The name that is transliterated as “Dionysius” in English means “divinely touched.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it# is translated with a sign that combines the signs for “toga” (which were worn by the councilors of the Areopagus of which Dionysius was one), “responsibility,” and “consecration,” symbolizing his conversion to Christianity. (Source: Missão Kophós )
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 17:34:
Uma: “But there were some that followed Paulus and believed Yesus: One of those who believed Yesus, his name was Dionisius, a leader of the gathering that was at Areopagus Mountain. There was also one woman who was named Damaris, and a few others also.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “There were some men who joined him and trusted in Isa. Some of them were Diyonisi, one of that council, and a woman named Damaris, and there were also others.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “There were people there who believed in Jesus, and they followed Paul. These were Dionysius and company, one of the chiefs there in the Areopagus, and also a woman named Damaris, and there were also some others who believed.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “But there were however those who followed him who believed in Jesus. There was Dionisius a leader of the Areopagus, there was a woman named Damaris, and there were also others.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “But there were also some who became-constant-companions of Pablo and believed in the Lord. One of those believers was Dionisio who was one of those highest judges in Atenas. Another was a woman named Damaris. And there were still others who were their companions.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Joined him may be rendered as “took sides with him” or “identified themselves with.” The term believed must probably be understood in this context as “became believers.” Certainly more is implied than merely “believed what Paul had said.”
It is significant that Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, became a believer, since the Areopagus was a closed body and to belong to it was a great honor. Neither Dionysius nor Damaris are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament.
The final phrase and some others may be expressed as “and there were also some other people who believed.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
But some joined him and believed: The Greek words here are literally “some men, having been glued/joined to him, believed.” The verb “glued/joined” indicates that the people who believed became devoted students of Paul’s teaching about Jesus. Other ways to translate this clause are:
there were some who attached themselves to him and became believers, (New Jerusalem Bible) -or-
Some people ⌊there⌋ devoted themselves to Paul ⌊and his teaching⌋, and believed. -or-
Some people ⌊there⌋ devoted themselves to Paul ⌊and to what he taught⌋, and believed ⌊in Jesus⌋.
The Greek probably implies that the people became students of Paul first and then believed.
But some: Here the word some refers generally to people, because the list in 17:34b–c includes a woman. For example:
some of the people (New Century Version)
believed: Here the verb believed implies that the people believed in Jesus. For example:
put their faith in the Lord (Contemporary English Version)
17:34b
including Dionysius the Areopagite: The word including indicates that Dionysius was one of the people who believed. Other ways to translate this clause are:
among whom was Dionysius (Good News Translation)
the Areopagite: The phrase the Areopagite indicates that Dionysius was one of the men who participated in the city council of Athens, which was called the Areopagus. This word also occurs in 17:19. The Revised English Bible translates it here with the same phrase:
the Council of the Areopagus (Revised English Bible)
However, the Good News Translation uses an explanatory phrase in 17:19 (“the city council, the Areopagus”). The Good News Translation shortens it here to:
the council (Good News Translation)
17:34c
others who were with them: This phrase indicates that more people than just Dionysius and Damaris believed in Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
others besides (New Jerusalem Bible) -or-
some other people (Good News Translation)
Living Water is produced for the Bible translation movement in association with Lutheran Bible Translators. Lyrics derived from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
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