complete verse (Deuteronomy 15:8)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 15:8:

  • Kupsabiny: “Loan to him like he wants/needs according to his weakness/trouble.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Rather, give him whatever he needs without feeling pain in your heart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Rather be-generous and you (plur.) lend them whatever they need.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Instead, be generous and lend to them the money that they need.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 15:8

Open your hand: a way of saying “be generous” (Good News Translation) or “be kind” (Contemporary English Version). In some languages this will be expressed as “having an open heart toward.”

Lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be: simply “lend him as much as he needs.” Again “money” is the unstated object of the verb lend.

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 .