bound themselves by an oath

The Greek that is translated in English as “bound themselves by an oath” or similar is translated in Lalana Chinantec as “cursed themselves.” (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

more than forty

The Greek that is translated as “more than forty” in English is translated as “about 45” in Isthmus Mixe. (Source: Viola Waterhouse in Notes on Translation August 1966, p. 86ff.)

drink

In Telugu different verbs for humans drinking (tāgu / తాగు) and animals drinking (cēḍu / చేడు) are required.

complete verse (Acts 23:21)

Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 23:21:

  • Uma: “Don’t follow their request! [This command is in 3rd person, since a boy would not say "Don’t you (sing.) do this" to a commander.] Because there are more than forty who are hiding on the road wanting to waylay him. They promised with vowing that they would not eat or drink if they have not-yet killed him. Now they are ready out there, just waiting for a reply from Head.'” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But don’t listen to them because there are more than forty men who are hiding to ambush Paul,’ the man said. ‘They have sworn that they will not eat nor drink as long as they have not been able-to-kill Paul. They are now ready and they are just waiting for your word.'” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However don’t you permit it, because there are forty men who are hiding to ambush him. Their agreement is very tight that they will not eat or drink until they have not yet killed Paul. They are ready and the only thing they are waiting for is your command.'” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But don’t (sing.) believe-it, because more than forty people will be waiting-in-ambush for him, and they have vowed that they will not eat and drink until they kill him. They are already prepared, and it’s only your (sing.) approval that they are waiting-for.'” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “If possible/acceptable I am really asking you that you won’t permit it, for there are more than forty Jews who have put their bodies under oath that they won’t eat or drink until they have killed Pablo. Right now they are in readiness. They are just waiting for what your reply will be to the people who come to ask you. If you permit it, they will lie in wait for him.'” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

formal 2nd person pronoun (Spanish)

Like many languages (but unlike Greek or Hebrew or English), Spanish uses a formal vs. informal second-person pronoun (a familiar vs. a respectful “you”). Spanish Bibles all use only the informal second-person pronoun (tú), with the exception of Dios Habla Hoy (third edition: 1996) which also uses the formal pronoun (usted). In the referenced verses, the formal form is used.

Sources and for more information: P. Ellingworth in The Bible Translator 2002, p. 143ff. and R. Ross in The Bible Translator 1993, p. 217ff. .

See also the use of the formal vs. the informal pronoun in the Gospels in Tuvan and 2nd person pronoun with high register.

Japanese benefactives (-naide)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, -naide (ないで) or “do not (for their sake)” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on Acts 23:21

In the Greek, will be hiding and waiting are actually in the present tense, though it is quite common for a Greek writer to use the present tense as a future when he wants to make something vivid.

They are now ready to do it is no doubt a reference specifically to killing Paul, though it could be understood that they are ready to make the request.

Waiting for your decision may be rendered as “waiting to hear what you say” or “waiting to hear what you reply.”

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Acts 23:21

23:21a

The Greek conjunction often translated as “therefore” introduces this verse. It introduces the conclusion. 23:21a tells what Paul’s nephew wants the commander to do now that he knows about the plot. For example:

So (New American Standard Bible)

Some English versions translate the contrast here. For example:

but (Revised Standard Version)

Do not let them persuade you: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as let…persuade means “to be persuaded/convinced.” Paul’s nephew did not want the commander to allow the leaders to persuade him to agree to sending Paul to them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

do not be persuaded by them (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Don’t give in to them (New International Version)
-or-
Do not believe them (New Jerusalem Bible)

23:21b

are waiting to ambush him: This phrase indicates that the forty men were at that time waiting somewhere on the way so that they could surprise Paul and the soldiers guarding him and kill him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

hiding along the way ready to ambush him (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
are hiding and waiting to kill Paul (New Century Version)

The Greek verb is in the present tense. But the proposed meeting was not until the next day (23:20b). It is possible for a Greek present tense to describe a future action in some cases. For example:

will be hiding and waiting for him (Good News Translation)

But if the future tense would indicate the wrong meaning, use the present tense.

23:21c

have bound themselves with an oath: Here this phrase is “speak a curse,” as in 23:12 (“bound…with an oath”). Some ways to translate this phrase are:

have bound themselves under a curse
-or-
have asked God to curse them (God’s Word)
-or-
promised with a curse of bad consequences ⌊should they not fulfill it⌋

See how you translated this phrase in 23:12.

have killed him: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as killed means “ended the life of” or “destroyed.” It implies that the conspirators wanted to kill Paul. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

do away with him (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
destroy him

In some languages the above examples would not clearly mean “kill.” If that is true in your language, translate as the Berean Standard Bible does. See how you translated this word in 23:15.

23:21d

awaiting your consent: The word consent indicates that the Jews were waiting for the commander to agree to their request to meet with Paul. Other ways to translate this clause are:

waiting for you to permit ⌊the meeting⌋
-or-
waiting for you to allow ⌊them to meet with Paul⌋

Your translation should not indicate or imply that the Jewish leaders were asking for permission to kill Paul.

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