirit. By that means we recognize God’s Spirit. Only the very one who says that is from God.”
Yanesha’: “Here, therein you will know our Father, his following: Whichever is the one which admits that Jesus Christ was born as a human here on earth, that following comes from our Father.”
Aguaruna: “‘Jesus Christ becoming person was born,’ saying, that thought it is of God. Like that you all are able to know ‘It belongs to God,’ saying.”
Murui Huitoto: “Everyone who tells that Jesus Christ became a man pertains to God. From telling like this you will know God’s teller.” (Source for this and two above: Mildred Larson in Notes on Translation, July 1965, p. 1-15)
Following are a number of back-translations of Mark 4:25:
Uma: “People who receive God’s Word, their hearts will be made clear, so they will know even more. But people who don’t want to receive God’s Word, even what little they know, it will be taken from them.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “This means, a person if he listens well, his understanding will increase. But if a person doesn’t listen well, even if he has some/little knowledge/wisdom, it will eventually leave him.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For the person who accepts what God causes him to understand, God will add to his understanding. But the person who does not accept what God causes him to understand, the little which he understands will be taken away from him.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Because the person who heeds what he is hearing, his understanding will be added-to, but the one who doesn’t heed, even the little that he understood will cease-to-exist.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Because as for the person who tries to understand what he has heard from me, his understanding/wisdom will be increased by God until what he knows is a lot/enough. But as for that one who doesn’t try to understand this which he has heard, even what he has understood will be removed by God so that it won’t come to anything.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
San Mateo Del Mar Huave: “Because if anyone really gives understanding to my words, well, he will be given to understand more. But if there is one who really doesn’t want to hear any more, even if he has already found a little bit, he will forget it.'” (Source: B. Moore / G. Turner in Notes on Translation 1967, p. 1ff.)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 1:12:
Alekano: “He showed the way to the ones who loved him so that they could become God’s people. He did that to the ones who believed concerning him.”
Lalana Chinantec: “But there were some who did accept him, who believed on him. They are the ones who were given authority to become the sons of God.”
Uma: “But whoever received him and believed in Him, he gave them authority [lit., seat] to become children of God.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “But whoever receives/received the Word and believes/believed in him, he gives/gave them authority to become children of God.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, anyone who did receive and believe in him, he gave them the right so that they might become the children of God.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “But there were however some who received (him) who were the ones who believed in him. It was to them that he gave the right to become children of God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “But there were indeed people who believed-in/obeyed and trusted-in/relied-on him. These ones, he gave them the authority/right to be able to be regarded as children of God.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “But all those who looked favorably upon him and believed that he is the savior were given the permission to become the children of God.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “But whoever received and believed in him he gave the right to become a child of God.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Mairasi: “But they themselves who received Him all received power with the result that they themselves become children Belonging to Above-One, specifically those people who believe His Name:” (Source: Enggavoter 2004)
Bariai: “But whoever (pl.) received him and believed in him, they’re the very ones whom he allowed to become God’s children.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
Kupsabiny: “but there are some people who welcomed and entrusted themselves to him. He accepted/allowed those people to become children of God.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Following are a number of back-translations of John 8:32:
Ojitlán Chinantec: “And you will know the nature of the truth. And you will be liberated on account of having accepted the truth.”
Huehuetla Tepehua: ” . . . and when you know the truth you will be taken from your servanthood.”
Aguaruna: “And when you do, you will know truth, and that truth will lead you to freedom.”
Xicotepec De Juárez Totonac: “And you will know what is truth. And because of truth you will not be ruled over by anyone else.”
Chol: “You will begin to become acquainted with the truth of my words. My words are true. They will cause you to become free.”
Yatzachi Zapotec: “You will know what my true words mean, and if you know what they mean, you will no longer be under the foot of evil like slaves.”
Lalana Chinantec: “. . . You will no longer need to work without pay like you do now.” (Source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Uma: “and if you are really my followers, you will really know the true teaching, with the result that you will be free.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “And you will know as to what is the truth from God. And this truth will free you from what is enslaving you.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “You will know the true doctrine, and by means of this you will be set free from slavery.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “You will come-to-know the truth concerning me, and by-means-of this truth, you will-be-set-free.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “You will really recognize the truth, and this truth is what will release you.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Tenango Otomi: “And you will know the true word and the true word will save you.'” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
In many English translations the Greek terms “hieron” (the whole “temple” in Jerusalem or specifically the outer courts open to worshippers) and “naos” (the inner “shrine” or “sanctuary”) are translated with only one word: “temple” (see also for instance “Tempel” in German [for exception see below] and “tempel” in Dutch, Danish, or Afrikaans).
Other languages make a distinction: (Click or tap here to see more)
Navajo (Dinė): “house in which worship is carried out” (for naos)
Balinese: “inner part of the Great Temple” (“the term ‘inner part’ denoting the hindmost and holiest of the two or three courts that temples on Bali usually possess”) vs. “Great Temple”
Telugu: “womb (i.e. interior)-of-the-abode” vs. “abode”
Thai: a term denoting the main audience hall of a Buddhist temple compound vs. “environs-of-the-main-audience-hall”
Kituba: “place of holiness of house-God Lord” vs. “house-God Lord”
Shipibo-Conibo: “deep in God’s house” vs. “God’s house” (source: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
Germandas Buch translation by Roland Werner (publ. 2009-2022): “inner court of the temple” (Tempelinnenhof) vs. “temple”
Languages that, like English, German, Dutch, Danish, or Afrikaans, don’t make that distinction include:
Toraja-Sa’dan: “house that is looked upon as holy, that is sacred, that is taboo and where one may not set foot” (lit. “house where-the-belly-gets-swollen” — because taboo is violated — using a term that is also applied to a Muslim mosque) (source for this and the three above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
Aguaruna: “the house for talking to God” (source for this and above: M. Larson / B. Moore in Notes on Translation February 1970, p. 1-125.)
Guhu-Samane: “festival longhouse of God” (“The biiri, ‘festival longhouse’, being the religious and social center of the community, is a possible term for ‘temple’. It is not the ‘poro house’ as such. That would be too closely identified with the cult of poro. The physical features of the building, huge and sub-divided, lend it further favor for this consideration. By qualifying it as ‘God’s biiri’ the term has become meaningful and appropriate in the context of the Scriptures.”) (Source: Ernest Richert in The Bible Translator, 1965, p. 81ff. )
Enga: “God’s restricted access house” (source: Adam Boyd on his blog )
Another distinction that tends to be overlooked in translations is that between hieron (“temple” in English) and sunagógé (“synagogue” in English). Euan Fry (in The Bible Translator 1987, p. 213ff. ) reports on this:
“Many older translations have simply used transliterations of ‘temple’ and ‘synagogue’ rather than trying to find equivalent terms or meaningful expressions in their own languages. This approach does keep the two terms separate; but it makes the readers depend on explanations given by pastors or teachers for their understanding of the text.
“Translators who have tried to find meaningful equivalents, for the two terms ‘temple’ and ‘synagogue’ have usually made a distinction between them in one of two ways (which focus on the contrasting components of meaning). One way takes the size and importance of the Temple to make a contrast, so that expressions such as ‘sacred meeting/ worship house of the Jews’ and ‘big sacred meeting/worship house of the Jews’ are used. The other way focuses on the different nature of the religious activity at each of the places, so that expressions such as ‘meeting/worship house of the Jews’ and ‘sacrifice/ceremony place of the Jews’ are used.
“It is not my purpose in this article to discuss how to arrive at the most precise equivalent to cover all the components of meaning of ‘temple’. That is something that each translator really has to work through for himself in the light of the present usage and possibilities in his own language. My chief concern here is that the basic term or terms chosen for ‘temple’ should give the reader of a translation a clear and correct picture of the location referred to in each passage. And I am afraid that in many cases where an equivalent like ‘house of God’ or ‘worship house’ has been chosen, the readers have quite the wrong picture of what going to the Temple or being in the Temple means. (This may be the case for the word ‘temple’ in English too, for many readers.)”
Here are some examples:
Bambara: “house of God” (or: “big house of worship”) vs. “worship house” (or: “small houses of worship”)
Toraja-Sa’dan: “house where-the-belly-gets-swollen” (see above) vs. “meeting house for discussing matters concerning religious customs” (and “church” is “house where one meets on Sunday”)
Navajo (Dinė): “house in which worship is carried out” vs. “house of gathering” (source for all above: Bratcher / Nida)
Click or tap here to see a short video clip about Herod’s temple (source: Bible Lands 2012)Click or tap here to see a short video clip showing synagogues in New Testament times (source: Bible Lands 2012)
