peace (inner peace)

The Hebrew, Ge’ez, and Greek that is usually translated into English as “peace,” when referring to one’s inner peace, is (back-) translated with a variety of idioms and phrases:

In American Sign Language it is signed with a compound sign consisting of “become” and “silent.” (Source: Yates 2011, p. 52)


“Peace” in American Sign Language (source )

See also peace (absence of strife) and this devotion on YouVersion and this one on Bible Gateway .

complete verse (Deuteronomy 20:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Deuteronomy 20:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “When you are heading towards any city wanted to fight it, first go to the people of that city in a way of peace.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When you go to fight with any city, first of all you are to put terms of peace before the people there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘When you (plur.) will-attack a town, you (plur.) give first a chance the residents to surrender.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘hen you come near a city that is far away to attack it, first tell the people there that if they surrender, you will not attack them.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Deuteronomy 20:10

When you draw near to a city to fight against it: verses 10-18 give instructions on laying siege to fortified towns, that is, towns that had walls around them. Verse 15 reveals that these instructions apply only to towns that are outside of Israel.

Offer terms of peace to it: before mounting a siege against a town, the Israelites are to lay down the conditions under which they will not attack it. So Good News Translation says “first give its people a chance to surrender,” and Bible en français courant “first propose to the inhabitants that they surrender without fighting.” Contemporary English Version puts verse 15 first, with “Before you attack a town that is far from your land, offer peace….” This is a good alternative solution.

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 .