The name that is transliterated as “Felix” in English means “delusive,” “happy,” “prosperous.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )
In Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) it is translated with a sign that signifies the fact that he was a governor (of Judea) and corrupt (see Acts 24:26), and also to the clothes worn by politicians at the time. (Source: Missão Kophós )
Following are a number of back-translations of Acts 25:14:
Uma: “When they had been in Kaisarea for several nights, Festus spoke of Paulus’ case to King Agripa, he said: ‘There is here a man who was jailed during the rule of Feliks.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
Yakan: “After some days, Pestus told the king about the case of Paul. He said, ‘There is a man here detained by Pilik.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
Western Bukidnon Manobo: “A few days after that Festus told King Agrippa of the case concerning Paul. He said, ‘There is a prisoner here that Felix did not set free.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “When they had been a slightly-long-while there, Festus related to King Agrippa concerning Pablo’s case. He said, ‘There is a prisoner here that Governor Felix left.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
Tagbanwa: “Well since it was now quite a while that Agripa-and-co were there, Festo then related to them concerning Pablo. He said, ‘There is a prisoner who was left by Felix whom I replaced.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
Some languages do not have a concept of kingship and therefore no immediate equivalent for the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Latin that is translated as “king” in English. Here are some (back-) translations:
Ninia Yali: “big brother with the uplifted name” (source: Daud Soesilio in Noss 2007, p. 175)
Nyamwezi: mutemi: generic word for ruler, by specifying the city or nation it becomes clear what kind of ruler (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
Ghomála’: Fo (“The word Fo refers to the paramount ruler in the kingdoms of West Cameroon. He holds administrative, political, and religious power over his own people, who are divided into two categories: princes (descendants of royalty) and servants (everyone else).” (Source: Michel Kenmogne in Theologizing in Context: An Example from the Study of a Ghomala’ Christian Hymn))
Faye Edgerton retells how the term in Navajo (Dinė) was determined:
“[This term was] easily expressed in the language of Biblical culture, which had kings and noblemen with their brilliant trappings and their position of honor and praise. But leadership among the Navajos is not accompanied by any such titles or distinctions of dress. Those most respected, especially in earlier days, were their headmen, who were the leaders in raids, and the shaman, who was able to serve the people by appealing for them to the gods, or by exorcising evil spirits. Neither of these made any outward show. Neither held his position by political intrigue or heredity. If the headman failed consistently in raids, he was superceded by a better warrior. If the shaman failed many times in his healing ceremonies, it was considered that he was making mistakes in the chants, or had lost favor with the gods, and another was sought. The term Navajos use for headman is derived from a verb meaning ‘to move the head from side to side as in making an oration.’ The headman must be a good orator, able to move the people to go to war, or to follow him in any important decision. This word is naat’áanii which now means ‘one who rules or bosses.’ It is employed now for a foreman or boss of any kind of labor, as well as for the chairman of the tribal council. So in order to show that the king is not just a common boss but the highest ruler, the word ‘aláahgo, which expresses the superlative degree, was put before naat’áanii, and so ‘aláahgo naat’áanii ‘anyone-more-than-being around-he-moves-his-head-the-one-who’ means ‘the highest ruler.’ Naat’áanii was used for governor as the context usually shows that the person was a ruler of a country or associated with kings.”
Explained Paul’s situation to the king is translated by most as “lay Paul’s case before the king.” The particular emphasis (whether of Paul’s “situation” or his “case”) is determined by what Festus tells the king in the following verses. In rendering Paul’s situation, one may say “how it was with Paul” or “how Paul had made his appeal to the Emperor,” since this is really the crucial issue in Paul’s case.
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 .
Since they were staying: There are several ways to translate the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Since:
(1) It means while. For example:
During their stay (New Living Translation (2004))
(New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
(2) It indicates the situation that prompted Felix to speak of Paul (grounds). For example:
Since they were staying (God’s Word)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Bible, Revised Edition, God’s Word)
(3) It means after. For example:
After they had been there (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, King James Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because BDAG chooses that interpretation.
several days: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as several days indicates that King Agrippa and Bernice spent more days with Festus after they greeted him and welcomed him to Judea. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Their visit lasted several days (New Jerusalem Bible) -or-
They prolonged their stay for some days (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English) -or-
They stayed there for some time (New Century Version)
25:14b
Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as laid out refers to explaining something with the hope of the other person advising him on the matter. Agrippa was a Jew and knew much about the Jews and their thoughts, customs, and such things. Festus wanted his advice about what to write about Paul and why the Jews asked that he be killed. Other ways to translate this clause are:
Festus explained Paul’s situation to the king (Good News Translation) -or-
seeking advice, Festus told the king about Paul, what the Jews accused him of doing, and what Paul said in defense -or-
Festus explained Paul’s case to the king to get his opinion (NET Bible)
25:14c
There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison: This clause in Greek is literally “There is a certain man having been left by Felix, a prisoner.” The words a certain man probably indicates that Festus did not expect King Agrippa to know who Paul was. Other ways to translate this clause are:
There is a prisoner here…whose case was left for me by Felix. (New Living Translation (2004)) -or-
A certain man remains a prisoner ⌊here⌋, whom Felix did nothing about before he left. -or-
Felix left a man here in prison. (Contemporary English Version)
Felix: This is the former Roman governor of Judea (23:24, 24:27). In some languages readers will need reminding who this is. For example:
⌊the previous governor,⌋ Felix
But since King Agrippa would know who Felix was, Festus would not need to explain who he was. So it may be better to add a footnote to explain instead of adding the explanation in the text. An example footnote is:
Felix was the previous governor of Judea (23:24, 24:27).
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®).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.