complete verse (1 Chronicles 12:25)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 12:25:

  • Kupsabiny: “And the people who came from the clan of Simeon were seven thousands and one hundred (7,100) and they were fierce/skilled in battle.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “From the tribe of Simeon 7,100 soldiers able to fight came for war.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “From the tribe of Simeon: 7,100 good soldiers.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “There were 7,100 men from the tribe of Simeon. They were all strong warriors trained to fight battles.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

large numbers in Angguruk Yali

Many languages use a “body part tally system” where body parts function as numerals (see body part tally systems with a description). One such language is Angguruk Yali which uses a system that ends at the number 27. To circumvent this limitation, the Angguruk Yali translators adopted a strategy where a large number is first indicated with an approximation via the traditional system, followed by the exact number according to Arabic numerals. For example, where in 2 Samuel 6:1 it says “thirty thousand” in the English translation, the Angguruk Yali says teng-teng angge 30.000 or “so many rounds [following the body part tally system] 30,000,” likewise, in Acts 27:37 where the number “two hundred seventy-six” is used, the Angguruk Yali translation says teng-teng angge 276 or “so many rounds 276,” or in John 6:10 teng-teng angge 5.000 for “five thousand.”

This strategy is used in all the verses referenced here.

Source: Lourens de Vries in The Bible Translator 1998, p. 409ff.

See also numbers in Ngalum and numbers in Kombai.

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 12:25

12:25 From Simeon: 7,100 mighty men of valor, ready for battle.

From Simeon’s tribe, there were seven thousand one hundred strong men who knew how to fight well.
-or-
There were seven thousand and one hundred (7,100) men from the tribe of Simeon. They were brave soldiers ready for war.

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