SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Peter 2:25

2:25a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces a quotation from Isaiah that relates to what Peter has just said. Some English versions do not translate this conjunction. Introduce this Old Testament quotation in a way that is natural for your language. Some versions (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version) put the allusion to Isaiah in quotation marks, even though it is not a direct quotation.

you were like sheep going astray: This is a metaphor. In this Old Testament quotation, people who do not know God are compared to sheep. Those are domestic animals that are raised for meat and for wool. In some languages there may not be a word for sheep. If that is true in your language, you may borrow the word for sheep and indicate its meaning with a general word. For example:

an ⌊animal called⌋ sheep

going astray: The phrase going astray means to go in the wrong direction or off the correct path/way. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

wandered away (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
lost (God’s Word)
-or-
gone on the wrong path

2:25b

now: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as now referred to the situation at the time when Peter was writing.

you have returned: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as you have returned here means “have turned to.” Peter’s readers had not been Christians at any previous time in the past. They had not gone back to Jesus after having left him. So the Revised English Bible says:

you have turned towards

the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls: Peter was referring to Jesus Christ. He was the Shepherd of all who believed on him, and he was their Overseer also.

Shepherd: A Shepherd is someone who takes care of animals such as sheep and goats. This is a metaphor. Jesus is like a shepherd in the sense that he leads and cares for those who belong to him. Since this is a very important metaphor in both the New and Old Testaments, it is recommended that you translate it literally. See Psalm 23:1 and John 10:11 as additional examples.

Overseer: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Overseer means one who watches over and protects others. Other ways to translate it include:

guardian (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Protector (New Century Version)
-or-
Keeper (Good News Translation)

your souls: Here the term souls refers to the entire person (as in 1:9), since there is no contrast with “body.” Your souls could be translated as:

you

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