empty-handed

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “empty-handed” or similar in English is translated in Elhomwe idiomatically with “with hands only.” (Source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

See also send away empty-handed.

complete verse (Deuteronomy 15:13)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 15:13:

  • Kupsabiny: “And when you release that person to go his way, do not let him go with empty hands.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When you release him, do not send him away empty-handed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And when you (plur.) are- now -going-to-set- him -free, do- not -send- him -away empty-handed.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “When you free them, do not allow them to go empty-handed/without giving them anything.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 15:13

The beginning of verse 13 repeats the end of verse 12.

You shall not let him go empty-handed: to send them away without giving them something would only worsen their situation, since they had not earned any money during their time of servitude.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .